As 2024 draws close, it’s time to start planning your Christmas vacation. Are you looking forward to a Dubai holiday in December? Have you considered spending December 2024 in Dubai? Imagine December in Dubai, with all the magnificent skyscrapers decked up to the skies, decorated, and lit to the nines. Whether you are a street culture fan, a cinema buff, a serious shopper, or a fan of camel racing, there’s tons of fun planned for December this year. Winter is the ideal time to visit Dubai; the weather is perfect and sets the stage for a whirlwind of year-end festivities and fun! Most of Dubai’s major festivals and events take place in December, so why wait? Let’s look at what Dubai has in store for us in December 2024!
Best Things to Do in Dubai in December
1. Dubai Shopping Festival
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The best time for bargain hunters and retail therapy freaks is here. The great annual Dubai Shopping Festival begins on December 6, 2024, and goes on until January 12, 2025. The entire city of Dubai is decked out during the festival, with every market, mall, retail store, and shopping mall putting up slashed prices and promotions, up to 90 percent. Fashion, electronics, toys, vehicles, jewelry, and much more, all from designer and top-tier brands, will go dirt cheap. Don’t miss it! The annual Dubai Shopping Festival is attended by international celebrities, chefs, regular folks, and royalty. This highly popular festival attracts everyone who’s anyone, making it one of the best things to do in December in Dubai.
2. UAE National Day
2024 marks the 53rd National Day for the UAE. On December 2, the entire city of Dubai transforms into a festive city. You have a whole week of great activities, including fabulous car parades, colorful carnivals, stunning fireworks, entertainment at every mall and venue, etc. With long holidays, it is also the time to check out Dubai’s brand-new attractions, such as Ain Dubai, the View at the Palm, etc., or even make an off-beat trip to its nearby emirates on a Sharjah City Tour from Dubai or a Jebel Jais Zipline tour.
Suggested Read: Top Things to Do in Dubai during UAE National Day3. A White Christmas At Ski Dubai
Imagine experiencing the magic of Christmas in one of the world’s most happening cities; yes, but the sun is shining hot, and it doesn’t feel like Christmas. So what? Head out to Ski Dubai, where a giant Christmas tree graces the top slope, transforming the entire ice resort into a white Christmas wonderland. Watch as Santa zooms around in his vehicle while little elves run across the ice on their sturdy little feet. Dip into a warm chocolate fondue at the Après café overlooking Ski Dubai as you enjoy your white Christmas. What fun!
Suggested Read: Ski Dubai – Experience Indoor Skiing in Dubai
4. Christmas Aqua Acrobatics Performance at La Perle
The legendary Franco Dragone pulls out all stops this year to put on an incredible aqua acrobatics performance at La Perle. 65 talented artists perform spectacular aerial acts and stunts while diving into a huge aqua stage filled with about 2 million liters of water. Cascading waterfalls, streams, and cool water bodies add more interest. The fast-paced acrobatics, accompanied by 25-meter-high dives, and the fantastical costumes make for an amazing show. Don’t miss out on this Christmas special!
Suggested Read: La Perle Dubai – All You Need to Know
5. Winter Wonderland at Expo City
The Winter City is one of the popular Dubai events in December at the iconic Expo City. Check out the white wonderland, admire the Christmas tree and fantastic lighting, and let your little ones have endless with the event’s association with Toys R us. There will be Snowglobe and live stage performances. It’s a place where kids and adults can enjoy themselves from December 6 to 31. 2024.
6. The Great British Christmas Ball
The British Business Group will have its major annual Great British Christmas Ball on December 7, 2024. The venue is the British Embassy Gardens. Enjoy a traditional British Christmas dinner, along with a traditional Yule log and Christmas pudding, after the fun parties. If you love all things British, then don’t miss this annual Christmas ball with its traditional dance and British formalities. You’ll feel all English for a night!
7. Hot Air Balloon Ride
Dubai is a wondrous city where the untouched and alluring desert landscape exists shoulder to shoulder with towering skyscrapers and record-breaking sights. Take a thrilling yet tranquil hot air balloon ride to admire the jaw-dropping sunrise views and the unparalleled desert scenery from a sky-high perspective. With salubrious weather and a refreshing breeze, there is no better time than in December to enjoy this airborne activity.
8. Christmas Festivities At Atlantis The Palm
Get ready for the world’s most spectacular New Year’s celebration at Atlantis, The Palm, in December. It becomes an enchanting winter wonderland. Traditional foods and treats can be found in the Festive Village. The many award-winning restaurants at the Atlantis will put on grand feasts.
Suggested Read: Best Things to do at Atlantis the Palm Dubai
9. Fort Island’s Festive Christmas Market
Visit the winter wonderland at Madinat Jumeirah in December. It’ll be the biggest winter wonderland of your life, all 1,750 square meters of it. Float through beautifully decorated waterways and meander through Souk Madinat Jumeirah, from one beautiful Christmas fest to the next. Discounts abound in shops, cafes, and restaurants, and there’s plenty of fun for everyone. There will even be a lavish Christmas party, with enriched by exciting sights and sounds.
