From festive family brunches to huge NYE parties...
Sponsored Content: From world-class DJs to family-friendly brunches, there’s plenty to do by the racetrack (at The Meydan Hotel) or in the desert (at Bab Al Shams) this festive season.
So with just a month to go until Christmas, here’s your guide on what to book…
TAKEAWAY TURKEY
If you fancy Christmas dinner at home without the fuss, The Meydan Hotel offers takeaway turkeys that you can pick up between 11am to 6pm on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. For Dhs725 you’ll get a turkey that serves between five to eight people and comes with roast potatoes, chipolatas, root vegetables, cranberry sauce and gravy.
If you want to feed nine to 12 people you can get a larger turkey for Dhs825 (with the above trimmings), and for Dhs1,175 you’ll get an extra-large turkey as well as roast potatoes, chipolatas, roast vegetables, brussels sprouts, glazed chestnuts, cranberry sauce and gravy, a festive pudding, 12 fruit mince pies, pecan pie, bon bons, and festive cookies.
We actually ordered this turkey last year and loved it — the chef stood proudly over his stuffed bird when we collected it, the catering team help you pack up your car (with festive cheer) and off you go!
Note: You’ll have to order your turkey 48 hours in advance.
You can pre-order your turkey here. More info on website.
A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Al Forsan’s terrace feels worlds away from the city
Oh, and on Friday December 16 there will be a tree-lighting-ceremony at Al Forsan in Dubai’s desert resort Bab Al Shams. The evening out will feature a gingerbread house, carol singing and the big guy in red. Entry to the event is free, and it will run from 6.30pm to 8pm on Al Forsan Lawn: you’ll be able to amp up the festive cheer with winter pies, hot chocolate and mulled drinks.
A FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA
Oh, and for a whole month – from December 1 to January 1 – Millennium Lounge at The Meydan Hotel will be putting on an afternoon tea that’s all about the festive season: think roast turkey with cranberry compote and warm scones. Yum. The tea is running from 3pm to 6pm, daily, and will cost you Dhs165 per person (or Dhs295 with a glass of bubbles).
CHRISTMAS WITH RACECOURSE VIEWS AT MEYDAN
If it’s a family Christmas lunch you’re after we recommend checking out the Farriers Festive Brunch, which will feature live cooking stations, a track view and even a bouncy castle for the little ones.
Outdoor seating at Farriers
The festivities run from 12.30pm to 4pm, and the brunch will cost you Dhs495 with soft drinks, Dhs695 with house beverages and Dhs1,250 with bubbles. Children aged five to 11 cost Dhs195 and those four and under dine for free. You can book that here.
Or if you’d rather have your big meal at night, Prime Steakhouse at The Meydan Hotel is putting on a fancy five-course, festive-themed dinner for Dhs390 excluding beverages and Dhs550 with house grape.
Prime Steakhouse
The dinner will run from 7pm to 11.30pm (and will run on Boxing Day too if you’d rather celebrate then). You can book that here.
CHRISTMAS IN THE DESERT AT BAB AL SHAMS
If you’d like your Christmas view to be more orange sand dunes than green racetrack then why not head out to the beautiful Bab Al Shams?
From 1pm to 4pm Al Forsan will turn into a Christmas party, with pony and camel rides, jugglers, kite flying and face painting on offer for the kids. Oh, and Santa will make an appearance too, of course.
Indoor seating at Al Forsan
The brunch will cost you Dhs445 with soft drinks, Dhs595 with house drinks and Dhs795 with bubbles (children are each Dhs223). You can reserve that brunch here.
NYE IN THE SKY BUBBLE AT MEYDAN
Axwell and Ingrosso will bring all the fist-pump action you could possibly ask for at an end-of-year party (you can read more about them here).
The ex-Swedish House Mafia DJs will bring their soaring, infectious tunes to the Meydan Hotel (from which you’ll get a great view of the Burj Khalifa fireworks) for what should be the party of the night.
There are loads of options for tickets – you can opt for the Sky Bubble Premium package, that includes a dinner at the Sky Bubble and a concert ticket and will cost you Dhs999. If you want to dine at the Sky Bubble and add an open bar and premium food to your night, and get a deluxe concert ticket, you’ll pay Dhs1,999.
![Sky-Bubble-NYE[1]](https://whatson.ae/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Sky-Bubble-NYE1.jpg)
If you want to stay the night and see the concert you can pay Dhs2,999 for two (which includes breakfast), pay Dhs3,999 for two and get a one-night stay in a deluxe room, deluxe concert tickets, an open bar and food during the concert and a New Year’s Day breakfast.
The Meydan Hotel boasts great Burj Khalifa views (so will be a good vantage point for the fireworks).
You can also opt for dinner at Prime and an open bar plus a deluxe concert ticket for Dhs2,500 a person.
Or the ultimate package costs Dhs5,499 per person and includes the stay, the breakfast, an open bar, deluxe concert tickets and a dinner in the Sky Bubble. So many options!
NYE IN THE DESERT
If you want to get away from the city (but also see fireworks) then Al Hadheerah at Bab Al Shams is a great option. This beautiful venue will have a huge buffet with more than 200 items on offer, Arabian singers, a Tanoura dancer, a horse show and a camel caravan. Proper Arabian Nights stuff.
The price is Dhs1,110 for adults with soft drinks, Dhs1,600 for adults with an open bar (all night), Dhs350 for children aged five to eight and Dhs750 for children aged nine to 17. You can book that night here.
Oh, and there will also be a party on New Year’s Eve night at Bab Al Shams’ rooftop lounge Al Sarab – for Dhs450 you will get a glass of sparkling wine, a set of canapes per table, and a great view of the resort’s fireworks.
Have a great festive season!
