Dubai at Christmas – A Visitors Guide to the Festive Season

Christmas? In a Muslim country? You better believe it!!

If you’re seeking a northern hemisphere winter holiday in the sun but don’t want to miss out on the fun and festivities of Christmas, Dubai could be the destination for you!

Christmas in Dubai is not a public holiday but is widely celebrated by the large expat community and tourists.

So other than the reassurance that the shops will still be open on Christmas Eve (and Christmas Day!!), what should you expect in Dubai at Christmas? We’ll take you through everything you need to know to plan your trip at this special time of year to get you in the Christmas spirit:

Weather in Dubai at Christmas

In late December, you should expect wonderful mild weather – average daytime highs of 26°C/78.8°F and seawater temperature of 25.6°C/78°F.

Rain is not unheard of in December, but certainly don’t expect a long string of dreary grey days. Fog can be an issue in December, particularly in the early mornings.

You can find our complete guide to Dubai weather in December here.

The wonderful weather in December, combined with the fact it is also school holiday time in Dubai (along with most of the world), means that the week from Christmas to New Year in Dubai is one of the busiest of the year.

You can expect hotel and AirBnB prices to skyrocket, and in some cases, your first choice of accommodation may not be available – so book early if you have December in Dubai on your agenda.

Winter City

Expo City will again be transformed into Winter City for Christmas from 6 to 31 December 2024, starting at 2:00 pm daily.

Al Wasl Plaza takes centre stage, with a 52-foot Christmas Tree and a festive village, including Santa’s uniquely recycled house, Frosty’s Farmhouse, Santa’s Toy Factory, Mrs Claus’ Bakery, and Letters to Santa, among the popular activities on offer.

To truly experience the spirit of Christmas in Dubai, join a nightly Carols by Candlelight performance. This simply magical performance with a light show occurs under the Al Wasl dome. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also make a special appearance at this event.

What does it cost?

This event remains free for those under six and People of Determination, but note the following pricing policy is now in place for kids 6+ and adults:

• General Admission AED 40
• Family Pass (4 people + parking) AED 240
• Carols by Candlelight is separately ticketed, AED 150 per person

Event Timing

• Winter City Daily 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm
• Carols by Candlelight 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm from 20 to 24 December 2024

Learn more at expocitydubai.com

Winter Wonderland at Ski Dubai

A Dubai classic winter experience that never disappoints can be found at Ski Dubai. Home to one of the city’s most popular Santa Grotto at Mall of the Emirates, not just Santa Meet and Greet’s with a Christmas goodie bag and a hot chocolate included.

You can also enjoy fun adventures in the Snow Park, including Snow Movies, snowman building, and breakfast with Santa. Packages start from 160 AED pp for a standard Santa meet-and-greet, AED 325 for added Snow Park access, or AED 600 for a Family Pass to Santa (family of 4).

(NB Due to the cold conditions, entry to Santa’s Grotto starts from 2 years of age)

Another option where the littles don’t need to enter sub-zero temperatures is Breakfast With Santa. Held at 8:00 am daily from 10 to 25 December this costs AED 160 per person/AED 80 for infants.

Timing

• Tickets go on sale 11 November for dates 1-25 December (popular weekend time slots and those closest to Christmas get snapped up FAST!)

Learn more at skidxb.com/christmas 

Want to make it extra special? Add on a stay at the Aspen Ski Chalets at Kempinski Mall of the Emirates. Ranging in size from a one-bedroom chalet up to the three-floor, three-bedroom ski chalets, each sleeps between two to six guests, overlooking the slopes of Ski Dubai.

Winter Fest at Al Barari Playground

Already one of the city’s most magical playgrounds, it will be extra special in December as the park is transformed for Winter Fest on 14/15 December and 21/22 December 2024 (12:00 PM to 10:00 PM).

Entry tickets (Kids AED 89, Adults AED 49) will get you access to the main Al Barari Playground, the ice rink, and a train ride. Other activities must be paid for at the venue, including gingerbread house making, the snow maze, messy play, a snow fight zone, and a tuning slide.

To make the day extra special, Santa Claus himself will be present for a meet-and-greet in Santa’s Grotto.

Buy your Al Barari playground Winter Fest Tickets here

Festive Garden at Madinat Jumeirah

Madinat Jumeirah’s Festive Market returns from 13 December 2024 to 5 January 2025. With festive food and drinks, fun activities for the kids, and seasonal live music, this is always one of the best places to enjoy the holiday season in Dubai, at one of the city’s most iconic locations.

