The intense summer heat is finally melting away, and with the temperature dropping, the city of Dubai is coming alive!

Summer is naturally a time when temperatures soar, humidity is rife, and some of your favourite Dubai outdoor attractions temporarily close their doors. While there are plenty of incredible perks to spending summer in Dubai — and a zillion cool (in more ways than one) indoor activities — you may have been wondering, “How long does summer actually last in Dubai?”

The great annual seasonal shift is upon us. Yes, Dubai's hot summer officially concludes around the autumn equinox in late September/early October. By mid-October, temperatures become wonderfully bearable for outdoor activities in Dubai, signalling the beginning of the highly anticipated outdoor season. 

While early October can still be very hot, the significant cool-down makes it an ideal time to visit for plentiful sunshine and warm water without the scorching heat of peak summer.

Get ready to soak up the glorious Dubai weather in October. Read on for The Sandy Times' definitive guide to the must-do Dubai activities for cool weather, covering all the major Dubai attractions and the best places to visit in Dubai after summer.

The end of the summer heat ushers in a new season of wonder as Dubai’s most astonishing seasonal attractions throw open their doors. These major venues are not just places to visit; they are experiences that tourists plan their entire trips around. 

Get ready to update your itinerary, because these Dubai open-air attractions are back!

1. Global Village: A world of entertainment returns

Arguably the most anticipated seasonal event, the Global Village reopening marks the true beginning of Dubai's outdoor season. This magnificent multicultural hub returns on October 15, 2025, for its landmark 30th season, running until May 10, 2026. 

Global Village is a massive, outdoor festival that brings together shopping, dining, and entertainment from all corners of the globe.

What should you expect? Over 60 pavilions offer an immersive journey across continents, featuring unique crafts, diverse cuisines and traditional entertainment. From thrilling rides to captivating cultural shows and interactive performances, it is a fun-filled, family-friendly event. Its massive scale and outdoor nature mean it can only operate during the cooler months, making it a top choice for outdoor things to do in Dubai in November and beyond. 

With parking for over 23,000 cars, getting there is easy, leaving, however, might be the hard part!

2. Dubai Miracle Garden: The world’s largest floral paradise

Prepare to step into a world of pure spectacle as the Dubai Miracle Garden — the world’s most extensive natural flower garden — reopens for the season. The garden is a true living masterpiece, spanning 72,000 square meters and featuring intricate, themed landscapes, as well as multiple Guinness World Record-breaking floral structures. From romantic strolls under rose arches to playful family adventures among dazzling creations, the garden is a sensory delight. 

This attraction operates exclusively during the cooler months, typically from October to May, to ensure its magnificent display of over 150 million blossoms is in full bloom. It officially opened for its 14th season on September 29, 2025.

Its reopening is a key highlight among Dubai’s outdoor attractions, solidifying its reputation as a must-visit destination for outdoor activities in Dubai as the weather cools. Its sharp return at the end of September is a welcome signal for anyone anticipating the reopening of Dubai Parks in 2025.

3. Dubai Safari Park: Back on the wild side

The wilderness returns to Dubai as the massive, eco-friendly Dubai Safari Park reopens for its seventh season on October 14, 2025. Home to more than 3,000 animals from around the world, this sprawling park is an unmissable destination for wildlife lovers.

The park features various themed zones, including the African Village, Asian Village and Explorer Village, all interconnected by an exciting shuttle train. You can look forward to engaging in over 15 up-close animal encounters, thrilling safari adventures, and popular programs like 'Junior Ranger.' Check out the newborn moon bear cubs and baby rhinos this season. Whether it is an interactive feeding session or a live presentation by zoologists, Dubai Safari Park offers unparalleled Dubai activities for cool weather.

Dubai’s intense summer heat from May to September makes prolonged outdoor activity uncomfortable, but the drop in temperature in mid-October opens up a world of delightful outdoor activities in Dubai. The cooler weather allows you to finally venture on exciting adventures under comfortable sunshine and starlit nights.

Dubai welcomes back outdoor events and invites you to cherish its stunning scenic areas. Markets and waterfronts are among the best of Dubai’s outdoor attractions.

1. Ripe Market — Academy Park

The Ripe Market is a community hotspot that brings together local artisans, organic food stalls, live music, and family-friendly activities. The next season will kick off on October 11, 2025 and run until May 2026, inviting you to explore, shop, and champion local producers.

Forget the long journey of supermarket goods! At these markets, you will find farm-fresh produce picked at its peak ripeness. This ensures you get the sweetest berries, the crispest apples, and the juiciest tomatoes for your cooking and barbecues. It is an opportunity to discover unique items and directly support local makers.

2. Waterfront Market

Built on the spot of the old Deira Fish Market, the Waterfront Market is a retail market place featuring shops, dining, and a Lulu hypermarket. Locals frequent it for fresh meat, fish, and produce, with the market seeing over 800,000 shoppers per month. More than just a shopping mall, it is a cultural site for locals and tourists alike to imbibe the atmosphere and life of Dubai. It also hosts regular events, check its website for the current schedule.

3. Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina was a cornerstone of "new Dubai" in the early 2000s, renowned for its waterfront luxury residences and the "tallest block in the world" — a cluster of 20 supertall skyscrapers. At its heart is a beautiful waterway with a shimmering emerald hue, ringed by the 7-kilometre Marina Walk promenade. This is a very popular place for fitness enthusiasts to jog or work out by the water, as well as for those wanting a pleasant stroll in the district. 

Marina Walk also offers numerous waterfront restaurants, shops, and a yacht marina where you can rent boats, take cruises, and attend events. The district's unique atmosphere sets it apart, and it is the site of the upcoming Six Senses Dubai Marina, slated to be the world's tallest residential building.

The excitement surrounding Dubai’s outdoor attractions reopening is palpable, and the city is ready to welcome you with a lineup of world-class experiences.

From the return of the Global Village on October 15, 2025, for its 30th season, to the floral paradise of Dubai Miracle Garden (reopened September 29, 2025) and the wildlife adventures at Dubai Safari Park (reopening October 14, 2025), your itinerary is set. 

Beyond the iconic seasonal venues, the drop in temperature also unlocks thrilling Dubai winter activities, such as desert safaris and adrenaline-pumping challenges at Hatta Wadi Hub. Whether you are strolling along the 7-kilometre Dubai Marina Walk or exploring the Ripe Market, the time to enjoy fantastic outdoor activities in Dubai is now.