Things to Do in Kuwait City in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Kuwait City
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect outdoor weather with daytime temperatures around 19°C (67°F) - comfortable enough for extended walking tours through Souq Al-Mubarakiya or along the Arabian Gulf waterfront without the brutal summer heat that makes Kuwait nearly unbearable from May to September
- January is prime season for desert camping and Bedouin experiences in the interior, with cool overnight temperatures around 7°C (45°F) making it actually pleasant to sleep under the stars rather than roasting in a tent
- The Hala February festival preparation period means you'll catch rehearsals, setup activities, and pre-festival buzz around Kuwait City, plus many cultural venues ramp up programming in anticipation of the main event
- Lowest tourist crowds of the year despite great weather - most Western tourists skip Kuwait entirely for Dubai or Qatar, and regional visitors tend to come during Islamic holidays rather than January, meaning shorter lines at Kuwait Towers and easier restaurant reservations
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days can be genuinely disruptive - when it rains in Kuwait, it tends to flood quickly because the drainage infrastructure wasn't built for it, and you'll see roads turn into temporary rivers within 30 minutes
- The 70% humidity combined with variable conditions means you're constantly guessing what to wear - mornings might start at 7°C (45°F) requiring a jacket, then by 2pm you're sweating in 19°C (67°F) sun, and evenings get chilly again
- January falls outside major Islamic festivals, so you'll miss the special Ramadan atmosphere, Eid celebrations, and associated cultural programming that makes Kuwait particularly vibrant during those periods
Best Activities in January
Desert camping experiences south of Kuwait City
January is the ONLY comfortable time for overnight desert trips. The interior desert around Al Jahra and toward the Saudi border becomes genuinely pleasant, with daytime temperatures perfect for 4x4 excursions and camel encounters, and those 7°C (45°F) nights making campfire gatherings actually cozy rather than sweltering. Locals pack up their families and head out on weekends specifically in these winter months. The variable weather occasionally brings dramatic cloud formations that make for spectacular sunset photography over the dunes.
Failaka Island archaeological day trips
The ferry ride across Kuwait Bay is actually pleasant in January rather than punishing, and you can explore the Bronze Age ruins and abandoned Iraqi military installations without melting. The island gets almost zero tourists, so you'll have ancient Dilmun civilization sites largely to yourself. The 19°C (67°F) weather means you can comfortably walk between the scattered archaeological zones without needing constant water breaks. Worth noting that rough seas occasionally cancel ferries during those rainy days, so have a backup plan.
Kuwait Towers and waterfront promenade walks
The Arabian Gulf waterfront becomes the city's social hub in January. That 19°C (67°F) daytime temperature is perfect for the 5 km (3.1 mile) walk from Kuwait Towers south through Al Shaheed Park to the Scientific Center. You'll see Kuwaiti families doing the same thing - this is prime outdoor season for locals too. The UV index of 8 means you still need sun protection, but you won't be desperately seeking shade every 10 minutes like in summer. The towers' observation deck offers particularly good visibility in January's clearer air.
Traditional souq exploration and spice market tours
Souq Al-Mubarakiya becomes actually tolerable in January - the covered sections trap less heat, and you can browse the spice stalls, perfume shops, and traditional textile merchants without that oppressive summer stuffiness. Friday mornings are when locals do their weekend shopping, giving you the most authentic atmosphere. The variable weather means some days are perfect for wandering the outdoor sections too. This is when you'll find the best seasonal dates and nuts that vendors stock for winter gatherings.
Grand Mosque architectural tours
The Grand Mosque offers free guided tours for non-Muslims, and January weather makes the experience much more comfortable since you're required to wear modest covering including long sleeves regardless of temperature. The 19°C (67°F) days mean those requirements don't feel punishing. The mosque's massive courtyard and interior spaces showcase incredible Islamic architecture and calligraphy. Tours run multiple times daily except Fridays, and the guides provide genuine insight into Kuwaiti Islamic practice rather than generic tourist information.
Dhow harbor sunset viewing at Salmiya
The traditional dhow harbors along Salmiya waterfront come alive at sunset, and January's earlier sunset time around 5pm means you can catch it without staying out late. Local fishermen return with catches, traditional wooden boats bob in the marina, and the temperature drops to that perfect 15°C (59°F) evening coolness. This is pure local life - families strolling, teenagers hanging out, old men playing cards by their boats. The humidity actually creates beautiful hazy sunset colors across Kuwait Bay.
January Events & Festivals
Hala February Festival Preparations
While the main Hala February festival kicks off in early February, late January sees visible preparation throughout Kuwait City - stages being constructed along Gulf Road, cultural venues announcing special programming, and shopping malls decorating for the month-long celebration. You'll catch rehearsals for traditional performances and can sometimes watch setup activities. Not a full event yet, but the anticipatory energy gives you a taste of Kuwait's biggest cultural festival.
Kuwait National Days Planning Period
February 25-26 are Kuwait's National and Liberation Days, and by mid-to-late January you'll see the city preparing - flags appearing on buildings, special merchandise in shops, and patriotic decorations going up. While the actual celebrations are in February, the build-up period offers insight into Kuwaiti national pride and you can photograph the increasingly decorated cityscape.