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Looking for some hopping good fun to celebrate Easter this year?
Although Dubai is in a Muslim country, make no mistake, just like Christmas, Easter is a big celebration in the local expat community that all have come to love.
Whether you are big believers in the Easter Bunny still, or simply look at it as a wonderful family opportunity to gather with your loved ones, there’s plenty going on around Dubai to help you celebrate this year in the sunshine.
In this Dubai Easter guide, we’ll cover:
Easter Dates for 2024
Easter Sunday in 2024 will fall on Sunday, 31 March 2024. This is preceded by Good Friday on Friday, 29 March 2024.
Easter in Dubai During Ramadan 2024 (1445)
Whilst Easter does indeed fall within the Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan this year, laws have changed in recent years that no longer prevent hospitality venues and eateries across the city from serving food and drink during the day to non-Muslims who are not observing the period of day time fasting.
While it is still polite not to eat and drink in front of those fasting, venues across the city will continue to open for Easter Sunday celebrations in designated areas.
A compromise may be to align your Easter celebration with the evening breaking of the fast, Iftar. This could make for a great harmonious cross-faith celebration for friends.
If you’re looking well ahead with your travel planning, Easter 2025 on April 20 (making it outside of Ramadan). Here’s the forward outlook for important religious dates in Dubai:
| Easter | Ramadan (approx) | |
| 2024 | Sunday 31 March | March 11 – April 10 |
| 2025 | Sunday 20 April | March 1 – March 31 |
| 2026 | Sunday 5 April | February 18 – March 18 |
| 2027 | Sunday 9 April | February 7 – March 8 |
Unlike Islamic religious dates, which aren’t confirmed until moon sightings occur, Easter is fixed in advance based on known moon cycles.
The United Arab Emirates enjoys a stellar reputation as a country that promotes tolerance of all religions but remember, it’s a two-way street; celebrate your religious occasions by all means, but bear in mind it’s a time of reflection and deep faith for Muslims. Your job as a visitor to the country is to provide a respectful environment for this to occur.
Weather in Dubai at Easter
Easter has traditionally been one of the best times of year for visitors to Dubai due to exceptionally nice weather for sun-seekers.
Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the Spring Equinox. This, generally speaking, means Easter falls between late March and early April most years.
Dubai doesn’t have a Spring per se, but March and April are as close as you’ll get when the daytime highs are hot, but early morning and evening are still pleasant to be outside.
As Easter falls in late March this year, you can expect warm weather with daytime highs up to around 30°C (82°F) and lows overnight of around 17°C (63°F).
It is advisable not to be out in the direct sun during the peak of the day in March in Dubai, or if you are, apply plenty of sunscreen and bring your hat and sunglasses.
Water temperatures still remain a little on the cool side in Dubai at Easter, though those coming from cooler climates will likely find it absolutely delightful with water temperatures around 25°C. (Most large resorts will have temperature-controlled pools if it’s still a little chilly for your liking at Easter time in Dubai).
Easter also often aligns with local and international school breaks, only increasing the popularity of visiting this time of year. Expect it to be BUSY and prices sky-high for accommodation, if you can get any!!
Best Easter Brunches in Dubai
Whilst there will be plenty of celebrations across the city, here are some traditional Easter events that always stand above the rest that you may want to pencil in your diary during your time staying in Dubai:
Please note that we are currently updating this page for Easter 2024. Some events listed below may relate to events in 2023. We appreciate your patience at this time.
Easter Sunday At The Ritz Carlton
Taking place on the La Brise Lawn, a fun-filled family day can be enjoyed with live cooking stations, an easter egg hunt, live magician shows, and a bouncy castle for family entertainment. The event promises to be even bigger than last year!
Doubletree by Hilton JBR
Set in the heart of Dubai’s busy tourist district in JBR, The Doubletree by Hilton JBR is offering a spectacular Easter Sunday Brunch with a specially curated set menu at its Gastropub Kitchen. There will be lots of activities to keep the little ones entertained including egg decorating and face painting. And the best thing is that pool and beach access is also included!
Grand Habtoor Resort
It’s time to get eggcited about the Easter Brunch at Luciano’s Garden at the Habtoor Grand Resort. The egg-stensive buffet includes a range of international dishes as well as a sea food bar featuring oysters, muscles and crab. Finish your meal with a slice of egg-stra special carrot cake before taking part in the resort’s Easter treasure hunt.
Easter Brunch at Address Sky View
Address Sky View is hosting an eggstravagant brunch featuring roast lamb, baked salmon and juicy ribeye steaks alongside a variety of live cooking stations. As well as a tantalising menu, the venue offers stunning views of the Dubai skyline and plenty of Easter themed activities for the kids. The brunch also includes pool access and live entertainment.
Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Book a table at Mowsem at the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah for an Easter that you won’t forget.
Children can enjoy face painting and an egg hunt as well as art and craft activities and a bouncy castle, whilst grown ups indulge in a vast international buffet featuring Easter themed desserts.
