Your guide to May 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.
List your events for free on Thingstodo.ae and get a page that collects all your upcoming dates in one place.
May is when summer truly arrives, and the best things to do in May in Dubai and the wider UAE are about timing: early starts, late evenings and a growing reliance on the country’s superb indoor attractions. It is a quieter month for big outdoor festivals, but food events, art and family culture keep the calendar lively, and hotel and dining offers start appearing as the visitor season eases. We think May rewards people who plan a little, so here is what to expect.
Average daytime highs in Dubai are around 37 to 38°C in May, and some days climb above 40°C, especially inland and in Al Ain. Nights rarely drop below about 25°C. The good news is that humidity is usually at its lowest of the year, averaging roughly 50%, so the heat is dry and sea breezes help on the coast. Rain is almost unheard of. The sea is warm, usually around 28 to 29°C, which makes it bath-like for swimming but less refreshing in the afternoon. Sun protection, shade and water matter from now on. Cars heat up quickly in open car parks, so use shaded or underground parking where you can, and never leave children or pets inside a parked car, even briefly.
You can still enjoy the outdoors in May if you shift your hours. Beaches are lovely from sunrise until about 10am and again after 5pm. Evening dhow cruises, waterfront dinners at Bluewaters, Dubai Marina or Al Seef, and night swims at hotel pools are all good options. Most desert operators continue to run evening safaris, but full day dune trips become hard work. Golfers move their tee times to first light, and runners and cyclists head out before 6am or wait until after sunset. Several seasonal attractions usually close for the summer between May and June, including Dubai Safari Park and Dubai Miracle Garden, so check closing dates before you go.
May is also a busy month for exhibitions, gallery openings and conferences; our art and culture page and business networking page keep track of them.
Dubai is built for the heat, and May is when its indoor attractions shine. Ski Dubai, the Dubai Aquarium, the Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame and the observation decks at Burj Khalifa are all climate controlled. Big malls such as The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Hills Mall are full of cinemas, family entertainment and dining. Afternoon tea in a hotel lounge is a very civilised way to spend a hot afternoon; see our afternoon tea guide. Comedy nights, theatre and live shows move fully indoors, and our comedy shows page is a good place to start for evenings out.
As visitor numbers dip, hotels, spas and restaurants start launching summer offers in May, so it is worth watching our offers page. Book Restaurant Week tables early. If Eid falls in May, flights and staycations fill fast and prices rise, so reserve as soon as the likely dates are known. Indoor attractions can be busy at weekends, and online booking with a timed entry slot usually saves queuing.
Ramadan and the two Eids shift about 11 days earlier every year on the Gregorian calendar, so in some years May includes Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr or even Eid Al Adha, and in others none of them. Eid Al Adha, which follows the Hajj, comes around 70 days after Eid Al Fitr. Each Eid usually brings public holidays, family gatherings, fireworks and busier malls and hotels. Exact dates depend on the moon sighting, so stay flexible and follow official announcements.
For families, May is normally a full school month, with exams for older students and the summer holiday still a few weeks away. Families tend to plan indoor weekends, swimming lessons and holiday camps for the break ahead. Our kids’ events page lists current shows and activities.
Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island is a strong choice in May, with Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld Yas Island all largely indoors. The east coast at Fujairah and Khor Fakkan stays a few degrees cooler on some days, and the mountains around Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah are noticeably cooler than the coast. Sharjah’s museums, from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization to the Sharjah Art Museum, are a quiet, air-conditioned alternative for a culture day, and the Al Noor Island gardens are pleasant around sunset. Ajman and Umm Al Quwain offer low-key beach hotels that are popular for an easy overnight escape.
For the month after, see our June guide on planning a full summer month.
Planning an event in May? Submit an event and we will review it.
We list 4 events in Dubai and the UAE in May 2027, including The Way Back Home – Live on Stage! in Abu Dhabi (7 May), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 2027 in Abu Dhabi (14 May), The Way Back Home – Live on Stage! in Dubai (15 May). Tickets start from AED 52.5. Every listing links to the official ticket page.
Dubai is hot in May, with average daytime highs of around 37 to 38°C and some days passing 40°C, while nights usually stay around 25°C or above. Humidity is often at its lowest of the year, close to 50%, so the heat is dry. Plan beach time before 10am or after 5pm and spend the middle of the day indoors.
No, Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Safari Park both usually close for the summer around late May to mid June, then reopen in the cooler months, typically from around October. Closing dates are announced each year and can change. If you want a final visit, go early in the day, carry water and check the official websites before setting off.
Yes, May is usually when UAE hotels, spas and restaurants begin launching summer offers, as visitor numbers drop after the peak winter season. Staycation packages in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah often include dining credit, late checkout or kids’ perks. Offers vary each year, so compare directly with hotels and check our offers page for current deals.
Adults in Dubai often spend hot May afternoons at the Museum of the Future, the galleries of Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz, a hotel spa or a long afternoon tea in a five-star lounge. Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates is fun for grown-ups too. In the evening, comedy clubs, theatre at Dubai Opera and indoor live music venues take over.
Saadiyat Beach and Corniche Beach are the best places for a morning swim in Abu Dhabi in May, when sea temperatures usually reach about 28 to 29°C, which feels like a warm bath rather than a cool dip, so go before 9am. Lifeguarded beaches are safest, and the sand gets painfully hot by midday, so wear sandals.
Eid Al Adha usually falls around 70 days after Eid Al Fitr, as it follows the Hajj pilgrimage in the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. Both holidays move about 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar, so either can fall in May in some years. Each typically brings UAE public holidays, fireworks and busier hotels, with dates confirmed by moon sighting.
Get the best of the UAE in your inbox
Be first to hear about new events, weekend picks and free things to do. No spam, unsubscribe any time.