Dubai at Christmas

The good auld Christmas Spirit is once again upon us, and of course, for many, there is no other holiday that holds so many magical stories as Christmas does. This time of the year naturally yields itself to tradition and nostalgia.
Christmas for many is about celebrating the gift of giving, and expressing gratitude. It is a time for reflection and, of course, exchanging presents under the tree after a good feast of turkey, stuffing, Yorkshire puddings, and mulled wine. Much more than this, in everything we associate with Christmas, this season we mostly fall in love with the spirit of family, communities, friendship, love, and homes filled with jolly spirit and every decoration one can imagine.
If you grew up celebrating Christmas, vivid childhood memories might take you back to glittering trees, the smell of freshly baked gingerbread and cookies, seasonal songs playing in the background while you sip on hot cocoa by the roaring fire, and fresh wreaths adorning the front door.
Particularly back in school times, many of us would light candles and sing “Joy to the World”, our timid voices reverberating around the school corridors, in anticipation of Santa’s arrival. In Dubai, even if many do not celebrate this holiday, it is very hard to resist its cheerful spirit, the spirit of sharing and togetherness.
Unquestionably though, Dubai goes all big for Christmas.
The emirate always sets the stage for a magical, festive atmosphere at the beginning of December when the Christmas tree lights are switched on all over the city, and everybody comes together to celebrate the spirit of Christmas in Dubai.

“Dear Christmas”

At its core, every holiday is about celebrating the people you love, spending quality time together, exchanging gifts, and enjoying tasty food. I think this is a very common human experience.
To many secular or non-Christian people, Christmas feels like the real magical thing, an all-encompassing happiness and cheer engine, when we can appreciate our place in this multicultural nation and enjoy each other. So, it is no surprise that so many want to be part of it.
People can take part in fun, festive events and have a greater sense of social integration and acceptance when Christmas is celebrated in a more secular manner.
When we think about it, Christmas’s earliest origins go back to pagan religious traditions and druid wintertime rituals that predate Christianity.
Personally, Christmas in Dubai is even more magical than many other places I’ve had the privilege to visit around this time.
Dubai does Christmas with the most dazzling ceremonious display of decorations, a spectacle of lights, winter wonderland events, Christmas markets and so much more.
​The city always rolls out some world-class entertainment and festive activities in the run-up to Christmas. And its magic is brought upon by all the different nationalities who join in to celebrate and immerse into the Christmas spirit, although they belong to other faiths.

Dubai Bringing Light to This Holiday Season

Dubai is so animated and taken with the festive season and people travel from all over the world to celebrate Christmas here. Residents of all faiths embrace this happy occasion that calls for a genuine feeling of warmth and togetherness, decorations, and celebrations.
Religious freedom is a solid pillar of UAE values. Each individual enjoys the right to fully participate in the expression of UAE society values that promote tolerance, unity, and respect for different cultural backgrounds and offer the perfect climate for multiculturalism.
Dotting the end of the year with moments that bring joy and celebratory feelings into a home is what we all embrace wholeheartedly, regardless of whether it has a religious connotation or is a cultural manifestation.
​We must keep in mind that social ties are fostered and reinforced by all cultural rituals, and Christmas is no different.

Countdown to your Dubai Christmas

The UAE welcomes millions of tourists each winter who travel to Dubai to spend Christmas and New Year, as the country has grown into one of the most popular holiday destinations for tourists from abroad. What can tourists expect from a Dubai Christmas? Well, pretty much the best of everything to suit all tastes and budgets. From the biggest display of lights and decorations adorning the city to the most luxurious festive escapes and shopping extravaganza, or the Winter City at Expo City, Dubai has it all.
Dubai is the best place in the world for a winter sun holiday. In winter, visitors can expect 8.82 hours of sunlight every day. Even if you long for a snowy Christmas but want to have some fun in the sun at the beach, Dubai is the ultimate choice.
Ski Dubai will make sure you don’t miss out on any winter activities, always ready to welcome you with some chill in the air, and make sure you have a White Christmas even though you find yourself in the desert. At Ski Dubai, you can enjoy many chilling effects when trying out the snow park, slope thrilling rides, penguin encounters, snow cinema, and of course, meeting Santa!
Afterwards, the whole squad can head over to the beach, or the desert for some much-needed vitamin D from the glorious Dubai sunshine.For a unique Arabian desert adventure this Christmas, Sonara Camp will host its own Santa Grotto followed by dinner and world-class entertainment on the golden dunes. You can expect memorable dune bashing and Arabian falconry experiences in a bespoke setting.

A taste of Dubai at Christmas

For the many residents who get ready to sparkle with the holiday spirit, Dubai has an impressive collection of seasonal surprises and culinary treats that will even cause Santa to be jealous.
Shangri-La Dubai is only one of the many places that go big on Christmas, with a special set menu and other gastronomic selections on Level 42. Here, you and your loved ones can enjoy Christmas from new heights, with a stunning Downtown skyline panorama unfolding with unforgettable views.
On the same note, Sofitel Downtown, Raffles The Palm, Address Beach Resort, and Armani Hotel have all lined up traditional festivities with decadent menus and brunches to get you into the Christmas spirit. These venues highlight the best of eating and drinking indulgence of the season, from festive afternoon tea, favourite classics such as roast potatoes and glazed turkey to merry tunes delivered by live bands and surprise visits from Santa.
The magical setting will transport you to a merry and bright wonderland where twinkling Christmas lights shine all around and holiday blessings stay with you throughout the year.
All you have to do is jingle all the way there!