Your guide to August 2027 in Dubai and across the UAE. Dated events for the month are listed first, followed by attractions and experiences that stay open throughout.
New events are added as organisers announce them, so check back during the month. Open any listing for confirmed dates, times and booking details.
Planning things to do in August in the UAE means planning for the peak of summer and, at the same time, the build up to a new school year. August is usually the hottest month on the calendar, so daytime life moves indoors, but it is also a month of bargains, family festivals, back to school shopping and the first signs that the busy season is on its way. We see it as a month for slow mornings by the pool, long lunches in the cool and evenings out once the sun goes down.
Average daytime highs in Dubai reach about 42°C in August, the warmest of the year, and nights hover around 30°C. The Arabian Gulf is at its warmest too, with sea temperatures close to 33°C. Average relative humidity is a little over 50%, though muggy spells along the coast can push the feels like temperature well above the thermometer reading. Late summer can also bring the odd dramatic thunderstorm over the eastern mountains, which sometimes reaches Al Ain and the east coast. Shade, water and air conditioning are not luxuries this month, they are the plan.
Dubai Summer Surprises usually continues through most of August before wrapping up towards the end of the month, so there is still time for mall promotions, raffles, restaurant offers and family shows. In the final weeks the focus typically shifts to back to school, with deals on uniforms, stationery, laptops and tablets across the big malls. It is a good moment to tick off a shopping list while discounts are deepest. We gather current promotions on our offers page, and many of them are open to residents and visitors alike.
Most UAE schools are still on summer break for much of August, with many families returning from travel in the second half of the month and the new academic year usually beginning in late August or early September. Dates vary by curriculum and school, so check yours directly. The last two or three weeks are a good time for one more round of camps, a staycation, or a big day out at an indoor theme park before routines return. Ideas for keeping children entertained are on our kids events page.
When it is 42°C outside, we lean on the places built for exactly this weather. In Dubai, the huge malls double as entertainment hubs: Mall of the Emirates has Ski Dubai, The Dubai Mall has the Aquarium and an ice rink, and Dubai Hills Mall has indoor family attractions. The Museum of the Future, the Etihad Museum on Jumeirah Street and the immersive galleries in the city make good culture days. Afternoon tea in a hotel lounge is a very Dubai way to wait out the hottest hours; see our afternoon tea guide. Weekends are also a good time to try a long, air conditioned hotel brunch, a much loved local institution.
If you are determined to get outside, timing is everything. Sunrise is around 6am, and the hour after it is the most comfortable window for a beach walk, a run or a paddle. Water parks are busy throughout summer for good reason, and some evening beach clubs and rooftop terraces with misting fans stay open for those who like to be outdoors after dark. Desert safaris do operate in summer, usually as late afternoon trips that run into the evening, but the heat on the dunes is intense, so go with a reputable operator and drink plenty of water. Hiking in Hatta or Ras Al Khaimah is best avoided until the weather turns.
Because the Islamic Hijri calendar is lunar and around 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, Ramadan and both Eids move earlier by about 11 days annually. That means August can host Ramadan, Eid or the Hijri New Year in some years and none of them in others. The UAE government announces official public holidays, often confirming them only shortly before based on the moon sighting. If a holiday does fall in the summer, family attractions, hotels and malls tend to put on special programmes, and long weekends are popular for short trips within the country.
Abu Dhabi is a strong summer choice thanks to its indoor attractions on Yas Island and cultural institutions on Saadiyat Island, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi; browse our Abu Dhabi guide. Sharjah’s summer shopping campaign usually runs into August, and the emirate’s museums, aquarium and indoor play spaces are good value for families. Ras Al Khaimah tempts summer visitors with cooler mountain air on Jebel Jais and resort deals on the coast. Ajman and Umm Al Quwain are quieter and often offer good value staycations if you simply want a change of scene and a pool. Before September arrives, see what is next in our September guide.
Hosting something in August? Submit an event so families and late summer visitors can find it.
The list below shows every event we have for August 2027 across Dubai and the UAE, from concerts and comedy to family events and sport.
Yes, August is usually marginally hotter than July in Dubai and is typically the hottest month of the year, with average daytime highs of about 42°C and night time temperatures around 30°C. The sea is at its warmest too, close to 33°C. Humidity averages a little over 50%, but muggy coastal spells can make it feel much hotter, so most people keep outdoor plans to early mornings and evenings.
Most UAE schools usually start the new academic year in late August or early September, after a summer break that typically begins in late June or early July. Dates are set by the Ministry of Education and can vary for private schools and alternative curricula, including some Indian and Pakistani schools, so always confirm with your child’s school. Back to school sales in Dubai malls usually peak during August.
Desert safaris in Dubai do run in August, but the heat on the dunes is intense, so they are best suited to visitors who handle high temperatures well. Most operators schedule summer trips for late afternoon into the evening, finishing with dinner after sunset when it is slightly cooler. Choose a licensed, reputable operator, drink plenty of water, wear a hat and avoid the trip if you are pregnant or have heart or back problems.
Yes, Dubai malls usually run back to school sales in the second half of August, often as part of the final weeks of Dubai Summer Surprises. Big malls such as Mall of the Emirates, The Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City Mall and City Centre Deira typically run offers on uniforms, shoes, stationery and electronics. Retailers and festival organisers announce the details each year, and we round up current promotions on our offers page.
Hiking in Hatta or Ras Al Khaimah in August is generally not safe for most people, because rocky mountain trails trap heat and temperatures can exceed 40°C by mid morning. Most hikers wait until the cooler season, usually from late October, when trails become comfortable again. If you do go out in summer, start before sunrise, choose a short route, carry far more water than you think you need and tell someone your plans.
UAE hotels usually offer their best staycation deals in August because demand is low during the peak heat, so properties across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman typically cut rates well below winter levels. Many packages include breakfast, pool access, kids clubs and late checkout. Look for resort pools with plenty of shade, and remember that rates usually rise again once schools return and the cooler season begins.
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