Festive Season in Dubai

Dubai is the perfect destination to celebrate a magical holiday season, with tree lightings, delightful festive treats and wonderful winter lands combined with unbeatable sunshine. Dubai’s favourite restaurants come alive for the festive season, serving scrumptious family-style festive feasts and decadent brunches with gastronomic delights from all over the world.

Four Seasons Hotel’s MINA Brasserie will be transformed into a Festive Grotto, adorned with twinkling lights and cosy blankets as the perfect setting to enjoy a seasonal selection of brasserie-style sharing plates by award-winning Chef Michael Mina. From 17 November.

For the best seat in the kitchen, the Chef’s Table at the JA Hatta Fort Hotel’s Gazebo Restaurant features a bespoke holiday meal prepared just for you. Indulge in a traditional turkey dinner with all the classic trimmings, stuffing and fresh sauces made from herbs and ingredients from the resort’s own bio-farm. 22 – 28 December

For a Christmas Eve on the beach, Suq at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach promises barefoot dining on the shores of the Arabian Gulf for a celebration like no other amidst sun, sea and spectacular views of the sunset. Guests are invited to relax and spend their evening sitting by the bonfire, listening to live music and enjoying freshly grilled BBQ favourites. 24 December

Atlantis, The Palm welcomes guests to enjoy signature dishes, live cooking stations, extravagant buffets and delicious drinks from all of the resort’s restaurants – be it at Nobu by Nobu Matsuhisa, Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, the award-winning underwater restaurant Ossiano, Ronda Locatelli by Giorgio Locatelli, the recently opened Michelin star Cantonese restaurant brand Hakkasan, Seafire Steakhouse & Bar, family-friendly Wavehouse, authentic Lebanese delicacies at Ayamna, the city’s largest Asian buffet at Saffron or Arabic, Asian and continental favourites at Kaleidoscope. 24 – 25 December

Another great option for a beachside festive dining experience is Beachcombers at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, with a special dinner buffet in the evenings or a Festive Seafood brunch on Christmas day overlooking the beautiful Arabian Gulf and pristine beach. 24 – 25 December

Bvlgari Resort Dubai is set to host two exceptional festive brunches inspired by heart-warming Italian family traditions at Il Ristorante - Niko Romito, or head to the luxurious Yacht Club Restaurant to soak up the beautiful views of the Arabian Gulf while feasting on a sharing-style set menu crafted from the freshest selection of fish and seafood. During both brunches, kids can enjoy access to the Little Gems Club for gingerbread house making, decorating, face painting and other activities to keep them entertained all afternoon. 25 December

Bab al Shams is set to be transformed into a dazzling festive wonderland for the whole family, promising plenty of games, pony and camel rides, a dazzling magician, petting zoo, live music, special kids buffet and of course, a succulent roast turkey with all the trimmings. 25 December

Christmas menus will also be on offer Mandarin Oriental Jumeira’s highly acclaimed restaurants, including an extravagant buffet of international festive favourites at The Bay, the relaxed brasserie-style restaurant with two terraces overlooking the beach; and a traditional Portuguese feast at Tasca by Michelin-starred José Avillez. 24 – 25 December

Festive markets are a key highlight of the December season in Dubai. Kids and the young at heart can find everything they love about the festive season in one place – from a selection of retail vendors selling fashion, jewellery and homeware pieces by boutique brands, to food stalls and children’s activities, and of course, towering Christmas trees. Much-loved local favourites include the annual Souk Festive Market at Madinat Jumeirah, promising fabulous shopping, an animated 36ft. Christmas tree, a snowball zone, abra Santa tours, a live band playing seasonal songs, and delicious dining; the ARTE Makers Christmas Market on the decks of a historic cruise liner that is now a permanent floating hotel in Dubai, the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2); and The Pointe Festive Village at the city’s newest beachfront lifestyle destination at Palm Jumeirah. Spectacular fireworks illuminate the city’s night skies at popular destinations across the city, including Burj Khalifa; Burj Al Arab; Atlantis, The Palm; and four incredible displays at Dubai Festival City Mall coupled with the record-breaking IMAGINE light, water and fire show.