1. KISS 2020 Goodbye at Atlantis
As you’d expect from such rock’n’roll legends, KISS are pushing the boundaries by promising a ‘first of its kind hybrid live-ticketed and live-streamed event’ when they take to the stage at Atlantis, The Palm on New Year’s Eve. Tickets for this Covid-secure show sold out quicker than Gene Simmons can lick those famous bass riffs of his. However, you can still be part of the action (and put on your best KISS make-up) as the show will be available to live-stream in the comfort of your own home. Expect fireworks from the set, as the band’s vowed to bring its largest pyrotechnical display to date.
Streaming packages from Dhs146.88. New Year’s Eve 9pm. Atlantis, The Palm, kiss2020goodbye.com
2. Stay all-inclusive and find some relief at Rixos
We’ve always been mightily impressed by this Turkish hotelier’s UAE offerings, especially as they provide something completely different here. The chance to go all-inclusive is a pleasure almost entirely denied us. But who doesn’t like leaving your wallet in the room, safe in the knowledge the only splashing out will be done in the pool? For a limited time only you’ll also be treated to a 25 per cent discount on the usual bed and board rate, plus a free 30-minute massage and one-fifth off hammam treatments. Sit back, relax and enjoy service in The Palm of your hands.
Ongoing. Rixos the Palm Dubai Hotel and Suites, The Palm Jumeirah, rixos.com/en/hotel-resort/rixos-palm-hotel-suites
3. Dive in to a world of wonder at Ossiano
There aren’t enough superlatives in the dictionary for Ossiano. With countless Time Out awards to its name and with the indefatigable, innovative and impossible-to-fluster Grégoire Berger remaining as its driving force, this Atlantis stalwart continues to be a culinary powerhouse in Dubai. Should you have had the foresight to book this iconic hotel for at least five nights around New Year’s Eve, you can sample Chef Berger’s latest one-off menu. And perhaps pop the question with the help of one of the lagoon’s divers while you’re at it.
Dhs2,550 (over-14s), Dhs950 (ten to 13 year olds). New Year’s Eve 6pm-1am. Atlantis, The Palm, atlantisdubai.com
4. Top the year off with an opulent outing and a singing sensation
It’s world-famous with good reason, and once you first set foot inside the Burj Al Arab, you’ll immediately appreciate what all the fuss is about. So, there are few grander settings in which to say ‘ta-da’ to 2020 than this iconic hotel’s Al Falak Ballroom. Especially when a sumptuous meal and a superb set by Russian superstar Lolita are on the menu. As you near midnight, shift the party out to the terrace where panoramic views of the city’s NYE fireworks will be there for the taking. This promises to be a spectacular night all round.
Tickets from Dhs5,000. New Year’s Eve, show starts at 9pm. Al Falak Ballroom, Burj Al Arab, visitdubai.com/en/whats-on/dubai-events-calendar/lolita-nye
5. Let the weight off your shoulders at Zero Gravity this NYE
Renowned in almost equal measure for its skydiving escapades and a cracking after-party, Zero Gravity is one of the venues for any bucket list. This New Year’s Eve, British DJ and former reality TV star Joel Corry will be manning the decks, fresh from scoring his first UK No.1 with the MNEK collaboration Head & Heart. And with a dinner party package including unlimited food and beverages, there won’t be any excuse to jump this shindig before the clock strikes midnight. Mr Corry’s (Geordie) sure to smash it.
Tickets start from Dhs1,200. New Year’s Eve, 8pm-1am. Zero Gravity, Dubai Marina, 0-gravity.ae/event/nye
6. Grab a last-minute bargain
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We’re sorry to say this is the final week of the Etisalat Market OTB. We’re even sorrier to say many of us down here in Abu Dhabi haven’t had chance to venture north for this unique shopping experience in the shadows of the world’s tallest building. So what are you waiting for? With a dazzling array of local fashion exponents sharing their wares, and a whole load of eclectic entertainment on the main stage to go with it, Market OTB is surely the place to go OTT.
Until Jan 2. Open Sun-Thu 4pm-midnight. Fri-Sat noon-midnight. Until Jan 2. Etisalat Market OTB at Burj Park, visitdubai.com/en/whats-on/dubai-events-calendar/market-otb
7. Sing your heart out to a Syrian superstar
Some ten years since he stole many a heart on talent show Star Academy Arab World, Nassif Zeytoun is still racking up the hits, YouTube or otherwise. Known affectionately to his legions of fans as Abou Elias, the 32-year-old Damascan knows a thing or two about heartbreak – his songs often being an homage to his war-torn native land. For one night only the Mesh Aam Tezbat Maae singer will be wowing the DWTC with his NYE set packed with tracks such as Bi Rabbek and Mesh Aam Tezbat Maae. ‘Nassif’ you could possibly miss out on this stellar show.
Tickets from Dhs400. New Year’s Eve 9.30pm. Dubai World Trade Centre, visitdubai.com/en/whats-on/dubai-events-calendar/nassif-zeytoun
8. End a downtempo year in an uptempo gear
Don’t be too hasty to write off 2020 entirely. Particularly as the Dubai Opera is yet again showing its penchant for thinking outside the box. There’ll be no age-old arias on offer at this New Year’s Eve shindig. Instead, party-goers will be treated to a true pioneer of Arabic electronic house alongside a local DJ legend and a band so full of soul you’d think they’d stolen yours at the door. An absolute superstar of the Lebanese house scene, DJ Said Mrad has played some of the world’s top clubs during a career spanning four decades. A certain Mr Saif & Sound will be providing top support, along with Carrie Gibson’s Nuvo Trio. Nessun dorma? You certainly won’t sleep through this.
