Sunshine & Culture! Enjoy the Best of Dubai in April 2024

Dubai Weather in April

There can be a rapid increase in daytime maximum temperatures from late March through to late April. At the start of the month, Dubai normally experiences daytime highs around 30°C/86°F and by the end of April 35°C/95°F with an average of 33.3°C/92°F.

Be prepared for a few scorching hot days thrown in, too, with only a low probability of rain and a possibility of sand storms and dusty days.

The sea temperature takes a little longer to reach summertime peaks. You can expect a mild average of 25°C/77°F in the water in April – but reaching 28°C/72°F by month-end – most find this perfect for swimming!

The UV Index in Dubai in April is 8, and you get, on average, 11 hours of sunshine – take care out in the sun and remember to pack plenty of sunscreen along with a hat, sunglasses, and water bottle anywhere you go during the day to beat the heat.

You can read our complete guide to Dubai Weather in April here, as well as our suggested ideas of what to pack for Dubai in April.

Religious Celebrations in Dubai this April

Ramadan

• The Holy Month of Ramadan – the 9th month on the Hijri calendar started on the 10th of March 2024 and will last until (approximately) 9 April 2024 (subject to moon sightings) – you can see our complete Ramadan guide here.
• There will be fireworks on weekends through Ramadan at various locations, including Al Seef, Bluewaters Island, Dubai Festival City and The Beach, JBR.
• There will be a Ramadan Night Market between 15 March and 4 April 2024 at Jumeirah Etihad Towers – see a complete listing of Ramadan night markets here
• Dubai Global Village – This family-favourite outdoor event in Dubai that runs over the cooler winter months will draw to a close at the end of April (April 28th). There will be special Ramadan performances from the Arabian Orchestra – an ensemble of 30 artists, along with regular tannoura shows. For more details click here.
• There will be sumptuous iftar and suhoor spreads across the city – some in some truly unique locations. We recommend dining in a Bedouin-style Ramadan tent or getting out into the desert to places like Bab Al Shams for a truly unique experience. You can also take iftar onboard the QE2.
• In addition to fancy iftar set-ups in 5-star hotels there is a Ramadan Street Food Festival in the Sheikh Hamadan Colony/Karama area, running throughout the holy month.

Easter

• The Christian celebration of Easter will occur this year on Sunday, 31 March 2024. We’ve included it as part of our April guide, so that you don’t miss out on the details if travelling at the end of March. Despite daytime fasting, there will still be Easter Sunday Brunches and other family events happening across Dubai over the Easter weekend, including a special Easter celebration at the JA Resort in Jebel Ali and at Dubai Parks and Resorts on March 30th.

Holi

• Although Holi itself this year falls in March, due to Ramadan, the daytime Holi Music Mantra festival has been moved to Thursday 11 April at Zabeel Park Amphitheatre.

Eid Al-Fitr

• Expected to fall 9 to 12 April 2024 (possibly resulting in a 9-day break for some workers if the whole week is declared a public holiday. Check out this guide to Eid ul-Fitr in Dubai for more information

Other special events in Dubai this April

• Ongoing shows such as La Perle will still take place during Ramadan, but you’ll find the entertainment portion of many popular attractions are altered for Ramadan.
• Dubai Food Festival – 19 April to 12 May 2024 experience Dubai’s diverse culinary scene in this schedule of events all over the city, including foodie trails and immersive experiences. If you miss the festival, don’t worry as you can also experience Dubai Restaurant Week between 26 April and 12 May 2024.

