IMG Worlds of Adventure’s Winter Wonderland
Head to IMG Worlds of Adventure and enjoy an incredible Winter Wonderland, inviting families and friends to celebrate the festive period together with live entertainment, special ticket prices, and a Santa’s Grotto so that everyone can enjoy the ultimate festive day out. IMG Worlds of Adventure will be offering guests the extraordinary ticket price of Dhs 195 for adults and Dhs 175 for children from Friday 9th December to Saturday 7th January. Visit www.IMGworlds.com.
Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers
Let it glow at the tree lighting event at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers on Thursday 8th December where the angelic voices of The Nord Anglia International School Primary Choir perform all the classics and Santa will make a special appearance. The event is free and open to the public in the Lobby Lounge at 5.30pm. Email hotel.jumeirahlakestowers.fb@movenpick.com or call 04-4380000.
Warwick Dubai
Warwick Dubai’s tree lighting celebration takes place at 6pm on Thursday 8th December. You can also treat yourself to some breshly baked magic at Deli Grind’s Winter Wonderland and take away Gingerbread Men, Yule Logs, Chocolate Santas, Gingerbread Houses and Stollen Cake. Their hampers make the ideal gift. Visit www.warwickhotels.com/dubai.
Fairmont The Palm
Start the celebrations with the tree lighting ceremony at Fairmont The Palm at 5.30pm on Wednesday 7th December and enjoy a children’s choir, festive treats and a visit from the big man himself. The kids can also join Santa’s storytelling at Santa’s Hut every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6.30pm to 7pm. In addition, the ‘Chef’s Palette by Gaggenau offers Dubai foodies festive baking and decorating cooking classes on 12th and 19th December (Dhs 395 per person) together with festive turkey lunch or dinner cooking classes (Dhs 555 per person) on 14th and 21st December. Call 04-4573457 or email palm.dining@fairmont.com.
Towers Rotana
Join the Towers Rotana team for the annual Christmas tree lighting in the hotel lobby on Monday 12th December and have your picture taken with Santa. You could also grab some festive goodies from Wraps including cookies, pandoro, panettone, mince pies and yule logs. Call 04-3122201.
Jingle Bell Favourites
Dubai Opera is bringing the ultimate festive season celebration to town. Jingle Bell Favourites will be taking to the stage for two nights only on the 13th and 14th December. Let the sleigh bells ring and the festive fun begin with this treat of a show that combines a traditional family favourite concert of seasonal classics and much loved carols to sing-along with. Conducted by Pete Harrison and performed by the London Concert Orchestra Show Band, Capital Voices Choir and West End soloists, Laura Tebbutt and Matt Little - the show will have everyone in a merry and bright mood. Featuring all the favourite festive hits including, All I want for Christmas, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Let it Snow, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bell Rock, Baby it’s cold outside, Silent Night and many, many more, Plus a special sing-along carol section Jingle Bell Favourites is an unmissable show for all! Tickets are on sale now at www.dubaiopera.com.
Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights
Join the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights at their Christmas Market from 4th to 26th December in the Lobby Lounge. Running daily from 7am to 11pm, various stalls will be selling food items such as homemade cookies, gingerbread, stollen and alcohol free gluwein. Enjoy the cheery vibe and the listen to songs playing throughout the day, with the pianist playing from 7pm to 11pm. Call 04-3172221.
The Address Montgomerie Dubai
The Address Montgomerie Dubai is hosting its annual festive carnival on Saturday 17th December offering a DJ, sumptuous barbeque buffet and various activities for the kids. Prices are Dhs 70 including a selected dish and one house beverage and Dhs 110 per child including activities and the barbeque buffet. Call 04-8883444 or email to dine@theaddress.com.
