Get your calendars out – exhilarating adventures, brunch and culture await.
As we begin the countdown to Christmas, there are plenty of ways to enjoy festive fun in Dubai. From holiday feasts to late-night treats – we’ve got you covered with our picks of the week.
Monday 15 December
Try the Acqua di Parma menu
The FACT award-winning L’Amo Bistro del Mare is leaning into the festive season with a glowing collaboration with Acqua di Parma. Expect the dining room to feel like a warm winter hideaway, complete with a signature Acqua di Parma tree, handcrafted wreaths and holiday candles. Executive Chef Alessandro Salvatico has also created a special menu inspired by northern Italian winters, alongside cocktails designed to echo the Maison’s unmistakable scent universe. Available throughout the festive season.
GO: Call 04 278 4800 for more information.
Tuesday 16 December
Book a festive afternoon tea
Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai is serving a seasonal Afternoon Tea at The Lobby Lounge, inspired by Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer. Think cloud-soft styling, edible Christmas baubles, festive pastries, seasonal classics and plenty of white chocolate indulgence, all wrapped up in a celebration of colour and holiday magic. Available daily from 2pm to 6pm. AED 195 per person.
GO: Visit www.mandarinoriental.com for more information.
Wednesday 17 December
Rock out with Rod Stewart in Abu Dhabi
British music icon Rod Stewart heads to Etihad Arena on 17 December, bringing a hit-packed setlist that spans decades. Expect singalong staples including Forever Young, Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, and The First Cut Is the Deepest. With two Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions, a Grammy Living Legend Award and a knighthood (plus more than 250 million records sold), this is a legacy live show worth the road trip.
GO: Visit www.livenation.me for more information.
Thursday 18 December
Watch The Nutcracker at Dubai Opera
A festive favourite for all ages, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker follows Clara and her Prince through a dreamlike world of snow and sweets. First staged in 1892, it remains the ultimate holiday tradition, thanks to its timeless score, theatrical sparkle and feel-good magic. This Christmas, Dubai Opera welcomes the Astrakhan Theatre Opera Ballet from Russia for performances running from 18 to 21 December 2025.
GO: Visit www.dubaiopera.com for more information.
Friday 19 December
Check out the latest culinary collab at Moonrise
This December, the FACT award-winning Moonrise hosts a two-night collaboration with Chef Solemann Haddad, joined by Chef Christiaan Stoop of Taian Table in Shanghai. Together, they’ll deliver a bespoke tasting menu built around contrast and harmony: Chef Solemann’s “Dubai Cuisine” meets Chef Christiaan’s fine-tuned precision from a kitchen that has retained Three MICHELIN Stars. Expect Middle Eastern ingredients, French technique and global influences in one tightly curated dialogue. Available on 19 and 20 December. AED 1,400 per person.
GO: Visit moon-rise.xyz for more information.
Saturday 20 December
Watch Once Upon a Time in Dubai
Once Upon a Time in Dubai will host its premiere at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, marking a historic first for the region with a large-scale theatrical production of its kind. Set against the city itself, the show follows Will, a London-based artist who moves to Dubai with dreams of creating a musical spectacle alongside his partner, Sophia, as they explore the culture, ambition and energy of the city. Head to the opening night and witness this musical live as a great way to kick off the festive season.
GO: Visit https://onceuponatimeindubai.com for more information.
Sunday 21 December
Sing along with Himesh Reshammiya
For those who grew up in the 2000s, Himesh Reshammiya was impossible to ignore. He started as a music composer working behind the scenes, burst onto the mainstream with a sound that was unique, with a nasal tone and a cap that became his signature. It is this trademark look that has now become a symbol of his fandom and has turned him into a pop-culture phenomenon. Expect a night at Coca-Cola Arena stacked with the songs that made him a phenomenon. From “Jhalak Dikhla Ja,” “Hookah Bar,” “Tera Suroor,” “Aap Ki Kashish,” and “Aashiq Banaya Aapne,” to the endlessly quotable “Tandoori Nights.”
GO: Visit www.coca-cola-arena.com for more information.
