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Experience a special Christmas in Dubai 2024 | Festive Markets, Sunlit Beaches, and Exciting Day Trips

Dubai is a delight every year, but it gets special during Christmas. It offers one-of-a-kind experiences for the festival that will keep you entertained throughout your visit to the city. Christmas in Dubai is not your average celebration in every other place in the world. Here is your complete guide to celebrating Christmas in Dubai, everything that should be on your list, and what you can expect.

Christmas in Dubai - Why Spend Christmas in Dubai?

Why Spend Christmas in Dubai?

  • Dubai has many Christmas markets where you can do your festive shopping and take some souvenirs back home for your loved ones.
  • You can also have lunches and dinners at some of the most unique restaurants in the world during Christmas in Dubai.
  • Visit winter wonderlands and spend Christmas in snow parks with rides, ice-skating rinks, snow cinemas, and other fun activities.
  • Dubai's beaches are famous for being clean and offering a beautiful view of the Persian Gulf. You can have a pleasant time at the beaches with picnics on Christmas Day.
  • You can also have an offbeat experience for Christmas in Dubai with a desert safari. Order good food and drinks to celebrate Christmas in the sand.
December in Dubai

Top 11 Things To Do During Christmas In Dubai

Christmas in Dubai - Visit Christmas Markets in Dubai

1. Visit Christmas Markets in Dubai

Dubai is a paradise for shoppers. Why should it be any less than that during Christmas? Dubai has many local and huge Christmas markets that sell all kinds of goods. Wear what you buy or take them home as souvenirs. But don't miss the markets at any cost!

Find the best Christmas markets in Dubai at: 

Christmas in Dubai - Celebrate Christmas at the Global Village

2. Celebrate Christmas at the Global Village

The best of the world is on display at Dubai's Global Village. During Christmas, the theme park is decorated even better with lights and carousels, bringing Christmas traditions from across the world under one roof.

Things you can do at the Global Village:

  • Take pictures in front of the giant tree
  • Shop until you drop at Mini Festive Market
  • Head to Ripley's Believe It Or Not to see the tiniest Santa in the world
  • Eat Christmas treats at the funfair
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Christmas in Dubai - Watch a movie at some unique theatres

3. Watch a movie at some unique theatres

Dubai has an abundance of unique experiences to offer. One of those is the different kinds of theatres it has. You can spend Christmas watching your favourite movies in a private theatre, a snow theatre and drive-in theatres.

Visit these theatres in Dubai on Christmas:

Christmas in Dubai - Pamper yourself with different spas

4. Pamper yourself with different spas

There is a spa in Dubai that gives 24-karat gold foot massages, oil, facials and body massages. Why not treat yourself on Christmas with spas and massages that give you a much-needed break you deserve?

Explore spas in Dubai at:

Christmas in Dubai - Explore restaurants in Dubai

5. Explore restaurants in Dubai

Be it middle-eastern cuisine for Christmas or something that feels close to home, you can find different kinds of restaurants in Dubai that serve Christmas special foods. Head to these restaurants and enjoy the best meals.

Go to these restaurants during Christmas in Dubai at:

Christmas in Dubai - Go for picnics at Dubai's beaches

6. Go for picnics at Dubai's beaches

Dubai is famous for its beaches. Why not head there for an intimate family brunch/picnic on Christmas Day? Enjoy the waters of the Persian Gulf, have good home-cooked meals or order from Dubai's restaurants and spend quality time with your loved ones.

Find the best beaches in Dubai here:

Christmas in Dubai - Spend Christmas at winter wonderlands

7. Spend Christmas at winter wonderlands

Missing snow during Christmas? While Dubai's weather won't help you with that, Dubai's snow parks will! Spend your Christmas day at winter wonderlands where you can go for rides, play in the snow, eat good food and have the time of your life.

Wintry activities to do in Dubai:

  • Go skiing at Ski Dubai
  • Visit ice gardens at Ice Park Dubai
  • Enjoy snow activities at Desert Snow
  • Go ice skating at Dubai Ice Rink
Christmas in Dubai - Watch ballets and operas during Christmas

8. Watch ballets and operas during Christmas

Nothing gets you in the Christmas mood like watching the Nutcracker or Christmas-themed operas and ballets. You can catch the best shows at theatres and opera houses in Dubai for a musical Christmas experience.

