This post covers the top 14 things to do in Dubai in April (updated for 2024).
It includes free entertainment, after-dark activities, family-friendly things to do, concerts, festivals, tours, and more.
Weather in April is a perfect blend of a sunny afternoon and a pleasant evening. You can go out to get in the afternoons to enjoy the beach and enjoy a lovely rooftop dinner in the evenings.
Dubai is a beautiful blend of the old and the new, with high-rise buildings adorning the skyline in the new part of the city and stoned-colored houses with Barjeels (towers) in the older part of the city.
You are sure to enjoy this fascinating city!
1. Al Marmoom Heritage Festival
Held at Al Marmoom Heritage Village some 40km south of Dubai, this four-week festival celebrates traditional Emirati culture with music, crafts, food and carnival rides.
The annual competition aims to promote and preserve Arabian traditions through celebrations, sports, and camel races.
The focus, however, is the camel races that see thousands of animals competing for prizes and prestige in a series of races. Robot jockeys are always used, and controlled by operators who drive alongside in SUVs.
Food is also a big draw with authentic Emirati cuisine as part of efforts to promote Emirati culture. Sheikhs, tribesmen and some 14,000 race camels compete.
The festival is one of the largest events on the Gulf camel racing calendar and marks the end of the season, which runs from September to April.
To get there, take exit 37 from the Al Ain Rd (E66).
The Al Marmoom Heritage Festival takes place April 6th-18th, 2024.
2. Celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan
Ramadan, in Islam, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. It begins and ends with the appearance of the new moon.
Celebrating Ramadan is a way to honour the Prophet Muhammad and develop more self-control. This is done through the practice of fasting from drinking or eating from dawn through dusk.
After a sunset prayer, this introspection can be broken with a meal with friends and family called the “iftar,” something that reinforces family and the brotherhood.
The end of the Ramadan fast is celebrated as Eid al-Fitr, the “Feast of Fast-Breaking.”
Tips for traveling during Ramadan:
- Ramadan affects business hours so you should plan your trip well in advance.
- Make sure you do not eat or drink water in public during fasting hours
- If you plan on attending a Ramadan tent for Iftar, make sure you book your table well in advance. A lot of tents have discounts in the first week of Ramadan.
- It is a good idea to dress a bit conservatively during Ramadan.
Ramadan is expected to start at sundown on March 10th and end on April 9th, 2024, depending on the moon.
3. Enjoy the last few days at Global Village
This is the 28th season for Global Village, a multicultural festival park and the region’s first family destination for culture, shopping, and entertainment. It combines the cultures of 90 countries in one place.
There’s something magical about Global Village. Part theme park, part market, Global Village features pavilions with displays from countries near and far.
The pavilions are designed in the image of iconic structures or local architecture, inviting all to meander from London’s Big Ben to Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Children and adults alike will delight in the bright lights and lively atmosphere. There are parades and all kinds of shows, from fire-breathing street performances to star-studded concerts.
There’s even more fun to be had with countless games and thrilling rides.
This celebration of diversity and creativity runs from October 18th, 2023 to April 28th, 2024.
Visit the Global Village website for more information, or purchase tickets here.
4. Explore Downtown Dubai
Downtown Dubai, also known as “The Centre of Now” is home to the world-famous and tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.
But that’s not all, The Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera, Palace Downtown Hotel, Dubai Fountain, and the Burj Plaza are all a part of Downtown Dubai.
We are sure you will be amazed to see the architecture of the buildings in this area. And want to know more about them? Then, take our Downtown Dubai Architecture Tour.
The landmarks in the area will help you understand Dubai’s ambitions as a World City and the prospects of the pegion.
5. Visit the Burj Khalifa
Opened in January 2010 to visitors, the Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest and most marvelous building! Each time you see the building dominating the skyline of Dubai, you are in awe of it.
The building offers breathtaking views of the city from above, so is a paradise for those who like taking pictures. Visitors are allowed to go to the top, 124th floor (452m) and 148th floor (555m).
Tickets to the Burj Khalifa can be purchased here. You can also buy them at the entrance of the Burj Khalifa or inside the Dubai Mall (near the Dubai Aquarium).
For more details, make sure to read our post covering how to get tickets to the Burj Khalifa.
