25 Fantastic festive family things to do in Dubai this weekend

From Christmas carol concerts to winter wonderlands, Santa’s grottos, magical markets and festive brunches, there is so much to get you into the holiday spirit this weekend…

SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS WITH THE CHILDREN OF BEIRUT: Come together with your family and friends to take part in an uplifting message of hope and festivities, designed to let the children in Beirut know that Dubai cares. Organised by Art For All, in collaboration with Beirut-basedTania Kassis Academy and the Dubai Bilingual French International School, this will feature a selection of the most beloved Christmas songs, and will star well-known singer Wim Hoste, and presenter Natalie Mamo. DETAILS: We Sing: Christmas carols for the children of Lebanon, Dec 10, 8pm, 55 mins, The Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Dh75 per ticket, info@artforall.ae or call 050 8805074, see Bookmyshow or Virgin.

FROLIC WITH ELVES AT SOUK MADINAT’S WINTER WONDERLAND: The popular Winter Wonderland is back for 2020, where families can enjoy a central Festive Garden with choral carol singing and garden games, outdoor movie nights featuring holiday favourites like Home Alone and The Grinch, kids crafting workshops and a Santa’s Grotto between 10 – 26 December. Entrance to Santa’s Grotto will be free and manned by elves, where children will be able to enjoy the magic of Christmas daily from 4pm to 7pm. The central courtyard will also be transformed Santa’s workshop with a packed schedule of kids workshops and art stations from 10 to 26 December, running between 12pm to 10pm. Activities include canvas painting, string art, creation of DIY snow globe jars; decoupage with Christmas themed cut-outs, and painting sessions where kids can paint their own Christmas house, and more.

TAKE PART IN THE SANTA FUN RUN: Work off all those mince pies and enjoy some festive family fitness with The Santa Run at Dubai Festival City. Open for all ages and abilities and covering two distances of 2.5km and 5km, the run will start at 8am, and will cover the Festival Bay at Dubai Festival City Mall, Promenade, and Marsa Plaza. While participants will receive a free Santa t-shirt, hat and beard, they are also welcomed to be creative with their own Santa outfits to compete for attractive best dressed Santa prizes. Best 5 dressed Santa prizes including festive goodies wrapped for Christmas. DETAILS: Santa Run, Friday 11 December, 7am, www.raceme.ae/santa.

SWAY TO JAZZY XMAS TUNES AT SANTA BABY AT DUBAI OPERA: The magic of the holidays will be celebrated in full swing as all of your favorite festive hits will be performed in a not so traditional, jazzy holiday fashion. Concert goers can expect swinging renditions of Yo Tannenbaum, Everybody's Waitin' For The Man With The Bag, Christmas Time Is Here, Silver Bells, All I Want For Christmas Is You, and even a hilarious 12 Bars of Christmas. DETAILS: 2pm and 8pm on Friday 11 December, from Dh190 including house beverage, Dubaiopera.com.

DESIGN YOUR ULTIMATE CUP OF COCOA AT THE DIY HOT CHOCOLATE BAR AT LA SERRE: Great fun for the little ones, La Serre Boulangerie is now home to a DIY Christmas Hot Chocolate Bar, where guests can top their cup of warming cocoa with everything from mini meringue coated with white chocolate, crunchy caramel, popping candy, crushed gingerbread marshmallows and more. DETAILS: Priced at Dh25 for hot chocolate with toppings, or Dh30 for white hot chocolate with toppings. Available till end of December at La Sere, Downtown Dubai.

WATCH A MERRY MOVIE IN THE SNOW: Nothing says Noel like a festive movie, and the only way to guarantee a white Christmas in the desert is at Ski Dubai, with their brand-new Snow Cinema. From 11 December until the end of February, guests can snuggle up and get cosy while enjoying the magic of movies, surrounded by real snow. Meet Santa Claus in his grotto, followed by a screening of a family-friendly festive favourite such as The Grinch, Frozen 2 or Daddy’s Home 2. Snow Cinema provides table service so you can munch on gourmet popcorn, or choose from North 28’s menu, featuring everything from Raclette, to mince pies and Peppermint Hot Chocolate. DETAILS: Shows daily at 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm. From Dh100 per person, including cinema ticket and F&B package consisting of a signature hot chocolate, popcorn and bottle of water. Or book the VIP Chalet at Dh800 for four people, which includes a cinema ticket, two-course meal from North 28 Restaurant, a hand warmer, premium gloves and beanie as well as an F&B package consisting of signature hot chocolate popcorn and bottle of water. All guests at Snow Cinema will receive rental clothing, fleece gloves, socks, boots, a blanket, wireless headphones and a dedicated locker. Skidxb.com.

