From a free Christmas market to a Great Gatsby NYE party...

Written by:
Nyree McFarlane
12th December 2016

20 things to do at Al Habtoor City this festive season

THROUGHOUT THE MONTH

Winter Garden Market

December 7 to December 31, free entry

The Versailles Gardens at the gorgeous The St Regis Dubai will be transformed into a winter wonderland this year (but just a warmer one than usual) – head down any weeknight from 5pm to 9pm, or 3pm to 9pm on weekends and you’ll find a Santa’s Grotto (that looks like a traditional gingerbread house), a Christmas stage with live entertainment, a snow fight zone (cool), a merry-go-round, Christmas cookie decorating stations and more.

There will also be a choir, an outdoor cinema, a hops garden and plenty of Christmas shopping opportunities.

Here’s what it looks like.

We’re feeling festive already. Ooh, and the Christmas tree is an impressive pine at 16 metres tall.

Santa will visit, yes, but instead of a sleigh he’ll be in a red Bentley. How Dubai, we love it.

St Regis Festive Afternoon Tea

Until December 31, from Dhs225

Who doesn’t love an afternoon tea? The chilled out yet elegant Sidra Lounge at The St Regis Dubai is hosting a festive tea all month from 3pm to 6pm daily. You’ll be able to sip on a Christmas tea blend by Dammann Frères while nibbling on sandwiches and sweet treats, including gingerbread flavours, citrus tastes and chocolate (of course). Children will pay Dhs110, while adults pay Dhs225 or Dhs325 with bubbles.

More information on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

An all-American festive gathering for groups

December 8 to 26, Cook Hall

The gastropub called Cook Hall at The Westin, Al Habtoor City does fantastic cocktails and serves food that is a modern take on American bar food. If you want to get a group of mates together for a festive fiesta then they’re offering packages that are all about sharing platters – they start from Dhs155 per person and will run over lunch and dinner, but call ahead to figure out your bespoke offering.

There’s a pool table as well as screens to watch the football on both the ground and mezzanine floors, so sports fans will be happy.

More information on website. Tel: 04 435 5577

There are also spa festive offers running throughout the month – read all about those here.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve dinner

December 24, from Dhs240

Excellent steakhouse J&G at The St Regis Dubai is putting on a Christmas Eve dinner for Dhs350 per person (food only): it’ll be four courses, with aperitifs. Meanwhile, across the hall at Brasserie Quartier there will be a family-style dinner with all of the seafood – think oysters, langoustine, lobster tail and Norwegian salmon, as well as traditional roast turkey carved tableside. That will cost you Dhs240 per person for food only. Both dinners run from 6.30pm to midnight.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

A ‘Jingle Me’ brunch

December 24, from Dhs395

Christmas Eve is on a Saturday this year, and so the fun folks at the W Dubai – Al Habtoor City are hosting a ‘Jingle Me’ brunch at Level Seven – from fresh seafood to turkey and minced pies, you’ll find all your festive cravings here. Prices are Dhs395 including soft drinks, Dhs495 including Liquid Lab, Hops and Grapes and Dhs595 for the bubbly package – the brunch will run from 12.30pm to 4pm.

Oh, and there will also be a ‘night brunch’ there too, with Mediterranean flavours and a price of Dhs225 for food only – that’ll run from 7pm to 11pm.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

W Lounge and WET Deck Xmas Party

December 24, Dhs345

If you fancy celebrating Christmas Eve until the wee hours, then this poolside plus lounge bar shisha, drinks and nibbles party at W is just the ticket. It runs from 9pm to late and will cost you Dhs345 including pass-around food, drinks and a bubbly toast.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

A traditional Italian meal

December 24, Dhs340

Excellent Italian restaurant Il Capo at The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City is putting on a New York-Italian dinner, including Panettone and a glass of bubbly. It runs from 7pm to 11pm and will cost you Dhs340 for food and Dhs495 including house drinks.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

Farm to table at The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City

December 24, Dhs350

Seasonal Tastes restaurant will serve a farm-to-table Christmas Eve dinner with appetisers and six live cooking stations, including turkey with all the trimmings. There will be live carol singing and the all-important visit from Santa for younger guests. It’s Dhs350 including house drinks, and the spread will be on offer from 7pm to 11pm.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas Brunch at The St Regis Dubai

December 25, from Dhs495

There are two festive brunches to choose from at The St Regis Dubai: Le Patio or Brasserie Quartier. The buffets will include oysters and smoked salmon, a live carving station, and all with a jazz band. It runs from 1pm to 4pm and costs from Dhs495 with soft drinks, Dhs695 with house drinks and Dhs895 with premium bubbles.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

Jingle Me brunch

December 25, from Dhs395

The feast at Level Seven at the W Dubai – Al Habtoor City will mean fresh seafood cooked in front of your eyes, nutritious salads for those who have had too many minced pies and, of course, a turkey served with all the traditional trimmings. Make sure you leave some room for the Christmas pudding. It’ll cost Dhs395 including soft drinks, Dhs495 including Liquid Lab, Hops and Grapes and Dhs595 including bubbly package. It runs from 12.30pm to 4pm.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