Held at Madinat Jumeirah Fort Island, the event highlights include a 36-foot-tall Christmas tree, a live band playing festive music and Christmas carols, a North Pole train ride, and a classic Venetian Carousel among the German-style Christmas market huts.

Don’t miss gingerbread house making, live entertainment and decorated abra rides. It’s the perfect place to pick up a special gift with a local touch and seasonal treats you might be craving from home!

• Free to attend; activities cost extra
• Weekdays are 3:00 PM to late, and weekends are midday to late.

Learn more here

Winter Garden at Habtoor Palace

This long-running Dubai Christmas event takes place on the Al Habtoor City rooftop. The venue is transformed for the winter season into an enchanting winter garden. Expect dazzling decorations, carols, street artists, acrobats, mulled wine, gingerbread, and even Santa Claus will make an appearance.

Weekdays from 4:00 PM until 12:00 AM and 1:00 AM on weekends from 22 November to 8 January 2025. Entry AED 25. TBC.

Learn more at alhabtoorcity.com.

Winter District Season 2

This great new festive season event will return in 2024, moving from Jumeirah Emirates Towers to its new home at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre from December 14 to 22, 2024, from Midday to Midnight.

Expect market stalls, kids activities, food trucks, and a Santa’s Grotto. Live entertainment will include a daily performance of Battle of the Bands, open mike nights, choir groups, and roaming entertainers.

Entry is free for under 6’s or AED 25 from 6+ to adults.

Tickets are available for this event via Platinumlist

Although not entirely a Christmas event, Dubai Garden Glow‘s wonderfully enchanted setting makes it the perfect attraction to visit around Christmas for a magical evening in their utterly instagrammable gardens.

Entry is AED 70 per person, or add the Art and magic Park for AED 115.

Advance book your entry tickets here

Global Village – all winter

Festivities will commence this year on 13 December and run through until 5 January. They will be celebrating with a multi-cultural snowy theme, with Santa and his elves spreading cheer across the park. Head to the Restaurant Plaza for snow activities and enjoy the spectacular 21-metre-high Christmas Tee at Celebration Walk.

Global Village is a spectacular place to visit over the cooler winter break (though do be warned, it can be extremely busy at weekends). There are ample shopping opportunities, as well as the chance to enjoy seasonal flavors and treats with a truly international twist.

Learn more about Global Village here.

Dubai Santa Run

One of the best Christmas events in Dubai to get you in the spirit, this family-friendly event will return on Saturday, 7 December 2024, to West Beach, Palm Jumeirah.

Italian Christmas Market at Cucina

An inaugural event for 2024, Cucina The Palm brings us the city’s first-ever Italian Christmas Market on Palm Jumeriah. Come and explore 40+ stalls of Italian treasures, from artistic foods and crafts to luxury accessories and cosmetics. For the grown-ups, there will also be a pop-up wine garden offering tastings and all-inclusive packages.

The market will be held on December 6 from 3:30 PM to 10:30 PM and Saturday/Sunday, December 7th/8th, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

Dubai Feastival

This is another new experience in Dubai this festive season, especially for your 4-legged friends. A dog-friendly family festival will be held at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club on 14 December from 12:00 PM.

Free for under-12s, and then just AED 20 a ticket (advance purchase here on Platinumlist), you can enjoy a Christmas market tailored especially for pet owners and let your furry little one loose in a leash-free area (and there will be a human little play area too!). There will be dog shows and a fancy dress competition judged by Santa himself.

Learn more at dubaifeastival.com

Pet Festival at Dubai Parks & Resorts

Not to miss out on the pet-friendly crowd, Dubai Parks and Resorts is also having its own pet-friendly weekend: Pet Festival at Riverland on 14-15 December (2:00 PM to 10:00 PM). Witness international dog and cat championship shows, agility demonstrations, and a pet fashion show—plus, for residents, don’t miss the dog adoption drive!

Entry tickets are AED 25 at the gate, or buy online for AED 30 and get F&B vouchers – learn more here

Psstt- not to miss while you’re at Riverland, MiniWorld is open for free! Explore Global wonders and iconic Dubai landmarks all in minature.

Christmas Activities at Aquaventure

If you’re planning a theme park trip over the festive break, Aquaventure also has plenty of fun events to keep the family entertained. From 24 to 26 December, enjoy daily activities, including Feed the Snowman, Christmas Present Hunt, and Build a Sand Snowman—catch the complete daily schedule here.

