20 Things To Do In Dubai At Night

If you are planning to visit Dubai, there is an incredible range of activities, sights and experiences to enjoy after sunset all year round. Temperatures during the daytime might soar in summer, but no matter what season, Dubai at night is always comfortable to explore. Dubai lives up to this expectation and more by being one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, offering unforgettable experiences.

There’s always something to do in this futuristic land of iconic skyscrapers, theme parks, pristine beaches and mega malls offering some of the best shopping in the world. The desert sand dunes are only an hour’s drive away. More than 80% of Dubai’s residents are expatriates, which makes it one of the most diverse cities in the world. Dubai’s iconic structures come alive after night, like Burj Khalifa’s LED lighting or the fantastic fireworks on December 31st.

Dubai’s nightlife is vibrant, and there’s a plethora of activities for families and single travellers. Many malls, restaurants and theme parks remain open long after sunset allowing families and kids to enjoy exciting attractions and global cuisine options.

One of the benefits of Dubai’s cosmopolitan background is the availability of a variety of cuisines. In Dubai, you can find the best food every country has to offer, with a range of restaurants, food courts, and various price ranges. Almost every mall and neighbourhood in Dubai offers a wide selection of culinary options, including Indian, American, Chinese, European, Japanese, Mexican and Lebanese. So you could be eating sashimi one night for dinner and boeuf bourguignon the next. Or nasi lemak for dinner and baklava for dessert.

Dubai is a great place for partying late at night and has a vibrant nightlife with an excellent choice of bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs. Popular neighbourhoods such as Jumeirah and Sheik Zayed Road are where you will find several popular clubs and lounge bars frequented by internationally renowned DJs regularly. Do keep in mind that Dubai has strict alcohol laws. The legal drinking age is 21 and consumption of alcohol is not allowed in public places. Even so, you’ll have a fun time with these things to do in Dubai at night.

Dubai At Night

21 Things To Do In Dubai At Night

1- Admire The Night Lights From Dubai Burj Khalifa

Visiting Burj Khalifa is one of the top things to do in Dubai at night, as it’s the tallest skyscraper in the world and one of the most famous landmarks in Dubai.

The view from the tower’s 124th floor is nothing like you’ve seen and is stunning after dark when the city lights up.

At the right time, you can enjoy the choreographed light show of the Burj Khalifa Lake fountains shooting water up to 500 ft (152.4 m) into the air.

Head to levels 124, 125 and 148. It’s open every night until midnight, so skip the line and reserve your tickets here.

Burj Khalifa is at 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, Dubai.

2- Sky Views Dubai

With a trio of experiences – Sky Observatory, Sky Glass Slide and the Sky Edge Walk – this new attraction in downtown Dubai will get your adrenalin pumping.

Slide from the 53rd floor inside a transparent glass tube suspended in the air.

If that’s not enough of a thrill, there’s also an adrenaline-raising hands-free walk on the ledge around the periphery of the building on the same floor.

The view of Burj Khalifa’s fireworks from an excellent vantage point and a bird’s eye view of Dubai’s skyline is worth the trip.

Sky Views Observatory is in Emaar Square, Downtown Dubai and is open until 10 pm most nights. Reserve your entry ticket here.

3- Go Shopping At Dubai Mall

At the base of Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in the world.

The mall is a destination on its own, with over 1200 shops and several food courts serving various food from around the world.

It has an Olympic-size skating rink and many attractions for families, such as Kidzania, a virtual reality park and go-karting tracks.

A highlight is the fountain light show, where water jets are synchronised to music and lighting.

The mall is open on Friday and Saturday until 1 am and midnight the rest of the week.

Dubai Mall is at Financial Center Street, Along Sheikh Zayed Road, Next to Burj Khalifa, Dubai.

4- Visit The Dubai Aquarium 

Within the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium & Zoo deserves a place of its own on this list.

The aquarium is the world’s largest suspended aquarium and has a huge variety of marine animals thriving in various ecosystems.

There’s a 48m aquarium tunnel, glass-bottom boat rides, the Rainforest, Rocky Shore and Living Ocean ecosystems in the Underwater Zoo.

You’ll find encounters with penguins, king crocs and more, making the trip to the aquarium worthwhile for adults and children.

The aquarium is open until 11 pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends.

Dubai Aquarium is at Dubai Mall, Doha Street, Off 1st Interchange – Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Reserve a combined entry ticket to the aquarium and Burj Khalifa here.

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5- Escape To The Desert On A Safari

The Arabian desert is less than an hour’s drive from downtown Dubai.

Booking a dunes experience with one of the many tour operators will transport you on a desert safari, where you can experience the thrill of sand cruising on steep dunes.

