Dubai is gearing up for Ramadan 2026, with the first day of fasting expected on Thursday, 19 February 2026, pending the official moon sighting. For official city updates, the Government of Dubai Media Office can be reached at One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre, The Offices2, Level 7, and on +971 4 383 3333. For urgent safety issues, Dubai Police operates 999 for emergencies and 901 for non-emergency support, with its headquarters in Al Twar 1 on Al Nahda Street, Dubai. For transport updates, you can call the Roads and Transport Authority on 800 9090, while Dubai Municipality handles public-service requests and reports on 800 900 at Building 20, Baniyas Road, Al Rigga Area, Deira, Dubai. Across the city, you will notice shorter workdays, later nights, and heavier traffic close to sunset.
Ramadan has a very specific rhythm in the UAE, and Dubai leans into it without losing its pace. People use the month for reflection, charity, and family time, so social life shifts toward evenings and late nights. At the same time, the city stays welcoming to visitors and non-fasters, so you will still see cafés, malls, and attractions operating, just on a different schedule. The key change is not what you can do, but when you do it. Because routines move, you will also feel a calmer daytime mood and a more lively post-iftar atmosphere.
Daily life shifts toward the evening
During Ramadan, Dubai’s “busy hours” move from daytime to night, and that affects everything from dinner plans to gym sessions. Even if you do not fast, you will notice that colleagues schedule meetings earlier, and friends prefer plans after sunset. Meanwhile, many families gather for iftar right at maghrib, so the city briefly slows and then restarts with purpose. If you want a smoother day, plan your errands before late afternoon and keep evenings flexible. Also, expect supermarkets and delivery services to get busiest in the final two hours before iftar, especially on weekends.
Working hours and school schedules shorten
Ramadan brings a formal reset to working hours, so you should expect faster government-office windows and earlier business cut-offs. The UAE’s federal government announced Ramadan working hours of 9:00am to 2:30pm from Monday to Thursday, and 9:00am to 12:00pm on Friday. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation confirmed that private-sector staff work two hours less per day during Ramadan. Because of these shifts, you should call ahead before visiting service centres or arriving for in-person appointments. Also, many schools and nurseries reduce hours and adjust routines, so family logistics tend to run earlier in the day.
Dining etiquette and public spaces feel quieter
Dubai keeps dining available for non-fasters, but public etiquette becomes more noticeable during daylight. Restaurants and cafés often operate as usual, and many venues serve dine-in throughout the day to accommodate tourists and residents. However, authorities and local guidance still treat eating, drinking, and smoking in open public spaces during daylight as unacceptable, and you should stay discreet outside designated dining areas. When in doubt, eat indoors, keep water bottles out of sight in public, and be mindful around people who may be fasting. Also, you will often see a more modest dress tone in malls and public venues, especially in older neighbourhoods and near mosques.
Ramadan nights across Dubai feel more communal
Dubai’s official “Ramadan in Dubai” programme is built around shared evenings, and it spreads across neighbourhoods, waterfronts, malls, and cultural spaces. For example, the Ramadan Street Food Festival runs from Monday, 16 February 2026 to Sunday, 15 March 2026 at Sheikh Hamdan Colony, and it is designed for family-friendly post-iftar wandering with food vendors and light cultural programming. Meanwhile, Ramadan by the Bay runs from Wednesday, 18 February 2026 to Saturday, 28 March 2026 at Festival Bay in Dubai Festival City Mall, mixing dining, a Ramadan edition of the IMAGINE show, and scheduled drone displays (family-friendly, suitable for couples). If you want a relaxed first Ramadan weekend, choose a waterfront setting and arrive before sunset to avoid parking stress.
Dubai also adds citywide night spectacles that change how people plan their evenings. A Ramadan Drone Show is scheduled from Thursday, 19 February 2026 to Thursday, 19 March 2026, and Ramadan Fireworks are planned at Al Seef and Dubai Creek across the same period, described as daily displays at select moments. Meanwhile, “Ramadan Reflections” installations run from Thursday, 19 February 2026 to Sunday, 22 March 2026 across multiple locations, so you can build a calm walking night around lights, public art, and the creekside atmosphere (solo, couples, family-friendly). Because timings can shift day to day, treat these as flexible evening highlights rather than fixed appointments.
Majlis and iftar experiences range from free to premium
If you want the classic Dubai Ramadan feel, book at least one majlis-style evening, because it blends food, ambience, and a slower pace. Jumeirah Emirates Towers runs a Ramadan Majlis from Monday, 16 February 2026 to Thursday, 19 March 2026 at the Terrace Between the Towers, and the venue promotes Emirati hospitality elements like Arabic coffee rituals and live oud. For pricing, you will often see iftar around AED 295 per person on weekdays and AED 325 per person on weekends, although packages can vary, so treat figures as approximately. Reservations matter more than usual in Ramadan, especially on Thursday and Friday nights.
For a more destination-style evening, Hai Ramadan at Expo City Dubai runs from Sunday, 22 February 2026 to Tuesday, 17 March 2026, and it is positioned as family-friendly, mixing cultural activities, storytelling, and community gathering moments. Some Expo City experiences list pricing starting from approximately AED 150, while others remain free to enter and charge only for specific activities, so you should confirm what is included before you go. If you need practical support, Expo City Dubai lists a support phone line at 800 39762489, and many visitors find it easiest to arrive via the Dubai Metro Route 2020 station and then walk or use onsite mobility options (family-friendly, suitable for groups). Plan a slightly longer return time from Expo City on weekend nights, because traffic builds later than usual.
