Dubai is turning into a winter wonderland, and you won’t believe all the Christmas magic that’s brewing here! It’s not just about presents and tinsel; whether you’re a big kid at heart or you’ve got little elves tagging along – there is something for everyone. From Pantos that’ll have you in stitches and Christmas Markets for the cutest gifts, to meeting Santa in the snow, Dubai has it all. Here’s our guide to the best festive activities here this winter.
Winter Wonderland at Ski Dubai!
Christmas is coming which means it’s time to meet the man in red – luckily in Dubai you don’t have to travel far for that authentic snow experience! Tickets are now on sale for Ski Dubai’s magical Winter Wonderland.
You can meet with the man himself to tell him what you want for Christmas, you also get a surprise gift made by Santa’s elves, signature hot chocolate, fleece gloves and a printed photo. If you want to make a day of it, you can opt for Snow Park access which includes unlimited
rides and a meet-and-greet with Santa.
Location: Ski Dubai, MOE
Date & Time: Friday 1st December to Monday 25th December, various times
Price: AED 150 to Meet Santa, Family Meets Santa (for groups of 4) at AED 550, AED 150 for Breakfast with Santa and AED 300 for Meet Santa and Snow Park access. An Early Bird price of AED 125 is available your Meet Santa ticket if you book a ticket before 30th November on select dates only.
To Book: Go to https://www.skidxb.com/…/passes-packages/winter-wonderland.
Jingle Bites and Festive Delights with Festive Afternoon Tea at The Lobby Lounge, Ritz-Carlton
For the perfect blend of luxury and Christmas cheer, Festive Afternoon Tea at The Lobby Lounge Ritz-Carlton JBR is just the ticket.
You’ll get a delicious selection of elegant sandwiches including truffled egg and asparagus and roast turkey and cranberry. And oh, the cranberry scones paired with heavenly Devonshire clotted cream, strawberry jam and zesty lemon curd are a taste of pure bliss.
There are more tempting treats from gingerbread choux to blueberry and chestnut streusel, and of course classic mince pies. And to top it all off, there’s the option to upgrade to a fantastic two-hour sparkling beverage package!
Location: The Lobby Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai (JBR).
Date & Time: Daily from Wednesday 6th December to Sunday 31st December from 12.30pm-5pm.
Price: AED 225 per person, including tea and coffee, AED 375 per person for unlimited sparkling rose for two hours, AED 95 for children from 6 to 11 years old and under 5 years are free.
To book: Please call 04 318 6150, email festive.dubai@ritzcarlton.com or visit their website.
Experience Hollywood Style Holidays at MOTIONGATE™ Dubai
MOTIONGATE™ is getting all dressed up for the festive season from Friday 8th December – Sunday 7th January with a dazzling show of lights and decorations complete with a twinkling canopy on the main boulevard. If you’re missing snow, you’re in for a treat with a downpour on Studio Central throughout the festive celebrations.
Enjoy a live show at the Hollywood Theatre, get some last minute gifts at the festive night market and shops, while enjoying crepes, cookies, churros and candy floss.
Struggling for gift ideas? The MOTIONGATE™ Dubai Annual Pass offers 12 months of unlimited park access to attractions, rides and entertainment which you can buy online at the entrance of the park.
To explore what else is in store this Christmas season go to: https://www.dubaiparksandresorts.com/en/discover/motiongate.
Kids Festive Workshop
This Christmas Kids Workshop with Toddle and Cake Social has all the perfect ingredients to be a fun, festive hit. On the day children will be able to purchase crafty kits from Toddle with Nutcracker Painting for AED 28, Christmas Slime for AED 42 and magical Glitter Snow globe or Christmas Bauble, with prices starting from AED 30. And if you’re inspired by their crafty creations and want to buy some of Toddle’s kits as gifts or stocking fillers, you can buy them on the day too.
Perhaps you’ve got children with more of a sweet tooth (don’t we all?) and that’s where Cake Social comes in with fab cookie paining kits to keep their little fingers busy! Individual cookies start at AED 15 or team up with some friends and pick up a set of 5 cookies for AED 70. They’ll also be some delicious gingerbread houses to buy to take home to fill the afternoon!
Location: Hillhouse Brasserie
Date & Time: Wednesday 20th December
Price: Hillhouse Brasserie are giving British Mums (or Dads if they are on school holiday duty) access to our special breakfast menu which includes a breakfast meal, hot drink and mince pie for AED 75, between 10am and 12pm. The little ones can order from the kids menu which is AED 25 and includes a choice of Teddy Bear Pancakes, Wibbly Wobbly Waffles or Egg and Soldiers, plus a drink. Last orders for breakfast will be taken at 11.30am.
To book: Just send an email at events@britishmums.com or WhatsApp at 058 560 4862. Don’t forget to share your name, contact number, email and any dietary requests.
Chillaxmas With the Gift of Relaxation at Saray Spa
Christmas can be super hectic, and as mums we tend to come bottom of the pile when it comes to ‘me time’. So why not book into The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai’s Saray Spa, and make the most of their Exclusive Festive Glow Packages to bring you back to your sparkly self in time for Christmas.
Start with their All About You Massage, choosing your own blend of natural oils. Then follow it up with their Bright & Luminous Facial Treatment, which helps with pigmentation issues and enhances your skin’s radiance.
