The ultimate festive listings for where to celebrate your Christday Day and Christmas Eve dinner across the UAE.
It’s that time of year! Christmas across the region becomes infinitely more festive every year, with all nationalities and religions taking part in the series of dining, shopping and socialising events that are happening. Whether you’re looking for a classic British Christmas turkey with all the trimmings, or tree lighting ceremonies for the kids, there’s something for everyone in our listings, so read on…
DUBAI
Carine, Emirates Golf Club
Enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner from 7-11pm at Carine and a Christmas Day lunch or dinner from either 12-3pm or 7-11pm. Cheers to a ‘joyeux noël’ with a glass of French grape and dine on beef fillet of Wagyu or rigatoni ou Linguine with white truffle sauce. There’s a violinist throughout lunch and a live DJ in the evening to crank the atmosphere up a notch.
Festive Fiesta at TORO TORO, Grosvenor House Hotel
This Pan-Latin restaurant is known for its lively interiors and atmosphere, and will be kicking off the festive season with live entertainment – including Latin dancers – and a fiery menu including ceviche and a delicious churrasco, plus tons of fruity cocktails and beverage options. Dine on Saturday 23rd December from 1-4pm for AED 295 with non-alcoholic beverages and AED 450 for alcohol.
Sloane’s, Grosvenor House Hotel
Sloane’s has a glorious international buffet celebrating flavours from around the world. With live cooking stations, mouthwatering masterpieces, fresh seafood, and premium cut meats, there’s enough choice for an unforgettable brunch, plus entertainment for the kids to enjoy. Visit on Saturday 23rd December from 1-4pm and pay AED 395 for soft drinks and AED 495 with alcohol. You can also enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner from 7-11pm for AED 675 with house beverages and sparkling grape, AED 975 for house beverages and bubbly, and AED 325 for kids (age 6-12 years) who can also get a picture with Santa in his grotto. Visit on Dec 25th for lunch between 1-4pm and dinner from 7-11pm, AED 675 for house beverages and sparkling grape and AED 975 for bubbly, and AED 325 for children 6-12 years. Keep your eyes peeled also from a visit from Santa.
City Social, Grosvenor House Hotel
Start the festivities at City Social’s first ever Christmas edition of The Social Brunch. Expect modern European influenced cuisine with Japanese flavours, which will be served direct to your table from trolleys, paired with bottomless drinks and live entertainment – such as their in-house DJ, saxophonist and magician. The brunch is Saturday 23rd December from 1:30-4:30pm and AED 495 with house beverages and hops, AED 550 for sparkling and cocktails, and AED 750 for premium grape and signature cocktails. The Christmas Eve dinner is from 7pm and AED 900 inclusive of selected house beverages and sparkling grape. Meanwhile Christmas Day is 1:30-4:30pm for lunch and 7pm onwards for dinner, and is AED 1,100 inclusive of selected house beverages and sparkling grape.
Rhodes W1, Grosvenor House Hotel
Prepare to be “wowed” by incredible British/European cuisine at Rhodes W1, as they have a splendid mix of dishes including Mini Chicken Kiev, Eggnog and Mulled Wine, Pecan Pie, Mandarin Orange Mess – and you’re invited to enjoy it all in your best ‘Ugly Christmas Jumper’! There’s also a post-brunch happy hour at the bar for non-stop festive cheer with your loved ones. Saturday 23rd December 2-5pm, AED 350 for soft drinks, AED 495 for house beverages, and AED 595 for sparkling. Visit on Monday 25th December between 1-5pm and pay AED 1,100 for the sparkling package.
Buddha-Bar, Grosvenor House
One of Dubai’s most iconic venues, you can bring the family here for your festive celebrations and enjoy a merry atmosphere as day turns into night. On Monday 25th Dec from 1-4pm guests can dine for AED 450 including soft beverages, AED 550 including hops and grape, and AED 650 including premium beverages.
Rüya, St. Regis the Palm
With rich flavours from Anatolia, Rüya is an epic place to spend your festive brunch, and with the name coming from the Turkish work “dream”, the lush interiors guarantee an extraordinary setting. Get sharing platters and curated beverages for AED 450 with soft drinks or get the house package for AED 550 between 1-4pm.