Studio One Hotel
For a truly whimsical Easter Celebration head to Studio One’s Larte restaurant for Easter fun with Alice and the Mad Hatter in Studio’s ‘Wonderland Easter Brunch’. There will be an egg hunt, face painting and a variety of games on offer for children, whilst the grown-ups indulge in an Italian Easter feast.
Bread Street Kitchen at Atlantis the Palm
Join the perfect family Brunch this Easter at Bread Street Kitchen! On Saturday 30th March, you can enjoy an Eggcellent Easter Brunch at one of Dubai’s most family friendly restaurants. Alongside delicious food, including a decadent array of sea food, there will be arts and crafts and egg hunt for the little ones – as well as an appearance by the Easter bunny.
What’s more, this Easter Brunch includes free access to ‘The Lost Chambers’ aquarium!
- Saturday 30th March, 12.30 pm – 4.00 pm
- Prices starting at 450 AED for the non-alcoholic packages, increasing to 695 AED for the Champagne package. Children aged 4 to 11 pay 250 AED, whereas children 3 and under eat for free.
- If you’d rather have a simple family roast, this option is also available on Sunday, 31st March, from 12.00 pm until 5.00 pm, with prices starting at 195 AED per adult and 97.50 AED for children.
- Other Easter events are available at The Atlantis, to find out more click here.
JA The Resort
Enjoy a world of culinary delights at JA Resorts this Easter with an international buffet served in the resort’s beautiful gardens. Live entertainment includes a saxophonist and a magic show. There will also be lots of activities to keep the little ones busy!
- Sunday, March 31st, 12.00 pm – 4.00 pm
- Prices start at 449 AED for the soft drinks package, rising to 499 AED for House Beverages. Children pay 250 AED.
- For reservations, call 04 814 5604 or email restaurant.reservations@jaresorts.com
You can find our complete guide to family-friendly dining in Dubai here – or if you’ll be heading to the Capital, don’t miss the best Easter activities in Abu Dhabi.
Other Easter Events in Dubai
We are still waiting for a few listings to come through from the usual suspects, but here’s what we know for sure so far in 2024:
Dubai Parks & Resort’s Easter Egg Hunt
The perfect place for your little ones to celebrate this Easter in Dubai, the main event at Dubai Parks & Resorts (which incorporates Legoland), will be held on Sunday 31st March. More details are still to be announced.
Al Habtoor Polo Resort
Al Habtoor Polo Resort is promising a day of Easter fun with a brunch from 1.00 pm until 4.00 pm for just 275 AED per person. There will also be a variety of fun and engaging activities for kids, including a bouncy castle, egg hunt, and so much more! Children and gown-ups alike are sure to love indulging in the chocolate fountain!
Saturday, March 30th 2024
Aquaventure
Enjoy splashing around at Aquaventure where Splasher Mountain will be dropping Easter eggs filled with cracking prizes between 8.30 and 9am followed by an Easter egg hunt at 9.30.
Sunday 31st March from 8.30 AM
Plenty more to come in this list as the date nears we’ll be adding more events and information or things to do in Dubai with kids at Easter
Church Service for Easter in Dubai
We are aware of the following churches that may have special services on this year – please enquire with each for Mass and order of service in your denomination:
- St Mary’s Catholic Church (services in English, French & Arabic)
- The Mar Thoma Parish, Dubai (Services in English & Malayalam)
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Jebel Ali (Services in English, Arabic, German, Tamil, French, Sinhalese, Arabic, Italian, and Tagalog)
- Evangelical Christian Church of Dubai
- Fellowship (nondenominational Christian Church in Dubai)
- St. Thomas Cathedral (Orthodox)
- The Holy Trinity Church (Anglican)
We hope this guide to Easter in Dubai helps you better prepare for what to expect and a predominantly Muslim country during this important Christian event. Celebrations will most definitely continue during Ramadan in 2024, but be mindful of those in the community who are daytime fasting and consider evening celebrations with friends.
FAQs Easter in Dubai
Although in a Muslim country (UAE), with a large expatriate population and thriving tourism, Easter is widely marked in Dubai. You will find church services, as well as kids’ activities and Easter brunches, afternoon teas, and themed celebrations.
You should be mindful, though, that Easter coincides with Ramadan in 2023 and 2024, when, locally, Muslims will be fasting in the daytime, among other observances. Celebrations for Easter will go ahead, but be mindful of those around you who are fasting.
Yes, you can, in recent years, laws regarding non-Muslims eating during the day time fasting hours over the Holy Month have been significantly relaxed. So fear not if that’s putting you off visiting Dubai at Easter, almost all eateries will be open as usual. We would still warn against eating in public outside of a restaurant, for example, on the street or walking through shopping malls as this is still technically illegal.
Most definitely. All religions are found in Dubai, along with numerous churches in different denominations. If you are visiting Dubai over Easter, you’ll be sure to find a church that will meet your needs.
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Feature image supplied by the Ritz-Carlton Dubai