There’s also a Santa’s Grotto at The Lost Chambers Aquarium, 20-25 December and Scuba Santa Dives at Ambassador Lagoon daily at 1:00 pm from 18 to 25 December 2024.

Christmas Shows in Dubai 2024

What better way to enjoy Dubai during Christmas than attending a festive show? In addition to the special Dubai Christmas markets and events we’ve listed above, these shows are bound to put you in the festive spirit for the most wonderful time of the year!

Kids’ Christmas Shows in Dubai 2024

In addition to the above shows, you’ll find the following events in Dubai, especially for families with younger children:

Free Evening Shows in Dubai

These events run throughout the year but are particularly special at Christmas time (and make for a great cheap night out in Dubai!).

• DSF Drone Show – Bluewaters/JBR – part of the Dubai Shopping Festival. This twice-nightly show is due to return to the skies over the popular beachfront area of Dubai from 6 December 2024 to 12 January 2025. There’s a show at 7:00 pm and repeated at 10:00 pm. (TBC 2024)

Christmas Day Brunch Dubai 2024

If you think being in Dubai on Christmas Day means you will miss out on a traditional Christmas dinner, then think again!

Many hotels and restaurants in Dubai will provide a hugely extravagant lunch with all the trimmings – the only real question is – what’s your budget? From pub feasts to 5-star luxury, here’s where you’ll get Christmas dinner in Dubai.

We are still confirming if all these brunches are running in 2024 – some details may still relate to 2023

Budget Christmas Brunch in Dubai 2024

Less than AED 250 per head with house drinks

Mid-range Christmas Brunch in Dubai 2024

AED 250 AED to AED 500 per head with house drinks

• Belgian Café – Dubai Festival City
• BiCE Ristorante – Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
• Bistro Des Arts – Dubai Marina
• BOCA – DIFC
• Boardwalk, Casa de Tapas & Lakeview – Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
• Cascades – Fairmont Dubai
• Crown & Lion – Byblos Hotel, Barsha Heights
• Indya by Vineet, La Strega, Rhodes Twenty10 & Zengo – Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa
• JA Hatta Fort Hotel – Hatta
• Café Artois, Kitchen6 & Prime68 Steakhouse – JW Marriott Marquis
• McGettigan’s JBR – Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
• Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Nobu, Seafire Steakhouse & Bar & WHITE Beach & Restaurant – Atlantis The Palm
• Picnic Pantry – Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
• Publique – Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Pure Sky Lounge & Dining – Hilton Dubai the Walk
• Raffles Dubai – Raffles Hotel, Oud Metha
• Spark by Caramel – DIFC
• Trader Vic’s JBR – Hilton Dubai The Walk

Luxury Christmas Brunch in Dubai 2024

AED 500 AED+ per head with house drinks

• Manava – Sofitel Dubai The Palm
• Reform Social & Grill – The Lakes, Emirates Living
• folly by Nick & Scott – Souk Madinat Jumeirah
• Geales, Maya Mexican Kitchen + Bar & Brasserie 2.0 – Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa
• Hakkasan – Atlantis the Palm
• Hidden Brunch – Taj Hotel, Business Bay
• Il Ristorante Niko Romito & Yacht Club Restaurant – Bulgari Resort Dubai
• Marina Social – Intercontinental Dubai
• Rhodes W1, Siddharta Lounge, Sloane’s, Toro Toro – Grosvenor Hotel
• Traiteur – Park Hyatt Dubai
• Winter Wanderlust Brunch – JW Marriot Marquis

NB please check with the venues directly for current pricing, house packages have crept up a lot in the past 2 years and venues may no longer fall in the categories we’ve mentioned!

Church Services in Dubai Christmas 2024

Dubai is a proudly tolerant city when it comes to religion, and there are several different denominational churches in Dubai.

• St Mary’s Catholic Church (services in English, French & Arabic Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass & Christmas Day)
• The Mar Thoma Church, Dubai (Services in English & Malayalam on Christmas Eve)
• United Christian Church of Dubai
• St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Jebel Ali (Services in English, Arabic, German, Tamil, French, Sinhalese, Arabic, Italian and Tagalog)
• Fellowship: A Christian Church in Dubai nondenominational
• St. Thomas Cathedral (Orthodox)
• The Holy Trinity Church (Anglican)