Cordelia, St. Regis the Palm
For your Christmas Day brunch enjoy a feast while being entertained by a DJ and live band, and delight in delicacies such as seafood, sweet holiday treats, and traditional festive fare. Enjoy the soft drinks package for AED 400 and with house and sparkling for AED 550, and AED 200 for kids 6-12 (kids under six years eat for free). You can also visit Cordelia throughout December for a festive afternoon tea that starts at AED 225 per person and AED 325 including a glass of bubbly.
Tinsel & Taste Christmas Brunch at Lo-Cale, Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina
This merry Christmas Day brunch with tons of atmosphere is also hosting a live DJ and a talented musical duo, as well as gingerbread decorating, face painting, and a dedicated kids’ corner. Packages start at AED 215 for soft beverages, AED 315 for house hops and grapes, AED 415 for sparkling, and AED 715 for bubbles, while kids under six years dine for free. There’s also an early bird deal with 15% off if you book before December 10th.
Christmas at McGettigan’s, Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Science Park
Enjoy a delightful three-course brunch at this branch of McGettigan’s with festive and seasonal favourites, plus premium drinks and devilish antics – all for only AED 279. This brunch is being held on Saturday 23rd December from 1-4pm. They’re also hosting a Festive Sunday Roast on the 24th for just AED 109, with turkey, beef, ham, and vegetarian options from 12pm until late, and a Christmas Day brunch on Saturday 25th with two-courses and three drinks for only AED 119.
Christmas at Accents, InterContinental Dubai Marina
Every Friday in December Accents is transforming its Footloose Drunch into a festive spectacle with roast turkey, seasonal tunes, a variety of beverages – and you’re encouraged to wear your best Christmas jumper. The package is AED 245 with soft beverages and AED 395 with unlimited sparkling, from 8-11pm. On Christmas Day their brunch includes all the festive classics, and is AED 325 with soft beverages, AED 495 with unlimited sparkling, and AED 150 for kids 12 years and under, between 1:30-4:30pm.
Maison Mathis, voco Dubai The Palm
Featuring a seasonal brunch with succulent BBQ meats, crisp salads, decadent desserts, and live cooking stations, Maison Mathis is a splendid brunch perfect for all the family. They also have a special kids’ menu, plus activities such as gingerbread house making, and Christmas Tree lighting to keep the little ones entertained. There’s also an early bird discount of 15% off if you book before November 30th. The event with the tree lighting is December 17th, and you can also book their Christmas Day brunch – plus carol singers, loot bags and a live band – on Monday 25th between 1-4pm. Packages for both dates are between AED 250-550 for soft drinks and premium bubbly.
Sirocco, Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Festival City
Sirocco’s Big Toy’s Brunch includes cosy winter atmosphere decor, plus an extensive buffet and a special appearance designed to enchant the little ones. It’s on Monday 25th Dec from 1-4pm, and AED 195 with soft drinks and AED 295 with unlimited house beverages, while kids 6-12 years old eat for AED 80 and kids under 6 eat free.
Anise, InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Have brunch at Anise and choose from six live cooking stations and expect a visit from a special someone during the day. Pay AED 450 for non-alcoholic beverages and AED 550 with alcohol, while kids eat for AED 120 unless they’re under 6 years in which case they go free. From 1-4pm.
Feast, Sheraton Grand Hotel
Hosting a delicious international buffet with turkey and all the trimmings, prime rib, beef Wellington, plus festive decorations, party music and tons of laughter and merriment, Feast is a fabulous place to bring the whole family. With a dinner on the 24th for AED 275 including soft drinks and AED 400 with premium, or AED 500 for sparkling between 7:30pm-10:30pm, or celebrate there for your Christmas Day for the same pricing as the 24th between 7-10:30pm. Kids under 6 eat free and kids 7-11 years get a 50% discount.
