A trip to Dubai is an experience that will surprise all people. Dubai is a new and extravagant destination. Its contrasts between bright modernity and ocher color, undoubtedly make it one of those cities that you love or hate. However, whatever your tastes, it is impressive to see the buildings trying to touch the sky, the artificial islands, the passion for leisure, or the Arabian desert.
Dubai is an exquisite venue for Christmas celebrations. With its happening environment, golden sand dunes, spectacular beaches and magnificent malls, Dubai offers a truly unique and diverse Christmas experience. So, if you are in Dubai for your Christmas vacation, you are in luck because there is just so much to do in the city of gold. Here are some tips that will hopefully help you have a stress-free and memorable Christmas.
Also, visiting Dubai won’t be as much fun if you are anxious about incomplete tasks the entire time. Finish your work a few days before so you can fully enjoy the festivities. Prioritising is also important and Dubai can help you enormously with that. Dubai is a place that is tailor-made for busy professionals. There is a wide plethora of amenities available.
Whether you are looking forward to shopping till you drop dead or you want to fine dine with your loved ones on Christmas eve, Dubai offers it all - and more. Christmas preparations are underway in Dubai already, events and activities are being lined up and the excitement is very contagious.
If you want an authentic holiday experience in the UAE, here is our list of top places to visit in Dubai this Christmas.
1. Madinat Jumeirah
Madinat Jumeirah, the largest and most festive Christmas market in Dubai is worth visiting this December. Like last year, a lineup of events at the market has been released and it seems like a lot of fun. Madinat offers a number of Christmas activities for all age-groups. It has got bungee jumping and snow fighting zones for children and it entices adults with soulful music performances, diverse cuisine as well as mad holiday shopping offers in Dubai.
Also, Santa Claus visits between 5 pm to 7 pm every evening and young ones can enjoy a wide range of fun activities in Dubai including gingerbread house and cookie decorating sessions.
Madinat Jumeirah is also known as the Venice of the Middle East for its canals, which you can tour in Abra, the typical canoe. Admire the ancient Arab architecture and enjoy the atmosphere of its terraces.
It is special to see a traditional Emirati atmosphere after being among the greatest modernity. Visit the art galleries and cafés through the quiet streets and see the old wind towers. The most intimate option of the Emirati city is Pierchic, overlooking the Burj Al Arab and a very careful decoration, making it a cozy space ideal for a romantic night.
2. Sheikh Zayed Road
For those looking for shopping in Dubai on a budget, Times Square Center is the best place for pre-Christmas preparations. Times Square Center is not just stocked up with shopping options but it also offers massive discounts in the days leading up to Christmas. Times Square Center in Dubai is an amazing place for children too. They can enjoy a snowy playground, treats, games and competitions.
Times Square is also super generous when it comes to gifts, awards and vouchers.
Culture lovers also have their space in Dubai. A show that does not leave indifferent is La Perle, an aquatic theater that with impressive light, technological and gravity-defying games. Also in Bluewaters Islands with WOW in The Rotunda Dubai, has amazing choreographies, 3D projections and holograms. Another proposal is Theater by Queen Elizabeth 2, which presents a program that shows the best of local and international arts, entertainment and culture.
If you are fond of Italian cuisine, what better place to have Christmas brunch than Alta Badia. Alta Badia, a region in Italy is renowned for being a foodie heaven due to its mouthwatering cuisine. Alta Badia Dubai is a cozy restaurant that offers the regional cuisine of Italy. Why Alta Badia? Well because this Christmas they have created a special menu featuring only festive dishes and delicacies from Italy. Have a lovely brunch!
Prepare for your Christmas plans beforehand. If you have to make reservations at a restaurant or an event, do so a couple of days before Christmas to ensure that your holiday goes smoothly.
Interesting reads: Best Restaurants in Dubai
3. Dubai Opera
If you are a fan of festive music, Dubai opera is the place to go. The magnificent opera venue features holiday themed music performances throughout December. The performances are lined up throughout the morning, midday and evening. This year, the Dubai Opera is featuring musical performances including Christmas carols and good old classics by The London Concert Orchestra Show Band and Capital Voices Choir.
Grab your tickets before they run out!
4. At The Top, Burj Khalifa
This building is the tallest in the world and rises above all other tallest buildings in the world, as its height exceeds 828 meters. Burj Khalifa is the tallest building and also has an elevator with the world's longest elevator. Head inside and this super-fast elevator will take you up to level 124 to the observation deck. At the top (observation deck), floor-to-ceiling glass walls offer breathtaking panoramic views of Dubai and the surrounding desert and ocean.
Talking about the length of the Burj Khalifa, it is three times taller than the Eiffel Tower. Apart from the record of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa holds six other records. Burj Khalifa has the world’s tallest elevator. On the 125th floor, Burj Khalifa has an observation deck, from where you can enjoy the unforgettable aerial view of Dubai.
Burj Khalifa is definitely a must visit! The ride in the elevators to the 124th /125th floors and the view from the top made me gawk! Dubai Mall is adjacent to Burj Khalifa, and it's the biggest mall I've ever been in! Its massive, beautiful and never ending. From both the mall and Burj Khalifa, you can see the fountain show in the evening - and it is a spectacular sight to behold. They play English/Hindi/Arabic music, and the fountains move (almost dance) in sync with the music!
5. Burj Khalifa
Not only is this building fascinating because of its unreal height, but also because of its both unique and practical design. The structure’s width gradually decreases with height, which is intended to achieve the greatest stability, making it pyramid-like. The distinct pillars are intended to create more space for hotel rooms, shops, and offices.
On New years Eve, welcome the new year in Dubai while enjoying the breathtakingly beautiful firework display at Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world). The countdown is exciting and the fireworks are spectacular. Besides, you do not want to miss out on the world's tallest building! You can climb in an ultrafast elevator to the 148th floor (of 163) and see the views of this city built in the middle of the desert.
