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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:
In this Dubai at Christmas guide, we cover:
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.
Celebrating Christmas in Dubai 2024
Christmas festivities in Dubai, generally speaking, start as soon as National Day (Eid Al Etihad) events have concluded (the weekend around 2-3 December and run throughout the month of December).
From your classic shopping mall Santas to Christmas tree lightings at most of the city’s top hotels, you will not escape the jubilant atmosphere of Christmas celebrations in Dubai.
Please note that this guide still needs several updates for 2024, information tends to be released quite late into the season, so please use the 2023 information here as a guide only to the events that will be on this Christmas
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/christmasÂ
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.
The Grotto at Dubai Mall
A new edition within the region’s largest Mall, a paid visit to Santa can be booked at The Grotto, Dubai Ice Rink, Dubai Mall. You can book family sessions here and special Whispering Winter sessions for children with special needs.
We’ll report back how it’s going (and just how good this Santa is!) once the season starts – running from 6 to 30 December 2024.
Santa’s Grotto at JBR
Found at the popular beachfront venue The Beach in JBR, Santa will be making appearances every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4:00 PM onwards from 8-25 December 2023 (2024 dates TBC!)
You just need to spend AED100 at The Beach, JBR and come to the photo booth stationed near our favourite family brekkie spot in Dubai, Eggspectations.
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
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.
Expect market stalls, kids activities, food trucks and a Santa’s Grotto. Stay tuned as we discover more of what will be on offer – follow on Instagram here!
Festival City Mall Market
Around the waterfront outside Dubai Festival City, nestled against Dubai Creek, an annual array of winter stalls appear with a wide range of shopping options and nightly entertainment. We await the 2024 events calendar, but you can usually expect a busy line-up of sing-alongs and entertainment, as well as an appearance by the big man himself.
Dubai Garden Glow – all winter
Although not entirely a Christmas event, the wonderfully enchanted setting of Dubai Garden Glow makes the perfect attraction to visit around Christmas for a magical evening.
Global Village
We don’t have the Christmas 2024 details yet, but there is always a tree lighting ceremony and festive events observed at this global showcase venue in December each year.
Add to that some awesome shopping opportunities for gifts with an international flavour, this is equally as good as any Christmas market with a distinctly Dubai vibe! 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.
All participants must register in advance, with kids registered for AED 49 (or free with an adult). Adults are AED 125 to participate, or book the whole family and get free hotel parking at the Hilton.
There are 1km, 2.5km, and 5km events, the chance to meet Santa himself, and prizes for best dressed.
Learn more at raceme.ae
Santa Cycle
This event, new in 2024 and also brought to you by Race.ME, will take place on Sunday, 22 December 2024. More details on location and entry conditions will follow!
Christmas Shows in Dubai 2024
This listing still needs some updates for 2024 – come back soon!
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)
More Happening in Dubai Over the Winter
For a complete picture of what happens in Dubai over the winter, including many more seasonal events, pop over here for our Dubai winter guide.
We also have month-by-month guides for what’s happening in Dubai:
November | December | January | February | March
Keep your eye out as we update our guide to New Year’s Eve in Dubai! Be warned: top venues book out fast, so you will really need to plan ahead. Seeing the most famous site, the Burj Khalifa, is a ticketed event only.
Heading elsehwere in the Emirates? You can find a detailed guide on what’s happening in Abu Dhabi for Christmas here
More FAQs About Dubai At Christmas
Whilst Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country, it is also very open and tolerant, where all religions are free to celebrate special occasions. Christmas is no exception, and although Christmas Day (25 December or 7 January for Orthodox Christians) is not a public holiday, it is very widely observed in the retail and hospitality sector.
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
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