Maya, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa
With a menu by Chef Richard Sandoval, Christmas at Maya includes zesty salsas, succulent tacos, guacamole and nachos, plus festive turkey, grills, fajitas and live entertainment to keep the spirit alive. On Dec 25th between 1-4pm, AED 225 for kids under 12, AED 450 with soft beverages, AED 650 with house and AED 850 for bubbly.
Mowsem, Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
With a visit from Santa himself, Mowsem’s Christamas brunch has a special buffet catering to little ones with signature flavours and dishes for adults. Sat 25th Dec, 1-4pm, AED 299 for soft drinks, AED 429 for house and AED 529 for premium, while kids eat for AED 75 (3-5 years) and AED 150 (6-11 years).
Le Jardin, Raffles the Palm
Enjoy Christmas in palatial proportions at Le Jardin plus a luscious feast. From 1-4pm you can dine for AED 945 with champagne, AED 845 for sparkling and house beverages, AED 645 for soft beverages, while kids from 6-12 eat for AED 345 and kids under 6 eat free. There’s also a Christmas buffet on the 24th and 25th from 7pm and is AED 855 with champagne, AED 655 with house sparkling, and AED 445 with soft drinks, while kids eat for AED 255 and those under 6 dine for free.
Matagi, Raffles the Palm
If you’re looking for an unconventional brunch with Asian flair, check out the Matagi offering with Michelin-starred chefs and specialities such as sushi rolls and signature main dishes. Between 23rd-25th of Dec from 6pm you can indulge in torched scallops with ginger ponzu or black cod, while a live DJ plays trendy beats. Priced at AED 1,250 per person with house sparkling or AED 850 with soft drinks.
Alici, Bluewaters Dubai
Dine at the Beautiful Brunch from Dec 23rd-25th (1-4pm) and feast on fresh seafood including oysters and caviar, plus a raw selection, extensive wines and live entertainment in their schmoozy venue with stunning views. Guests can also try an Italian Christmas dessert, Panettone, and carry on into the evening with an a la carte menu. Prices start at AED 395 with soft drinks, AED 495 with house beverages, and AED 595 with premium Italian sparkling and on Dec 25th AED 395 for non-alcoholic, AED 550 with house beverages and AED 750 with champagne.
DREAM Dubai, The Address JBR Beach Resort
Transformed into an incredible ice palace with diamond-bright colours, the live entertainers will dazzle in stunning costumes to your favourite festive songs. There’s also a special menu with gratinated king crab leg with caviar, truffle burrata, roasted turkey breast, herb-crusted rack of lamb, and a chestnut Mont Blanc for those with a sweet tooth. Starting at AED 1,000 per person, the festive special “DREAM Ice Palace,” will run until early January.
Cuisines, Holiday Inn Al Maktoum
On December 25th you can enjoy a festive Christmas brunch. Join for a delectable spread featuring Christmas specialties, including turkey with all the trimmings and live cooking stations. This joyful feast is priced at AED 125 per adult and AED 65 per child between 6-12 years old and will be available from 7pm onwards.
Entre Nous, Novotel World Trade Centre
Enjoy the festivities at Entre Nous with an international culinary menu on Dec 24th and 25th from 6:30-10:30pm, for AED 195 with soft drinks, AED 289 with house beverages and kids eat for AED 99 up to 12 years, and under 5 years eat for free. There’s also a brunch on Christmas Day with the same packages between 12:30-3pm.
BASTA! St. Regis Downtown
Between 22nd-26th December from 12:30-11:30pm you and your family can sample a specially curated menu featuring festive classics with an Italian twist, such as roasted burrata to wood-fired lamb shoulder and sumptuous desserts. Alternatively you can enjoy a Christmas Day brunch from 1:30-4:30pm at The Caroline’s 400 Brunch Terrace with a visit from Santa, live music, and scenic views of the Dubai Water Canal. Packages start from AED 400 per person.
Ristorante Loren, Palm West Beach
Celebrate here on Dec 24th and 25th with a luxurious menu, live singers to serenade you, and an atmosphere bursting with cheer. On Dec 24th dinner set menus and a la carte options start at AED 400 per person and on the 25th packages start at AED 350 per person.
