From Christmas Eve brunches to Christmas Day lunches… we wish you a fantastic festive season.

It’s Christmas Eve, and we’re gearing up for a week of family, feasting and festive fun. Whether you’re tucking in to a Christmas lunch, looking for a big night out with friends or enjoying the final day of a festive market, we’ve got you covered.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from all at What’s On.

Here are eight things to do in Dubai this week…

Sunday December 24

1. Kick off Christmas Eve with a festive feast

Upmarket Argentinean restaurant Gaucho is serving its festive brunch on Christmas Eve too, with a menu boasting baby back ribs and ceviche as well as turkey, beef, lamb and fish with all the trimmings. For a full range of festive feasts, check out our guide to Christmas Eve in Dubai.

Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai, 6pm to 11.30pm, Dhs420 with soft drinks, Dhs495 with house drinks, Dhs595 with sparkling wine, Dhs695 with champagne. Tel: (04) 4227898. Taxi: Gate Village DIFC. gauchorestaurants.com

Monday December 25

2. Tuck in to a Christmas lunch

New City Walk hotspot Galvin is serving up a three-course Christmas menu all day from 12pm to 11.30pm. There’s a choice from four starters, mains and desserts, as well as a glass of French bubbles to toast the big day. There’s both traditional and modern options to choose from, too. And if you’ve still not made plans, here’s our guide to the best Christmas Day deals in Dubai.

Galvin, The Square, City Walk, Dubai, 12pm to 11.30pm, Dhs295 (Dhs258 without glass of bubbles). Tel: (04) 590 5444. galvindubai.com

3. Walk off the festive feast with a visit to Riverland

Riverland is throwing its second edition of Festive on the River at Dubai Parks and Resorts. The free-to-enter destination within Dubai Parks and Resorts will be transforming into a winter wonderland until January 6, complete with Dubai’s first pop-up ice rink, an outdoor cinema screening the season’s favourite movies, and a traditional European-style festive market.

Riverland, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Rod, daily 4pm to 10pm until January 6 2018, free entry. riverlanddubai.com

Tuesday December 26

4. Continue the feasting with a Boxing Day roast

Your digestive system hasn’t earned a break just yet – get stuck into St Stephen’s Day festivities at any one of McGettigan’s outlets, complete with live sports, turkey and ham sandwiches, and full Irish breakfasts for those in need of a pick-me-up. See our guide to Boxing Day in Dubai for more places to spend St Stephen’s Day.

Next to Bonnington Tower, JLT, Dubai, noon to 3pm. Tel: (04) 3780800. Taxi: McGettigan’s JLT. mcgettigans.com 

5. Bag a bargain as DSF returns

The 23rd edition of the annual Dubai Shopping Festival returns on December 26, and the month-long affair will be jam-packed with offers, activities, discounts and prizes (such as the chance to win luxury cars and gold). It will kick off with a 12-hour mega sale on the first day of the festival (December 26), offering shoppers additional discounts on already marked-down prices across six Majid Al Futtaim Malls, including Mall of the Emirates. This will take place from 12pm to 12am at select outlets throughout the city.

Various locations across Dubai, December 27 to January 27. Visitdubai.com/DSF

7. Party hard at a festive edition of Disturbing Dubai

Their Boxing Day party is usually one of the biggest in the calendar, and this year is no exception at White Dubai. Krept & Konan will headline the special edition of Disturbing Dubai, which kicks off at 10pm. There’s complimentary sushi for ladies until 12.30am, and unlimited free drinks all night.

White Dubai, Meydan, 10pm to 3am, door policy applies. Tel: (050) 443 0933. Facebook.com/WhiteDubai

Wednesday December 27

6. Enjoy the final day of a free festive market

If you’ve not been already, the festive market at Madinat Jumeirah is well worth checking out, and this Wednesday is the last day to do so. The 1,750-square-metre winter wonderland will feature a German-style festive market, as well as rides on an abra boat with Santa, dozens of slides and games, a North Pole train for the little ones and a giant snow ball zone. New this year is a shimmering interactive LED Christmas tree, and daily appearances from Santa himself at 5pm and 7pm.

Madinat Jumeirah, Dec 15 to 27, Sun to Weds, 3pm to 1am, Thurs to Sat 12pm to 1am free entry. Tel: (04) 366 8888. jumeirah.com

8. Gather the girls for a festive afternoon tea

Gather the girls for a timeless tea ritual with a festive twist at Sidra Lounge. Available daily until December 30, there’s a holiday season themed menu of beverages, including hot chocolate with marshmallows and cinnamon tea, plus sweet treats with a Christmas theme.

Sidra Lounge, The St Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor City, daily 3pm to 6pm until December 30, Dhs225 soft, Dhs385 sparkling. Tel: (04) 435 5577. Facebook.com/TheStRegisDubai