December 11 – 18, 2025

I’m sorry, I don’t have a solution. I was just stating the obvious :)

Anyway, school break is in full swing. The city's in full Christmas and NY mode. Here's what's on this week.

Rock Opera – Zabeel Theatre (Dec 11, 8:30pm)
Bolshoi Theatre soloists perform opera arias with electric guitars. It's exactly as weird as it sounds. In English and Russian. From AED 300.

Franz Ferdinand – Coca-Cola Arena (Dec 13, 8pm)
What is this Scottish indie rock? "Take Me Out," "Jacqueline," plus two decades of catalog. From AED 295. In the off chance you’re under 16, please ask an adult to take you.

Pitbull – Coca-Cola Arena (Dec 14)
Mr. Worldwide brings the party. Part of his global I'm Back tour. Also, Lil Jon’s a special guest. Turn Down For What?! From AED 229.

Rod Stewart – Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi (Dec 17)
The man, the legend. 250 million records sold. "Maggie May," "Forever Young," all the classics. Worth the drive to Yas Island.

Jamie Lever (Dec 13, 6pm)
Indian comedian's Dubai debut. The daughter of genius comedian Johnny Level does High-energy impressions and mimicry…I mean, she must get it from her dad, right? Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, IHS. From AED 95.

The Mini Line Up Season 2 (Dec 14, 6:30pm)
Azeem Banatwalla, Urooj Ashfaq, Anirban Dasgupta. Indian comedy trio. Emirates Theatre, Jumeirah. AED 95 and for those 14+

The Unfriend (Dec 12, 7pm)
This one sounds amazing. By Steven Moffat - the person behind Sherlock (Benedict) and Dr. Who brings this talked-about play to Dubai. Comedy show at The Junction. Synopsis: A holiday friend request goes VERY wrong, a suspiciously friendly American lady shows up at the door, and this poor family is too polite to say “please don’t kill us.” Laugh, cringe, scream (politely), and don’t miss the UAE premiere of the most talked-about British comedy of the year.

Sole DXB (Dec 12-14)
Dubai Design District. Three days of street culture, fashion drops, live music, basketball tournaments. Headliners: Tyla, Miguel, Kaytranada. From AED 299.

Dubai Shopping Festival (Through Jan 11)
City goes sales crazy, nightly drone shows at JBR/Bluewaters (8pm, 10pm), concerts, raffles. It’s the 30th year Dubai’s been doing this. The works.

Winter City – Expo City (Through Dec 31)
52-foot Christmas tree under Al Wasl Dome, Santa's Grotto, festive markets, workshops. Daily 4pm-10pm. AED 50 (under 3s free).

Mother of the Nation Festival – Abu Dhabi (Dec 10 – Jan 4)
Abu Dhabi Corniche. "Out of This World" theme with carnival rides, live entertainment, food vendors, interactive games, Ninja Kidz Action Park, Five Nights at Freddy's experience. Worth the drive. From AED 30.

Cinderella Pantomime – Jumeirah Beach Hotel (Dec 17-29)
Interactive family panto with over-the-top costumes and a silly villain. You guys know this, don’t you? Multiple showtimes. From AED 120.

Rapunzel Pantomime – Mall of the Emirates (Through Dec 24)
It must be good when Taylor Swift and Stevie Wonder come together. Songs mixed with fairytale chaos. New Covent Garden Theatre. From AED 195.

Dubai Singers Christmas Concert – QE2 (Dec 17, 7:30pm)
“We wish you a merry christmas…” Annual family concert aboard the ship. Carols, festive readings, sing-alongs. If you’ve never visited the QE2, this is a great chance. From AED 125.

Kite Beach – Popular beach

JBR / The Beach – Shopping beach

Jumeirah Beach – Quiet beach

Al Qudra Lake – Not a beach

Geminids Meteor Shower (Dec 13-14) – If you want to end the year with something cool, look up — the Geminids are about to put on one of the best meteor shows of the year. You can see as many as 120 shooting stars an hour, and some even flash green, yellow, or blue. Just find a dark spot, lie down, and let the sky do its thing. Recommended spots: Al Qudra, Al Quaa Milky Way Spot, Hatta (Hajar Mountains)

RIPE Market – Saturdays, 9am-3pm, Academy Park Umm Suqeim. Local produce, food trucks, kids' activities. AED 5.

Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market (Through Dec 31) – Fort Island. 36-foot tree, snow zone, live band, carousel. Free entry.

Global Village Enough already, the whole of the UAE knows about this.(Through April) – International pavilions, rides, carnival games. AED 25-30. Avoid weekend parking.

Dubai’s AI airport push: Inside the race to move 5 billion flyers

Visitors to Dubai can now complete all check-in formalities before arrival directly from their mobile phones.

Drive safely. Warning issued by the police.

Dubai’s outstanding schools.

152 new Dubai parks….and 33km of cycling tracks….

Hershey's Dubai chocolate bar is selling for over $40 on eBay. Is it worth all the hype?

That's your week.

Parves

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