More about: 13 Things to Do in Dubai in November
Dubai is a real paradise in November; the wonderful weather will be with you wherever you go, allowing you to enjoy the Fitness Fest, the Italian Opera, the exhibitions at the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Frame to the full , as well as other exclusive November events such as Dubai Watch Week.
That said, make sure your main aim is to get to know this charming city, learn about its history and make the most of the tours on offer, including cruises along the Dubai Marina, desert safaris and other incredible activities you can enjoy if you’re travelling at this time of year.
1. Open the Burj Khalifa art exhibition
Although the Dubai art exhibition inside the Burj Khalifa usually runs until February, it begins in November. This means that if you’re lucky enough to be in this dream city in the penultimate month of the year, you’ll be able to attend the opening of one of the world’s most important art events. It’s impossible to describe the sheer number of artworks you’ll find at this event! And best of all! In the very tallest building in the world. Take my word for it! From up high, everything has a special flavour.
What’s more, many of the exhibitions taking place in November at the Burj Khalifa will be free to enter; all with the aim of encouraging interest in art in this magical city in the United Arab Emirates. Interesting, isn’t it?
2. Dubai Frame awaits you in November
November is a very artistic month in Dubai, so a visit to this incredible and innovative museum is a must, as November and December are theperfect months to discover the city, its history and its culture. If you buy tickets for the Dubai Frame Museum, you should know that the price is usually around 15 euros; however, if you visit in November, you can get in with a discount of up to 80%.
This giant frame-shaped museum aims to show us two completely different sides of Dubai. On one side, you can admire modern, luxurious Dubai, and on the other, you can glimpse the old city – or, rather, the origins of Dubai. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to enjoy a range of audiovisual exhibitions designed to showcase the past, present and future of this iconic city.
Being lucky enough to view the whole city from a decent height and from two completely different perspectives will give you an idea of its rapid yet remarkable history. What’s more, if you’re left wanting more and want to see every corner up close, tours of Dubai can help you round out your understanding of the city and its culture.
3. Get up close to the underwater world at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Whilst the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is an exceptional place that you can easily visit at other times of the year, the fact is that, given its capacity, November is the month when you’ll have the most freedom to explore this incredible site without having to stand on tiptoes or wait for others to move so you can see what caught your eye.
Imagine having the freedom to observe and get up close to over 140 species of aquatic animals – more than 400 sharks! I don’t know about you, but I could stay and live there for the rest of my life.
4. Guided tour of the Jumeirah Mosque
One of the best ways to visit the Jumeirah Mosque is by booking a tour of Dubai, and the best time of year is undoubtedly November, as it is a relatively quiet month for religious activities, meaning you can admire every detail of this architectural marvel without the crowds, as well as learning more about the fundamentals and curiosities of Islam. That said, if possible, try to arrive before 10 am, as guided tours are only available on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, and last for an hour and a half. If you’re interested in learning more about Arab culture, I recommend travelling to Abu Dhabi from Dubai
Important! Men are not allowed to enter in shorts, and women should wear a scarf to cover their hair if they wish to go inside.
5. Don’t forget the Fitness Fest in Dubai this November
If you love a sporty, healthy lifestyle, you simply can’t miss the Fitness Fest. It’s an annual event held in early November at the Skydive Dubai club, and there’s no shortage of surprises! Mind you, to enjoy all the activities on offer completely free of charge, you’ll need to register on one of the officialfitness websitesorganising the event.
It usually takes place over two consecutive days packed with outdoor sports competitions, featuring massive shows and attended by big names and celebrities. Not only that, but there are also completely free seminars and classes offered by leading figures from the worlds of sport and nutrition to help guide you towards a healthy and sustainable lifestyle . What a way to make the most of your trip!
It doesn’t end there! You’ll also have access to the Healthy Cooking Theatre, where chefs and nutritionists will team up to teach you how to prepare tasty and healthy dishes. Isn’t that amazing?
6. Don’t miss the big day of Italian opera in Dubai
If you dream of a magical evening in Dubai, you can start looking for tickets now for this incredible annual event held in November at the Centrepoint Theatre, a venue that lives up to expectations.
If attending an opera concert gives you goosebumps, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to go to this incredible annual event, attended by leading figures from the world of Italian opera. What’s more, the venue is a real treat for lovers of glamour, where you might even spot and meet leading figures from the worlds of art and music.
7. Don’t forget to pop along to the Speciality Food Festival
The Speciality Food Festival is a three-day event held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. There’s no entry fee to attend, but you do need to email the organisers via the official SFF website to confirm your attendance.
I’m sure you’ll be amazed by the array of dishes created with exotic and artisanal ingredients; the experimentation and innovation on display are truly commendable. That said, as the saying goes, all that glitters is not gold; as it is a free event, it tends to attract huge crowds, so your experience may be affected by the limited capacity. To avoid this, I recommend arriving as early as possible and finding out how to get around Dubai toavoid any hiccups.
8. Treat yourself to a desert safari excursion
November is an ideal month, thanks to its mild temperatures, to visit one of the country’s major attractions: its desert. But how would you like to not only walk through the dunes, but also ride a camel, try sandboarding, have a falconry experience and, to top it all off, enjoy a wonderful dinner?
