Dec 18-25, 2025
Christmas week. Here's what you can actually do:
THEATRE & SHOWS
The Nutcracker (Dec 18-21) – Tchaikovsky's ballet at Dubai Opera. AED 380+
Cinderella Panto (Through Dec 29) – Jumeirah Beach Hotel Theatre. AED 100+
A Fairytale for Christmas (Dec 19-21) – Irish-inspired concert at New Covent Garden Theatre, MOE. AED 195+
Rock Opera (Dec 18) – Bolshoi Theatre at Zabeel Theatre. AED 300+
Rapunzel Panto (Through Dec 24) – New Covent Garden Theatre, MOE. AED 195+
CONCERTS & MUSIC
David Guetta (Dec 19) – Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour. Check website
Himesh Reshammiya (Dec 21) – Coca-Cola Arena. AED 210+
Jose Carreras & Placido Domingo (Dec 22) – Dubai Opera
Hany Shaker & Mai Farouk (Dec 23) – Dubai Opera. AED 365+
Omar Khairat (Dec 24) – Dubai Opera
SANTA GROTTOS & MEET-UPS
The Grotto – MOE (Through Dec 25) – Journey through Candy Cane Land + meet Santa. Kids AED 165, Adults AED 120
Ski Dubai Winter Wonderland (Through Dec 25) – Santa on the slopes + hot chocolate. AED 140+
Kite Beach Santa (Dec 19-20, 24-25, 5-9pm) – Free Santa meet & greet, Plaza 1
Burj Al Arab Santa Experience (Dec 18-30) – Private meet with Santa, butler-led tour. AED 2,000 for family of 4
The Green Planet Santa's Grotto (Through month-end) – Inside JNGL Restaurant with cookie baking
Snow Abu Dhabi – Reem Mall (Dec 12-25) – Meet Santa surrounded by real snow. AED 160+
WORKSHOPS & CREATIVE CLASSES
Mirzam Chocolate Factory Tour (Dec 19, 23, 30) – Make your own chocolate bars. Al Quoz. AED 85-150
Gingerbread House Making – Hilton Palm (Dec 18-22) – Build & decorate. AED 160/person
Gingerbread House – Sofitel The Palm (Various Dec dates, 4-6pm) – Kids workshop. AED 145
IKEA Cookie Decorating (Dec 21) – Free, no booking needed
Wreath Making – InterContinental Marina (Dec 18, 2-4pm) – With high tea. AED 450
Toddle Christmas Crafts – Hillhouse Brasserie (Ongoing) – Nutcracker painting, snow globes, slime. AED 28-42
Jones The Grocer Cheese Wreath (Check dates) – Festive cheese & charcuterie class
CHRISTMAS MARKETS & FESTIVALS
Carols by Candlelight (Dec 20-24) – Firdaus Orchestra under Al Wasl Dome. Two shows daily (6:20pm, 7:50pm). AED 50
Winter City – Expo (Through Dec 31) – 52ft tree, Santa's Grotto, workshops. Daily 4-10pm. AED 50
Winter District – Emirates Towers (Through Dec 28) – Ice rink, Santa grotto, games. Free
Madinat Christmas Market (Through month-end) – 36ft tree, mini train, carousel, mulled grape. Free
MOTN Festival – Abu Dhabi (Through Jan 4) – Corniche. Carnival rides, shows, Ninja Park. AED 30+
Hatta Wadi Hub Winter Village (Through Jan 4) – Mountain backdrop, cultural performances, artisan stalls. Festival space free, activities priced separately
Festival Bay – Dubai Festival City (Dec 18+) – Waterfront market, carnival games, inflatables. Free entry
Centara Mirage Christmas Village (Through Dec 25) – Deira Islands. Gingerbread house, snow zones. Free
Al Seef Christmas Decorations (Through Jan 7) – Creek-side walk with lanterns & lights. Free
Christmas Day Fireworks – Al Seef (Dec 25, 9pm) – 3-minute show. Free
MALL ACTIVATIONS
House of Hype Winter Wonderverse (Dec 18-28) – Dubai Mall. Glowing snow, elf photobooths, parades. AED 99
ICD Brookfield Place Festive Market (DIFC) – Gourmet treats, artisan shopping, outdoor movie screenings. Free entry
Wafi City Christmas Market – Market & entertainment
City Walk Christmas Lights (Through Dec) – Oversized ornaments, installations. Free walk
The Beach JBR Lights (Through Jan 7) – Waterfront festive decor. Free
Abu Dhabi Mall Santa & Winter Village (Through Dec 25) – Free with AED 50 receipt
THEME PARKS
Motiongate Christmas (Ongoing) – 14m Christmas tree, parades with Shrek & Madagascar characters
Legoland Festive Bricktacular (Dec 18 – Jan 4) – LEGO Santa's Workshop, Build To Give, character meets
IMG Worlds – Ongoing operations
Wild Wadi Surfing Santa (Dec 18 – Jan 5) – Santa appearances, DJ parties, marshmallow stations
Global Village Christmas (Dec 18-28) – Decorations, Santa meets, festive shows. AED 25
Ferrari World Winterfest (Abu Dhabi, ongoing) – Ice rink, festive shows
Yas Winter Fest (Abu Dhabi, Dec 18-21) – Yas Island. Winter markets, kids zones. AED 25
BEACHES & OUTDOORS
Kite Beach – Free. Skate park, volleyball, food trucks, Santa visits Dec 19-20, 24-25
JBR Walk – Free. Beach + festive lights
La Mer – Free entry. Laguna Waterpark AED 295
Umm Suqeim Beach – Free. UAE Flag Garden (through Jan 10)
Al Qudra Lakes – Free. Desert escape, cycling trails
CINEMA & FREE SCREENINGS
JLT Cinema Under Stars (Dec 20: Nightmare Before Christmas, Dec 27: Home Alone 2) – JLT Park Cluster Q, 7:30pm. Free
Dubai Fountain Shows – Nightly from 6pm, Dubai Mall
DSF Drone Shows – Nightly at JBR/Bluewaters (8pm, 10pm). Free
RESTAURANTS & BRUNCHES WITH KIDS
Christmas Day Brunches – Most hotels (Atlantis, Address, Jumeirah, etc). Book ASAP. Usually includes kids' activities + Santa
Jones The Grocer Christmas Eve (Dec 24) – Palm West Beach. À la carte menu, beach walk
ABU DHABI EXTRAS
Sheikh Zayed Festival (Ongoing) – Al Wathba. Cultural performances, fireworks, drone shows
Qasr Al Hosn Holiday Festival (Ongoing) – Live music, festive workshops, holiday lights
teamLab Phenomena – New art experiences opening
Christmas Day Brunches – Saadiyat Rotana Sim Sim, Emirates Palace, InterContinental, and many other places! Book early
ONGOING FESTIVALS
Dubai Shopping Festival (Through Jan 11) – Citywide sales, nightly drone shows
RIPE Market – Fridays at various locations. Local vendors, food
That's the Week
So there you have it. 62 things happening between now and the end of next week. Some will cost you, most won't cost much, and all of them are better than sitting inside wondering what to do with the kids.
Stay tuned for next week's roundup.
Parves
Got an event we missed? Write to me. I read everything.
See you next week.
