There’s nothing quite like a Christmas market to put you well and truly in the holiday spirit. And this year, Dubai has serval markets to check out.
Work your way through your Christmas list while the kids meet Santa and get stuck into some festive activities, gingerbread decorating and more.
Bab Al Shams
The desert festive market is on at Bab Al Shams from 6pm to 10pm every day between December 12 and December 20 where you can pick up some last-minute gifts. And with a huge Christmas tree complete with Santa Claus carriage, mulled grape, hot chocolate, festive sing-a-longs with mince pies and more, there's plenty to get everyone jingle belling into the spirit of the holidays. It's Dhs50 for kids, which is redeemable against food and drinks, while adults get in for free.
Dhs50 (kids), free (adults). 6pm-10pm Dec 12-Dec20. Al Forsan Garden, Bab Al Shams, BAS.Alforsan@meydanhotels.com (04 809 6202).
Looking for some more family-friendly festive activities to add to the winter schedule? Grand Hyatt has a buzzing Christmas Garden offering plenty of activities for the kids to get stuck into. The hotel's magical Christmas garden is open every weekend until December 26. Until Boxing Day, families can visit the Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 3pm and 10pm to get some serious festive feels. Best of all, entry is absolutely free. There are food trucks, retail stores and more.
Free entry. 3pm-10pm, Thu, Fri, Sat until Dec 26. Grand Hyatt Dubai Oud Metha Road, Dubai Healthcare City Riyadh Street, Dubai, www.hyatt.com (04 317 1234).
Mall of the Emirates Tired of wandering around the mall? Here’s something to perk you up. Until December 24, Christmas shoppers can check out the mall’s first ever festive market, which comes to the shopping complex courtesy of The Ripe Market. Nineteen stalls are selling loads of holiday-themed trinkets and gifts. Plus, while you’re there it’s time to pull on that baubble hat and mittens, Ski Dubai is back with its annual winter wonderland. The event runs all the way until Christmas Day, so if you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, this is it. Kids can meet some Christmassy characters including the big man in red and some helpful elves, too.
Dhs125 (winter wonderland at Ski Dubai). Tue Dec 1-Fri Dec 25 9am-9pm. Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, www.skidxb.com/christmas (800 386).
The first ever Studioville Festive Market is kicking off on December 12 from 10am to 7pm. Held in the courtyard, the festive market will have various stalls, where you can grab a last minute gift or simply enjoy a Christmas day out with the family. There will be free pizza for the kiddos and fun festive workshops provided by Busy Kids Studio to keep the little ones entertained while you browse the stalls fort gifts, homemade treasures and stocking fillers.
10am-7pm Dec 12. Studio One Hotel, Dubai Studio City, Dubai, www.studioonehotel.com.
The Ripe Market
During the cool months in Dubai, The Ripe Market is packed with people enjoying the atmosphere and looking for unique gifts and homemade trinkets at the various stalls dotted around Academy Park. This year, The Ripe Market is donning its elf hat to go all out Christmassy, and we can’t wait. Every weekend from December 4 to December 26, there will be plenty of festive fun for everyone. Little ones can meet Santa in his grotto, get involved in some gingerbread making, decorate some cookies and take part in some Christmas workshops while you browse the stalls for some unique gifts. You can even pick up a real Christmas tree, just make sure it fits in the car! Then gather around the Christmas tree at the end of the afternoon to watch the tree lighting ceremony. Oooh, ahhh.
9am-7pm Fri, 10am-7pm Sat, Dec 4-Dec 26. The Ripe Market, Academy Park, Dubai, www.ripeme.com.
A huge Christmas extravaganza is coming to JBR and we can’t wait! There are 30 days of festivities to look forward to throughout December and given the line-up, you’ll be grateful it is on for so long. A digital pavilion promises to transport little ones and their parents to a far-off land of snow and reindeer thanks to 3D animation – if that doesn’t put you in the holiday spirit, we don’t know what will. A cool light show, various festive games including snowball fights, mini golf and inflated slides, a cool snow globe with flying snow and a mini train that travels along the promenade. There will also be a Santa’s sleigh, live music performances and plenty of places to grab a cup of coffee or some snacks.
December 2020. JBR, The Walk, Dubai.
For a festive market with a difference, Butcha and Babaji at Dubai's City Walk will be hosting a Christmas-themed Turkish bazaar. Expect Turkish ice cream and all the fun with the metal rod pounding, plus Turkish coffee, retail artisan items for sale, kids activities such as face painting and more. Kids hungry? You can feed them at various eateries for less with plenty of special offers to take advantage of. Best of all, it's free to attend.
Free. Dec 24-Dec 26. Butcha and Babaji, City Walk Dubai.
Commentaires