Even though Dubai is located in an ultra-conservative and highly traditional country like the UAE, it remains a global city through and through. This means that they also celebrate international holidays like Christmas. And you can bet that they do it better than anywhere else! Dubai is so festive and lively during the Christmas season that you'd hardly remember that you're still in a Muslim country. There are lots to see and do, ranging from skiing all holiday season to shopping till you drop, among many others. Families with little ones can also spend Christmas with the fishies while couples can enjoy their own movie night instead. Those are just some of what you can expect at Christmas in Dubai!
Christmas Shop Till You Drop
With so many
exciting malls in Dubai, this city is a shopaholic's paradise. Even more so during the holiday season! From luxury items to beautiful bargains, you can Christmas shop till you drop here in Dubai. Name any high-class designer and you'll find a store in any of the finest malls in the city. But if you're more into exotic finds, the kind you won't see anywhere else, the more traditional souks might be more suited for you! Fortunately, they're more affordable too.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Ski All Season Long
Since Christmas is around winter, many of you probably ski during the holiday season, right? And ordinarily, you'd go to the finest winter destinations like Aspen in Colorado, Whistler in British Columbia, and Morzine in the
French Alps. But Dubai? You'd go here for a warmer Christmas since it's in the Middle East, but unbeknownst to many, you can still go skiing here too.
Ski Dubai is one of the most popular attractions in the city. It's an indoor winter wonderland with great artificial snow, exciting scopes, and more.
Source: Flickr.com/ Jim Hoffman
See The Sparkling Global Village
If you decided to celebrate Christmas in Dubai because you were expecting some sort of holiday wonderland, you won't be disappointed! For one thing, there's the fantastical
Global Village on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. Just as its name says, this entertainment destination offers all sorts of attractions inspired by various parts of the world. And come the holiday season, the festive mood takes over. Think adorable teddy bears with Santa hats, a giant, well-lit Christmas tree, and the chance to meet Father Christmas himself. What's not to love?
Source: Global Village Facebook Page
Visit The Festive Market
Christmas in Dubai—or anywhere else, for that matter!—isn't Christmas without a festive market! Fortunately, this city offers its own holiday bazaar by way of its famous Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Located in one of the most prominent
neighborhoods in Dubai, it's one of the most well-visited spots in the city. It's sort of like a traditional souk but made a bit more urban. And every holiday season, you can find all sorts of gift-worthy knick-knacks, delectable treats, and more here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Watch The Nutcracker Ballet
Watching The Nutcracker ballet is such a quintessential part of Christmas that it's become part of many people's holiday traditions. Luckily, you can still do that here in Dubai. Every year, The Russian State Ballet performs the iconic ballet at
Dubai Opera. Complete with sparkling sets and fluttering tutus, the show captures the signature magic that has made this piece still beloved after all these years. Even if you're not into ballet and classical music, you can still appreciate the fantasy aesthetics of it all.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Host Your Own Movie Night
Christmas is all about spending time with loved ones. Whether it's your special someone or your friends and family, these are the people to celebrate this holiday with. And what better way to spend time with them than to watch movies? Here in Dubai, you can rent your own private theater at the
Studio One Hotel. Complete with a big screen, many chairs, and lots of refreshments, this is the best place to watch the
best holiday movies. It's a great alternative to the more exciting things to do during Christmas in Dubai.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Enjoy The Most Delicious Christmas Feasts
Thanks to the exceptional
restaurants in Dubai, this city can easily rival the likes of Paris and London as the top food capital of the world. And it's even better during Christmas too. You have tons of great options for where to eat for your holiday feast. You can also bet that they're gonna be the most delicious cuisines you'll ever get to taste. From Middle Eastern menus to European dishes, there's no end to what you can eat for your Christmas feast.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Spend Christmas with The Fishes
Speaking of your Christmas dinner, if you reserve a table at
Ossiano in Atlantis The Palm, you can spend the holiday with the fishes. This famous restaurant offers floor-to-ceiling views of an aquarium filled with some of the most beautiful sea creatures you'll ever see. Your kids will absolutely love seeing the stunning underwater ecosystems as they dine on the finest dishes ever made. And for the rest of their lives, they'll never forget that they spend Christmas in Dubai with fishies.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Spend Time on The Beach
Instead of just sea creatures, you can also spend Christmas in Dubai by the actual sea itself. if you traveled all the way to the Middle Eastern to have a warm holiday season, the beach is the place for you. And that's why Dubai is also the perfect destination. The beach is just right there, only a hop and a skip away from the city proper. Even if you have to take
public transport to get here, it won't take you all day!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Celebrate The Holidays in The Dessert
If you're up for a more sandy Christmas but you don't want to get wet, you can always travel to the
Dubai desert too. Now this is a more unique way to celebrate Christmas in Dubai. Go trekking on the dunes, ride a camel, or even go glamping too! If you want, you can also rent a camper van so that your entire family can join in on all the holiday fun in the desert. Sounds great, right?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
From festive markets to spending time with beautiful sea creatures, there's so much to look forward to at Christmas in Dubai! The city is one of the best places in the world to spend the holiday season!