Music, Comedy & Live Performances

• Immerse yourself in Afroworld at the Coca-Cola Arena on April 11th, where Nigerian rapper Reema headlines the playlist.
• Join one of the biggest Arab music sensations of our time – Mohamed Ramadan – at The Agenda on April 12th.
• Enjoy a musical extravaganza at Dubai’s Festival City Amphitheatre vas Elrow XXL makes its way back to Dubai on April 13th. This dance-music festival will promises to be one of the biggest in the world with performers from around the globe.
• Philippino stars, Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo promise an epic concert at the Coca-Cola Arena on 14 April.
• To mark Eid Kuwaiti singer Nawal Al Kuwaiti will be performing live at the Dubai Opera on April the 10th before the venue becomes the home of the Dubai Comedy Festival for the rest of the month. Acts include, Frank Skinner, Mo Gilligan, Amer Zahr, Chris Distefano, Al Murray, Gad Elmaleh (in French) and Anubhav Singh Bassi (in Hindi).
• Rapper, The Kid LAROI will be performing live at the Coca-Cola Arena on 19 April.
• Get upbeat with celebrated international DJs at the White Festival in Dubai Harbour on April 20th.
• Feel the rhythm come alive with the internationally acclaimed Incognito at Dubai Opera on the 25th April.
• See three Arab musical superstars – Elissa, Haifa Wehbe, and Saif Nabeel perform live in one night at the Coca-Cola Arena on April 25th.
• Award-winning Indian singer Arjit Singh, known as the ‘King of Playback Singing’ will be charming the audience at the Coca-Cola Arena on 27 April.
• Be transported to Colombia at the Zabeel Theatre on April 28th as Traversia Colombia hits the stage. In this multisensory spectacle, learn more about the history and culture of this fascinating country.
• You’ll be ‘Doin’ just fine’ with Grammy award-winning R&B group Boyz II Men at the Coca-Cola Arena on 28 April.

Sport

• The Polo Masters Cup will take place at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort between the 1 and 6 April. The Dubai Cup will also take this month (between the 15th & 20th) at the same location.
• Watch young UAE. Footballers battle international players for the Mina Cup at the JA Sports Center between the 3rd and 8th April.
• You can join the Sketchers performance run on April 28th.
• If ESports are more your thing Dubai Esports and Games Festival taking place across the city from the 19th April until the 5th May.

Ramadan In Dubai During April 2024

The occurrence of Ramadan during the busy tourism month has undoubtedly raised questions in recent years for the hospitality industry in Dubai.

In the past, many businesses have significantly altered their hours over Ramadan, and restaurants closed to all but a few during the day under licensing laws.

Over the past few years, however, this landscape has significantly changed. The message is very much “business as usual” for tourism during Ramadan in Dubai, but there are a number of courtesy points you should bear in mind – we cover these in much more detail here.

To have a great Ramadan experience in April, why not try these activities:

• Visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding – this amazing foundation has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years as tourists seek to learn more about Emirati and Islamic culture during their visit. Look out for daily walking tours, cultural meals and many additional programs throughout the year.
• Ramadan Iftar Program – run by SMCUU, experience a traditional iftar (“breaking of the fast”) in Al Fahidi Historical District during the Holy Month.
• Attend a Jumeirah Mosque visit – one of only two mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslim tourists – 10:00 am & 2:00 pm (Sat-Thu) – altered program during the Holy Month.
• See the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi – a day trip to the capital is a must to experience one of the world’s most beautiful mosques.
• See the Firing of the Cannon at Burj Park – a small hidden park near the Dubai Mall is home to the nightly firing of the cannon, which signifies the end of the daily fast, a wonderful tradition still practiced across the UAE nightly during Ramadan (plus this year a roving cannon has been added so you can see this fabulous site in multiple locations).
• Visit Expo City Dubai for an exceptional communal iftar in the centre of the site’s iconic water feature, Ramadan markets and a special Ramadan projection show on the Al Wasl dome.
• Experience late-night dining and try a traditional Ramadan suhoor in Dubai, ambient settings, and delectable treats to enjoy throughout the Holy Month.

Dubai With The Kids in April 2024

• For theme park action, check out Dubai Parks & Resorts, with 4 theme parks to choose from – plus the newly opened Legoland Hotel Dubai. * Look out for their special Easter event on 30 March, the region’s biggest Easter Egg hunt!

• You can still catch the end of the season at Dubai Miracle Garden too, though go early to beat the heat.

The first two weeks of April coincide with local school and public holidays, so you are likely to find a wide range of family-friendly events all over the city.