Take your pick of thrilling activities such as quad-biking, sandboarding, hot-air ballooning and camel rides.

Trips to the desert are extremely popular and you will need to book in advance to make sure you don’t miss out.

Itineraries and the duration of the trips vary. An evening trip offers stunning sunset views, cultural programs and a barbeque dinner.

6- Cruise Like A Millionaire On A Mega Yacht

There are many ways to see Dubai, and one of the most luxurious ways to experience the city is to go on a mega yacht cruise.

Dubai has a long coastline and a skyline dotted with impressive buildings and architecture that has sprung out of the desert.

You can see the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis Hotel, Dubai Marina and many others from the sea while dining and wining on a luxury yacht.

Like the desert safari, you’ll need to book a yacht cruise in advance.

7- Enjoy An Evening At The Beach

Dubai has white sandy beaches accessible all year round and public beaches where you can enjoy a sunset.

La Mer is one of Dubai’s newest beaches and has an instagrammable beachfront and a water park.

Other beaches are Jumeirah Beach, Kite Beach and JBR Beach.

Each beach has unique attractions and dining options.

8- Go Skiing In Mall Of The Emirates

For a winter experience in the desert, you’ll be delighted to discover that Dubai has a manmade ski run where you can learn to ski.

Ski Dubai in the Mall Of The Emirates offers a frozen winter wonderland where the temperatures are continuously maintained near zero degrees.

Activities include ice slides, ice sculptures, zip lines, chairlift rides and more apart from skiing.

Ski Dubai is in the Mall Of The Emirates at Sheikh Zayed Rd, Al Barsha, Al Barsha 1, Dubai. It’s open Monday to Thursday (until 11 pm) and Friday to Sunday (until midnight). Order your full-day pass here.

9- See The Lost Chambers Aquarium At The Atlantis

Situated near the Atlantis Hotel on Palm Jumeirah islands, the Lost Chambers Aquarium is an Atlantis-themed aquarium with underwater halls, underwater tunnels and live feeding sessions.

Combined with the Aquaventure Waterpark, a trip to the aquarium can be a complete day of fun activities topped off by dinner at one of the many restaurants nearby the park.

Don’t miss the multi-coloured Palm Fountain water fountain show directly opposite the Lost Chambers Aquarium daily between sunset and midnight for an amazing finish to the day.

The Lost Chambers Aquarium is in Atlantis, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

10- Have Fun At Motiongate Dubai Theme Park

Motiongate Dubai is a theme park with rides inspired by Hollywood movies.

There are a variety of rides, simulations, parades, play areas and live shows in a movie set atmosphere.

There are six zones to choose from and many dining options to ensure you can spend ample time inside the park well into the evening.

Check out the showtimes for various shows and activities to suit your family’s liking. Save time and skip the line by booking your ticket here.

Motiongate Dubai Theme Park is open Sunday to Thursday (until 8 pm) and Friday and Saturday (until 9 pm) on Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai.

11- Explore Dubai Global Village

Dubai Global Village is a seasonal multicultural amusement park that opens between October and April.

The village is a blend between theme park and market, featuring 78 cultures in 26 pavilions with thousands of displays from across the world.

You can pick up traditional handicrafts unique to each country and try snacks from over 200 eateries.

The park is popular with families and offers attractions like Ripley’s museums and shows from different countries.

Dubai Global Village is open from Sunday to Wednesday (until midnight) and Thursday to Saturday (until 1 am) at Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Road and Emirates Road – Exit 37 – E311 – Dubai.

12- Dine In The Sky

It’s one of the 10 most unique restaurants in the world; ‘Dinner in the Sky’ is a memorable dining experience high above the ground.

A table is suspended by a crane 50 me in the sky above the Dubai night skyline, allowing you to admire the view while enjoying a three-course dinner.

The table rotates slightly during the meal so that everyone at the table gets a chance to enjoy different aspects of the view.

It’s an experience you won’t easily forget, and you can book your dinner slot in advance so you don’t miss out.

Dinner in the Sky is open until 2 am at Al Sufoh – Skydive – Al Seyahi St – Dubai. Reserve your spot here.

13- Visit Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina Walk is a waterside promenade lined with cafes, shops and pop-up craft markets.

The area buzzes with activity in Dubai at night, and the beach is just a short distance away, where you can spend the evening sipping a cool drink or cooling off in the waters.

Dubai Marina Mall is a high-end mall packed with luxury fashion brands.

Nearby, you can explore many of Dubai’s landmarks by going on a yacht or dhow cruise from the marina.