MAKE A CHRISTMAS MEMORY BOOK WITH STORY FOR ME: Remember the good times from 2020 and cherish precious holiday memories forever with a gorgeous Christmas Memory Book from homegrown, UAE mum-owned company Story For Me. This DIY photo book has so many adorable ways to encourage children to be creative and write, stick and frame your festive fun, making for an excellent holiday activity and an invaluable keepsake. Including Christmas-themed jokes, stickers and DIY activities like making your own Christmas ornaments, this is a gift that will not only keep kids busy, but will keep on giving over the years as a wonderful memory album. Available online across the GCC at www.storyforme.me for Dh75.

FEEL NOSTALGIC WATCHING THE SNOWMAN: Art For All presents the longest-running Christmas show in English theatre history: The Snowman. Based on Raymond Brigg's much-loved book and featuring Howard Blake's classic song Walking In The Air, this enchanting live show has thrilled audiences throughout the world since first appearing on stage over twenty-five years ago. Be a part of the magic with a screening of a West End performance of this much-loved show in the traditional, red-velvet-seated theatre in Mall of the Emirates. DETAILS: Friday Dec 11, 11am at The Theatre Mall of the Emirates (there will be further screenings), Dh45, for 2 years and upwards, Artforall.ae.

SNAP A PROFESSIONAL FESTIVE FAMILY PHOTO: Stu Williamson Photography will be running fun festive shoots from now until the end of December every Thursday and Friday. For Dh450 +VAT, the whole family can enjoy a 20 minute session and receive 2 retouched images. Other products are available to purchase separately. DETAILS: info@stu.ae or call 044573417.

POST A LETTER TO SANTA (AND GET A HANDWRITTEN REPLY): From now until the end of December, children can stop by natural children’s retail store Eggs & Soldiers – located on the ground floor of Times Square Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai – with their letters, and post them to Santa via its beautiful wooden post office, with no postage fee required! If you get down to post them before December 18th your children will receive a handwritten reply from Santa himself, which will arrive for collection at the store in good time for Christmas.

ENJOY SOME SEASONAL SILLINESS AT MAGIC PHIL’S MERRY MUDDLE: ‘Tis the season to stay silly! Join the UAE’s favourite Children’s magician and radio star, Magic Phil as he sprinkles some extra magic on board the QE2 this Christmas. A show full of seasonal songs, magic tricks and lots of audience interaction! DETAILS: Shows at 11am, 2pm and 5pm on both 11 and 12 December, from Dh100, Theatrebyqe2.com.

GO GLICE SKATING AND JOURNEY TO THE NORTH POLE: Opening on December 12, the outstanding Winter Wonderland at JBR features an all-new digital pavilion, several street performances, a glice-skating rink, a visit from Santa, as well as all the traditional favourites. The immersive multimedia show creates a realm of wonder using 360 projections with holograms. Enjoy a magical 15-minute walk through a narrated ‘Journey to the North Pole’, complete with twinkling palaces, lollipop trees and snow-capped forests. Adding to the magical setting are the incredible decorations that include thousands of lights, Christmas trees, life-size toy soldiers – and constant snowfall to add. The festive village also includes a variety of fun activities for the little ones, including a glice-skating rink, bouncy castle and slide, and Build A Bear stations. Food kiosks, set up along the walkway, offer festive favourites like mulled grape (non-alcohol), hot apple and cranberry pie, grilled raclette cheese and roast beef sandwiches, baked potatoes and turkey sausages, and hot chocolate with a selection of toppings. DETAILS: Entry for a single activity from Dh28, all activities from D123. Family packages for four from Dh463, digital pavilion show can be accessed separately for Dh70pp. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. From 12 Dec until 7 Jan, 12pm to 10pm weekdays, until 12am weekends.

