From Santa’s grottos to Christmas markets and stage shows, discover the season’s best outings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The festive season is a time for joy, peace, and love. It is a time to celebrate with family and friends, and to give back to those in need. Whether you’re browsing for gifts beneath the lights at Madinat Jumeirah, meeting Father Christmas at Ski Dubai or decorating a gingerbread house in the capital, there are plenty of ways to get into the seasonal spirit. Gather the family, round up your friends, and make room in your diary as the FACT team shares its picks of festive activities to enjoy this Christmas.
Dubai
Cinderella at New Covent Garden Theatre
Cinderella is stepping into Dubai’s festive spotlight at New Covent Garden Theatre in Mall of the Emirates. Presented by Live Nation Middle East and Patter Productions, the musical pantomime follows the heroine’s journey from the cinders to a royal romance, with comedy, music and Christmas magic along the way. The two-hour production includes an interval and is suitable for children aged three and above. Performances take place on selected dates until 24 December 2026, offering families an outing between gift shopping and seasonal celebrations. Make an afternoon of it with a meal at the mall. Tickets start from AED 150.
Where: New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai
When: 5 to 25 December 2026
Price: Tickets start from AED 150
Contact: http://platinumlist.net
Cirque De Cuisine
Cirque de Cuisine returns to Atlantis, The Palm on Friday 11 December 2026 with Candyland, combining free-flowing drinks, festive theatrics and a roaming feast across seven restaurants. Participating venues include Nobu Dubai, Hakkasan, Brasserie Frantzén, En Fuego, Wavehouse, Seafire Steakhouse and Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar. Giant sweets, oversized candy canes and colourful Christmas trees transform The Avenues, while dancers and playful characters add to the fun. Desserts are served inside Lost World Aquarium. Running from 7pm to 11pm, the event welcomes guests aged 21 and above. Early-bird tickets start at AED 595 per person.
Where: Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Friday 11 December 2026, from 7pm to 11pm
Price: Early-bird tickets start at AED 595 per person, with regular tickets priced at AED 650 and AED 695
Contact: https://dubai.platinumlist.net
Dubai Winter Festival
Dubai Festival City’s waterfront will host DXB Winter Festival from 1 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. Inspired by European Christmas markets, the 20,000-square-metre event will feature more than 150 vendors, with artisan gifts, food stalls and open-air cafés to explore. Families can visit Santa’s grotto, enjoy funfair rides and join creative workshops, while a large Christmas tree anchors the celebrations. Live performances, festive parades and daily entertainment will keep visitors entertained. An outdoor licensed area is also planned, with special celebrations marking UAE National Day, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Orthodox Christmas throughout the festival’s six-week run.
Where: DXB Winter Festival, Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall
When: 1 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, from 4pm to midnight
When: dxbwinterfestival.ae
Elf The Musical at Raj Mahal Theatre
Buddy the Elf is heading to Dubai for a festive adventure at Raj Mahal Theatre, Dubai Parks and Resorts. Running on 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 December 2026, Elf The Musical follows the lovable character from the North Pole to New York in search of his biological father. Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, the production features performers from London’s West End and songs by Matt Sklar and Chad Beguelin, including “Sparklejollytwinklejingley”. Produced by Paul Taylor-Mills, the family show also features video backdrops, Santa’s flying sleigh and an audience snowball fight for an extra dose of Christmas cheer.
Where: Raj Mahal Theatre, Dubai Parks & Resorts, Saih Shuaib, Dubai
When: 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 December 2026
Contact: http://platinumlist.net
Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market
Fort Island transforms into a winter wonderland as Madinat Jumeirah’s Festive Market returns with a towering 36-foot Christmas tree, choreographed light-and-sound shows and the scent of cinnamon drifting through the souk. Browse artisan stalls for seasonal gifts, pause for hot chocolate and festive bites, then hop on an abra to admire the twinkling lights from the water. Younger visitors can ride the North Pole Train, bounce on a four-lane bungee and whirl on a Venetian carousel, making this a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Available daily from 6 to 31 December, from 3pm.
Where: Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, Dubai
When: 4 December 2026 to 27 December 2026
Contact: www.jumeirah.com
The Nutcracker at Dubai Opera
Dubai’s festive calendar gets a heavyweight addition when the Bolshoi Theatre stages Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Yuri Grigorovich’s choreography follows Marie from a family Christmas celebration into a dreamlike world of toys, magic and romance, accompanied by one of ballet’s most recognisable scores. Principal dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet will perform alongside the company’s orchestra, giving the production considerable scale. With its snow-filled fantasy, celebrated choreography and familiar music, the ballet should be one of the season’s biggest family draws.