14- Go Shopping At Deira Gold Souk

Deira Gold Souk is one of the old souks (markets) located in the older part of Dubai and retains its old-fashioned charm even today.

Lined with hundreds of shops selling spices, clothes and jewellery, the souk is the place to go shopping.

Admire the traditional gold jewellery displayed in the shops. Some of these designs are unique and you won’t find them anywhere else in the world.

The gold merchants in the Gold Souk in Deira are regulated by the Government of UAE, guaranteeing the authenticity and purity of gold.

Many locals and visitors shop in the souk.

Deira Gold Souk is open until 9.30 pm most nights at Gold Corner Building, 3rd Floor – Gold Souq – Deira – Dubai.

15- Be Enchanted At The Museum Of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions, as the name suggests, showcases more than 60 exhibits designed to trick the mind and senses.

There are exhibits featuring holograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms that play with our perception of things around us and are thoroughly enjoyed by adults and kids.

You can snap photos in front of each exhibit to create mind-boggling illusions and will find many instagrammable exhibits in the museum.

The Museum Of Illusions is open on Friday and Saturday (until 11 pm) and Sunday to Thursday (until 10 pm) at Al Seef – Dubai Creek – Dubai. Find out more here.

16- See The IMAGINE Light Show

IMAGINE is Dubai Festival City’s laser, light, water and sound show listed in the Guinness World Record for the largest water screen projection and permanent projection map worldwide.

The state-of-the-art show fuses technology, science and art in the form of exciting shows daily after 7 pm each night.

IMAGINE also allows personal messages like birthday wishes or photos to be displayed on the water screen, which is a truly unique and memorable experience for your loved ones.

IMAGINE is at Festival City Mall, Crescent Dr, Dubai Festival City, Dubai.

17- Dubai Garden Glow

Dubai Garden Glow is a theme park that offers two kinds of experiences: ‘Art by Day’ and ‘Glow by Night’.

The park is alive after sunset showcasing over 500 nature-inspired art installations, visual art illusions and seasonal attractions.

With 10 million energy-saving light bulbs, the park combines art and technology and is one of the world’s largest glow-in-the-dark gardens.

It’s divided into five zones, each offering a different glow-in-the-dark experience.

The park is specially designed to provide children with a learning experience while they enjoy the colourful exhibits.

Dubai Garden Glow is open from Sunday to Friday (until 11 pm) and Saturday (until midnight) at Zabeel Park, Gate No- 6 & 7 Area – B – Dubai.

18- Enjoy Dinner On A Dhow Cruise

A Dhow Cruise is a pleasurable dining experience in Dubai at night where you can cruise on a traditional Arab sailing boat called Dhow while admiring the city views.

There are two waterways on which Dhow Cruises operate: Dubai Creek and Dubai Marina.

A cruise from the marina is popular for its views of the skyscrapers and modern city skyline, while a dhow cruise on Deira Creek offers a journey through the older parts of Dubai reminiscent of when it was a trading village.

Most dhow cruises include live entertainment options and there’s a variety of menus to choose from.

19- Go Night Clubbing

Whether you choose a hip-hop night in a circus-themed club, a ritzy roof-top bar in one of the many skyscrapers or a dancefloor under the stars, Dubai is a city for party lovers.

Dubai’s nightclub scene is legendary, even though alcohol is only served to over 21s.

Clubs, pubs and lounges regularly feature live music, live acts, DJ parties and events.

Whether you’d love a cosy corner in a pub, an open roof-top view or want to dance the night away with music, you will have plenty of choices in Dubai.

Keep in mind that the weekend starts on Thursday night in Dubai, with Friday and Saturday being rest days for most.

20- Shop At Souk Madinat Jumeirah

With views towards the famous Burj Al Arab building, Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a charming shopping and dining destination that captures the ambience of old Dubai.

The souk is based on an old Arabian town and has a maze of alleys with stalls selling souvenirs, trinkets and Arab-style jewellery.

The Arabic-themed shopping haven also has water canals lined with eateries.

Cruise the canals in a traditional wooden abra boat sailing past palm trees and, if you have time, catch a show at the souk’s theatre.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah is at King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St – Al Sufouh 1 – Dubai.

21- Visit Etihad Museum

Discover the history and rich heritage of UAE in the Etihad Museum.

Located in a building that was constructed in a shape symbolising the country’s constitution, this museum has a collection of educational pavilions where you can get insights into the extraordinary economic development of UAE since its independence.

Discover the role of oil, tourism and other industries in the nation’s economy.

You can opt for a guided museum tour if you are interested.

Etihad Museum is open daily until 8 pm at 1 Jumeirah St – Al Mina – Dubai.