7 min
Dubai sparkles with an array of festive delights during the Christmas season, offering a treasure trove of activities. Immerse yourself in the joy and wonder of the holidays without worrying about the budget this year.
From Christmas markets and winter districts to fun activities that set up the festive mood, Dubai is ripe and ready to celebrate Christmas with many events that are free to attend yet leave a mark in your mind. Make your visit with family and it'll be a lovely memory to cherish as we near the end of the year. Here's a glimpse of the festive fun that awaits you in this vibrant city!
Enjoy the Christmas Market at Dubai Festival City Mall
Head over to Dubai Festival City Mall to discover the latest waterfront attraction, the Christmas Market named The Bay by Social. Meet Santa, enjoy festive parades, and soak up the vibes with an outdoor food market, delicious bites, and fun activities. Enjoy Dubai’s top food trucks, engage in family-friendly entertainment, and gather for captivating world-class concerts—all in one unforgettable location that loves Christmas!
Timing: Open from 8th December 2024 to 7th January 2025
Location: Dubai Festival City Mall, Crescent Rd, Dubai Festival City, Dubai
Check out the designer trees at Dubai Mall
Known as Dubai's most famous and premier shopping destination, Dubai Mall transforms into a festive wonderland during the Christmas season. As you marvel at the mall's vibe and shop for holiday gifts, don't miss the opportunity to admire the stunning designer Christmas trees that light up the place and create an ambiance perfect for a beautiful photoshoot with family!
Timing: Mon-Thu from 10AM till 11PM, Fri-Sun from 10AM till 12AM
Location: Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
Gear up for fun Christmas activities at Al Ghurair Centre
As visitors gear up for Christmas celebrations, Al Ghurair Centre will be stoking the holiday spirit by setting up a stunning Christmas tree and running a life-size Advent Calendar to provide customers with a chance to win exciting on-the-spot prizes from 1 December until Christmas Day. From 1 to 23 December, little ones will get a chance to make a wish and send it off to Santa Claus, who will select two lucky winners on the 24th and 25th December. They are also running an online ‘All I Want For Christmas’ competition on Instagram and Facebook, where shoppers can share their wishes and be in with a chance of winning prizes worth AED1000.
Timing: From December 1st to 25th
Location: Al Ghurair Centre, Al Rigga Rd, Deira, Dubai
Experience the magic at JBR Winter Nights
This holiday season, JBR Winter Nights is back, transforming JBR’s iconic The Walk into a wonderland filled with festive magic and free activities for all! Happening every weekend from Friday to Sunday until December 31, this enchanting winter festival is packed with family-friendly entertainment, live performances, and unique seasonal experiences under the open sky.
Timing: From October 18th to December 31st
Location: The Walk at JBR, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai
JLT Cinema Under the Stars
JLT Park has transformed into an open-air cinema paradise, bringing you an unforgettable cinema-in-the-park experience, where the sky is your ceiling, and the stars light up your night. Join the venue for an evening filled with cozy beanbags and a film lineup that’s pure magic. From family favourites and animated classics to blockbuster hits, there’s a movie for every mood, every laugh, and every thrill.
Timing: From 16th November 2024 to 22nd February 2025, from 7:30PM onwards
Location: JLT Park, behind Cluster Q, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Visit Madinat Jumeirah’s Christmas Market
Set in the picturesque Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market is a free-entry winter wonderland. The Christmas Market is a hub for holiday shopping. Alongside festive stalls filled with gifts and treats, visitors can enjoy live performances, festive food, and the spectacular nightly IMAGINE light, water, and fire show, making it a highlight of the winter season in Dubai. From an impressive 36ft-tall tree to an array of seasonal food stalls and immersive family-friendly activities, the festive bazaar has something for everyone.
Timing: From 6th December 2024 to 12th January 2025, Mon-Fri from 3PM till 12AM, Sat & Sun from 12PM till 12AM
Location: Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh 1, Dubai
Watch the tree light up at Renaissance Business Bay
Renaissance Business Bay's Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place on December 10th in the hotel lobby at 6PM. The evening will be filled with Christmas carols and surprises from Secret Santa, creating a magical atmosphere that will warm your heart with cheer and joy. Entry is free for everyone to enjoy, so you are all invited to be a part of their incredible holiday vibes!
Timing: Tuesday, December 10th, from 6PM onwards
Location: Renaissance Hotel, Marasi Dr, Business Bay, Dubai
Begin Festivities with the Christmas Tree-Lighting at Swissôtel Al Ghurair
Cherish a magical evening with friends and family as the beautiful 20-foot Christmas Tree in Swissôtel Al Ghurair's lobby lights up with festive decorations and the beautiful tunes of the hotel choir. With melodies of the Christmas carols echoing in the lobby, delicious pass-around of canapés and Festive drinks, access to the “Little Explorers” Play Area, and a gingerbread house-making workshop, guests can indulge in a festive evening of love and laughter.
Timing: Thursday, December 12th, from 5PM onwards
Location: Swissôtel Al Ghurair, Deira, Dubai
Get ready to put on your sweaters and experience Dubai through the Christmas lens as the festive spirit makes quite an impression in this cool atmosphere. As the season of Santa and the warmth of Christmas slowly fades away after the 25th, get ready to take a look at New Year’s Eve Dubai 2025 and pick your party!
15 min
