As 2023 draws close, it’s time to start planning for your Christmas vacation. Are you looking forward to a Dubai holiday in December? Have you considered spending December 2023 in Dubai? Imagine December in Dubai, when all the magnificent skyscrapers are 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 in December this year. Winter is the perfect time to visit Dubai as well; the weather is perfect, and it’s time for a whole horde of year-end fun! Most of Dubai’s major festivals and events are held in December as well, so what are we waiting for? Let’s take a look at what Dubai has in store for us in December 2023!
Best Things to Do in Dubai in December
1. Dubai Shopping Festival
Image Credit: gulfnews.com
The best time for bargain hunters and retail therapy freaks is here. The great annual Dubai Shopping Festival begins on December 8, 2023 and goes on until January 14. 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, all the way up to 90 percent. Fashion, electronics, toys, vehicles, jewelry, and much, 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, royalty, and more. Anyone who is anyone will be there; that’s the popularity of this festival, which is one of the best things to do in Dubai in December.
2. UAE National Day
2023 marks the 52nd National Day for the UAE. On December 2, the entire city of Dubai transforms into a festive city. You have a full week of great activities, including fabulous car parades, colorful carnivals, stunning fireworks, entertainment at every mall and venue, and much more. Kite Beach usually puts on a stunning display. We are curious to know what decorations Kite Beach will put up in 2023. Fingers crossed, eh? It’s one of the most exciting mysteries in Dubai in December, something we all look forward to each year. 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
Christmas in one of the most happening cities in the world, yes, but the sun is shining hot and it doesn’t feel like Christmas. So what? Head out to Ski Dubai, where a grand Christmas tree is pegged on the top slope, and the entire ice resort is transformed into a magical white Christmas kingdom. You’ll see Santa zooming about in his vehicle and little elves running about on their sturdy little feet over the ice. 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 City
The Winter City is one of the popular Dubai events in December. It starts on December 15 and lasts until January 14, 2024 at the iconic Expo City. Meet Mr. Santa and Mrs. Claus, check out the white wonderland, and admire the Christmas tree and fantastic lighting. There will be Snowglobe and live stage performances. It’s a place where kids and adults can enjoy themselves throughout the month of December.
6. The Great British Christmas Ball
The British Business Group will have its major annual Great British Christmas Ball in 2023 on December 9, from 06:30 PM to 11:00 AM. 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 cool 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 this year. The Atlantis transforms into 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 Xmas Market
Visit the winter wonderland at Madinat Jumeirah from December 15, 2023, to January 7, 2024. 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. 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.
11. 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 be a gala Christmas tree at LEGOLAND as well 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!
Reviews
12. 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 2024, 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.
13. New Year Party in 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 2024 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.
14. New Year Party in Dubai Creek
A New Year Party in Dubai Creek is another cruise package to consider for those seeking a classic ambiance to ring in 2024 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 puts on some of the most glamorous Christmas and New Year events ever seen in the world, sparing no costs. 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.