6. Check out the Dubai Mall and Dubai Aquarium
The Dubai Mall is the most-visited retail and entertainment destination in the world.
It is also the largest mall in the world, with over 1,200 stores, and is the size of about 50 football fields!
For lovers of high fashion, over 70 signature outlets will beckon for your attention, including retailers such as Bloomingdale’s and Galleries Lafayette.
The Dubai Mall features the world-class Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo featuring thousands of aquatic animals and a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel. The aquarium houses world’s largest acrylic panel which made it to the Guinness Book of World Records.
There are around 40 displays here housing creatures such as piranha, penguins, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, otters and eels.
You can take a ride on a glass bottom boat to view over 33,000 aquatic animals and you could also go cage diving with sharks!
Tickets to the Dubai Aquarium can be purchased online or at the counter in the mall. Ticket are valid for one entry only. Visitors can stay if they want here.
Frequent visitors can purchase a membership card and enjoy exclusive privileges. The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater zoo is open 7 days a week.
Opening times are Sunday to Wednesday 10am to 10pm, and Thursday to Saturday 10am until midnight.
7. See the Dubai Walk of Fame
Dubai Stars is a brand-new attraction unveiled in Downtown Dubai in October 2019.
It is Dubai’s very own Hollywood-style Walk of Fame. When complete, there will be 10,000 Dubai stars in total, four times that of the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, where the Walk of Fame resides, is a 3.5-kilometer encirclement of Downtown Dubai.
It has an impressive array of restaurants, cafés, and retail outlets.
8. Take an Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood Walking Tour
Our Old Dubai Walking tour is our signature and most popular tour.
The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, previously known as Bastakiya is the oldest neighborhood in Dubai.
Dubai is now known for its glitz and glamour, but before the tourism boom or the discovery of oil, it was a vastly different place. It was a land of fishermen, divers, and Bedouins.
On this tour, we will visit the Coffee Museum, Dubai Museum, the Spice and the Gold Souk and cross the creek on the Abra boat. The Creek is the historic heart of Dubai, which once divided the city into two areas: Deira and Bur Dubai.
Until the construction of Al Maktoum Bridge, the first bridge in Dubai in 1963, the only way to get from one side to the other was in a rickety little wooden boat called an abra.
It’s still undoubtedly the most fun (and affordable) way across. We offer this tour daily as both public and private tours, for those who like to book a luxurious tour for themselves.
For those who would like to delve fully into the Emirati culture as well as get a flavor of the Old city, we would recommend our food tour, Flavours of Arabia: Emirati Food walk.
We treat on delicacies like falafel and hummus, Majboos, and crunchy Luqaimat. We will also visit the Arabian Tea House Restaurant, one of the very famous go-to places in Dubai, a Heritage House in Bastakiya that has been converted to a restaurant.
You can easily reach both the start locations by metro and by taxi. Here is our guide for you on how to get around in Dubai.
*Private tours can start at the time of your convenience
9. Spend a perfect evening in Dubai Marina
Home to the world-famous Princess Tower and the Cayan Tower, Dubai Marina mesmerizes everyone with its high-rise and unique buildings.
The neighbourhood is loved by ex-pats as you can spend a full day there seeing and experiencing everything it has to offer.
Just a few of the activities you can get up to include:
- Shopping at the Dubai Marina Mall. It is packed with fashion and luxury brands and great restaurants with lovely views of the waterfront.
- Go on a pub crawl. Pier 7 in Dubai Marina is home to the famous pubs and restaurants in the city such as Asia Asia, Atelier, and Cargo.
- The clubs have deals, discounts, and events each day.
- Make sure to reserve your table before you head out.
- There are Ladies' Nights with specials on offer. Click here for even more options in Dubai.
- Ride the world’s longest urban zipline, X-Line. It is one of the steepest and fastest ziplines in the world, measuring 1 kilometer with average speeds going up to 80km/hr.
- Enjoy the glitzy views of the Dubai Marina neighbourhood, yachts, and sleek high-rise buildings
- There will be a Go-Pro mounted on your helmet.
- Afterward, you'll receive a complimentary video of your adventure as well as photographs.
- Fly into the air at iFly Skydive
10. Spend A Day Out With Your Kids
There are several places in Dubai where you can take children that they will find enjoyable.
