December 01
Kick-start the celebrations with the launch of the three-day Christmas Bazaar at the One to One Hotel – the Village. Santa Claus will be around, handing out gifts for children when he can drag them away from the gingerbread decorating and festive snacks. A beautiful bazaar will be set up between the two allies stocking Christmas goodies such as jewellery, handicrafts and Christmas ornaments. Get there on day one to witness the starburst (lights up) at 6pm.
Dec 1-3 and 9-10, 6-10pm (02 495 2000)
December 03
Nothing beats a seasonal soiree, so head north to Dubai’s DUCTAC for a performance of Let It Snow – a Festive Spectacular. Laurence Olivier Award-nominated actress Alison Jiear will perform your favourite festive songs, show tunes and Disney classics (think Jingle Bells and Let It Snow) with her brilliant live band and local choir. With top talent, seasonal spirit and the appearance of a very special Santa, this is an unmissable family festive night out.
Dhs120-150, Dec 3-11 (except Dec 7), 7.30pm, DUCTAC. (04 341 4777)
December 05
Enjoy a sparkling evening at Beach Rotana’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Tuck into traditional treats like mince pies, stollen and a glass of mulled wine or eggnog, while waiting for the main man to slide in on his sleigh.
5pm at Beach Rotana. (02 697 9118)
December 09
Perfect for pressie-purchasing, head down to the Swiss Christmas Market. Shop for seasonal gifts to the rhythm of traditional tunes (courtesy of a Swiss traditional folklore band) before digging into seasonal Swiss delicacies from Brauhaus.
5-10pm daily until Dec 11, Courtyard at Beach Rotana (02 697 9118).
December 10
Watch eyes light up as the Crown Plaza Yas Island switches on its Christmas lights with festive treats and goodies and carols from the hotel’s very own choir. Free. 5pm (02 656 3000). Then trot down to the Emirates Palace Hotel light fest for mulled wine and tunes from a brass ensemble. Free. 7.30pm (02 690 9000). Stick around for the Christmas Concert where you can belt out your seasonal favourites accompanied by the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra, a children’s choir and solo soprano voice. A gorgeous, traditional way to celebrate the season and support the national orchestra at the same time.
Dhs125 adults, Dhs75 kids under 11, 8pm, Emirates palace.
December 11
Bond with your child over a chocolate- making workshop at Choco-La in the Shangri-La hotel, Qaryat Al Beri. Practice your delicious decorating before entering the competition between the mum and bub teams, then browse through all the sweet, holiday goodies (think Santa Claus choccies, chocolate CDs and homemade plum pud) in Choco-La and on display in the hotel lobby. Workshop Dhs120 per team, 11am-1pm, for kids aged 4-14. (02 509 8555). Room in the tum for more sweet stuff? Head to the cookie bake-off where kids decorate their own cookies while parents relax with a cup of tea.
Dhs10 per child, Dhs30 per adult, 3-5pm, Abu Dhabi Golf Club. (02 445 9600)
December 12
Watch the lighting of the tree at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi hotel, while soaking up the atmosphere of the carol singers and exploring the gingerbread house in the lobby. The chorale performances will continue up until Christmas Day.
Free. Dec 12-25, 5-7pm. (02 666 6888)
December 15
Christmas is coming to the Sheraton with an afternoon of family festive fun at the Gingerbread Factory – think gingerbread house decorating for the kids and Christmas choir carols, mince pies and mulled wine for mum and dad. Santa is promising to drop by just in time for the lighting of the Christmas tree.
Dhs50 adults, Dhs95 kids (book tickets). 4-6pm. Resort area of Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort. (02 697 0224)
December 16
Meet Santa as he arrives to watch the tree lighting at both Traders Hotel and Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri. Enjoy the performances by the hotels’ very own choir while tucking into seasonal drinks and mince pies. Free. 6pm at Traders Hotel; 7.30pm at Shangri-La Hotel. (02 509 8555)
December 18
Enter into the spirit of the season with carols by candlelight at the beach garden, Hilton Abu Dhabi. Join in with musicians, including a six-piece jazz band, the Abu Dhabi Grammar School Canada Band & Choir and the hip hop dance group Fire ‘N Ice as they entertain with festive routines, and watch out for Santa Claus bearing goodies. The event is free, but donations are welcome with proceeds going to the Future Centre of Special Needs.
Free. 6.30pm, Hilton Abu Dhabi. (02 681 1900)
December 19
Looking for some cool activities for the kids this winter? How about games of cricket, footmall matches, treasure hunts and water sports galore? The Hiltonia Winter Camp runs every day until January 6, and includes a yummy, healthy lunch. Perfect just for a day (get your last-minute shopping done in peace) or for a week.
Sun-Thu, 9am-3pm, Dec 19-Jan 6. Dhs160/day, Dhs650 per week. Hilton Abu Dhabi. (02 681 1900)
December 22
A Christmas institution, don’t miss Dubai’s pantomime this year. Combining comedy, music and dancing with larger-than-life characters and striking scenery, the punchline-packed Aladdin Pantomime at The First Group Theatre will delight young and old alike.
Dhs125, Dec22-Jan 2, see www.madinattheatre.com for details. (04 366 6546)
December 23
For a special festive night beneath the stars, Full Moon Desert Drumming is a fun night of music and dancing, with the UAE’s drumming community bashing out carols, as well as camel rides, sandboarding, a barbecue and even Santa bearing gifts.
Dhs190 adults, Dhs85 kids (six-13), under sixes free. 6.30pm-midnight. Gulf Ventures Desert Camp, www.dubaidrums.com, tickets available at www.timeouttickets.com. (056 744 2128)
December 24
Get yourself well and truly in a festive frame of mind with a good old Christmas singalong. Join the in-house choir at the Shangri-La Hotel for performances in the lobby at 6pm, or catch them at Traders Hotel at 7pm. The choir will also be belting out Christmas tunes on Christmas Day at 10.30am (Shangri-La) and 11.30am (Traders hotel). (02 509 8555). Celebrate the season with a Christmas Eve barbecue down on Traders beach. Tuck into juicy grills, pasta and more from the buffet while the kids enjoy a range of activities including inflatable fun, facepainting and music.
Dhs260 per person (including house beverages), kids aged 7-12 half price, under-sixes free. 1pm-10pm. (02 510 8818).
It’s always the season for pizza and at Boccaccio at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi, the chef has prepared a special kids’ pizza menu with free pizza for under-sixes. Let them eat their fill while mums and dads enjoy the four-course set menu.
Dhs245 (soft drinks), Dhs345 (grape beverages). (0800 423463)