TASTE A 700-METRE STOLLEN CAKE: Celebrating its 15th year of selling record amounts of the festive German treat, Mall of the Emirates, has partnered with Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates to raise charity funds. Right in time for the season of giving the annual stollen charity cake sale will be hosted on the 11th of December at the Mall of the Emirates’ Central Galleria. This year a 700-metre stollen cake will be available for guests to purchase and contribute to the cause for the community to share a smile in this fun family day. All proceeds will go to Dubai Centre of Special needs.

SAIL TO SANTA’S ISLAND: Santa’s Island is back at Bluewaters, where you can enjoy drone light shows, live musical performances, roaming entertainers, a range of festive pop-up stores and retail offers, as well as a .dedicated arts and crafts area for children, theming how to create artful cotton ball snowmen, winter hats, paper Christmas trees and mitten globes throughout the season. DETAILS: From 10-26 December, Bluewaters Island.

HIRE A PRIVATE SCREENING OF YOUR FAVE FESTIVE FILM: Want something extra special to get you in the holiday mood? Hire the private screening room at Studio One hotel and enjoy a Christmas classic movie forDh699 for up to 12 people (kids or adults), including festive candies and popcorn. DETAILS: Daily throughout December, booking essential.

BAG A DELICIOUS BARGAIN AT CIRCLE CAFÉ: From the 1 December Circle Café has been running a different deal every day for its 12 Days of Christmas promotion. You can grab the last three days this weekend: On Thursday 10 December, order one main course at any Circle location after 4pm and get a second main course free.⁠ ⁠On Friday 11 December enjoy 25% off all whole cake orders made via WhatsApp (056 771 4908) prices range from Dh140 to Dh240, including Vanilla Fudge Butter Cream, Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake, Carrot Cake, and lots more. Then on Saturday get 25% off all Circle Turkey Boxes ordered via WhatsApp (056 771 4908) on this date. Boxes cost Dh349 and include a whole roasted 5.5kg-6kg turkey, choice of traditional stuffing or oriental rice⁠, homemade mashed potato⁠, sweet potato crumble⁠, turkey gravy⁠, cranberry sauce⁠, and a whole pumpkin pie⁠.

FEAST ON A FESTIVE FAMILY BRUNCH: The Playhouse Brunch at Swissotel Al Ghuarair welcomes the festive spirit with aplomb starting every Friday from the 4 December. Little Explorers will enjoy an array of festive-themed activities to go along with the delicious buffet, from Gingerbread House decorating to becoming Santa’s little helpers with the special letters to Santa activity. Every Friday in December: 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th December, 12:30pm to 4:00pm, Dh160 per person for adults, Dh80 for kids age 6 to 12 years, Children age 6 and below dine free, Gingerbread House activity is an additional Dh45 per child. www.swissotel.com/hotels/dubai-al-ghurair.

ENJOY AN ORGANIC, TRADITIONAL FESTIVE MARKET: Ripe market has gone crazy for Chrimbo this Dcember, and and until 26 December will be offering all the ingredients of a traditional European festive market, including a Santa’s Grotto, photos with Father Christmas, buying real Christmas trees, tree lighting ceremony, gingerbread making, cookie decorating, workshops and much more. Meanwhile parents can relax, enjoy the festive food and beverage, and listen to the seasonal songs. DETAILS: Ripe market at Police Academy Park, Umm Suqeim, Fridays 9am-7pm, Saturdays 10am-7pm, until 26 December. Dh5 entry to the park.

SNAP UP A FESTIVE FAMILY OFFER TO SEE VAN GOGH: The Theatre of Digital Art is launching a festive offer just for families from December 10-26, which will give families who buy two adult tickets one child’s ticket for free. You can still catch ToDA’s premiere exhibition, titled ‘From Monet to Kandinsky, Revolutionary Art’, which features the most important art movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, showcasing masterpieces by Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Wassily Kandinsky, Georges Seurat, Paul Cézanne, Edvard Munch, Juan Gris, Robert Delaunay and Paul Klee. There is also a dedicated children’s space with plenty of interactive and immersive exhibits. DETAILS: The free ticket can be claimed at the box office in Souk Madinat Jumeirah. The offer is valid for online bookings and direct sales. www.toda.ae.

