Christmas in Dubai is a wonderful time of the year. With the sun shining, and the season in full swing, the emirate becomes a hub for happy residents and travellers alike, who flock to the city for its festive brunches, good times and guaranteed good weather. For those looking to celebrate the festive season in Dubai, there are ample things to do to truly capture the spirit of the holidays, from indulgent Christmas brunches to transportive winter-themed events. Here are the best ways to spend Christmas in Dubai this year.

How to spend Christmas in Dubai

Bisou

Elegant and romantic, and with a touch of theatre, Bisou Restaurant at Dubai Opera is a fantastic place to spend Christmas in Dubai. For the first time ever, they’re offering an exclusive Christmas dinner for two, offering a more romantic, intimate affair for Christmas day festivities. The evening begins with appetisers that showcase the finest ingredients of the season, such as brioche and butter, fresh oysters, black caviar and crab with tomato and tarragon, before moving onto raw scallop, shrimp and truffle, profiteroles filled with salmon and stracciatella, royal foie gras with black caviar and so much more. After a choice of mini pie (lamb or seafood) it’s onto the main event – roast chicken of buttery cod with all the trimmings – finished with Christmas pudding. This is a celebration for those who want an intimate culinary-focused experience.
Silver package AED650 (soft beverage), Gold package AED970 (with a bottle of crémant), Diamond package AED1,350 (with a bottle of champagne). Black caviar for AED390.
bisou.metafoodiesgroup.com

Indulge in splendour at The Guild

The Guild is the most beautiful restaurant in Dubai – hands down, bringing the vibe of London’s Chiltern Firehouse and New York City’s Tribeca to Dubai. With that said, there are few places more glamorous and elevated to spend Christmas in Dubai. Served in the main saloon, under chandeliers and overlooking open kitchens, guests can enjoy a sumptous feast worth dressing up for. The Guild is offering a Christmas Day set menu which features an array of decadent dishes all complemented by its fantastic wine list. No official details have been released for 2024, but 2023’s Christmas menu was priced at AED600 for five courses – including Canadian lobster salad, black winter truffle risotto, grilled A5 Hyogo Kobe beef and millionaire’s shortbread
ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC; theguilddubai.com, @theguilddubai

Stay mentally and physically well with Siro One Za’abeel

The festive season is largely associated with indulgence, but living in (or visiting) such a sun-soaked city comes with a desire to stay fit and healthy – and that’s exactly what Siro One Za’abeel is offering this Christmas in Dubai. As the world’s first fitness and recovery hotel, the cool hangout has a roster of special activities and activations this festive season to keep you grounded and help end the year on a health, wellbeing and mental high. Highlights include:

• A Festive Ride on Friday 6th December, a spin class led by ‘Santa’ with festive beats and recovery drinks
• DJ night at the Fitness Lab on Friday 13th and 27th – giving the feeling of a club in its high-tech gym floor,
• A festive run through Zabeel Park on Saturday 14th December
• A desert yoga session on Wednesday 18th at sister resort, Bab Al Shams
• A creative mocktail masterclass on Saturday 22nd December at the hotel’s Refuel Bar (giving plenty of inspo for a more mindful Christmas and New Year’s Eve (from AED349 per person)

sirohotels.com

Transport to the mountains a Kempinski Mall of the Emirates’ Ski Chalets

For those used to colder Christmases and festive periods, there are few better ways to celebrate Christmas in Dubai than booking into one of Kempinski Mall of the Emirates’ fabulous Aspen Ski Chalets. Overlooking the powdery white pistes of Ski Dubai, these unique and sought-after suites are the jewel in the hotel’s crown – transporting guests to the slopes of Aspen and a true winter wonderland. There are no windows – just onto the brilliant white and wintery Sky Dubai – and rooms have cosy faux fireplaces, furry throws, rugs, and are swathed in dark, cosy, Colorado-inspired interiors. There are four categories of these chalets to choose from, from the standard Aspen Ski Chalet – perfect for couples and small families with a cosy layout and king-sized beds – the two-storey Deluxe Aspen Ski Chalet (accommodating up to four), the two-bedroom option sleeping up to seven with a cosy lounge space, and, perfect for entertaining and recreating the magic of a family Christmas, the 228 sqm three-bedroom Aspen Sku Chalet with three floors, sweeping views of the slopes and a dining room for entertaining. A fourth Aspen chalet recreates a more summer-in-Aspen vibe with neutral and bright interiors and direct access to the hotel’s pool.
Chalets from AED2,699 a night in December; kempinski.com

Wander an elegant Christmas market at One&Only The Palm

One&Only The Palm is geared up to host another magical Christmas with a host of activities and dining experiences. One of the most unique, and a wonderful way to spend a December weekend, is by visiting its Christmas Market. The market sees the Zest terrace transformed into a charming destination with freshly roasted chestnuts, chocolate and mulled wine. There’s one catch, however, as the market is for in-house guests only (even more the reason to book a festive staycation). Other activities include Christmas Eve and Day lunches and a festive afternoon tea.
13^th December 2024 – 7^th January 2025, 6.30 pm -7.30 pm, Complimentary (in-house guests only)

Enjoy a lavish festive buffet in an Arabian palace

Palace Downtown hotel is arguably primed for festive celebrations, with its ornate surroundings, twinkling lights and Downtown views. This Christmas in Dubai, it invites diners to enjoy its famous Ewaan buffet with a festive twist. The grand buffet restaurant will host a Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day brunch and Christmas Eve dinner, all offering a gourmet buffet spread with indoor and outdoor seating – the latter with views of Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountains, and lush Palace Gardens.

24^th December, from 7 pm – 10:30 pm, AED 505 per person with house beverages, AED 405 per person with soft beverages. 25th December, brunch AED685 per person with house beverages, AED485 soft beverages, dinner AED505 with house beverages, AED405 with soft beverages. Complimentary for children aged 0-5 years, pre-booking and advance payment are required. U by Emaar discount applicable, addresshotels.com

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