Top tips for winter sun in Dubai

Between Emirates, BA, and Virgin Atlantic, more than 20 direct flights travel daily from the UK to Dubai. London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, and Glasgow could all be the starting point for your winter escape to the UAE. Morning, afternoon, and overnight flights are regularly scheduled, meaning how you get to Dubai is very much in your control. If you can sleep on the plane, we recommend maximising your time with an overnight flight so you can start your holiday as soon as you arrive. If you're more of a movie watcher than a dream catcher, start your Dubai travel in the morning and hit the hay in a luxuriously soft bed straight after checking in.

If you're staying over New Year, you must book early for the best choice of Dubai hotels. If you plan to stay in the first half of December or the second half of January, you can take advantage of the low season to find a great value stay at a choice of locations. Where you choose will depend on how you plan to spend your days. Stay Downtown or in Deira for easy access to the souks, malls, museums, and iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa or Dubai Fountain. Find a spot on the sand with a private beach resort on Palm Jumeirah or along the shore close to the public beach at JBR. Enjoy all-inclusive Dubai luxury at the twin Jebel Ali resorts of JA Beach Hotel and JA Palm Tree Court, close to the family entertainment of Dubai Parks. Whether you're travelling as a couple, with family, or even solo, our Travel Specialists will know the best Dubai hotel for your needs and budget.

Though December and January are technically still winter in Dubai, you'll find the season unrecognisable from the UK. Daytime temperatures between 20° and 30° make it one of the best times of year for getting out and exploring the city. You might need a light jacket to keep the chill at bay if you're sitting outside in the evening, but that's the biggest impact of the weather you'll feel. Climb to the top of the world at the Burj Khalifa viewing platform, 124 floors above the city. Wander the traditional shopping lanes of the souks selling gold, spices, and silks. Take a dhow dinner cruise on Dubai Creek. Go skiing indoors. Or sign up for an indulgent brunch with bottomless bubbles. Dubai's amazing Aquaventure and Wild Wadi waterparks stay open all winter, or you can explore the endless desert on an adrenaline-inducing 4WD dune safari followed by camel riding and a barbecue under the stars at a traditional Bedouin camp.

Though its exclusive luxury may make the headlines, Dubai is also one of the world's best winter sun destinations for families. See the delight on little ones' faces when you walk through the gates at Dubai Parks & Resorts to enjoy a world of entertainment in Motiongate™ Dubai, Riverland™ Dubai, Legoland® Dubai, And Legoland® Water Park. Head to Dubai Mall to enjoy an adorable up-close penguin encounter at Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, discover mind-blowing virtual reality experiences at Play DXB, and race for the chequered flag at Ekart Zabeel. If you prefer to take it easy, family-friendly beach hotels like Atlantis, The Palm, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and Sofitel Dubai The Palm allow you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sun while kids' clubs and onsite entertainment offer an endless array of activities for younger guests.

Dubai loves parties, and Christmas is no exception. Hotels curate seasonal activities from tree-lighting ceremonies and Santa greetings to lavish feasts and glittering parties. Kids are invited to craft their own cards and decorations while families build gingerbread houses together or enjoy seasonally themed afternoon teas. Global Village, Dubai Parks, and even Dubai Opera all wrap their attractions and events in festive themes while pop-up winter markets sell trinkets and serve hot Christmas cocktails every evening. Then, when New Year's Eve comes around, the celebrations ramp up even more with gala events all over the city featuring A-list musical guests and spectacular firework displays.

Christmas and New Year aren't the only big winter occasions in Dubai. December starts with fanfare on 2nd December when the city is awash with colour for UAE National Day activities, from parades and fireworks to camel races and car rallies. Early December also hosts the prestigious Emirates Dubai 7s rugby festival, a weekend of sporting days and party nights with the world's biggest musical acts. If you prefer retail therapy to rugby, Dubai Shopping Festival runs for six weeks every winter, with every mall, stall, and souk going the extra mile to entice shoppers with offers, music, and entertainment while a magnificent drone show lights the sky every evening. Finally, in late January, the global golfing elite tee off for the year's first major sporting event and the $9 million prize pot of the Dubai Desert Classic.

When planning a winter trip to Dubai, two pieces of advice will help you get the best value holiday in the right place. One - book early. While there are always many choices, the most popular Dubai hotels and activities fill up early for winter dates, especially over key occasions such as the Dubai 7s, Christmas, and New Year. Two - stay flexible. Not everyone can plan ahead, so the next best approach is to welcome new ideas. As an alternative to Palm Jumeirah and the JBR, the old city of Deira and the Downtown areas have some fantastic accommodations. On the other side of the city, a cluster of hotels in the Ibn Battuta district offer easy access to many areas of Dubai, including Dubai Parks and Abu Dhabi. At New Year's, hotels with a close view of the Burj Khalifa fill quickly, but accommodations on Sheik Zayed Road allow easy access to the public areas around the giant tower. Or, a short drive north, the coastal city of Ras Al Khaimah hosts its own magnificent firework display on Marjan Island, an exclusive beach resort filled with family-friendly hotels.