7 major Dubai changes you need to know about this December

Here are the top December changes in Dubai 2025:

Key Updates

• New Lost Property Law: A new law requires reporting lost items within 24 hours, with fines up to Dh200,000 for non-compliance.
• Hatta Revamp: Hatta’s Dhs3.6 billion project includes new developments like the Hatta Dam Amphitheatre and mountain biking trails.
• Busiest Travel Day at DXB: Dubai International Airport expects 10 million passengers, so plan ahead.
• GCC One-Stop Travel: UAE trials a one-stop travel system with Bahrain for smoother GCC travel.
• Winter Solstice: Dubai winter starts December 21, with over 8 hours of sunlight and average temperatures of 24.6°C.
• Single-Use Plastics Phase-Out: UAE bans single-use plastics from January 1, 2026.
• School Holidays: School kids enjoy a three-day week, with the final day on December 5.

Events and Festivals

• Dubai Shopping Festival: Returns from December 5 with discounts, concerts, and fireworks.
• OCEANMAN World Final Championship: Hosted in Dubai from December 5-7.
• Dubai Winter City: At Expo City from December 6-31.