The Grinches Brunch

December 25, from Dhs450

Not that into the whole festive cheer thing? Well, Korean and Japanese restaurant Namu at W is hosting a brunch for those tired of turkey and trimming Christmas vibes. There will be Dubai Water Canal views, but no tinsle in sight. Dhs450 including soft drinks, Dhs550 with Liquid Lab, Hops and Grapes and Dhs650 with a bubbly package. It runs from 12.30pm to 4pm.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

Christmas at The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City

December 25, from Dhs365

This grand hotel will be opening both its international restaurant, Seasonal Tastes, and its Italian offering, Il Capo, for one big Christmas brunch. There will be 80 types of cheeses, carving stations featuring tomahawk and Wagyu, 8 kinds of oysters and 6 types of lobster. It’ll run from 12.30pm to 4pm and will be Dhs365 including soft drinks, Dhs450 with house drinks and Dhs545 including bubbly.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

A Great Gatsby party

December 31, from Dhs550

The entire first floor of the St Regis Dubai is going to transform into a Great Gatsby-style soirée, with French spot Brasserie Quartier offering a buffet and then a set menu being served at the swanky J&G Steakhouse. There will also be a cocktail party and sabering ceremony at Sidra and Champagne Lounge. What does it cost? Well at Brasserie Quartier it’ll be Dhs550 for food and a glass of bubbles on arrival and Dhs800 with a house-beverage pouring package, and at J&G you’ll pay Dhs650 for food with a glass of bubbles and Dhs900 for your meal and house drinks. It runs from 7.30pm to 2am (a good session!).

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

A #NoRules NYE Party

December 31, from Dhs495

This NYE party is a multi-venue one at W. Start at Level Seven and explore its brunch set up, step outside to Wet Deck for mini pizzas and bubbles and then go upstairs to W Lounge for canapés and unlimited drinks. You can also add on a lavish dinner at Namu too (which serves Japanese-Korean food): Namu guests may access all venues but only those who book for the extra will be able to dine and party in the 31st storey Namu.

The packages run from 9pm to midnight. Here are the prices: Dhs495 including canapés and unlimited drinks (standing in all venues), table bookings at three main venues from Dhs995, including seated dinner in venue of choice, passed canapés and beverages at all venues except Namu, table bookings and entry to Namu from Dhs1495 including seated dinner at Namu, and passed canapés and beverages in all venues.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

New Year’s Eve at Seasonal Tastes in the Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City

December 31, from Dhs450

Ring in 2017 with a Dubai Canal view at Seasonal Tastes in The Westin: there will be six live cooking stations, a DJ and an international buffet. It will run from 7pm to 2am, and costs Dhs450 including soft drinks, Dhs550 including house pouring drinks and Dhs750 with a bubbly package.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

An Italian New Year’s Eve

December 31, from Dhs450

A ‘flappers and dappers’ party will be held at The Westin’s Al Habtoor City in Il Capo – there will be a four course menu and a musical duo that promise to get guests dancing. It’ll run from 7pm to 2am and costs Dhs450 including soft drinks, Dhs550 including house pouring drinks and Dhs750 including a bubbly package.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

A Venetian Masquerade Party

December 31, Dhs450

This one will be at Blinq at The Westin, and will include free-flowing drinks and cold cut and cheese snacks, before the DJ hits the decks to get everyone in the zone for the countdown at midnight. Remember, it’s a masquerade party so get creative with masks and costumes. It runs from 7pm to 2am and will cost Dhs450 with house pouring drinks.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

NEW YEAR’S DAY

New Year’s Day Brunch at Le Patio

January 1, from Dhs450

Start 2017 with a lavish buffet to the backdrop of jazz at The St Regis Dubai: food includes oysters and smoked salmon from the raw bar, a live grill, a carving station and plenty of desserts. It will run from 1pm-4pm and cost Dhs450 with soft drinks, Dhs550 with house pouring drinks and Dhs650 with a premium bubbly package.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

New Me in 2017 brunch at Level Seven and Wet Deck

January 1, from Dhs395

W Dubai – Al Habtoor City will be serving up a buffet of shellfish, meat and more, and the pool deck will be a place to chill out – the all-inclusive party will run from 12pm to 11pm and you’ll pay Dhs395 with soft drinks, Dhs495 with house pouring drinks and Dhs595 with bubbles.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.

The first City Brunch of 2017

January 1, 12.30pm to 4pm

The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City is putting on a big old bash of a brunch for Sunday January 1 (which is a public holiday) – the chefs from Seasonal Tastes and Il Capo will band together to put on a huge spread. It’s classic brunch timings – 12.30pm to 4pm, and it will cost Dhs365 with soft drinks, Dhs450 with house pouring drinks and Dhs545 for the premium bubbly package.

More info on website. Tel: (04) 435 5577.