Madinat Jumeirah
Madinat Jumeirah will welcome back its annual festive market to Fort Island this December. Running from 17th to 27th December, daily from 3pm to 1am on weekdays and 12pm to 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Spread across a 1,750-square metre winter wonderland, the festive market will feature a shimmering, beautifully-decorated tree at its centre, while a certain Mr Claus - first name Santa - will appear daily at 5pm and 7pm. With a live band playing seasonal favourites, the Festive Market will also feature a series of rides, slides and games, including a North Pole train for the little ones, a two-lane bungee jump for teenagers, and a snow ball zone for children of all ages. Kids can also take abra tours with Santa and decorate a huge gingerbread house and cookie garden. For more information visit www.jumeirah.com/en/offers/jumeirah-festive.
More Festive Activities in Dubai and the UAE
Festive parties
Fairmont Falcons Kids Club at Fairmont The Palm offers the little ones an enriching festive experience with two fun parties. The Christmas Eve party offers a wide variety of fun party games, dancing, gingerbread and cookie decorating and a chance to meet Santa himself from 5pm to 7pm and is priced at Dhs 180 per child (for ages three years plus). Then the Silver & Sparkle New Year’s Eve Party from 6pm to 1am offers a disco, cupcake decorating, arts and crafts, party games, video games, a climbing wall and buffet party and is priced at Dhs 395 per child with a multiple re-entry (for ages four years plus). Call 04-4573331 or email palm.childrensactivities@fairmont.com.
Grand Hyatt Dubai
The Kidz Club at Grand Hyatt Dubai will have the tots enchanted with fun cooking activities, talent shows, arts and crafts, exciting outdoor games and more. The Winter Camp runs from 18th to 22nd December from 9.30am to 4pm. However, on Christmas Eve the hours are 2pm to 4pm and on New Year’s Eve the fun takes place from 7pm to 11.30pm. Call 04-3172290.
Christmas cinema
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort invites you to watch Christmas movies under the stars with hot chocolate, popcorn and soft blankets to keep you warm. On Friday 2nd December you can see Frozen, the 3rd is A Christmas Carol, the 10th it’s The Holiday, the 16th is Home Alone, the 17th is Elf, the 23rd is Arthur Christmas, the 24th is The Santa Clause, and the 30th December is The Chronicles of Narnia. Movies start at 7pm and reservations are not needed with seats allocated on a first come, first served basis. A minimum spend of Dhs 10 is required, redeemable against food or drinks during the screening. Visit www.sheratonabudhabihotel.com.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
La Mamma restaurant is offering Christmas cooking classes on 10th, 16th and 17th December where you can prepare classic Christmas creations and then enjoy your dishes at the end of the class with a glass of bubbly. This is priced at Dhs 149 per class. Call 02-6773333 or email Irene.Vilches@sheraton.com.
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts invite you to an evening of carols by the Christmas tree on Tuesday 20th December. Smell the winter spices and taste seasonal treats including Christmas cookies as the lights are switched on. Warm your senses with some hot mulled wine or homemade eggnog. Call 02-8015218.
The Address Dubai Mall
Head for The Address Dubai Mall lobby at 7pm on Monday 19th December to watch the gorgeously decorated tree illumi-nated with hundreds of lights. Get in the spirit with festive songs and plus a special visit by the jolly old man. Entry is free. Call 04-8883444.
Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay Dubai
Keep the kids entertained at Brothaus Bakery-Bistro with Christmas festivities on 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th December that include a gingerbread house competition. Prices are Dhs 60 for kids (includes a drink, kids’ dish, and Christmas bakery and crafting) or Dhs 95 for adults (includes a main course and two selected alcoholic drinks or unlimited soft drinks). Call 04-3690000.
Desert Palm Per Aquum
The Gingerbread House Making workshop with chef Stefan Beutler offers snacks, festive tunes and little aprons and chefs hats to wear while your budding chefs enjoy making gingerbread houses on 4th,11th and 15th December between 3pm and 6pm. This is priced at Dhs 100 per child. Visit www.minorhotels.com/en/peraquum/desert-palm.