Christmas is finally here.
If you’re looking for the very best things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend, you’ve gone to the right place plenty of festive fun for the family in Abu Dhabi as well as ways to help you relax. It’s one of the last weekends of the year, and there is something for all to do in the capital. Are you ready with your elf hat on?
For more things to do in Abu Dhabi click here.
Headed to Expo 2020 Dubai? Here’s everything you need to know.
Family fun on your mind? Grab the kiddos and click here for the best things to do with the kids.
Start planning your New Year’s Eve here.
Buy this year’s Christmas jumper
It isn’t Christmas without a cheerful Christmas jumper (you know you love them). While you’re out doing your last-minute Christmas shopping, nip into the store and pick up a Christmas jumper for 2021. It’ll come in handy for that upcoming Christmas brunch. We especially like the ones at Marks and Spencer.
Click here for all the best places to buy a Christmas jumper in Abu Dhabi.
Locations vary.
Go skating outside at Emirates Palace
Love to skate? Even if you’re practically Bambi on ice, you’re going to want to head to Emirates Palace. The oriental gazebo has been transformed into a yule-spirited Winter Village complete with alpine-inspired chalets and festive treats to snack on. You can skate across the open-air Glice skating rink, too. The Winter Village is open until Friday January 7 from 2pm to 10pm daily.
For all the festive things on offer at Emirates Palace click here.
Until Fri Jan 7, 2pm-10pm. Emirates Palace, Corniche Road, epauh-beachclub@mohg.com (02 690 7311).
Make a last-minute present at Abu Dhabi Pottery
Looking to give someone an extra-special present for Christmas 2021? Abu Dhabi Pottery sounds like a great place to go this holiday season. A one-of-a-kind creation couldn’t be a better present for someone extra special. One two-hour session includes 500 grams of clay and bisque firing for Dhs225. All glazing sessions are extra and should be booked and paid for in advance.
For places to make handmade presents in Abu Dhabi click here.
Starting at Dhs225. Dabbas St, Building 29, abudhabipottery.com (02 666 7079).
Have a festive drink at Library Bar
Looking to have a jolly night out? The Abu Dhabi EDITION’s bar is having a “25 Days of Book Club” for the festive season where guests can sip merry mixed drinks inspired by seasonal classic literature.
For more festive things to do in Abu Dhabi this month click here.
From Dhs35. Daily throughout Dec, 5pm-8pm. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).
Christmas Eve brunch at McGettigan’s
Nothing says Christmas Eve like a belly full of turkey. Head over to McGettigan’s for a festive afternoon gathering featuring Christmas favourites, including roast turkey of course, served alongside selected house beverages for Dhs289.
For more Christmas Eve brunches click here.
Dhs289 (house beverages). Fri Dec 24, 12.30pm-4pm. Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street (02 698 8137).
Relax with a festive treatment at Remede Spa
Take a much-needed break with luxurious treatments from the Remède Spa at St. Regis. The Lime & Ginger Body Scrub for Dhs510 and Tension Relief Massage for Dhs720 for 80 minutes are perfect to beat Christmas stress.
For more festive spa deals click here.
Prices vary. Dec 1-31, Sun-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat 11am-11pm. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Corniche (02 694 4553).
Sip a Christmas-themed CrazyShake
This shake hits the Christmas notes even higher than Mariah. Black Tap loves a themed shake and luckily for Abu Dhabi there’s a brand-new spot at Mamsha to enjoy the Festive CrazyShake. It’s loaded to the max with holiday cheer courtesy of a red velvet cake base, glittering sprinkles, a candy cane and an edible festive tree cone. How could we say no to Christmas Eve at Mamsha?
For more mind-blowingly festive plates across Abu Dhabi click here.
Dhs62. Dec 5-31. Mamsha, Al Saadiyat, blacktap.com (02 446 5128).
Visit Santa at Yas Mall
Yas Mall has transformed into a Winter Wonderland with snowball photo-ops, gingerbread houses, and a special ride on the Santa Express Train to the Elf Toy Factory. Visit Santa’s grotto to speak to the man himself and share your Christmas list before the big day. There are also festive prizes to be won.
For more places to see Santa in Abu Dhabi click here.
Fri Dec 10-25. Yas Mall, Yas Island, www.yasmall.ae/en/home.
Explore the World of Illusions at Nation Towers Mall
Running until Friday January 31, this display at Nation Towers Mall is promising interesting and interactive displays. The exhibits include a mirror room, a 3D space that aims to transport the spectators to endless galaxies; 3D immersive art objects, intriguing optical animals and a video booth where visitors can virtually travel to world’s most picturesque destinations. Entry is free and guests can enjoy the displays daily from 8am until 10pm.
Looking for another free thing to do in Abu Dhabi?
Click here to learn about the self-guided audio tours of the capital that just launched.
Until Jan 31, Nation Towers Mall, Abu Dhabi Corniche.
Enjoy a fancy dress Christmas brunch
Graphos is hosting a costumed brunch where guests come dressed as their favourite Christmas characters. (Just imagine the creative options.) There are prizes up for grabs for best male, female and best family costumes. There’ll be a kids’ activity zone with a cookie station and make your own pancake tower, plus live entertainment. Choose between indoor and outdoor seating.
For the best Christmas Day brunches in Abu Dhabi click here.
Dhs429 (soft drinks), Dhs549 (house drinks), Dhs649 (bubbly). Sat Dec 25, 1pm-4.30pm. Yas Bay, Yas Island (02 208 6900).
Explore the festivities at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is getting the jolly treatment this 2021 Christmas season with its “Winter on Italian Street” holiday event. Families can enjoy live entertainment, including the Jingle Bell Rock Band and Candy-Cane Cabaret, festive-themed arts and crafts, holiday characters and much more. Don’t miss out on the theme park’s signature experiences at the Gingerbread Factory or the Festive Trees and Tees Mini Golf.
For more family-friendly festive things to do click here.
Nov 5 to Jan 8, 2022. Yas Island, ferrariworldabudhabi.com (600 511 115).
See the Cinderella production at Erth
The Cinderella production is happening at Theatre by Erth from Thursday December 16 to Monday December 27. You likely know the story but – will Cinderella defy her stepsisters and stepmother and make it to the ball? Tickets start at Dhs96, with showtimes at 10am or 3pm. Kids under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult, and you can bring food and drinks into the theatre. Anyone 13 years and older will need a 96-hour negative PCR test, and those who are 16 and older will also need an “E” (for vaccinated status) or star on the Al Hosn app.
From Dhs96. Until Dec 27, 10am, 3pm. Theatre by Erth abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/82087/Cinderella
Watch a Christmas film at home
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a holiday movie marathon. Selecting a Christmas film is an art as precise as wrapping a present and it’s best done on Christmas Day. It’s also the perfect post-brunch and present-opening activity.
Click here for the 20 best Christmas films of all time.
After more festive events happening in Abu Dhabi? For all the Christmas and New Year’s Eve activities happening in the capital, click here.
