Christmas in Dubai 2025: Check out these unmissable festive events
From markets to carol concerts, shows and family-friendly fun
If you’re spending Christmas in Dubai this year, we’ve been making a list and checking in twice to make sure we can fill your calendar with festive events that are sure to keep you merry and bright. From walking in a winter wonderland to meet and greets with Santa, we’ve got silly season covered.
Here are all the festive events in Dubai to bookmark for Christmas 2025.
Dec 1 to 25: Winter Wonderland at Ski Dubai
Bringing a taste of the North Pole to Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai’s Winter Wonderland runs from December 1 to 25, 2025 and sees the chilly attraction adorned in some seriously festive decor, inviting families to enjoy the snow, festive activities, and warm treats. Think meet-and-greets with Santa, warming cups of hot chocolate and fun-filled Snow Park activities. So bundle up for a cosy little Christmas at Ski Dubai.
What: Winter Wonderland at Ski Dubai
Where: Mall of the Emirates
When: Dec 1 to 25
Price: From Dhs140
Visit: skidxb.com
December 5 to 31: Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market
Fort Island will once again transform into a dazzling winter wonderland from December 5 until the end of the month. A beloved festive event in Dubai, the market is spread out across 1,750 square metres of the souk, and features a huge 36-foot Christmas tree adorned with shiny baubles, stars and candy canes. There’s an immersive market with shopping and entertainment, including a live band playing seasonal tunes. Plus, a snow fight zone, bungee jumping, a North Pole train ride, and a Venetian carousel make it the perfect spot for family-friendly festive cheer. Best of all, it’s free entry.
What: Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market
Where: Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah
When: December 5 to 31
Price: Free entry
December 6 and 7: The Great Christmas Elf Bake Off
Head to Theatre by QE2 this December for a family-friendly interactive show for kids aged three to 11. Putting a seasonal twist on the treasured TV show, two elves compete in a gingerbread bake off filled with songs, comedy and plenty of festive chaos.
What: The Great Christmas Elf Bake Off
Where: Theatre by QE2, Port Rashid
When: December 6 and 7
Price: Dhs75
Visit: platinumlist.net
December 6 to 25: The Grotto Dubai
UK-born The Grotto is making an enchanting return to Dubai, with a new location for 2025. This time around, The Grotto makes New Covent Garden Theatre at Mall of the Emirates its magical second home, running from December 6 to 25. This heartwarming holiday attraction brings all the charm and wonder of a traditional Christmas to the desert, complete with twinkling lights, festive cheer, and unforgettable moments with Santa himself.
What: The Grotto Dubai
Where: New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates
When: December 6 to 25
Price: Dhs165 children, Dhs120 adults
Visit: thegrotto.me
December 6 to 31: Winter City at Expo City
Winter City, the annual festive extravaganza, will make a welcome return to Al Wasl Plaza at Expo City Dubai from December 6 to 31. This year’s story centres on the Candy Cane Comet, a guiding light that shines thanks to the help of children, also known as the Candy Cane Watchers. Visitors can expect an array of activities that include the signature market and workshops, as well as live entertainment and seasonal dishes. The Winter City Christmas tree lighting takes place each evening, and this year one lucky guest will be picked to light the tree. Doors open at 4pm, with tickets priced at Dhs50 (children under three go free).
What: Winter City
Where: Expo City
When: December 6 to 31
Price: Dhs50
Visit: expocitydubai.com
December 9 to 11: Festive Market at ICD Brookfield Place
ICD Brookfield Place’s festive market is back better than ever for three days of foodie fun, artisanal shopping and seasonal experiences to get you in the Christmas spirit. Visitors will be able to tuck into gourmet treats from the Le Clos bar, Lulu and the Beanstalk and Rise Bakehouse, and shop for thoughtful gifts from the likes of Georges of Dubai, Halo Print Works and Vero Candles. Alongside shopping and dining, guests can enjoy hands-on festive workshops, creative activities and outdoor movie screenings, making this the perfect family-friendly destination.
What: ICD Brookfield Place Festive Market
Where: ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC
When: December 9 to 11
Price: Free entry
Visit: @icdbrookfieldplace
December 11: Movie in the Sky at Aura Skypool
This Christmas, Dubai’s breathtaking sky-high infinity pool and bar, Aura Skypool, invites guests to get into the festive spirit with a Christmas movie night – screening Miracle on 34th Street on December 11. The evening begins from 8.30pm, where you’ll be able to toast to silly season with free-flowing bubbles and graze on festive canapes, while admire the views from the Aura Lounge. Guests will then settle in and cosy up under the stars on the Palm View deck at 9.30pm when the movie begins. During the movie, you’ll be able to continue sipping on free-flowing bubbles, and tuck in to a bento box as you revisit all the best scenes from this Christmas classic. It’s priced at Dhs750 per person, and with just 50 seats available, be sure to grab your tickets before they go-ho-ho. You can get your hands on them here: auraskypool.com.
What: Movie in the Sky
Where: Aura Skypool, Palm Tower
When: December 11
Price: Dhs750
Visit: auraskypool.com
December 13 to 28: Winter District at Jumeirah Emirates Towers
After two years of bringing Christmas cheer to Media City, Winter District returns to its original home at Emirates Towers for Christmas 2025. This year, Winter District will bring big brands, fun food concepts, and plenty of kids’ activities, including festive decor, inflatables and a huge Christmas tree. There will also be plenty of games, workshops and an escape room, plus live entertainment from 4pm each day. There will even be a Santa’s grotto for the little ones to visit and check if they’re on the nice list.
What: Winter District
Where: Emirates Towers
When: December 13 to 28
Price: TBC
Visit: @winterdistrict_3
December 18 to 21: Dubai Opera presents The Nutcracker
Tchaikovsky’s treasured Christmas performance returns to Dubai Opera for a four-day stint, this time performed by the Astrakhan Theatre Opera Ballet. First performed in 1892 at the Marinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, the popular show tells the tale of a young girl called Clara, her beloved nutcracker and the magician Drosselmeyer. She embarks on a magical adventure as her beloved Nutcracker comes to life, battles the mouse king, waltzes her through the swirling flowers of snow, and joins the Sugar Plum Fairy to reign again in his kingdom.
What: The Nutcracker
Where: Dubai opera
When: December 18 to 21
Price: From Dhs380
Visit: dubaiopera.com
December 20 to 24: Carols by Candlelight at Expo City
Get ready to sing your Christmas hearts out as the much-awaited Carols by Candlelight returns to Expo City from December 20 to 24. Enjoy enchanting carols by the Firdaus Orchestra at two shows per day, bringing back fond memories of your Christmas past with carol-singing, live dancers, and Christmas-themed projections on the iconic Al Wasl Plaza. Each show features family favourites such as Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, Silent Night, and Jingle Bells, as well as a surprise visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Doors open at 6pm for the 6.20pm show, and at 7.30pm for the 7.50pm show. Tickets include access to Expo’s Winter City, with pre-registration available now.
What: Carols by Candlelight
Where: Expo City
When: December 20 to 24
Price: Dhs150
Visit: platinumlist.net