Where: Dubai Opera, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
When: 4 to 6 December 2026
Contact: www.dubaiopera.com
Ski Dubai Winter Wonderland
Ski Dubai turns the season into pure magic from 4 to 25 December 2026. Wander through a forest of Christmas trees, post your wish list straight to the North Pole, capture festive photos and meet Santa and his elves, all surrounded by real snow. New this year is the LEGO Photo Pop-Up, where you can build your own life-sized LEGO Minifigure by mixing and matching festive pieces. Meet Santa packages with Snow Park access cost AED 295 and include a meet-and-greet with Santa, hot chocolate, a goodie bag, a printed photo, fleece gloves, the all-new Festive Passport and access to Snow Park rides and attractions.
Where: Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai
When: Daily from 4 to 25 December 2026
Contact: skidxb.com
Winter City
Winter City at Expo City Dubai adds Disney+ magic to the festive season with Once upon a holiday… at Al Wasl Plaza. Explore themed experiences inspired by Frozen, Toy Story, Home Alone, Marvel and Disney Princess stories, alongside falling snow and projections beneath Al Wasl Dome. Little ones can write letters to Santa, visit his grotto and watch the Christmas tree light up. Festive markets, sweet treats at Mrs Claus’ Bakery, and outdoor movie screenings for all ages are also available. Tickets cost AED 60, with Express Entry Passes at AED 175. Children aged three and under enter free.
Where: Winter City, Expo City Dubai, Dubai South
When: 11 to 31 December 2026
Contact: http://platinumlist.net
Abu Dhabi
Breakfast with Santa: Yas Acres Golf & Country Club
Give breakfast a festive twist with a visit from Santa at Yas Acres Golf & Country Club. A buffet and selection of beverages set families up for the morning, before younger guests meet the man in red and pose for a Christmas photograph. Music and live entertainment add to the atmosphere, while dedicated children’s activities offer more to enjoy after breakfast. It’s a cheerful way to spend time together and build a little excitement in the days leading up to Christmas.
Where: Yas Acres Golf & Country Club, Yas North, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Sunday 20 December 2026 from 9am to 12pm
Price: AED 99 for adults and AED 60 for children
Contact: www.viyagolf.com
Gingerbread Workshop: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi
Candy canes, cookies and marshmallows become building materials at Giornotte’s gingerbread house decorating sessions. Guided by the pastry chefs at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, children can give their edible creations a festive makeover, adding their own flourishes along the way. Each finished house goes home with its decorator, ready to become a Christmas centrepiece or a tempting seasonal snack. For little ones who love getting creative, this hands-on activity adds a personal touch to a familiar festive tradition.
Where: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily from 15 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 (excluding 25 and 31 December)
Price: AED 200 per gingerbread house
Contact: www.ritzcarlton.com
Mariah Carey ChristmasTime: 12 December 2026
The Queen of Christmas is returning to Abu Dhabi. Mariah Carey will perform ChristmasTime at Etihad Arena on Saturday, 12 December 2026, following a three-show run across England. The festive spectacular will focus on her seasonal catalogue, including the enduring favourite “All I Want for Christmas Is You”. The track has repeatedly returned to the upper reaches of charts around the world during the festive season, while Carey’s Christmas concerts have evolved into major productions filled with seasonal staging, dancers, carols and tracks from across her career. Previous shows have included “Oh Santa!”, “O Holy Night”, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and “Joy to the World”, alongside her biggest non-festive releases.
Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday, 12 December 2026
Price: Tickets from AED 249
Contact: www.etihadarena.ae
Snow Abu Dhabi: Winter Wonderland
Snow Abu Dhabi brings a White Christmas to the capital from 4 to 25 December. Families can stroll among Christmas trees, snap snowy photo moments and meet Santa and his elves inside a real Winter Wonderland. Festive packages include Meet Santa from AED 99, including hot chocolate, a goodie bag, a printed photo with Santa, and fleece gloves. Breakfast with Santa is available for AED 139 and includes a festive breakfast at The Lodge, alongside a meet-and-greet with Santa, a goodie bag and a printed group photo.
Where: Snow Abu Dhabi, Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily from 4 to 25 December 2026
Contact: snowabudhabi.com