SEARCH FOR STOCKING STUFFERS AT MOE FESTIVE MARKET: Mall of the Emirates’ first ever festive market overlooks the magical snowy slopes of Ski Dubai and is held in collaboration with Ripe Market. This unique festive market is made of 19 vendors with a rich range of festive food and beverage favourites and holiday-themed trinkets and gifts. Guests and visitors to Mall of the Emirates will also be allowed to donate their SHARE rewards points to the Emirati Red Crescent in order to help vulnerable members of society and ensure everyone gets to enjoy a truly great and memorable festive season. Free entry, running daily until 24 December 2020.

LOUNGE IN YOUR MUMMY & ME PJs: If there’s ever a time when chilling in your jim jams at home over the weekend can be justified, it’s the festive season, during a pandemic. The latest range of nightwear from SleePJs now includes an adorable ‘Mummy and Me’ collection of matching pieces for mummy and her little mini-me – perfect for lounging round the house of a Friday morning before a lazy weekend breakfast. The luxury nightwear brand also has a range of cotton and silk Classic PJ Sets (brilliant if you haven’t bought your Christmas PJs yet!), Boyfriend Shirts, Silk PJs and Shorts sets, alongside some cute, matching options for the littles. They also have a range of lovely festive gifts, including a Sleepover Gift Box, containing pyjamas, and beauty and wellness treats. Sleepjs.com/collections/mother-daughter.

MEET SANTA AND ENJOY FREE FESTIVE FUN AT DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY: Jingle on down to The Festive Experience in Dubai Festival City for lots of fab and free fun, including a festive maze, enchanted polar bear valley, sing-a-longs, live performances, Gingerbread House workshops and a Santa’s Grotto. The enchanted Polar Bear Valley takes you on a magical walk through beautiful ever green fir trees, snow drifts, polar bears and reindeers to get to the Festive Market which features a huge tree, as well as a Santa’s Grotto with meet and greet available (through COVID-compliant screen, daily from 4pm, Dh50 for photo souvenir). A tree lighting ceremony every day at 6pm will feature snowfall and hourly sing-along performances, there will be carnival rides, festive jugglers ad mimes, as well as a selection of festive retail and f&b kiosks. DETAILS: AT Dubai Festival City, from 6 to 29 December, 4pm to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday and 4pm to 11pm from Thursday to Saturday, free entry and most entertainment is free.

HAVE A HASSLE-FREE (AND POCKET-FRIENDLY) FESTIVE FEAST AT HOME: Meal app Food Nation Go has added nutritious festive feasts to its range of homely easy-cook ‘Family Bakes’, ideal for UAE households looking for restaurant-standard ready meals which are both tasty and nutritious. Order on the app by 8pm and your meal choices will be cooked overnight and delivered to your home the next day. It’s simple, no meal plans or sign-ups, and the meal trays - which feed four to six - are easily heated in the oven or microwave, non-processed, additive free, naturally low in sugar and saturated fat and made from quality-sourced ingredients. They’re also freezer friendly so you can stock up for the week ahead. On the menu are hearty favourites such as the Beef Lasagne, Cottage Pie, and Roast Chicken Dinner with all the Trimmings. Vegetarian meal trays include the delicious Spinach and Pumpkin Cannelloni, and Cauliflower Lasagne. Prices for the Family Bakes start from an incredibly pocket-friendly Dh70 – cheaper than scratch and batch cooking yourself! Download the Food Nation Go app on the App store or Google Play.

GET FREE PIZZA AND FESTIVE WORKSHOPS AT STUDIOVILLE FESTIVE MARKET: Studio One will transform into Studioville on December 12, so whether you’re a Christmas Grinch or a Cindy Lou, Studio One will have something for you! Held in the courtyard, the Festive Market will have various stalls, where you can grab gifts or simply enjoy a Christmas Day Out with the Family. There will be free pizza for kids and other fun festive workshops provided by Busy Kids Studio, plus festive treats, food and lots of Christmas music. DETAILS: Dec 12, 10am – 7pm, free entry, Studio One Hotel, Studio City, Dubai.

DELIGHT IN A STARLIT DESERT FESTIVE GARDEN AND MARKET: Desert hotel Bab Al Shams has transformed its garden into a decadent desert wonderland, featuring a stunning 40-foot Christmas tree, 20 Christmas stalls, a meet and greet with Santa, and loads of delicious F&B offerings including mulled wine, hot chocolate and minced pies. DETAILS: Al Forsan Garden,12 December to 20 December 2020, 6 PM to 10 PM Dh50 per child, fully redeemable towards F&B, Adults enter complimentary.