It’s a brand-new month and that means one thing – a mega list of awesome things to do!
When it comes to finding the best things to do in Dubai, it can be challenging. Why? Because there are so many options, like family-friendly attractions, adrenalin-pumping activities, bucket-list experiences, candlelight concerts, dining options, and more.
Here are 10 fantastic things to do in May in Dubai:
1. Dubai food festival
The 10th edition of the Dubai Food Festival is currently running around the city and will take place until May 7, 2023. There’s a line-up of diverse concepts you have to treat yourself to.
You surely don’t want to miss the Etisalat by e& Beach Canteen behind sunset mall at Jumeirah Beach, which has gotten bigger and better than ever with a special edition to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Dubai Food Festival. There will be live entertainment, activities organized by the local community, and, of course, endless food choices.
Dubai Restaurant Week is also one of the best parts of the Dubai Food Festival. This season sees 50 of the city’s top restaurants offering a curated set-price menu. Also this year, foodies can dine around some of Dubai’s top restaurants for as little as Dhs10 a dish.
2. Fly high in the Dubai Balloon
Dubai Balloon is a new attraction in Dubai that opened last month. Hop aboard a Dubai Balloon and tick off a bucket-list Dubai experience.
Encounter wonder at adrenaline-rushing heights of up to a spectacular 300 meters above Atlantis, The Palm.
Located at Poseidon’s Watchtower in Atlantis Aquaventure, the helium balloon is touted as the city’s newest “aerial adventure” that allows guests to take in incredible views of the iconic Palm Jumeirah, and if the weather is good and visibility is clear, you can also see the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, and many more.
The ride lasts ten minutes. Standard tickets cost Dhs175 for adults or Dhs75 for kids. You can also book it for private occasions and other celebrations.
Open daily, Mon-Thu, 9am-11pm, Fri-Sun, 9am-midnight.
3. Watch a candlelit concert
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the premier global media and entertainment company Warner Bros. Studios’. To mark the milestone, 100 international concerts are taking place all over the world. And, luckily, Dubai is one of the cities hosting two shows.
In an enchanting musical experience by candlelight, Belle Corde String Quartet will perform a superb setlist of songs from Warner Bros.’s impressive music library.
Head to The Theatre, Mall of the Emirates on 6 May to relive soundtracks like I’ll Be There For You from F.R.I.E.N.D.S, the Hogwarts’ Anthem from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and the theme song from the 1989 Batman, among many others.
Tickets from Dhs150. Sat May 6, 6.30pm and 9pm. Mall of the Emirates.
4. Dubai Miracle Garden
Dubai Miracle Garden, the popular winter attraction in Dubai, is a classic example of Dubai ingenuity—how one can grow and maintain a complete 72,000-square-meter flower garden in the hot climate of Dubai. This family-friendly attraction will close for the summer in another month.
Located in the district of Dubailand, Dubai, the garden is the world’s largest natural flower garden and features over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants. Set in the heart of the Dubai Miracle Garden is the largest floral art display of Emirates Airbus A380 covered in more than 500,000 fresh flowers and living plants.
In the summer, Dubai’s most floral space closes for two reasons. In terms of the weather, one is the scorching heat, and the second is planning and preparing for next year.
Tickets per adult (over 12 years) cost Dhs75 and for children aged 3 to 12, the ticket price is Dhs60.
Timings: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (and 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekends).
5. Desert Safari
May is the perfect time to get the full desert safari experience in Dubai. This is the time of year when the heat is just tolerable enough for an expedition into the Middle Eastern desert.
You can choose from a range of activities, including dune bashing, camel riding, falconry, and many more.
Check here for the Best Desert Safari Company in Dubai for an unforgettable desert adventure and fun.
You might also like: 9 of the best desert experiences in Dubai
6. Visit the new museum at Jumeirah Mosque
Dubai’s Jumeirah Mosque precinct now boasts a new museum, transporting visitors back in time through its collection of rare artefacts, iconic photographs, and vintage items.
Visitors will have the chance to go on a journey through the captivating stories of the ’70s and ’80s in the UAE. Non-Muslims are also welcome to visit the Jumeirah Mosque museum and participate in the presentations (daily from 10am to 2pm), without any prior booking required, however, registration is required.
Free entry. Sat-Thu 9am-5pm. Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1
7. Plan a Picnic at a Park
As the temperature in Dubai is yet to become harsh, we still have some time for alfresco activities and Dubai is no shortage of lush green parks.
Enjoy a picnic with friends and family at any of the parks in Dubai. Some of the famous parks in Dubai are Al Barsha Pond Park, Safa Park, Za’abeel Park, Mushrif Park, Dubai Creek Park, Al Khazzan Park. Quranic Park and more.
8. Art exhibition at Elmarsa Gallery
Tunisian modernist Aly Ben Salem depicts pivotal moments in North African history in A Perfect World. Aly Ben Salem is one of the first generations of artists to emerge out of Tunisia as the country struggles for independence from French colonial rule.
The work shares a portrayal of a plural Maghrebi identity, highlighting their inherent history, memory, identity, cultural heritage, and authenticity.
Elmarsa Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, Tues to Sat 10am to 7pm, Sun and Mon closed.
9. Dubai Safari Park
Located in the middle of the desert in Al Warqa’a, the wildlife facility houses an expanded community of 3000 animals, including 78 types of mammals, including 10 different carnivores and 17 primates, 50 types of reptiles, 111 kinds of birds, plus amphibians and invertebrates, from across the world living in climate-controlled environments similar to their natural habitats.
Among its attractions are the world’s first drive-through crocodile exhibit; the UAE’s largest group of baboons, the largest drive-through lion exhibit, and the only drive-through hippo and tiger exhibit in the country. Not to mention their specially curated Kids Farm, which is a combination of a farm and a petting zoo.
Dubai Safari Park may close for the summer from June onwards. Currently, tickets are only available until May 31.
Timing: Open every day 9.00AM –5.00PM.
Ticket prices: Dhs50 for adults, Dhs30 for children under 12, kids under 3 years of age can access it for free.
You might also like: 10 Dubai pool and beach passes that are fully redeemable on F&B
10. Go Kayaking in Burj Lake
Take a kayaking trip along Dubai’s expansive 30-acre Burj Lake to refresh your spirits on a warm May day in Dubai.
Kayaking at Burj Lake allows you to get up close to the Dubai Fountain, which is the highest performing fountain in the world, reaching a height of 900 ft when operational. Try to spot the iconic Burj Khalifa and the Ibn Battuta Mall during you 30-minute tour.
From 80AED; Timings: 12:00PM to 9:00PM
