With the weather currently at its coolest, every weekend and bit of free time should be spent outdoors. However, if you’re done with your usual favourite walks and have visited your go-to beaches too many times, you might be searching for some new things to see and do out in the fresh air.
Fortunately, there are so many different ways to maximise the season’s pleasant climate. So, here are four activities you might not have tried yet…
Did you know that Dubai is home to the world’s first all-female camel racing series? Established in 2021 by the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center (ADCRC), the headline-grabbing C1 Championship is back for a fifth season, and you can’t miss this chance to see the ladies in action. Held at the Al Marmoom Camel Race Track, adrenaline-fuelled races are taking place on December 6, 2025, January 17, 2026, and February 14, 2026, and everyone is welcome to attend. Featuring inspiring female jockeys spanning 12 nationalities – including Emirati, Palestinian, Jordanian, Bahraini, French, Swiss, and American riders – the event village is filled with coffee shops, food trucks, and stalls from local clothing brands, while VIP cars let you ride alongside the camels and get up close to the drama.
Visit adcrc.me
The UAE has many prestigious horse-riding centres, but the recently opened Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts (ADREA) is on another level of impressive. The first school of classical horsemanship to launch outside of Europe (and one of only five in the world), the beautiful, Andalusian-style stables offer a choice of comprehensive courses for elite riders, all rooted in the centuries-old Arabic tradition of Furusiyya. Emirati culture is woven into every element here, from the outdoor art installations by Emirati creatives to the homegrown food concepts (including Knead, Parker’s, and SALT), and weekly shows dedicated to the country’s long legacy in equestrian sport. Home to one of the largest equestrian libraries in the world as well as an equestrian museum, ADREA’s stunning setting within the peaceful mangrove forests of Jubail Island makes it a wonderful place to visit during the winter months – no matter if you’re there to ride, or simply to experience the amazing indoor and outdoor spaces.
Visit adrea.ae
The Emirates Nature – WWF’s Leaders of Change scheme organises an extraordinary array of wildlife and conservation events. With these, you not only get to do your bit to protect the planet, but you can also gain a greater appreciation for the UAE’s natural landscapes and make new friends in the process. Join conservation sessions on kayaks, litter-picking outings, expeditions to track and photograph rare creatures in the mountains of the northern emirates, and much more.
Visit leadersofchange.ae
Walking barefoot through the golden dunes of Liwa is a powerful grounding exercise – and an adventure you’ll never forget. As a safe, inclusive, and enriching way of experiencing the beauty of the desert, the women-led outdoor adventure group UAE Trekkers arranges monthly desert trekking trips – you need to get one scheduled into your diary before winter ends. These outings include glamping-style accommodation, sunset and sunrise guided hikes, a BBQ dinner, a campfire with marshmallows – there’s even an outdoor pool to jump into at the end of each walk. Completed with unreal stargazing opportunities and blissful peace and quiet, this is just the break from the city bustle you’ve been looking for.
Visit @uaetrekkers
