The Christmas Edition: Dubai’s Best Markets, Festive Shows, Brunches & Winter Experiences

Good day, Dubai - and welcome to one of the most festive weeks of the year!

This is not a standard Monday edition. This is your Christmas Special Briefing, designed to help you navigate Dubai as the city shifts fully into winter mode. Streets glow with lights, malls echo with carols, Christmas trees rise across hotels and waterfronts, and nearly every corner offers a reason to step outside.

From snowy experiences in the desert to theatre, concerts, and seasonal pop-ups, this is one of the most joyful and busiest weeks on the city’s calendar. Planning ahead will make all the difference.

Let’s get into it.

Dubai’s most iconic Christmas market returns to Fort Island, transforming Madinat Jumeirah into a full winter village. Expect a towering 36-foot Christmas tree, abra rides through twinkling waterways, festive stalls, live music, a Venetian carousel, and a dedicated snow-play zone for kids.

It’s the closest Dubai gets to a traditional European-style Christmas market - ideal for evening strolls, family visits, or festive catch-ups with friends.

📅 Dates: Ongoing until Tue, 31 Dec
⏰ Time: Afternoon–late evening
📍 Location: Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah
💰 Cost: Free entry
👉 Discover the Christmas market

Expo City’s Al Wasl Plaza transforms into a glowing winter landscape with snowfall moments, festive projections, creative workshops, and live performances beneath the iconic dome.

Winter City also hosts Carols by Candlelight on select evenings, making it one of the most atmospheric festive destinations in the city.

📅 Dates: Fri, 6 Dec – Tue, 31 Dec
⏰ Time: Afternoon onwards
📍 Location: Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai
💰 Cost: Entry varies by activity
👉 Discover Winter City

For a true winter escape, Ski Dubai offers Santa meet-and-greets inside a real snow park. Expect festive décor, hot chocolate stops, family photo moments, and a fully alpine-style Christmas experience - all indoors.

📅 Dates: Sun, 1 Dec – Wed, 25 Dec
⏰ Time: Mall hours
📍 Location: Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates
💰 Cost: AED 199
👉 Book Santa experiences

A crowd-pleasing tribute concert celebrating Elton John’s greatest hits, delivered with high energy, nostalgia, and a festive edge.

📅 Dates: Mon, 22 Dec
⏰ Time: 20:00
📍 Location: Theatre by QE2
💰 Cost: AED 150+
👉 Reserve tickets

A festive family production blending classic fairytale storytelling with Christmas themes - ideal for younger audiences and school-holiday outings.

📅 Dates: Tue, 23 Dec - Wed, 24 Dec
⏰ Time: Daytime shows
📍 Location: New Covent Garden Theatre
💰 Cost: AED 195+
👉 View event details

A modern, high-impact Irish dance production combining traditional choreography with contemporary music and visuals - one of the standout cultural shows of the season.

📅 Dates: Mon, 22 Dec - Tue, 23 Dec
⏰ Time: Evening
📍 Location: Zabeel Theatre
💰 Cost: AED 180+
👉 See show details

A candlelit concert series featuring festive classics, orchestral performances, choir vocals, and seasonal projections beneath Expo City’s iconic dome.

📅 Dates: Mon, 22 Dec - Wed, 24 Dec
⏰ Time: 2 Shows a Day - 18:20 & 19:50
📍 Location: Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai
💰 Cost: AED 150+
👉 View concert details

A seasonal favourite combining festive décor, nightly performances, international food stalls, shopping pavilions, and family entertainment.

📅 Dates: Ongoing
⏰ Time: Evening onwards
📍 Location: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road
💰 Cost: Entry ticket required
👉 Plan your visit

A cooler-weather escape featuring outdoor movies, heritage performances, artisan markets, and mountain-backdrop activities - perfect if you want a quieter festive break.

📅 Dates: Fri, 6 Dec – Fri, 2 Jan
⏰ Time: Afternoon–evening
📍 Location: Hatta Wadi Hub
💰 Cost: Free entry (activities priced separately)
👉 Discover the festival

A classic Christmas Eve big roast, festive atmosphere, and crowd-pleasing energy - a reliable favourite for groups.

📅 Date: Wed, 24 Dec
⏰ Time: 16:00 - 02:00
📍 Location: McGettigan’s
👉 Reserve your table

A relaxed, waterfront Christmas Eve brunch with festive menus and marina views.