Visit these theatres in Dubai:

Christmas in Dubai - Go for a Christmas trip around Dubai

9. Go for a Christmas trip around Dubai

While Dubai has a lot to offer, if you want a peaceful Christmas experience, explore the other parts of the United Arab Emirates. All parts of the country are well-connected, no matter where you want to go to have a wonderful experience.

Take a trip outside Dubai by:

  • Racing through the dunes of Abu Dhabi
  • Enjoying kayaking in Ajman
  • Spending Christmas underneath the stars at Sharjah
  • Having a peaceful Christmas at Fujairah
Christmas in Dubai - Have a desert experience for Christmas

10. Have a desert experience for Christmas

Break from the tradition of a snowy Christmas and spend it in the desert resorts of Dubai. You can have a sandy Christmas, along with delicious food, seawater from the Persian Gulf and many Christmas activities.

Head to these beach resorts during Christmas at:

Christmas in Dubai - Have Christmas Day brunches in Dubai

11. Have Christmas Day brunches in Dubai

Christmas is all about good feasts with friends and family. Enjoy brunches with your loved ones at some of the best restaurants in Dubai and eat good food from elaborate Christmas buffets. Celebrate Christmas the right way!

Find the best Christmas brunches here:

Frequently Asked Questions About Celebrating Christmas in Dubai

Is Christmas a good time to visit Dubai?

Yes, Christmas is celebrated on a grand scale in Dubai. You can enjoy Christmas markets, good food and beautiful decorations across the city.

Is Christmas a good time to visit Dubai?

Yes, Christmas is a wonderful time to visit Dubai. The city celebrates the festival in full swing so you can enjoy it with your loved ones.

What are some things to do for Christmas in Dubai?

You can go shopping at Christmas markets, eat Christmas-themed food at top restaurants in the city, go for picnics at Dubai's best beaches and watch Christmas-themed shows at theatres.

What are some Christmas events in Dubai?

The Dubai Opera has a Nutcracker ballet performance each year on Christmas. The Global Village has Christmas-themed decorations, mini-markets, and traditions from worldwide.

Where to spend Christmas in Dubai?

Dubai has a lot to offer during Christmas. You can spend time at restaurants, theatres, cinemas, beaches, theme parks, Christmas markets and more places around the city.

What is Christmas in Dubai like?

Christmas in Dubai is a beautiful experience as the city is lit with beautiful lights and decorations. Theme parks and theatres offer Christmas-themed experiences while restaurants serve lip-smacking food.

What is the weather like at Christmas in Dubai?

The temperature in Dubai during Christmas is between 25°C to 28°C. It can go down to 21°C during winter.

Is Dubai crowded at Christmas?

Christmas is usually a popular time in Dubai. With all the city offers, people like to visit Dubai during Christmas. It is best to book your tickets online for events and hotels to avoid spending more.

What's open in Dubai on Christmas?

All experiences are open for Christmas in Dubai, as Christmas is not a public holiday in the city. You can experience all events on Christmas day without worrying about places being shut down.

What is the most popular Christmas market in Dubai?

The Jumeirah City Market is the most popular Christmas market in Dubai. There are many other markets in Dubai Harbour, Cityland Mall, Golden Mile Galleria, and Global Village.

Are restaurants open on Christmas in Dubai?

You can go to many brunch places in restaurants and eat from Christmas buffets in all cuisines. From turkeys to Christmas special delicacies and sweet treats, you can eat anything you want.

What are the best restaurants for Christmas in Dubai?

The best restaurants for Christmas in Dubai are Brasserie 2.0, Kitchen6, Eat & Meat, Rang Mahal, Rhodes W1, Tribes Dubai Mall and Benjarong.

Where can I see the Christmas lights in Dubai?

The Global Village is decorated with lights during Christmas. You can witness Christmas traditions from across the world here.

What are some Christmas traditions in Dubai?

Though Christmas is not a public holiday in Dubai, you'll still find some Western traditions being followed in Dubai. You will find giant Christmas trees and Santas on the streets and Christmas lights.