How to Celebrate Christmas in Dubai

You shouldn't celebrate Christmas cooped up in a corner of your home or apartment. As comfortable as that sounds, it doesn't match the activities Dubai has in store for you. One minute you could be watching Santa arrive by the water, the next you could be sitting under a palm tree for a festive dinner. So if you are wondering how to celebrate Christmas in Dubai, get ready — this guide will make your Christmas itinerary far more exciting than you expect.

Ready to Celebrate Christmas in Dubai? Here Is Where the Fun Begins

1 Visit Christmas Markets & Festive Events

Wandering through festive markets and exploring beautiful decorations brings a different kind of Christmas spirit. You can stop at seasonal stalls to look for unique decor, pick up little gifts for loved ones, or grab some Christmas treats. From riding a North Pole train to a meet-and-greet with Santa, children have endless options too. Add at least one of these to your Christmas evening plans in Dubai:

• Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market — Santa Abra rides
• Winter City at Expo City Dubai — North Pole Market
• Winter District at Jumeirah Emirates Towers — festive stalls

2 Enjoy a Christmas Brunch or Dinner

No matter what you are celebrating, food has to be part of it — there's no way around that. Some people want the whole night built around an amazing spread; others just want a good brunch or dinner without the fuss. Dubai handles both without breaking a sweat. What's funny is how a single meal here can turn into your whole afternoon — you sit down for what you think is lunch and three hours later you're still there, working through seasonal dishes, then dessert, then more dessert, usually with live music or a performer wandering around. It's less a meal, more an event that happens to include food.

• The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi
• Park Hyatt Dubai
• Burj Al Arab

3 Meet Santa & Enjoy Family Activities

Meeting Santa easily becomes a highlight of Christmas celebrations in Dubai. Families have plenty of options to make their celebration one of a kind, with a variety of workshops and shows. You can get the kids decorating gingerbread and making Christmas crafts, listen to stories, join workshops, or watch festive shows.

• Expo City Dubai — Santa's toy factory and festive workshops
• Dubai Safari Park — Santa and children's activities
• Dubai Opera

4 See Dubai's Christmas Decorations & Lights

We understand if you don't want to spend the entire Christmas at ticketed events. Sometimes it's easy to take time out and simply walk around enjoying the decorations — huge Christmas trees, sparkling lights and festive shop windows. It lets you see a different side of the city and gives you a new way to celebrate Christmas in Dubai. Here are the places you cannot miss:

• Madinat Jumeirah — waterfront decorations
• Dubai Festival City Mall — evening waterfront shows
• Mall of the Emirates

5 Go Christmas Shopping

It's undeniable how fun Christmas shopping is. In a city like Dubai, where every mall is dressed for the season, you can hardly miss anything. To celebrate Christmas in Dubai, take your time looking for gifts, exploring festive displays and the special retail experiences. Make your gift list and head out to one of these:

• Dubai Mall
• Mall of the Emirates
• Global Village

6 Try Winter-Themed Activities

Dubai never sees snow, obviously, but that hasn't stopped the city from finding ways to give you a proper winter experience anyway. It's honestly impressive how they don't let you miss out on anything, whatever the season — and we can say with confidence you'll enjoy it. The kind of stuff that turns into memories you're still talking about years later. Don't skip these, especially if you have kids along for the trip:

• Ski Dubai
• Dubai Ice Rink
• Winter District

7 Combine Christmas with a Dubai Experience

To celebrate Christmas in Dubai, you don't have to confine yourself to Christmas activities alone. You can absolutely do a perfect mix of Christmas and everything else Dubai has to offer. Start your day with a morning desert safari, spend the afternoon sightseeing, then join a festive celebration in the evening. A few more choices to add to your day:

• Dubai Marina dhow cruise
• Jumeirah Beach with Burj Al Arab views
• An evening ride on Ain Dubai
• Burj Khalifa and city sightseeing in Downtown Dubai

8 Stay at a Festive Dubai Hotel

Sometimes the easiest way to celebrate Christmas in Dubai is to let your hotel handle the festive atmosphere. Most hotels here decorate their lobbies and put up impressive trees, and if you check their programme before booking, you'll see they also organise special meals, entertainment and activities throughout the season. It makes for an unforgettable Christmas staycation where you don't have to worry about getting across the city at the end of the night. Some of the favourites:

• Atlantis Dubai
• Four Seasons Dubai
• Jumeirah Hotels

Takeaway

The options to celebrate Christmas in Dubai are endless and suit every type of festive celebration. The best part is that you can enjoy more than just one activity without getting bored. With the choices you make, you get a Christmas that feels completely personal and intimate.