After an exhilarating December experience in Dubai, the Santa-meet-and-greets and snow themed fun activities, January slides into view with a plethora of fun thrills with the sole purpose of enhancing and kickstarting your year with an electrifying itinerary! Apart from the irrefutable fact that January is the first cooler-winter month of the year, the never ending opportunities for leisure and entertainment remain never ending.
In this guide, we will walk you through a carefully curated list of things to do in Dubai for January 2026. Here, you will be versed with BENO’s premium services that will leave a long lasting impression in your memory.
January’s Adrenaline Itinerary: Why Pick January Among Other Months for Visit?
Travel enthusiasts from various parts of the world prefer Dubai's colder months. This is because the majority of people are used to cooler climates with some blooming in especially cold regions. Traversing to a city where heat could be a potential issue instantly makes it a no for these people.
Enter January, one of the cooler winter months in Dubai. This unlocks a set of experiences for everyone craving for one. Things to do in January range from beach solarizing to live concert performances, these experiences take Dubai’s January experience to a whole new level. For locals, it can quickly become the perfect get-away to explore the beauty of the city without thinking about work or constant daily hassle.
For visitors, most businesses and districts re-open for the new year with fresh activities and fun themed events aimed at opening up a vital part of leisure tourism to the visitors. From every lens, it is a win-win.
Dubai Shopping Festival: Retail Shopping on Steroids
Ever wondered why the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) still holds the record of the world’s longest running annual retail festival? There’s a reason the event holds the number 1 spot on our list of things to do in Dubai for January 2026. This event goes beyond just retail shopping.
“It completely activates Dubai and in the process, brings income from a lot of tourists, bookings, flights and provides a thriving environment as Dubai’s economic hub” Abdulhakim Abdullah, Senior Associate Dubai Shopping Festival.
It all starts from late December to late January spanning over 38 days. In some cases, it spills over to the early weeks in February. It is an opportunity for major businesses to attract clients internationally and globally without committing to huge setup costs while maximizing profit to the highest degree possible.
As a tourist or resident, renting a car with BENO makes your commute 1o times easier and seamless.
Live Shows, Harmonious Symphony and Unbeatable international Recitals
January falls within the peak periods of tourism. Major concerts and live events get crammed into these peak months. Many people have been looking forward to “Wicked” the musical. You can expect the Dubai Opera to be fully packed towards the end of the month. This is because enthusiasts are eagerly waiting to get their hands on tickets. If you’re planning to reserve a spot, be aware that booking early might be one of your only chances at securing your ticket slot.
Venues like the Coca-Cola Arena see a heavy influx of visitors during these periods. It is an electrifying time to be alive in Dubai. You can expect ticket prices for each venue to range from AED100 to AED1000 depending on the artist and the concert type. In the middle of the chaos, enlisting BENO’s premium services lessens the burden by up to 200% because you will not have to worry about commuting and long routes.
Exuberant Desert Experiences via Buggies or Camels
Whilst sticking to the crowd can sometimes feel exhilarating, you might want to crank up the adrenaline by a notch via adrenaline-themed buggy racing on the desert.
Thinking of the best buggy rental in Dubai to use? BENO has got you covered. The need to worry about unforgiving heat waves simply doesn’t exist because Dubai generally feels cooler at this time of the year so basically, the client or tourist has the best of both worlds.
Several enthusiasts prefer the subtle evening winds that zephyr whilst riding on the back of camels. Prices differ from activity to activity. You can expect prices from AED20 to over AED400 depending on the specific service you choose.
Water-themed Activities for Acquaphiles and Beach Enthusiasts
From Kite Beach to JBR and Palm Jumeirah, January beach days are comfortably warm and perfect for long walks, cafés, and water sports. Beach access is generally free, while activities like paddleboarding or jet skiing start from around AED 120.
Art, Attractions & Indoor Escapes
Dubai’s indoor attractions remain just as popular in winter. Infinity des Lumières offers immersive digital art experiences, while Madame Tussauds Dubai on Bluewaters Island provides interactive fun activities in January 2026 for families and visitors.
Another seasonal highlight is Dubai Miracle Garden, typically open throughout winter. Featuring millions of flowers arranged in spectacular designs, it’s one of January’s most photogenic attractions. Entry tickets usually start from around AED 75, and the garden is best reached by car due to its location.
January Road Trips & Scenic Drives
January is the perfect month for scenic drives around Dubai and beyond. A coastal drive from Jumeirah to Dubai Marina offers skyline views and café stops, while a desert drive to Al Qudra provides peace and open landscapes just outside the city.
For residents, these short road trips are a refreshing way to kick off the year. For visitors, they offer a deeper look at Dubai beyond the usual tourist trail—made effortless with a BENO rental.
Budget Itinerary for January 2026 Activities
We have carefully itemized a rough estimate of the approximate pricing that you should be expecting while ticking off points on your list of things to do in Dubai for January 2026.
For street hangouts and festivals, expect not to pay anything in most cases but plan for AED 20 in a worse case scenario.
For live concerts and shows, pricing will hover around AED 160 to AED 160 to over AED 1,250 and even higher in some cases.
For adrenaline buggy rides and camel rides, expect to pay around AED 120 to AED 400.
Build Unforgettable Memories with BENO in January
We are pretty confident about our curated list of things to do in Dubai for January 2026. Depending on the particular type of entertainment you are looking for, Dubai has got something tailored to meet your specific needs.
In the spirit of adventure, seamlessness must be elevated at all times to ensure that the experience is nurtured into a pleasant memory. BENO hands you the requisites of limpidity in a refined manner beyond what the competition is offering.
FAQs
- What to do in Dubai in January 2026?
Depends on what you’re looking for. Activities can be water-themed, desert themed or live performances.
- Is it worth going to Dubai in January?
Absolutely! This is the perfect time to visit Dubai.
- Is Dubai costly in January?
Dubai can be slightly pricey during this time of the year.
- What is the weather like in Dubai in January 2026?
The average weather in Dubai in January 2026 sits around 14 to 24 degrees.
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