Dubai sets the stage for a spectacular festive season
As the year draws to a close, Dubai is gearing up for a full calendar of festive events that will showcase the very best this extraordinary city has to offer. From Christmas markets to world-class dining and jaw-dropping fireworks displays, the emirate will once again deliver a December to remember.
From 6–31 December, Expo City Dubai’s famed Al Wasl Plaza will transform into Winter City, a glittering festive playground and ‘holo-holiday’ wonderland featuring Santa’s Toy Factory, family workshops and a snow-dusted North Pole market.
Whether you are hoping to meet Santa, get involved in workshops led by cheerful elves or simply planning to wander around the venue’s festive stalls, Winter City promises fun for all ages.
Adding to the magic, Carols by Candlelight will return to Expo City from 20–24 December, filling the plaza with the traditional sights and sounds of Christmas.
Meanwhile, from 6–31 December, the Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market will transform Fort Island into a seasonal showstopper. Beneath a towering 36-foot-tall Christmas tree, guests can enjoy mini-train rides, Venetian carousels, seasonal bites and live entertainment – all set against the resort’s stunning backdrop. It’s the ultimate family-friendly destination for soaking up the holiday atmosphere.
Over at Dubai Opera, the holiday classic The Nutcracker runs from 18–21 December, offering a timeless ballet experience for families and culture lovers alike. Set to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score, this magical tale follows young Clara and her Nutcracker Prince through snow-covered kingdoms and the Land of Sweets, making it an unmissable highlight of Christmas in Dubai.
Dining, brunches and festive offers
For those seeking a more indulgent celebration, Dubai’s dining scene has something for every palate – from Christmas brunches and Christmas Eve dinners to lavish New Year’s Day feasts.
The First Group’s award-winning restaurants are serving up a collection of curated festive menus and themed dining experiences – perfect for both residents and visitors.
Whether it’s a family-friendly, Dubai-style Christmas brunch or an elegant New Year Eve dinner, guests can expect exceptional food, creative flair and festive ambience at every table.
For more information on the dozens of dining promotions available this festive season, visit: restaurants.thefirstgroup.com/festiveoffers/
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style
When it comes to New Year’s Eve in Dubai, few cities on Earth offer such a breathtaking experience. From the record-breaking fireworks at the Burj Khalifa to the jaw-dropping coastal display at the Burj Al Arab, the emirate knows how to end the year with unforgettable flair.
Burj Khalifa: the ultimate countdown
Downtown Dubai is once again the heartbeat of the celebrations. As midnight approaches, Burj Khalifa will erupt in a spectacular show of fireworks, lasers and fountains that can be seen for miles. The display is the centrepiece of New Year in Dubai, attracting thousands to the Downtown precinct.
For front-row views, head to Burj Park, Souk Al Bahar or any of the Downtown restaurants offering special New Year’s Eve dining experiences. Just be sure to arrive early – roads close by early evening, and prime vantage points fill up fast.
Jumeirah fireworks by the sea
If you prefer to celebrate by the sea, Dubai’s Jumeirah coastline delivers one of the city’s most remarkable New Year’s Eve spectacles.
As midnight draws near, crowds gather along Jumeirah Beach, Kite Beach and Black Palace Beach – all offering prime vantage points to watch fireworks light up the Arabian Gulf, with landmark locations such as the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina providing a dramatic backdrop.
Nearby, Dubai’s beachfront hotels and beach-clubs raise the bar with gala dinners, rooftop countdowns, beach parties and curated dining experiences that pair five-star cuisine with sweeping sea-views and dazzling pyrotechnics – the ultimate ‘New Year’s Eve Dubai’ experience.
Whether you’re watching from the sand or dancing under the stars, the coastal fireworks along Jumeirah offer a stylish and unforgettable way to see in the New Year.
