10 things to do in Dubai in February

February is famous for events such as Car Free Day, Valentine's Day from a hot air balloon or Chinese New Year**, but it is also the month when gastronomy in the city reaches its peak thanks to exotic and delicious fairs.

Car Free Day is a one-day event that bans the use of cars for personal use in order to raise awareness of the environmental impact of our actions and to get people thinking about the issue. This annual event usually coincides with the last Sunday in February.

At first glance it seems like a peculiar day and little more; however, in Dubai this is not the case because it welcomes the participation of government and private associations that organise multiple events in the most visited places in Dubai such as the Burj Khalifa or the Dubai Mall, where they usually hold talks, exhibitions, outdoor entertainment activities and other shows taking advantage of the fact that it is a holiday where noise and environmental pollution are minimal.

And since you can't drive around, how about booking a hot air balloon ride in Dubai? You'll get the best views of a Dubai at sunrise which, for that day only, will feature semi-empty roads and streets.

Although the UAE is a Muslim country where alcoholic beverages are not common, the souk in Madinat hosts an event called The Tasting Class during the month of February.

It offers special food and wine tasting services, food and wine pairing fairs and offers tips and tricks to enhance the wine and food pairing experience.

And since February is one of the most gastronomic months in Dubai, what better than to join a Dubai street food tour where you will taste the best dishes and specialities of the area. Delicious!

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship starts in mid-February and usually lasts about 15 days.

In order to enjoy some of the matches, it is important to book tickets on the official website, as it is a very well known tournament among tennis fans. In fact, tennis players such as Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic have already participated in it.

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are cities where tennis is a very popular and valued sport. If you are a tennis fan and book a trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai, you will be pleased to know that the capital of the Emirates also hosts a tennis tournament in February.

February 14th is Valentine's Day in Dubai too, and I can't think of anything better than setting the bar high for you to remember this year's celebration in the Emirates as the most memorable of your life.

Book a mega yacht cruise in Dubai and experience luxury at its finest: you'll be greeted with a welcome drink and enjoy a delicious buffet with plenty of variety:

• Salads.
• Asian specialities.
• Western dishes.
• Live cooking.
• Barbecue.
• A wide variety of desserts.
• Unlimited soft drinks.

During the cruise, you'll have live entertainment on board, with dance, music or puppet shows and, of course, you'll be able to admire the breathtaking views of the iconic Dubai skyline lit up and under the stars of the night sky. That is, if you can keep your eyes off your sweetheart.

The Dubai Literature Festival promises to bring people together, regardless of age, based solely on a love of reading. The event is held every year in February, sometimes at the beginning of the month, sometimes at the end.

You can also take the opportunity to buy a book that interests you - there's something for every taste, language and subject. The festival features eminent authors, musicians, filmmakers and artists from all over the world and is packed with debates, performances and talks.

If you are artistically inclined, this festival is not to be missed, nor is a visit to the Louvre Museum, which opened in Abu Dhabi in 2017 and which you can experience by booking a tour to Abu Dhabi and the Louvre Museum from Dubai.

Chinese New Year usually falls in February and in Dubai it's celebrated at the Burj Khalifa at sunset on the same day with various laser shows.

Dubai's parks and resorts also join in on the big day with entertainment and a decorated atmosphere, so taking a guided tour of Dubai on the day is a great way to see for yourself the atmosphere in the city.

Of course, the highlight is the Grand Temple Fair at the Dubai Parks and Resorts, a great way to learn about Chinese traditions and enjoy a unique annual event.

Gulfood is an annual trade fair held in mid-February at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Although it is an event that attracts mostly food and food industry veterans, you can attend the event for free as long as you register on the official website

. It is considered one of the largest food and beverage exhibitions in the Persian Gulf, Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and Oceania due to the number and diversity of food, beverage and food exhibits that will not leave you indifferent.

The Dubai Yacht Show is an annual event held in February for boat and yachting enthusiasts in particular. It's a very special day where you can go on yacht excursions with the owners free of charge.

The idea is to showcase these boats and yachts before they are auctioned or sold on the market, so you may see high-ranking government officials and big names from Dubai and around the world in attendance.

If you're a yachting enthusiast and aren't lucky enough to be in Dubai on the day of the Yacht Show, don't worry, you can still enjoy the experience by booking a yacht tour of the Dubai Marina or even a mega yacht dinner cruise.

Dubai Jazz Festival is a three-day event held in mid-February, hosting both local and international jazz and blues artists. The Dubai Jazz Festival is held at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, a venue worthy of the quality of this annual festival. For bookings and further updates on the event, don't hesitate to visit the festival's official website.

Just by telling you that names like Tom Jones, Kool & The Gang and Mariah Carey have been on stage, you can imagine what kind of event we're talking about.

So, if you like jazz or blues music, it wouldn't hurt to include it in your plans after taking a night bus tour.

As we've mentioned, February is a month that's all about food, so you can't miss the Dubai Festival City Mall, a massive event focusing on Middle Eastern cuisine, where you can sample a myriad of dishes from bespoke gourmet dishes to intimate cooking exhibitions with world-renowned chefs.

What is interesting about the event is that fixed prices are placed on dishes regardless of their nature, making this event a clear opportunity for delight.

While this event tends to be more attended by the city's most luxurious restaurants, many mid-range restaurants also join the event.

February, with the exception of Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day and Car Free Day where the tourist presence is very noticeable, is a month with a moderate tourist influx.

So, if you plan to do a routine activity or go shopping, better avoid doing so on these two days, as they are very special days in Dubai. Instead, take advantage of these days to get to know the city, and enjoy the shows and activities taking place.

Dubai in February tends to be a little erratic, and while the average temperature during the month is quite bearable, the temperature peaks can be a little uncomfortable. To give you an idea, it's not uncommon for the temperature to go from 15 degrees Celsius to 33 degrees Celsiusat the hottest point of the day.

So I recommend that you pack both summer and winter clothes, as the temperature fluctuations in February can be very noticeable, especially if you've never visited the city before or are coming from a more stable climate. However, forget umbrellas and mackintoshes as it rarely rains during this month of the year.

I also recommend you find out more about what to wear in Dubai in case you want to visit specific places and don't know how to present yourself.

It depends. If your idea is to attend one-off events and enjoy a month when the tourist flow isn't as exaggerated as the peaks of December in Dubai or January in Dubai, then yes, it would be a good idea.

In my opinion, **February is the best month to enjoy the city at a more relaxed pace.

Also, if you're passionate about fine dining and luxury events, February could suit your taste buds.

I'm sorry to say that February is high season along with the months from November in Dubai to March in Dubai. This means that it is not the cheapest month, but it is a month in which you can enjoy yourself without spending as much money compared to other months.

However, as with most things, the best way to save money on your travels is to plan ahead and book in good time. After all, Dubai is still a very touristy city and the cost of living is driven by supply and demand.