Pictures and videos of Dubai’s light shows have gone viral multiple times on Christmas and New Years’ Day. The huge malls and hotels are decorated with such intricate detail. When I experienced it, it was truly a wholly mystical experience.
People celebrate Christmas in Dubai due to a mix of traditional and modern experience, comfortable weather, lavish decorations with live music, luxury dinners and amazing fireworks. Visiting Madinat Jumeirah, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Opera and desert safaris are great ways to spend your Christmas.
Your best Christmas experience largely depends on your personal preferences. There are sunny skies, amazing skyline views, traditional celebrations and posh dinners. With such a tourist rush and different types of people coming to Dubai, the city has everything for everyone.
Reasons to Spend Your Christmas in Dubai
The Unique Celebrations
Winters in Dubai consist of wonderful entertainment filled with wonder and beauty of majestic light shows and themed restaurant dinners. The Middle-Eastern appeal merging with the Christian spirit of Christmas gives off an unforgettable vibe, plus the mix of tradition, modernity and luxury. Every traveler’s interests can be catered to, in this city, from theme parks to lunches in the middle of the desert.
The celebrations in Dubai begin from the beginning of December and last up to New Year’s Day, ending with the famous fireworks. So, it would be best if you book your tickets as early as possible, buy dirhams, and are on your way to Dubai!
The Pleasant Weather
The weather remains between 16-27 degrees Celsius, pleasant for both indoor activities and outdoor adventures. Indoor places like the Dubai Ice Rink and Ski Dubai offer colder environments for those who prefer snow, while the Dubai beaches in the afternoon have sunshine bathing its shores for people who prefer being relaxed and lazy for a while. Both vibes feature their own mix of Christmas energy.
Evenings are cool and breezy and afternoons are full of pleasant and warm sun. Light winter clothing is all that’s needed.
The Fireworks
Fireworks in Dubai are famous and not without reason. Locations like Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab and The Beach JBR feature some breathtaking fireworks, lighting up the sky. Live music and huge parties can be found everywhere. In the evenings, you can visit the Marina and Downtown areas to enjoy live performances along with dazzling fireworks.
Decorations in Dubai are lavish during the Christmas season all around the city. The picturesque locations and streets, including the Christmas markets, offer picture-worthy spots and memorable fun.
Best Spots to Celebrate Christmas in Dubai
With the following attractions that are unique to the Christmas season in Dubai, your resolve to enjoy the winter holidays in this city would only grow stronger.
Madinat Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa Light Shows
Fairy lights, live music and handcrafted items fill the festive markets of Dubai. Places like the Madinat Jumeirah, which opens from December 6 till New Years’ Eve, include German-style Christmas markets, unique souvenirs and treats. Local cuisines and gifts can be found on stalls in these markets. A walk through these gives a welcoming energy of Christmas and community.
At Madinat Jumeirah, you will find a 35+ foot long Christmas tree adorned with stars, candy canes and gifts. There are small rides for kids, including a North Pole train ride and a giant snowball zone.
Burj Khalifa’s dazzling Christmas-themed projections are displayed on the city’s tallest masterpiece through most of December. Families and tourists gather around the boulevard to witness the aesthetic light projections on the building, often accompanied by festive tunes and fireworks.
Mall of the Emirates
Mall of the Emirates is decorated immensely, with a huge Christmas tree and lights. It feels like a winter wonderland and also features live performances and other events.
The Mall also features an indoor ski resort, called Ski Dubai, that lets you meet Santa, build snowmen, and of course, ski your heart out. It’s a great place for friends and family to have fun under slowly falling snowflakes. Be prepared, though, the temperature here goes around -5 degrees Celsius.
Other than the Mall of the Emirates, you can also visit the Dubai Mall, which consists of numerous Christmas trees decorated by premium brands like Dior.
Have a Luxurious Dinner Experience
Dubai’s Michelin-starred restaurants offer numerous curated Christmas menus with many festive dishes that include crispy roast potatoes, turkey and other Italian dishes. Lunches, brunches and dinner experiences at these restaurants add to the premium charm of any Dubai holiday, especially Christmas.
Christmas Desert Safari
A Middle-Eastern touch to the Christmas celebrations is sure to elevate your holidays. The golden desert dunes are decorated with bright, colorful lights and feature luxury camps where you can have dinner under the stars. Cultural dances, peaceful camel rides and community or private bonfires are there too. The natural and quiet beauty of the desert is enhanced by the subtle decorations and luxury camps. It feels like a soft adventure.
Dubai Opera
Dubai Opera is the place for world-class performances and on Christmas, it is one of the destinations of marvelous Christmas vibes. With concert evenings and traditional as well as classical performances, special Christmas tunes like Silent Night will be performed here in the Christmas week. Culture and classical symphony lovers crowd this place due to the graceful and unforgettable performances.
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A classic holiday ballet called the Nutcracker is also performed by the Ballet Theatre and State Opera Orchestra of Kazakhstan’s Astana Theatre, at the Dubai Opera. Artistic soul or no, Dubai Opera will definitely enhance your holiday experience, offering a more sophisticated and elegant Christmas activity.
Dubai Marina and Underwater Dinner at Atlantis the Palm
The Marina has sea-dining experiences, festive ship cruises and markets. You will find many tourists here relaxing during their holidays. The area itself does not host any specific Christmas event, but you can book a cruise, have a romantic dinner enjoying the sea view, or charter a yacht with friends and watch the fireworks at night. All activities that will definitely amp up the mystical vibe around you.
Another unique experience you can get on Christmas Day is the underwater dining at Ossiano in Atlantis The Palm. You will be surrounded by underwater views of the Ambassador Lagoon, the beautiful aquatic life of the ocean and an exquisitely prepared seafood menu.
About the Author
Bhawna Nijhawan is the Content Manager at BookMyForex and the go-to person for creating engaging, informative content that resonates with the platform’s diverse audience. With over 8 years of experience in content writing and more than 4 years in the forex industry, she knows exactly how to simplify complex forex topics into something everyone can relate to.
