Dubai, a luxurious metropolis on the Persian Gulf coast, is famous for its modern architecture, lavish shopping, and vibrant nightlife. It’s the UAE’s most populous city and a financial hub with free trade zones. Dubai is a top tourist destination known for landmarks like Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Dubai Miracle Garden. It also features artificial islands like Palm Jumeirah and The World Island. Dubai often serves as a brief stopover for many travelers. Whether you’re pausing for a few days en route to your final destination or seeking the year-round warmth that the city provides, these 6 evening activities would help you to fit into a long weekend in Dubai, catering to a diverse array of visitors.
Maximizing Your Long Weekend in Dubai
If you have just a long weekend to explore the city, make the most of your evenings with these captivating and awe-inspiring experiences. Let’s delve into some of the incredible attractions and activities to fit into a long weekend in Dubai.
Horse Racing and Betting
While Dubai has restrictions on gambling, if you’re in the city for a weekend and planning to attend a horse race, you can place your bets beforehand without any hindrance. If you’re visiting from a location where gambling is legal, research the participating horses and jockeys, make your wagers in advance, and then immerse yourself in the excitement of one of Dubai’s magnificent racing evenings.
Besides the exciting horse races, venues like the Meydan Racing Club Dubai offer fantastic dining and entertainment, creating a memorable night out. Despite Dubai’s lively nightlife scene, gambling is not permitted, and there are currently no casinos in the city. While the possibility of in-person and online casinos in the UAE is uncertain, you can still play at foreign-based online casinos, as the UAE has limited control over them. This means you can enjoy online gaming or horse race betting during your visit.
| Famous For | Largest Horse Racing Track |
| Joining Fee | 100 to 200 AED |
| Location | Location |
| Things to do | Visit the Meydan Museum, take a walk around the lake, Visit the Meydan Grandstand and Watch a horse race. |
| Timing | Monday to Friday – 10:30 am to 06:00 pm |
Dubai Aquarium
The Dubai Aquarium is home to a huge 10-million-liter tank and a 48-meter tunnel that allows you to see incredible aquatic species. There are more than 33,000 marine creatures from over 140 different species living there. You can even visit it in the evening. It only takes a couple of hours to explore, so it’s a great addition to your trip. The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is a captivating man-made wonder that inspires a sense of childlike wonder. It’s one of Dubai’s most enchanting places to visit at night. Adventurous souls can even go cage snorkeling among the sharks for a truly unique Dubai nighttime experience.
Apart from its exhibits, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo provides many educational and interactive opportunities like shark feedings, penguin encounters, and behind-the-scenes tours. You can visit the aquarium any day of the year, and you have the option to buy tickets online or at the entrance. If you’re wondering when to plan your visit, March is an excellent choice for Dubai. You can walk under a 48-meter-long aquarium and come face to face with sharks, creating an awe-inspiring experience!
| Entry Fee | INR 1171 (AED 100) per person |
| Famous for | 48-meter long aquarium |
| Location | Dubai Mall, Level 2 |
| Things to do | Aquarium tour, Sightseeing, and Cage snorkeling. |
| Timings | Monday to Friday- 10:00 am to 11:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 12:00am. |
The Arabian Desert
Opportunities to experience the desert at night are rare, so make the most of them. A Dubai night is truly incomplete without a desert safari. The Arabian desert, with its vastness, presents a multitude of activities like sand skiing, sandboarding, camel riding, dune bashing, photo opportunities, quad biking and creating a fantastic evening adventure. However, it’s the Desert Safari after sunset that adds a touch of magic to the city. You can enjoy barbecue dinners on the Arabian sands and captivating cultural performances, including the Tanura Dance Show, Belly Dancing, and a mesmerizing Fire Show.
Desert safaris often include a romantic candlelit meal, providing a unique opportunity to dine under the stars while savoring the local culinary delights. If you’re looking for a romantic night out with your partner in Dubai, consider immersing yourselves in Bedouin culture and stargazing, which is a delightful late-night activity. Some of the popular desert safari camps in Dubai for this experience include Atlanta Desert Safari Camp, Bedouin Camp, Arabian Adventures, Oasis Palm Tourism, and Al Maha Resort Dubai. Book your desert safari in advance, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.
| Location | At numerous sites, the most popular being Red Dunes of Al Hibaba |
| Entry Fee | INR 1171 (AED 100) per person |
| Famous for | Desert safari camps |
| Things to do | Experience dance performances, watch belly dancing, desert safari and camping. |
| Timings | Monday to Friday- 10:00 am to 11:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 12:00am. |
The Dubai Fountains – Best Activity to Fit into a Long Weekend in Dubai
Picture the iconic fountain scene from the end of the movie “Ocean’s 11” with Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Now, envision it even grander and more spectacular! That’s exactly what you’ll find at the Dubai Fountains. Every 30 minutes, you can witness an incredible music and light show that perfectly complements the dancing waters. It’s one of the most enjoyable nighttime activities in Dubai, leaving you with a feeling of tranquility.
They are the world’s largest choreographed fountain system, with over 6,600 lights and 25 color projectors or jets that can shoot water up to 500 feet into the air. The Dubai Fountain can shoot 22,000 gallons (83,000 liters) of water into the air simultaneously. The fountain is designed with five circles of various sizes and two arcs. The Waterfront Promenade, starting at Dubai Mall’s central exit and circling the southern part of Burj Khalifa, is the favored viewpoint for many visitors. The great thing about it is that it’s among the top free spots to explore in Dubai during the evening, so you can enjoy a fantastic night out without spending much money.
| Entry Fees | Free |
| Famous for | A stunning display of Water Art, Dancing Lights, and a Great Symphony of Music |
| Location | Fashion Parking – Dubai Mall, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard – United Arab Emirates |
| Timings | All Days- Every 30 minutes from 6:00 PM until 11:00 PM |
| Things to Do | Take a boat ride, walk along the waterfront, Watch the fountain show, and take photos. |
Burj Khalifa – An Elevating Adrenaline Experience
This incredibly tall skyscraper is famous worldwide and absolutely stunning. However, the nighttime view from its 124th and 125th floor is truly captivating. Burj Khalifa is a must-visit spot in your plans, as it offers a mystical view of Dubai City at night. Taking a ride in the world’s fastest elevator for those dazzling panoramic views is an unforgettable nighttime activity in Dubai that you absolutely shouldn’t miss. In fact, Burj Khalifa is among the top places for nighttime sightseeing in Dubai, and it’s a definite must-add to your list of things to do in this bustling city.
The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, offers the opportunity to watch the sunset or take in an incredible view of the city, including the skyscrapers and a glimpse of the fountain from high above. The observation deck is located on the 125th floor, known as “At the Top.” Additionally, there’s a restaurant on-site where you can indulge in a three-course set menu. In addition to these options, you can also experience the mesmerizing Burj Khalifa Light Show from its exterior. The show takes place six times daily, occurring every half-hour between 7:45 PM and 10:45 PM, exclusively on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
| Entry Fees | Mega Tall Skyscraper |
| Location | 1 Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai |
| Timings | Evening Slot- 7:00 pm To 11:00 pm |
| Famous for | Mega Tall Skyscraper |
| Things to Do | At the Top Observation Deck, Burj Khalifa Light Show, Fine Dining, Shopping, and Burj Khalifa Lake Ride. |
Conclusion
When you find yourself blessed with a few days in this remarkable metropolis, it is imperative to respect and adhere to the local customs and laws and seize every opportunity to make the most of your visit. This approach will undoubtedly lead to an unforgettable and enriching experience.