If you prefer a classic hotel tent, Asateer at Atlantis, The Palm is one of Dubai’s best-known Ramadan venues, and it typically publishes set iftar pricing. In recent listings, you may see iftar priced at approximately AED 295 on weekdays and approximately AED 325 on weekends, but hotels can adjust menus and rates, especially closer to the last ten nights. Atlantis also lists reservations support via +971 4 426 1000, and the property sits on Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, which makes valet and taxi drop-offs more convenient than self-parking on the busiest nights (couples, groups, not ideal for very young children late at night). If you want a premium tent without stress, book early and choose a weekday.
Old Dubai traditions become easier to spot
Ramadan also makes the city feel more “local,” especially around Dubai Creek, Al Seef, and heritage areas after sunset. One tradition that visitors love is the iftar cannon, and Dubai typically places cannons in several fixed locations and rotates mobile cannons across additional neighbourhoods. For 2026 coverage, listings mention fixed cannons at places such as Expo City Dubai, JBR, Dubai Festival City, and Burj Khalifa, with additional mobile stops across the city and multiple locations in Hatta. If you plan to watch a cannon moment, arrive early, because families gather quickly and parking fills fast. Also, if you drive to Hatta for the atmosphere, remember it is cooler at night than central Dubai, so bring a light layer (family-friendly, suitable for couples).
First week planning with confirmed Dubai weather
On Thursday, 19 February 2026, Dubai’s forecast shows hazy sunshine with a high around 30°C and a low around 20°C, so you can expect warm afternoons and cooler evenings. Because haze can soften visibility, bring sunglasses and keep driving distances simple if you feel tired after a long day. If you want a gentle first-night plan, choose Al Seef or Dubai Creek for an easy walk and flexible timing. (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo)
On Friday, 20 February 2026, the forecast shows plenty of sun with a high around 30°C and a low around 19°C, which suits an early stroll and then a long evening out. However, Friday nights pull bigger crowds, so arrive before late afternoon if you plan a mall or waterfront. Expect the strongest traffic build roughly 45 to 60 minutes before iftar. (family-friendly, suitable for couples)
On Saturday, 21 February 2026, Dubai looks mostly sunny with a high around 30°C and a low around 18°C, so daytime feels comfortable but evenings cool quickly. That said, Saturday also brings the most “event energy,” so it is ideal for Ramadan by the Bay at Dubai Festival City if you want lights, shows, and dining in one place. Dubai Festival City Mall lists its information line as 800 332, which helps if you want to confirm access, timings, or parking support before you go. If you dislike circling for parking, use a taxi drop-off and walk the last stretch. (family-friendly, suitable for couples)
On Sunday, 22 February 2026, the forecast stays mostly sunny with a high around 29°C and a low around 21°C, so evenings feel slightly softer and more humid. Because Sunday is often calmer than Saturday, it suits the Street Food Festival atmosphere if you want a slower pace and easier parking. Choose Sunday for “first Ramadan experiences” if you want fewer queues. (family-friendly, solo)
On Monday, 23 February 2026, the forecast turns a touch cooler with a high around 27°C and a low around 20°C, which is excellent for outdoor promenades. Meanwhile, weekday nights usually make majlis reservations easier, so you can try a hotel setting without weekend pressure. If you drive from Sharjah or Ajman, leave by mid-afternoon and return after taraweeh to avoid the heaviest flow. (suitable for couples, groups)
On Tuesday, 24 February 2026, Dubai looks partly sunny with a high around 28°C and a low around 20°C, and the city typically feels more predictable on a Tuesday. Because the late-night rhythm still holds, you can schedule a short daytime nap and enjoy a longer evening without feeling rushed. Keep water and snacks for children inside bags when moving between venues, and use indoor areas where possible. (children, family-friendly)
On Wednesday, 25 February 2026, the forecast returns to sunny with a high around 29°C and a low around 21°C, so you can expect a warm finish to the first week. Wednesday nights often sit between “weekday calm” and “weekend busy,” which makes them a smart time to try Expo City or a hotel majlis. If you travel from Abu Dhabi, aim to arrive before late afternoon on Sheikh Zayed Road and plan your return after 10:00pm. (suitable for couples, solo)
Transport and parking feel different in Ramadan
Dubai’s roads change character during Ramadan, and it is not just about volume, it is about timing. In particular, many residents avoid being on the road close to iftar because some drivers rush, so you should build a buffer and drive patiently. Parking rules also often shift; for example, recent guidance for Dubai’s public parking operator indicated paid parking hours from 8:00am to 6:00pm and 8:00pm to 12:00am from Monday to Saturday, with a free window in between and free parking on Sunday, while multi-storey parking can remain chargeable around the clock. Always check signage at the exact zone, because timings can differ by area and category. Also, if you rely on Salik routes, variable toll pricing can change the cost of peak-time crossings, so it helps to plan crossings outside the busiest windows when possible.
In Dubai, Ramadan 2026 nights will likely stay dry and pleasantly warm at first, with highs around 27°C to 30°C and cooler evenings around 18°C to 21°C, so light layers, comfortable walking shoes, and a small water bottle kept discreetly will go a long way. Meanwhile, traffic typically spikes before iftar and again after evening prayers, so arrive earlier than you think, and consider Dubai Metro and taxis when you plan popular areas like Downtown, Al Seef, JBR, and Festival City. Parking and door prices can change quickly in Ramadan, so treat any listed rates as approximately, and confirm before you commit, especially for hotel majlis bookings. Make your reservation before the weekend rush builds. For ticketed or reserved experiences, the most reliable purchasing and booking routes often run through PLATINUMLIST and official venue reservation teams, and you can also call the key information lines mentioned above if you need direct confirmations. According to notes and updates followed by the editor of www.few.ae, Dubai’s best Ramadan plans come together when you keep evenings flexible and lock in reservations early.