Tickets from Dhs1,550 per person (table for two). New Year’s Eve 8pm-2am. Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, visitdubai.com/en/whats-on/dubai-events-calendar/nye-dubai-opera
9. Relax and rejuvenate at The H Dubai
After days of over-indulging this festive season, it’s little wonder we all feel somewhat sluggish. Now’s the time then to shake the cobwebs off with a drive up to Dubai and a spa-cation of sheer bliss. Enjoy an overnight stay for two in an Executive Suite, a complimentary breakfast, Dhs100 to spend on food and beverages, plus a full two-hour massage of your choice per room. On top of that you’ll receive a late Christmas pressie by way of a spa amenity gift, a 30-minute Peloton bike class, as well as free use of the gym, Peloton studio and outdoor swimming pool. Oh, and there’s a late check-out until 6pm, too, should your massage experience leave you so relaxed you can barely move a muscle.
From Dhs850. Until Dec 28. The H Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, hhoteldubai.com
10. Enjoy a girly get-together at Hotel Indigo
We’ve all missed our gal pals in 2020. But just when you were thinking you and the crew couldn’t gang up for a socially distanced sisterly soirée before year’s end, along came a great deal at this lovely Business Bay hotel. For a bargain price you enjoy half board, free yoga, complimentary drinks and much more. This place is just down the road from both The Dubai Mall and d3, meaning you should definitely make it your (Indi)go-to this DSF.
From Dhs899. Ongoing. Hotel Indigo Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/gb/en/dubai/dxbbp/hoteldetail
11. Fill your last night of 2020 with a little romance
Now, if there’s any part of Dubai that should know how to throw a shindig, it’s Festival City (it’s in the name, after all). And the party central’s InterContinental Hotel is so in tune with the need to let your hair down now again that it has its very own Festival Arena. Taking to the stage this New Year’s Eve will be a star to whom Arabic music lovers need no introduction. Wael Kfoury, aka ‘The King of Romance’, is a living legend. He’s has been pretty prolific since releasing his first tracks in the early 1990s, with some 16 studio albums under his belt thus far. Support for this Spotlight Live gig will be provided by the talented Mouhamad Khairy, with DJ Gaby Ghazal on the decks.
Tickets from Dhs600. New Year’s Eve 10pm (doors open at 8.30pm). InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City, dubai.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/80544/spotlight-live-new-years-eve-wael-kfoury?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_qD_BRDiARIsANjZ2LCWcYeI2fG1XN8IF4TWFnvjCU1Qhhb-rONQTsAoSc81xqFQouQm_uwaAkM1EALw_wcB
12. See a submarine spectacular – in the skies
Even before we’d watched Mary Poppins, many of us kids had some sort of flighty fascination with kites. Forever hoping to set them soaring, sadly we’d more of often than not see them plummeting head-first into a nearby family’s picnic spread. Watch how the professionals do it at DSF’s Al Seef market. At its Sea Kite Show you can see some stunning life-size recreations of creatures from the deep blue float majestically overhead. We just wonder how the blue whale pilot will keep their strength up.
Free. Dec 31-Jan 2, 2pm-5.30pm. DSF Market at Al Seef presented by Al Foah, mydsf.ae
13. Shop, spin and win a share of Dhs1million
This DSF, the generous folk at Dubai Shopping Malls Group are providing added reason to make the trip up north for DSF. At each of its 18 venues, a purchase of Dhs150, Dhs200 or Dhs300 will see you handed a raffle ticket and your opportunity to spin the wheel and walk away with up to Dhs20,000 in cold, hard cash. The bigger you spend, the greater your chances of winning one of the top prizes. Should you be one of the lucky 54 to have a turn at said wheel of fortune, don’t forget the people who told you about it first (we’ll give our share to charity, obviously).
Until Jan 30. At all 18 DSMG venues. dubaimallsgroup.com
14. See Al Seef in a whole new light
If you’ve been lucky, or wise, enough to have travelled up to the DSF market in this historic part of Dubai, you will surely have noticed it has a certain glow to it at the moment. This is all thanks to Dubai born and bred illustrator Dina Sami, who has projected her vision of the world, both old and new, on to the buildings of this delightful district. Her colourful pop accents stand out wherever you should wander, not least on traditional fish and crab nets where she’s added a touch of modernity to objects of relative antiquity. Just brilliant.
Free. Until Jan 23. Sun-Wed 5.30pm-10pm, Thu-Sat 5.30pm-midnight. DSF Market at Al Seef presented by Al Foah, instagram.com/creativebeingdina/
15. Greet, then maybe meet, a Bollywood favourite
One of the darlings of the Indian film industry, Nora Fatehi, is coming to the UAE to host a very special night for all her fans here. The multi-talented Canadian got her big break in the movie business in 2014’s Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans. She has since gone on to have parts in a number of other popular films and appear in reality TV show Bigg Boss before crafting a career in the music biz. She’s a big deal, so bring seven of you best Bollywood-fan buddies along for the night.
Tickets from Dhs9,000 (for a table of eight). New Year’s Eve 7.30pm. Palazzo Versace Dubai, Al Jaddaf, visitdubai.com/en/whats-on/dubai-events-calendar/nora-fatehi
