Your guide to March 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.
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March is the turning point of the year, and the best things to do in March in Dubai make the most of a short, golden window: still comfortable outdoors, noticeably warmer in the afternoons, and crowned by one of the richest horse races in the world. It is also the month when the winter festival season starts winding down, so many residents treat it as their last chance for desert nights, heritage festivals and long beach days before the heat builds. Here is what usually shapes the month.
The temperature climbs steadily through March. Early in the month, daytime highs in Dubai are often around 26 to 27°C, and by the end they can touch 30 to 32°C, with average highs for the month around 29 to 30°C. Nights remain comfortable at roughly 18 to 20°C. Humidity typically averages around 60%, a little lower than in winter. The sea warms to around 23 to 25°C, which is when swimming becomes genuinely enjoyable for most people. Short showers or a dusty, windy day are possible, but clear skies are the norm.
Think of March as the final lap for big outdoor plans. Desert camping is still pleasant, though midday dune activities are better scheduled for late afternoon. Hiking in Hatta or Ras Al Khaimah is best started at sunrise. Beach clubs and pool days come into their own, and evening plans on terraces and rooftops remain a highlight, with our nightlife guide covering where to go after dark. March is also a superb month for cycling at Al Qudra early in the day, for kayaking through the mangroves at Kalba or Abu Dhabi’s Jubail Mangrove Park, and for picnics in Safa Park or Zabeel Park before the grass gets too hot to sit on. If you have been meaning to visit an open-air attraction all winter, do it now, as several seasonal parks and markets usually close between April and June.
For more on exhibitions and cultural programmes, see our art and culture page.
UAE schools usually have a spring break of around two weeks in late March, though the exact dates vary by emirate and curriculum, and Sharjah schools may have a shorter break. Expect attractions, water parks and hotel staycations to be busier during those weeks, and airport queues to grow as families travel. Our kids’ events page is useful for filling the days, and booking theme park tickets online usually saves time at the gate.
Dubai World Cup tickets range from general admission to hospitality packages, and the best options sell out, so book through the official Meydan or Dubai Racing Club channels. Spring break staycations and family resort stays fill quickly. Popular brunches remain in demand until the weather turns, and desert safaris with evening dinners are worth reserving for weekends. If you are planning a long weekend in the mountains, lock in accommodation early.
The Islamic calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, so Ramadan arrives roughly 11 days earlier each year and spends several consecutive years overlapping March. During those years the city’s rhythm changes: daytime is calmer, evenings come alive with iftar tents and suhoor menus, and events lean towards family-friendly and cultural programmes. When Eid Al Fitr follows, there are public holidays, fireworks and busy malls and beaches. Dates are confirmed by moon sighting, so keep plans flexible.
Abu Dhabi has the last weeks of the Sheikh Zayed Festival at Al Wathba and plenty to do on Yas and Saadiyat islands; see our Abu Dhabi guide. Sharjah’s heritage programme makes a good day out from Dubai. In Fujairah, warming water makes March a popular month to start snorkelling around Snoopy Island and Dibba, and our Fujairah guide has more east coast ideas. Ras Al Khaimah’s mountain trails are best done early before the day warms.
Before you go, a few practical pointers. Shift energetic plans earlier or later in the day as the month goes on, and carry more water than you think you need on hikes, as the sun in Hatta and the Hajar foothills is stronger than the air temperature suggests. Sunscreen and a hat become non-negotiable. For race night at Meydan, plan transport in advance, as roads around Al Meydan Road get congested. And keep one eye on April, when the season’s outdoor finale and Dubai’s food calendar take over.
Running an event in March? Submit an event and tell us about it.
We list 7 events in Dubai and the UAE in March 2027, including Angad Ranyal Silly Papa Live 2027 in Dubai (20 Mar), Don’t Give Your Best – A Stand-up Comedy Show by Rahul Subramanian in Dubai (21 Mar), Tribute to Ziad Rahbani by Faraj Suleiman 2027 in Abu Dhabi (26 Mar). Tickets start from AED 78.75. Every listing links to the official ticket page.
Dubai World Cup night at Meydan Racecourse is a dressy occasion, and smart attire is expected in most enclosures, with suits, dresses and statement hats popular. Many guests treat it as the social event of the racing season and plan their outfits well ahead. Requirements vary by ticket type, so check the official guidance before you go, and choose comfortable shoes for standing on the lawns.
Spring break for most Dubai schools usually falls in late March and lasts about two weeks, though dates differ by curriculum and Sharjah schools may have a shorter break. During those weeks, theme parks, water parks and resorts get busier and flights fill up. Check your school’s calendar, which follows the UAE’s official academic year guidance.
Yes, March is a good time to start snorkelling in Fujairah, as the sea usually warms to around 23 to 25°C and visibility can be good on calm days. Snoopy Island near Al Aqah and the waters around Dibba are the most popular spots. Book boat trips with licensed operators and check wind conditions, as choppy seas can cancel outings.
By the end of March, Dubai’s daytime highs often reach around 30 to 32°C, compared with roughly 26 to 27°C at the start of the month. Evenings stay comfortable at about 18 to 20°C, and humidity is usually moderate. It is still pleasant outdoors, but midday sun feels strong, so plan hikes and desert drives for early morning or late afternoon.
The Sheikh Zayed Festival at Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi usually runs until around March, having opened in November, so its last weeks often fall in this month. It features country pavilions, Emirati heritage displays, food stalls, rides and fireworks, mostly in the evenings. Closing dates change each season, so confirm on the official channels. See our Abu Dhabi guide for nearby ideas.
Yes, March is still a comfortable month for desert camping in the UAE, especially in the first half when nights cool to around 18°C. Popular areas include the dunes off the Dubai to Al Ain road and the Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi. Daytimes get hot, so arrive in the late afternoon, carry plenty of water and avoid driving in the dunes without experience.
Not always: Art Dubai has usually been held in spring at Madinat Jumeirah, but its dates have shifted between March, April and May in recent years. The fair brings together galleries from around the world, with talks and programmes across the city during a wider art season. Check the official Art Dubai website for this year’s dates before planning a visit.
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