10.Experience the Exciting Bollywood Shows
Dubai in December is rife with the most exciting live concerts, shows, and performances. And the Hindi movie fans are in for a treat, as they get the rare chance to see all their beloved stars during some of these shows. See the Asha Bhosle and Sonu Nigam Legacy Concert in Dubai (on December 29), as these two music legends unite for their debut performance together in Dubai. Another must-attend event for Bollywood lovers is the DA-BANGG Reloaded Concert on December 7, led by Salman Khan and joined by a huge lineup of stars, including Prabhu Deva, Sonakshi Sinha, and Tamannaah Bhatia, to name a few.
11. Desert Safari
Dubai’s desert is pleasantly cool and calm in December, making desert safari a staple program to add to your Dubai itinerary. Go on an exhilarating dune bash, enjoy quad biking, and try Dubai camel riding, among others, as part of your desert safari. Choose from a morning, evening, or overnight desert safari. You can also sign up for an exclusive New Year Party Desert Safari package. It offers the rare chance to welcome the New Year in an authentic yet captivating Arabian setting in the middle of the desert.
12. Dubai Parks And Resorts Christmas
Image Credit: gulfnews.com
Dubai Parks and Resorts is gearing up for a terrific Christmas festival this year. There’ll be exciting fireworks displays at Riverland Dubai in December. You can watch the amazing fireworks from one of the 40 restaurants and shops in Dubai Parks and Resorts. There’ll also be a gala Christmas tree at LEGOLAND for the kids. The entire Dubai Parks and Resorts will be decorated to the nines with Christmas decorations to add to the fun.
How to Book: Book online tickets for Dubai Parks and Resorts! Click to book now!
13. Join Biswa Kalyan Rath Live in Dubai
Biswa Kalyan Rath is a popular standup comedian with a huge social media fan following. He has also proved his mettle as an actor with his presence on Amazon and Netflix web series. See him performing live in Dubai on December 14, 2024, at Dubai College Auditorium.
14. Visit Christmas Markets
The seasonal Christmas markets that pop up across Dubai’s hotspots complement the region’s pleasant weather and festive ambiance. Head to the Winter District at its brand-new location in Dubai Media City Amphitheatre or immerse yourself in the authentic winter vibe at Habtoor Palace Dubai’s Winter Garden. More fun and exciting experiences await you at Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market and Jumeirah Golf Estate’s Christmas Market and Festival.
15. Dhow Cruise
As the weather is at its best in December, it is one of the best times to go on a dhow cruise. This roughly two-hour sail within a traditional dhow lets you see Dubai’s majestic, flood-lit sights from the water. Feast on lavish buffet dining and be in awe at the dizzying performances of Tanura artists as you sit back and enjoy the cruise. Sign up for the Premium Dhow Cruise Dubai Marina or Dubai Cruise to make the most of this experience in Dubai. There are also exclusive cruises to celebrate the arrival of 2025, such as the New Year Party in Dubai Marina and New Year Party in Dubai Creek, with buffet dinner, live entertainment, fruit champagne, and a special New Year cake.
16. New Year Party at Dubai Marina
Besides sightseeing, a dhow cruise also makes a perfect venue to welcome the New Year. Choose this exclusive New Party in Dubai Marina package to count down to 2025 in an atmospheric setting with a delicious buffet dinner, a special New Year’s Eve cake, live entertainment, and fruit champagne. The glitzy cityscape of Dubai Marina sets the perfect background for your New Year celebrations.
17. New Year Party at Dubai Creek
A New Year Party in Dubai Creek is another cruise package to consider for those seeking a classic ambiance to ring in 2025 against the perfect fusion of old and new sights. It also offers a buffet dinner, live entertainment, fruit champagne, and a special New Year cake.
You might be interested – Dubai in January | Dubai in FebruaryFAQs
1. Is it worth traveling to Dubai in December?
December is one of the best months to visit Dubai. It is when the city comes to life with fantastic sights and exciting events like the Dubai Shopping Festival. Add to this Christmas decorations, lighting, and special New Year festivities that take over the city throughout the month.
2. Is Dubai extremely cold in December?
It may not be extremely cold in Dubai in December, but it is definitely pleasant, with the average temperature between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius.
3. What are the must-visit attractions on my December trip to Dubai?
Make sure you visit Global Village, Dubai Miracle Garden, Dubai Garden Glow, etc., on your Dubai visit in December.
4. Is traveling to Dubai in December ideal for outdoor activities?
Dubai is a destination with ample sunshine all through the year. But it becomes unbearable during the summer and incredibly inviting and delightful in the winter months, especially in December, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
Conclusion
Christmas and New Year’s Day are global occasions; they are not limited to religion or region. Dubai is itself a global city with a huge population of expats. Dubai hosts some of the world’s most glamorous Christmas and New Year events, sparing no expense. When you’re in Dubai during Christmas and the New Year, you’ll not remember that Dubai is an Islamic city and Christmas festivities aren’t part of the nation’s households. The entire city falls into Christmas and New Year’s festivities with such gusto and international pizzazz that you’ll simply think you’re in a western nation that’s pulled out all the stops over Christmas.
