Best Christmas markets, festive events and winter activities in Dubai

If you're looking play in the snow this December, Winter Wonderland at Ski Dubai will make your wishes come true. Spend the day sliding down Ski Dubai's thrilling slopes, say 'hello' to the resident penguins, brave the rides at the snow park and don't forget to sip your hot chocolate at the Alpine-inspired cafe. The highlight has to be a visit to Santa's Grotto - but check timings as he takes breaks to head off and feed his reindeers too! For more cool thrills, head to the Dubai Ice Rink, at Dubai Mall, a year-round winter escape in Dubai, magical snowfall included.

December delights with a particularly whimsical tune when it comes to live entertainment. Yuletide classics and carols dominate the sound waves at Dubai Opera when the Dubai Opera Big Band perform swing and jazz renditions of tracks at The Sound of Christmas. The Downtown venue will also host Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker by the Russian State Ballet and Opera House. Little ones can have a merry time at Magic Phil's Starlight Safari as one of the city's most loved children's entertainers lights up the stage at Theatre by QE2 with tricks and laugh-out-loud silliness. Also showing on the QE2 this December, is The Snow Queen, a magical production based on Hans Christian Andersen's 1844 fairy tale. Fans of the popular festive movie Elf, have the opportunity to see the live musical version of the film favourite at Mall of the Emirates, which is showing from 17-24 December. There's plenty to enjoy this season, so stay up to date with the Dubai Calendar.

There's lots to savour across the city, so ask your hotel concierge for festive dining options near you. City favourites like the three Armani restaurants are offering limited-edition menus from 15-30 December. Or you can head to Jumeirah Al Qasr on a Saturday for their Vintage Festive Brunch, complete with timeless tunes by a classic live band. On 16 December, Atlantis, The Palm is hosting a one-of festive extravaganza, called Cirque De Cuisine: the Christmas Edition. The event will see you take a tour across 10 of the hotel’s restaurants, including Michelin starred Ossiano, and top eateries like Nobu by Nobu Matsuhisa. Elsewhere you can experience the international flavours of the season, through the Italian inspired Feste di Natale by Palazzo Versace Dubai, which will be offering festive flavours across four-courses at their flagship Italian restaurant, Vanitas. Meanwhile, Santè Ria Dubai will be offering a Latin American take on the festive season, with their Feliz Navidad brunch on 25 December.

Visitors in December can admire the richly-decorated trees and themed centrepieces that pop up across Dubai’s leading malls, hotels and top attractions, with several tree-lighting ceremonies to keep an eye on. Some of the most popular highlights include the Mall of the Emirates' Fashion Dome where shimmering baubles and a festive glow inspires new shopping sprees with the family. Another favourite with Dubai residents is Dubai Festival City Mall, which has put up a sparkling display complete with a Santa's grotto. Meanwhile Galeries Lafayette at The Dubai Mall is putting on a fairytale festive display all monthlong that is sure to delight shoppers. 

This is the season when some of the emirate's best winter-only experiences relaunch. Global Village, a multicultural family entertainment destination, is a fantastic place to explore handcrafted gifts and souvenirs from around the world. Discover everything from Turkish stained glass lanterns, colourful embroidered purses from India, and intricate jewellery from artisans across Europe. The Miracle Garden is also in full bloom until spring. The park presents an array of famous buildings and structures in the form of colourful floral displays, which make for wonderful photo opportunities with a special Smurfs display for this edition. Dubai is also set to host unmissable New Year's Eve celebrations, so read our guide on the best things to do and ring in 2023 in style.

From 23 November until January 2023, Expo City Dubai is being transformed into a magical winter wonderland. There will be a chalet-inspired festive market, fairground fun for all the family. There will also be gingerbread classes, a toy factory tour (with the chance for each child to take home a teddy) and of course - Santa’s Grotto. There will be plenty of festive foodie treats and drinks available and on 9 December there will be a tree lighting ceremony for Winter City’s 16-metre tall festive tree.

Head to Dubai Parks and Resorts for a festive extravaganza all month long. The theme park city's four main districts are pulling out all the stops for visitors this year. Catch live shows, special activities, a daily parade and so much more. You can watch theatre shows Smurfmas and King Julien’s Holiday Stomp, at cinema-themed Motiongate Dubai; or make your way to Legoland to set your sights on a huge 4m high Advent Calendar each day, offering prizes of up to AED40,000! Riverland also transforms into a winter wonderland, with festive events, Santa meet and greets and plenty of photo opportunities to keep the whole family entertained.