As regards Dubai gastronomy, the city blows away with At.mosphere, the tallest restaurant in the world, located 442 meters high, on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa. Its views and its cuisine based on European cuisine surprise all diners. In the hotel Burj Al Arab is the Nathan Outlaw restaurant in Al Mahara, a restaurant under the sea.
The Armani Mediterraneo is a specialty restaurant in Armani Hotel, which is located in Burj Khalifa. If you love fine dining, you can drop by at Armani for a special Christmas dinner buffet with your loved ones. The buffet includes a variety of food options and drinks.
PS: do not forget to enjoy the view once you're there!
Interesting reads: Best Hotels in Dubai
6. Mall of the Emirates
Mall of the Emirates is a sweet place to shop, especially if you are into Christmas decoration, trinkets and gifts. It is also the right place to go to if you've got holiday sweet tooth or a craving for delicious desserts. Kempinski is worth checking out for your Christmas shopping because most items are on sale in the days leading up to Christmas eve in Dubai. From cookies, mince pies and affordable gifts, you will find it all here.
7. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard
On the seafront of the Palace Downtown is Thiptara, surrounded by the iconic Lake Burj, which offers the best view of the city of Dubai Fountain, whose gastronomic offer is based on homemade Thai cuisine. Another curious restaurant, with incredible views and exquisite raw material is 101 Dining Lounge, One & Only The Palm that displays its dining room with tables on the water.
8. Dubai Fountain
The Dubai Fountain is famous for its length and for the capacity of shooting water. The length of the Dubai Fountain is 900 feet and can shoot up water up to 500 feet. The Dubai Fountain is illuminated by 6600 lights and 25 color projectors. At the Dubai fountain, you can enjoy a light and sound show by the world’s largest musical fountain. Or you can enjoy the show in the Burj Khalifa lake.
9. Palm Jumeirah
The Palm Island is an artificial island that can be seen from space. The architecture is beautiful, modern and it's stunning at night but the buildings are mostly empty because they are overly expensive.
The Palm Islands includes three artificial islands - Palm Jumeirah, Deira Island and Palm Jebel Ali. Here is another place to visit in Dubai which will give you a satisfying experience. After the Great Wall of China and Berlin Wall, Dubai has the one and only thing that can be seen from space. For vacations and for entertainment, Palm Jumeirah is called the haven of earth.
10. Dubai Marina
It is one of the main enclaves of the city. It combines residential areas with others dedicated to leisure along the canal. The best way to appreciate Dubai Marina is to take a walk along the docks or enjoy a cruise on its canal surrounded by skyscrapers, being especially romantic and beautiful at night: dinner cruise. Likewise, Fish Beach Taverna is considered the top of romantic spaces. Its location facing the sea transports us to the Greek Islands.
If you prefer privacy and exclusivity, we recommend the yacht ride in Dubai that includes night tour, to see the impressive skyscrapers, highlighting Cayan Tower. With its 306 meters, it is the tallest crooked tower in the world, and you will pass by the artificial island where the world's largest ferris wheel is built. If your chosen option is to release adrenaline, enjoy a ride going out to sea in a speedboat.
Enjoying a cruise on a dhow, an Arabian wooden boat, is another way to explore it, to enjoy its sights and sounds, being able to choose between a dinner cruise from 5 star hotel or 4 star hotel. Have dinner on a luxury boat. You can see the sights of night-time Dubai Marina while savoring mouth-watering food.
For an out-of-the-box dining experience, a two hour trip of Marina Cruise Dinner is the most luxurious eat out one can ever go for in Dubai. The perfect way to a romantic evening with your partner, carefree time with friends, or even a delightful outing with family.
11. The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
The Aquarium of Dubai is holding the record of the world’s largest water tank with a capacity of 10 million liters. The aquarium has the largest collection of aquatic animals, with over 30,000 different creatures around the world. Visitors can go for underwater photography and cage diving to feel the animals in the real world.
12. Ski Dubai
Who is going to ski in Dubai? Many travelers! Ski Dubai is built entirely indoors and visitors can ski, snowboard, and even go sledding. No need to bring your skis or boards, the park has all the equipment available for rent, including instructors for the snow bunnies in your group. The average temperature of Dubai is 40 degrees but if you want to feel extreme cold in Dubai like 1 or 2 degrees, you have to go skiing in Dubai. Ski Dubai is an indoor resort. Ski Dubai resort has its own snow caves, giant snowballs, and a tall snow tower for climbing. It’s one of the best tourist places of Dubai.
13. Dubai Creek
It is the cove of Dubai, and it reflects the evolution of Dubai, from a commercial destination in the desert to the modern city it is today. A trip in Abra is a mandatory experience in Dubai Creek. On board these barges, which cross the cove from one side to the other, you can see both modern glass towers and wind collectors (towers that functioned as cooling elements of buildings) and the minarets of old Dubai.
Dubai Creek is easily accessible through Dubai Metro. The closest metro station is Al Ghubaiba (Bur Dubai Area) which is one of the beautiful stations in Dubai Metro and located in Green Line.
In order to do justice to the wonderful place Dubai is, you need to get out and explore it. Sure, we have given you a list of places that are worth travelling but often it is the travel itself that is important.
That is why Dubai is super convenient. Need to stock up on food or provisions? Get it delivered. Have a pile of dirty laundry on your mind? Contact a laundry service in Dubai and let the laundromat take care of your worries. In addition to laundry and food delivery services, you can make use of other convenient alternatives to get done with your chores before Christmas.
Sticking to your schedules would help ensure that you are at the right place at the right time. Most of the places we mentioned in this list follow a schedule and offer different activities at different times. Have Fun!