For the ultimate relaxation, try Saray’s Spa’s Festive Citrus & Jasmine Spa Delight which is a Citrus Glow Exfoliation using an orange scrub for glowing skin, followed by the Floral Jasmine Serenity Massage, which will leave you feeling deeply nourished and tranquil.
Location: Saray Spa, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai (JBR).
Date & Time: Offer is valid from Friday 1st December to January 2024 with the Spa open from 10am-10pm.
Price: All About You Massage with Bright & Luminous Facial (120 minutes) is AED 900 and the Orange Body Exfoliation with Floral Jasmine Massage (90 minutes) is AED 600.
To Book: Please call 04 666 1515 or email info@sarayspathepalm.com.
Breakfast With Santa at Ski Dubai
Start a day in December a magical way, with a festive breakfast with Santa at Ski Dubai! Tuck into Christmas themed dishes and drinks and a one-of-a-kind visit from the big man in red! The meal includes your very own photo and a daily surprise from Ski Dubai’s giant
Advent Calendar.
Location: Ski Dubai, MOE.
Date & Time: Suday 10th December to Monday 25th December, from 7.30am.
Price: AED 150.
To Book: Go to https://www.skidxb.com/en-ae/ski-dubai/breakfast-with-santa.
Festive Afternoon Tea at Al Fayrooz Lounge, Jumeirah Al Qasr
While afternoon tea might be seen as a British experience, Dubai sure knows how to do it – especially at Christmas time! Al Fayrooz Lounge at Jumeirah Al Qasr are putting on a spread that’s sure to make your Christmas merry and bright!
You’ll enjoy egg custard sandwiches on milk bread alongside Pastrami Pretzels and Foie Gras. And afternoon tea wouldn’t be complete without a selection of delicious scones and deserts including Mont Blanc Tart, Chocolate Rocher and Ginger Cookies.
All of this washed down with an impressive tea collection. (We’re fans of one of their tea-based cocktails) while soaking up views of the Burj Al Arab and the meandering waterways of Madinat Jumeirah.
This afternoon tea would be our top choice to take friends and family over Christmas and is available from Monday 4th December to Sunday 7th January, from 2pm – 5pm.
It’s AED 215 for two hot drinks, AED 280 with two hot drinks and one pink gin & tonic or tea infused cocktail, AED 330 for two hot drinks and one glass of Champagne. AED 150 per child (4-12 years).
To book call: 800 323232 or go to www.jumeirah.com/alfayroozlounge/festiveafternoontea2023.
Panto Madness with Special Performances of Peter Pan and Beauty & The Beast, Along With Magic Phil’s Cirque Du Silly!
It’s Christmas so that means Panto season is nearly upon us and we’ve got some great offers, just for British Mums! Oh yes we do!
At our Special British Mums’ Performance of Peter Pan Live at Theatre by QE2 you’ll experience the magic of this beloved family favourite with live actors, stunning music, LED backdrops, vibrant costumes and seamless flying sequences. Prepare for the ultimate live entertainment – you’ll believe a boy can fly!
Location: Theatre by QE2, QE2, Port Rashid.
Date & Time: Saturday 16th December at 11am.
Price: Tickets start at AED 75 but use code TINKER20 at checkout for a fantastic 20% British Mums’ DISCOUNT for this show only!
To Book: Buy your tickets online at Platinumlist.com.
At our Special British Mums’ Performance of Beauty & The Beast you’ll follow the story of Prince Beauregarde, who was transformed into a beast by an enchantress. To break the curse, he must find love, which he discovers in Bella, a clever bookworm searching for her lost father. With the help of their funny friends, they navigate challenges, including an arrogant admirer, Gaviscon, (we love the spin on his name) who aims to kill the Beast.
Filled with enchanting music, dazzling costumes and of course audience participation, this festive pantomime will be a spellbinding treat for the whole family!
Location: Fairmont The Palm.
Date & Time: Sunday 17th December at 11am.
Price: Tickets start at AED 75 but use code GASCON20 at checkout for a fantastic 20% British Mums’ DISCOUNT for this show only!
To Book: Buy your tickets online at Platinumlist.com.
He’s British Mums’ favourite children’s (and perhaps even adult’s) entertainer. Magic Phil is back and is determined to make us feel even sillier this festive season. Magic Phil’s Cirque du Silly is making a grand return for its tenth year bringing an ALL-NEW winter family show that’ll have you rolling on the floor of Theatre by QE2 with laughter.
In this hilarious adventure, (which is just 75 minutes long, so perfect for those even with the shortest of attention spans), Magic Phil stumbles upon an old circus and all its dusty, forgotten props and tricks. And of course, Magic Phil, being Magic Phil, wants to be the BIG STAR of the big top!
Will Magic Phil steal the circus spotlight? With a wild mix of jokes flying left and right, mind-boggling tricks and even a rapping monkey (yes, you read that right!), this one-man circus is sure to be ABSOLUTE CHAOS!
Get ready for a whirlwind of silliness, meet some outrageously fun characters and, in true Magic Phil fashion, brace yourselves for tons of jokes, magic tricks, goofy songs and non-stop interaction with the audience, right from the very start to the grand finale.
Location: Theatre by QE2, QE2, Port Rashid
Date & Time: Saturday 9th December, 11am–12:15pm and 3pm–16:15pm / Sunday 10th December, 10:30pm–12:15pm.
Price: Tickets from AED 80.
To Book: Buy your tickets online at Platinumlist.com.
READ MORE:
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