Get your calendars out – exhilarating adventures, brunch and culture await.
As we venture into the festive season, these fantastic experiences will help ease you into the holidays. So whether you want Burj, beach or brunch – we’ve got you covered with our picks of the week.
Monday 8 December
Try the FACT x Chef Faisal creation at Blu Pizzeriá
FACT has teamed up with award-winning Blu Pizzeriá and powerhouse Emirati talent Chef Faisal to create a limited-edition pizza. Inspired by the beloved lahmajun, the pizza puts lamb front and centre, layered over Blu’s signature tomato base, finished with cheese for extra indulgence and a generous drizzle of pomegranate molasses for a sweet, tangy, regional twist. The FACT pizza by Chef Faisal is available now, exclusively at the Marsa Boulevard branch, for a limited time only.
GO: Follow @blupizzeria on Instagram for more information.
Tuesday 9 December
Shop until you drop at Madinat Jumeirah
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 until 31 December.
GO: Visit www.jumeirah.com for more information.
Wednesday 10 December
Feast this festive season at COYA Dubai
This December, COYA Dubai leans into the festive season with a line-up of celebratory flavours. The à la carte and Luncheon menus introduce seasonal highlights such as Arroz con Pollo for two, a whole roasted spatchcock chicken served with saffron rice, gem salad and saffron velouté (AED 350). For something more indulgent, the 800g Côte de Bœuf comes with Béarnaise sauce, truffle jus and a blooming onion (AED 580). Fresh oysters also join the festivities, adding a refined, celebratory touch throughout the month. To complete the experience, guests can explore COYA’s selection of cocktails and non-alcoholic creations, including the globally renowned Margarita Amarilla. To finish on a sweet note, COYA presents its Festive Chocolate Gift Box (AED 82), available from 23 December to 7 January, featuring raspberry ganache, hazelnut praline truffles and Peruvian mallomars.
GO: Visit www.sevenrooms.com for more information.
Thursday 11 December
Dine at a FACT Award winner
Abu Dhabi will host the world-renowned Challenge Bouillabaisse for the very first time in the UAE. This Provençal dining experience has toured Tokyo, New York, Mexico City, Copenhagen and Geneva, and now arrives at the FACT award-winning Valgerand Nordic Grill at Mamsha Al Saadiyat for one night only. For this special edition, the whole team from La Calanque Bleue in Sausset-les-Pins will recreate the traditional Marseille bouillabaisse exactly as it is served in France. Guests can look forward to champagne by Maison Joseph Perrier, curated wine pairings and a classic Provençal dessert. AED 800 per couple.
GO: Visit www.valgerand.com for more information.
Friday 12 December
Witness Kaytranada take to the decks
Kaytranada will kick off Sole DXB 2025 in style. Born Louis Kevin Celestin, the Haitian-Canadian DJ and producer broke through with a viral remix of Janet Jackson’s “If” and has not looked back since. His debut album, 99.9%, won the Polaris Music Prize and a Juno Award, while follow-up BUBBA debuted at number one on Billboard’s Electronic Albums chart and earned two GRAMMY Awards, including Best Dance Album. Known for his collaborative touch, he has worked with Aminé, H.E.R., Kali Uchis and Tinashe, including on the 2023 Kaytraminé project.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Saturday 13 December
Have brunch at Brasserie Boulud
Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk’s Brasserie Boulud has launched a chic new Saturday Brunch, bringing Parisian flair to your weekend. Expect live jazz, elevated French flavours and a playful “ring for fresh oysters” detail that keeps things delightfully indulgent. The experience begins with shared starters and freshly shucked oysters from the show kitchen, followed by signature mains such as Filet de Bœuf Rossini and Roulade de Sole au Caviar. To finish, Crêpes Suzette are flambéed tableside for a suitably dramatic finale. Families are also catered for, with complimentary access to AstroKids. Available on Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm. AED 345 (soft beverages), AED 495 (house beverages) and AED 695 (champagne).
GO: Visit www.sofitel-dubai-theobelisk.com for more information.
Sunday 14 December
Party with Pitbull at Coca-Cola Arena
Pitbull will be lighting up the stage at Coca-Cola Arena this October, bringing his I’m Back Tour to Dubai. Born Armando Christian Perez, Pitbull started out in Miami’s hip-hop scene in the early 2000s before skyrocketing to international fame. Blending Latin rhythms with pop hooks, he is behind hits such as “Give Me Everything”, “Timber”, “Fireball”, “Don’t Stop the Party” and “Time of Our Lives”, all of which continue to dominate party playlists worldwide.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
