In the United Arab Emirates Islam is of course the main religion, but Dubai especially is a world city, with many non-Muslim residents, and has embraced the more secular trappings of the Yuletide season making them a vibrant part of Dubai in December. Here are 15 excellent examples:
Christmas Grottos
Revolve around kids visiting Santa and his elves, these colorful grottos can be found in places including Al Habtoor Polo Resort, Dubai Mall, Expo City, Media City, and Ski Dubai.
Christmas Shopping
Shopping is of course its own religion here, and December´s Dubai Shopping Festival runs from December 6 to January 12 across most of the emirate´s malls and retail outlets, offering heavy discounts and deals for shoppers. It´s a festival of consumerism which at times almost feels more like a carnival.
Christmas Brunches and Dinners
A number of hotels and restaurants offer special holiday meals on and around December 25th, with a wide range of cuisines available. An excellent list can be found here.
Christmas Tree Hopping
Dubai's streets are vivaciously decorated with spectacular Yuletide trees all over the city in hotels, malls, and every street corner, and a number of them are focuses for special Christmas events.
Creative Wreath-making Workshops
Several workshops during the Christmas holiday season where you can learn to make wreaths - such as those at the Hotel Indigo, The Workshop Dubai, and the Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre - created out of high-quality dried and artificial and dried botanicals - plus you can enjoy a round of cocktails, beverages, munchies, and light snacks at many of these workshops.
A Magical Winter Garden
Every year the gardens of the Habtoor Palace hotel are transformed into a beautiful winter garden that resembles your favorite fairytale wonderland bringing in loads of festivities, entertainment, and celebrations for the entire family, perhaps especially the little ones. Vendors put up stalls that bring in street cuisine from different corners of the world, and dazzling grandeur, décor and Christmas carols, street and circus performances, seasonal goodies like gingerbread and mulled wine, and Santa sightings are a regular feature.
An Also Magical Winter Terrace
Beginning in early December, the patio of the stylish Mina Brasserie in the Four Seasons hotel is decked out with spectacular decorative trees and foliage-filed walls to transform into a winter wonderland to mark and celebrate the spirit of Christmas in Dubai elegantly. You will find the walls decorated and warm blankets, opulent ornaments in silver and white tones, and twinkling fairy lights.
The Global Village Goes Christmas
Held from October through March in the Oud Metha area near Wafi City, this extravaganza revolves around more than 30 pavillions devoted to different countries and cultures as well as a carnival, numerous shows, and more. And of course during the Christmas season it pulls out all the stops with a Christmas market and a plethora of holiday-themed activities and entertainment.
And So Does the Magical Dubai Garden Glow
This theme park featuring more than 500 mostly nature inspired installations and artworks, including gigantic figurines, ice carvings, and animatronics (especially dinosaurs) puts on a show of holiday cheer with a Christmas market and themed installations.
The Nutcracker at the Dubai Opera
The sugar-plum fairy comes to the Gulf, as for several days (this year December 19-22) this world-class opera stages Tchaikovsky´s beloved ballet, a delight for the whole family.
An Open-Air Christmas Movie
Outdoor cinemas are big in Dubai, ´tis the season for flicks like Elf and The Polar Express in venues including Cinema Akil at 25Hours, JLT Park, Roxy Cinemas at Galleria Mall Barsha, and Vox Outdoor at the Galleria Mall. Pass the popcorn!
Other fantastic activities not directly linked to Yuletide you should also consider:
The Mighty Burj Khalifa
One of Dubai´s most iconic towers - 163 floors and 828 meters (2,717 feet) high - the Burj Khalifa draws visitors from various backgrounds and different corners. One of the highlights is the fascinating observation deck on Level 149, where you can gaze out at the grandeur of the Dubai cityscape and beyond to the desert.
A Dhow Cruise
The Dubai Marina is an iconic Dubai attraction, and it´s from here that various cruises - both daytime and nighttime - cruise the waters with amazing views of the skyline in adapted traditional dhow sailing ships. The cruises usually include plenty of food and drink as well as live entertainment.
Hooray for Bollywood (Park)
Even if you´re not into the magic of Indian moviemaking the way millions around the world are, the world´s first theme park devoted to the genre is quite an experience, with exotic architecture and attractions including rides, tasty eateries, and of course plenty of lavish shows.
A Desert Safari
A wonderful opportunity to encounter traditional Emirati culture while exploring the grand desert landscape, wildlife, and an amazing set of adventures such as dune bashing, ATV and camel riding, sandboarding, stargazing, and falconry. The winter also brings cooler temperatures compared to the harsh summers, making a desert safari in Dubai an especially appealing option.
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