Well, by booking this desert safari trip, you’ll be signing up for a full day packed with excitement during your holiday in Dubai. The Al Khayma camp offers a day packed with all these activities – around 7 hours of fun, including refreshments and a traditional Bedouin dinner to sample the local cuisine. Are you up for it?
9. Try a hot-air balloon ride at a magical hour
They say that one of the things you must do in life before you die is go on a hot-air balloon ride. Well, this could be the perfect opportunity, as by booking this sunrise hot-air balloon flight, you’ll be able to see Dubai from a very different perspective and at a magical time of day: sunrise!
Throughout the tour, you’ll be accompanied by an expert guide and pilot who will take you up in a hot-air balloon to a height of between 600 and 1,200 metres. An unforgettable experience that you can enjoy as a couple, with the family... it’s suitable for everyone, and you certainly won’t regret doing it.
10. Take a cruise on a luxury mega-yacht
If there’s one thing that catches our eye about Dubai, it’s the economy that drives the country and the opulence of the city and its residents. We’re used to seeing luxury yachts moored in the harbour, but have you ever considered the possibility of travelling on one during your trip? If you fancy a bit of a treat, you can treat yourself by booking a mega-yacht cruise with dinner in Dubai..
You’ll sail aboard one of the most spectacular and glamorous mega-yachts in the area on a cruise lasting approximately 3 hours, during which you can dine by choosing your menu from the live cooking stations and thus watch the chefs prepare the dishes, whilst enjoying the night-time views and the illuminated city of Dubai.
11. Keep an eye out for Dubai Watch Week
If you’re thinking of buying a good watch and don’t know when or where to go, let me clear up your doubts with a single sentence: Head to Dubai Watch Week! Although the event seems to be weekly, it actually runs throughout the second half of November. And yes, you can attend completely free of charge at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
It’s not just an event where luxury watches are sold; they’re displayed as if they were works of art. The truth is, the idea of carrying around with you everywhere a piece that’s unique in the world and that also tells you the time is simply priceless.
What’s more, if for any reason you find that the DIFC isn’t nearby, don’t give up hope, as Dubai Mall will also be hosting Watch Week. Furthermore, not everything is out of reach; there is such a wide variety and range on offer that it’s possible to take home an exclusive watch without having to sacrifice your financial well-being.
12. Hop on the best rides at IMG Worlds of Adventure
If you’re a fan of adrenaline and thrills and are lucky enough to be in Dubai in November, IMG Worlds of Adventure should be your first port of call, as it’s the world’s largest indoor theme park. Whilst it’s also open at other times of the year, November is the month with the biggest discounts, as it coincides with the ‘Boom!’ of Marvel comics and figures. What’s more, in November it’s open every single day, without exception.
In this massive theme park designed for both children and adults, you’ll find rides based on popular cartoon characters, Marvel superheroes and dinosaurs; rollercoasters; haunted houses and other thrill-packed attractions.
13. Don’t miss Dubai Design Week
Dubai Design Week takes place in mid-November in the Dubai Design District, and is nothing less than the most important annual creative festival in the Middle East. Luckily for you, the event is completely free; so now you know what to do in Dubai in the middle of the month.
The event not only covers the textile sector, but also makes room for art and architecture . Wow! An event to please everyone. What’s more, there will be exhibitions, exciting activities, talks, workshops and other surprises.
Best of all, within this event there are two hugely popular sub-events: the Grad Show and Abwab.
- Grad Show: This mini-event showcases the 100 best ideas designed by university students, all with the aim of giving young people a voice and an opportunity.
- Abwab: Abwab is a pavilion showcasing the most acclaimed works of art from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. An event you should attend if you love art.
Temperatures in Dubai in November
November, along with December and January in Dubai, is one of the best months to visit Dubai. With an average maximum temperature of 31°C and an average minimum of 18°C, you won’t be able to complain!
Even so, I always recommend checking official weather websites to avoid any exceptions spoiling your day. What’s more, it rarely rains in November and the sun shines for an average of 10 hours a day. A real treat, isn’t it?
Why travel to Dubai in November?
An average temperature of 25 degrees and hardly any rainfall are among the major advantages of travelling to Dubai at this time of year. What’s more, the water usually stays warm enough to encourage you to take a cruise around Dubai Marina, or even go for a swim at the crystal-clear beaches along the coast.
Another advantage is the discounts on cultural activities, making it possible for you to visit museums and attend artistic and musical events without breaking the bank.
Prices in November in Dubai
November, whilst being a pleasant month in terms of weather, is actually quite cheap compared to other months of the year when the high number of tourists means that, due to supply and demand, the cost of living is slightly higher. That said, do try to book well in advance, as flight and hotel prices tend to rise towards the end of November.
Whilst November isn’t the best month for discounts in Dubai – unless you’re into cultural activities (for which there are often significant offers) – that doesn’t mean you can’t find the odd bargain.
What to wear in Dubai in November
Although November is a month with a fairly pleasant average temperature, it is common to experience hot and cold spells, as we mustn’t forget that Dubai is located in a desert region. For this reason, it is usually best to wear summer or spring clothing in the morning and afternoon, and wrap up a bit more as darkness begins to fall.
In any case, due to the prevailing religion in this country, you must adhere to certain dress codes. I recommend reading this post on what to wear in Dubai for further information.