Madinat Jumeirah Festive is one of the most famous Christmas markets in Dubai, which starts mid December and lasts till the end of the month. The market offers a perfect blend of shopping, dining and entertainment which makes it a popular attraction among families and friends. With numerous fun activities such as North Pole Train ride and traditional Abra boat-ride with Santa, the market allures thousands of visitors every year. You can try different local festive dishes and admire the beautiful Christmas decorations via the serene waterways.
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Christmas in Dubai is incomplete without a visit to the popular Winter Garden at Habtoor city, which is held all month long. The Habtoor city transforms into a beautiful winter wonderland with themed decorations such as beautifully styled Christmas trees along with dazzling colourful lights. You can savour the festive delights like hot chocolate tablea, Pandesal, cakes and sweets while strolling through the unique food and retail stalls. For children, pet grooming and live entertainment performances by locals and renowned artists make up a joyous occasion and a stunning experience at this time.
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The wintry wonderland of the Expo city is a great place to celebrate Christmas in Dubai with numerous indulging attractions for all age groups. You can admire the local art and craft of the region, or partake in the engaging arcade games spread throughout the market. One of the highlights of the market is the myriad of stalls for seasonal food and beverages, where you can relish the tasty delights of the season. Here, you can visit Santa's House, partake in the zip line adventure or skate along with stunning Christmas projection during the night time at Al Wasl Plaza.
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Organised by expats of India, this Christmas Carnival at Gems Private School is a must visit market place during the festive season. The spectacular event is hosted on the grounds of the school and features 50 plus exhibitions by the natives. Some fun activities for kids include bouncy castle, balloon bending, train rides, face painting, magic shows and other rewarding games to keep them intrigued. You can shop souvenirs for your loved ones in this festive market and even relish the delectable dishes of the season.
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Another magnificent Christmas market in Dubai is Studioville, which is located in the courtyard of Studio one. Generally designed with a theme of a popular festive movie, it was once decorated around Grinch, where one could explore more than 30 stalls in a X-mas setting. With many festive treats, free pizza ateliers and fulfilling workshops, grooving Christmas tunes and a celebratory aura, you can have the best holiday vacation for every age group.
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Time Square Mall, one of the ultimate destinations to celebrate Christmas with your loved ones, is a stunning location to meet Santa and his elves. At the Christmas market of this mall, you can play in the snow park, or participate in the wintery games like Ring around the elf, Santa’s belly and many more. You can also click amazing pictures of the whole decoration which are covered with 5 different colours of snowflakes.
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Located in the Dubai Hills Golf Club, the HillHouse Christmas market Dubai is a must visit place for festive feels and joyous celebrations. With various magical performances, exploration of the gingerbread factory, or watching the magician Magic Phil, there are numerous activities to hold your interest. You can write letters to Santa, who is waiting at his grotto, or admire the beautiful Spinney’s Christmas tree farm for fun. With drinks, delectables and jolly treats for everyone, this is a merry place to indulge in the festive vibe.
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One of the best locations in the heart of Dubai, Mall of Emirates offers a captivating Christmas market for everyone. With shimmery lights, and themed shops all around, the mall is decorated with mistletoes, bells, candles and reindeers making it a perfect Christmas outing location. You can shop, try the authentic delicacies or enjoy the celebratory mood while strolling through the passage and various shops of the mall.
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To celebrate Christmas in Dubai, you can visit the numerous markets in the city which are open from 3 PM till midnight in the first half of the week i.e Monday to Wednesday. From Thursday to Sunday, the renowned and vibrant markets stay open from 12 PM until midnight.
There are numerous local cuisines you can find in the Christmas markets of Dubai like the local bitter chocolate called the hot chocolate tablea or Pandesal, or a traditional Filipino milk bread roll. The other tasty delights are Queso de bola, fresh grapes and Christmas ham and Edam cheese filled in red wax which you can find in all the top restaurants of Dubai.
Yes, the Christmas markets in Dubai have various special events and activities to enjoy with your loved ones. Some of them include strolling around huge Christmas trees, riding the North Pole Train or admiring the gingerbread houses. You can also ride on a traditional Abra with Santa in the Madinat waterways as well as relish the festive cuisines with a blend of Arabic tastes.
The best time to visit Dubai is from November to March because of its festive vibe everywhere. During this time, you can enjoy various activities, events and shows that allow you to immerse in the vibrant atmosphere of the city.