Note that some of these will be free or reduced with the purchase of a discount pass.
Aquaventure | part of the Atlantis Hotel
This waterpark is overflowing with 17 fun-filled hectares of adrenaline-pumping fun.
- It has record-breaking slides and rides.
- It also offers up and close time with sharks and rays.
- It also has a 700-meter private beach to relax.
- It features marine activities and children's play areas for all ages.
Purchase Aquaventure tickets or learn more.
Wild Wadi Waterpark | near the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
This outdoor waterpark has heated as well as cooled wave pools, multiple water slides, and two artificial surfing machines.
It also has the largest water slide outside of North America and has been featured in various game shows like Amazing Race.
Purchase Wild Wadi Water Park tickets or learn more.
Dubai Dolphinarium
This aquarium is home to dolphins and seals.
There are shows with both, and people are allowed to swim and have their photos taken with dolphins.
There's also a bird show where the birds interact with the audience and do tricks.
Visit the Dubai Dolphinarium here or purchase a discount pass with the Dubai Dolphinarium on it.
Dubai Aquarium
The Dubai Mall features thousands of aquatic creatures and a 270-degree walk-through tunnel.
There are around 40 displays here housing creatures such as piranhas, penguins, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, otters, and eels.
You can take a ride on a glass-bottom boat to view over 33,000 aquatic animals and you could also go cage diving with sharks!
Tickets to the Dubai Aquarium can be purchased online or at the counter in the mall. The ticket is valid for one entry only.
Purchase tickets here or read more about it at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo website.
11. Go to Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort located in the Dubai Mall of the Emirates.
It is the world's third-largest indoor ski slope and the first to open in the Middle East.
You'll find 6,000 tons of snow and a chair lift that takes you to the top of the slope.
It has activities for all age groups and all skill levels.
At the resort, you can also meet Snow Penguins in an up-close and personal one-of-a-kind encounter that the whole family will love. You can check activity prices on their website.
Purchase tickets for Ski Dubai here.
12. Take the Dhow Cruise or a Yacht
Head out on a relaxing evening with fun and entertainment aboard a traditional Arabic boat.
Famous for its Tanura dancers and their colorful costumes, a Dhow Cruise cheers up everyone.
Dhow cruises usually include a three-course dinner buffet. It’s a magical experience drifting along the creek while watching colorful reflections out on the water of the beautifully lit-up skyline of Dubai.
If you would like a more private experience, then we would recommend you take a yacht from the Dubai Marina area.
Sail through the Dubai Marina to Bluewaters Island, and cruise over to the Dubai Eye.
See the famous Jumeirah Beach and the Palm, and pass the Atlantis on the breakfast and lunch tours. You can also opt for a yacht experience with breakfast.
You will have opportunities to take Instagram-worthy photos or take a dip in the sea!
13. Dine in at Bluewaters Island
Bluewaters Island is located 300 meters off the JBR coastline.
The island is connected to the mainland via a direct link from Sheikh Zayed Road, as well as a 265-metre-long pedestrian bridge from The Beach.
The island’s lifestyle and retail area, The Wharf, is the home to all the shopping and eating action. It is connected by walkways dotted around low-rise boulevards.
As well as licensed fine-dining restaurants at the waterfront, you'll find quirky cafés and intimate bistros in every nook and cranny, something hipsters everywhere would enjoy.
For those who want to class it up a bit, there’s always Caesars Palace Bluewater’s Dubai.
It features an outdoor swimming pool, brand-spanking new restaurants, a fitness centre, and a health spa.
And of course, don't miss the drone shows or the World's largest observation wheel, Ain Dubai!
14. Other April Events
There are plenty of other events and activities to take part in Dubai in April.
Just a few of them are listed below.
Eid Al Fitr | Tentatively April 9th-12th | The end of Ramadan sees a weekend of celebrations taking place around the city.
Polo Masters Cup | March 31st-April 5th | One of the tournaments in the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series.
Dubai World Cup | April 14th-19th | A thoroughbred horse race at Meydan Racecourse.
Elrow XXL | April 13th | one of the biggest music dance festivals in the world, with thousands of guests, light shows, costumes, and more.
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