📅 Date: Wed, 24 Dec
⏰ Time: 18:00 Onwards
📍 Location: Boardwalk
💰 Cost: AED 295 with soft beverages | AED 395 with house beverages
👉 See brunch details

An elegant Christmas Eve dinner with refined festive menus and an upscale crowd.

📅 Date: Wed, 24 Dec
⏰ Time: From 18:00
📍 Location: Noépe, Park HYATT Dubai
💰 Cost: Ticketed
👉 View event details

A premium Christmas Eve dining experience set inside one of Dubai’s most exclusive resorts.

📅 Date: Wed, 24 Dec
⏰ Time: 18:00 - 23:00
📍 Location: One&Only Royal Mirage Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
💰 Cost: Ticketed
👉 Explore the dinner

For those turning Christmas Eve into a night out:

Christmas Day in Dubai is brunch-led - long, indulgent, and often followed by after-parties.

A full festive dining experience paired with live entertainment, making it one of the most complete Christmas Eve plans in the city.

📅 Date: Thu, 25 Dec
⏰ Time: 21:30
📍 Location: Troy, Dubai
💰 Cost: AED 450+
👉 Book the dinner show

One of Dubai’s most famous festive brunches - big production, big crowd, big energy.

📅 Date: Thu, 25 Dec
⏰ Time: 13:00 - 16:00
📍 Location: Saffron
💰 Cost: Champagne package: AED 850 | House package: AED 750
👉 Book the brunch

A refined Christmas Day brunch with Japanese-inspired menus and polished vibes.

📅 Date: Thu, 25 Dec
⏰ Time: Afternoon
📍 Location: Akira Back
👉 View brunch details
💰 Cost: AED 399+

A playful, family-friendly Christmas Eve brunch packed with festive dishes, themed décor, and entertainment.

📅 Date: Thu, 25 Dec
⏰ Time: 13:00 - 16:00
📍 Location: The Stage Restaurant
💰 Cost: AED 385+
👉 View brunch details

A multi-restaurant roaming brunch experience turned festive for Christmas Day.

📅 Date: Thu, 25 Dec
⏰ Time: Brunch: 13:00 - 17:00 | Christmas After-Brunch Party: 18:00 - 21:00
📍 Location: O Beach Dubai
💰 Cost: Christmas Brunch - 495.00 AED | Christmas After-Brunch Party - 195.00 AED
👉 Explore O Brunch

A tropical, lively Christmas Day brunch with live music and signature dishes.

📅 Date: Thu, 25 Dec
⏰ Time: 13:00 - 16:00
📍 Location: Trader Vic’s Palm Jumeirah
💰 Cost: AED 399+
👉 Reserve your spot

A refined Christmas dining experience focused on seasonal menus and a relaxed atmosphere.

📅 Date: Thu, 25 Dec
⏰ Time: Afternoon & evening
📍 Location: Jara by Martín Berasategui
💰 Cost: AED 1,300
👉 See menu details

Festive flavours meet high-energy music at one of Dubai’s most popular brunch venues.

📅 Date: Thu, 25 Dec
⏰ Time: 12:30 Onwards
📍 Location: SushiSamba
💰 Cost: AED 799+
👉 Book the brunch

If brunch turns into an all-day affair:

If you’re spacing out celebrations or hosting visitors, these are excellent add-ons:

If you only pick a few:

A quick heads-up as you plan the week ahead: Dubai is experiencing unusually unsettled weather for December. 

Intermittent rain, heavier cloud cover, and occasional gusty winds have been moving through the city, with some areas seeing slower traffic and waterlogged roads. Conditions may remain changeable over the next few days, so it’s worth allowing extra travel time and prioritising indoor or covered venues where possible. As always, keep an eye on local advisories, especially if you’re planning outdoor markets, waterfront walks, or late-night plans.

That’s all for you to get ready to make Christmas plans. 

Dubai truly shines during Christmas week, not because it imitates winter cities, but because it adds its own scale, creativity, and energy to the season.

If this guide helped, share it with someone still asking:
“So… what are we actually doing for Christmas?”

That’s your Dubai Minute Christmas Special - fully planned.

We’ll see you next edition on Wednesday.

– Matthias