Mimi Kakushi, Four Seasons Resort
With a festive a la carte menu from Dec 4th, Mimi Kakushi suggestions include premium items such as Japanese Wagyu Flat Iron Steak and Slow-Cooked Marinated Lobster Maki. The Saturday and Sunday brunches are also available, with additional premium items, and the entertainment from a DJ. The non-alcoholic package is AED 475 for soft beverages, AED 630 for house and AED 840 for champagne, on the 23rd, 24th, 25th, 30th and 31st from 12-4pm.
Levantera, Marriott the Palm
A lavish dinner with buffet, pop-up bars and live band in an al fresco setting with enchanting gardens nearby to walk off the turkey. Also dine on roast leg of lamb, rib eye, and grill stations with kebab from the Levant, plus seafood and French Bouillabaisse, plus desserts including fruits, cheeses, compotes, crepes and waffles. There’s even a special kids area with activities and a special buffet. On Monday 25th Dec from 1:30-4:30pm, AED 795 including champagne, AED 595 with house and sparkling, AED 450 including soft drinks, while kids under 12 eat for AED 225, kids 3-5 years eat for AED 95 and kids under 3 eat free.
Cucina, Marriott the Palm
Throughout December at everyone’s favourite Italian kitchen featuring turkey selections, fresh seafood, plus pork and other festive selections with mulled wine. From 6pm-midnight from AED 295 inclusive three-course menu with beverage options. You can also dine at Cucina on Dec 25th from 1:30-4:30pm for AED 895 including champagne, AED 695 including sparkling and house, and AED 495 with soft drinks, while kids under 12 dine for AED 245, kids under 6 eat for AED 125 and kids under that eat free.
Above Eleven, Marriott the Palm
Embrace Peruvian spirit with Japanese precision, plus New York soul at Above Eleven. With a delectable four-course menu with signature dishes plus al fresco dining. There’s also the magic of live entertainment and themed decor on Sunday 24th December from 8-11pm and an a la carte menu from 11pm-2am, AED 550 with house beverages and cocktails, AED 450 with house beverages and AED 350 with soft drinks.
Qasr Al Sarab Anantara Resort
Santa is making an appearance between 4:30-5:30pm who will appear over the flame-coloured dunes and share gifts in an enchanting spectacle. With live cooking stations the festive buffet is served from 6-10:30pm and is AED 500 for adults and AED 275 for kids 4-12 including soft drinks.
Mezzerie, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Offering an international dining experience with oysters, crab and fish, there’s also roast turkey, Stollen and Christmas pudding, which is AED 490 with soft drinks, AED 690 for sparkling grape and house and AED 890 with champagne, while kids 6-12 years eat for AED 250.
Twiggy at La Cantine, Park Hyatt
For lunch and dinner on the 24th and 25th December, guests can visit Tiwggy for a festive set menu priced at AED 400 per person including soft drinks. Expect Christmas delights with a lively atmosphere, plus a live DJ and singer.
Abu Dhabi
Tilal Liwa Desert Retreat
The festive mood starts early in Abu Dhabi, as from the 9th of December as Santa Claus visits the desert. There’s also a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony with carol singing and mulled wine with treats, while Santa spoils the little ones with gifts. This is event is from 7:30pm on the 9th and free for everyone to enter. Meanwhile if you want to enjoy a staycation and be redundant from all cooking and hosting duties, you can enjoy a sleepover with the family for just AED 1,399, including a splendid feast at Al Badiya Restaurant on Christmas Day, snacks by the pool, desert activities for the kids, and access to the Christmas Gala on the 24th. To visit the Christmas Eve Gala independently just pay AED 169 per person, or AED 269 with house drinks, with a night of dancing and gift sharing under the stars, and festive dishes, from 7-11pm.
Conrad Abu Dhabi
Get a festive afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge and Observation Deck at 300 from Dec 9th onwards, curated by Executive Pastry Chef Sumeda Palihakkara and featuring sweet and savoury pastries, scones and jam with cream, tea and coffee. Prices start at AED 230 per person with the Observation Deck at 300 included for AED 260 per person.
Alternatively on Christmas Eve get an a la carte dinner at Ray’s Grill with slow-cooked turkey or grilled US short rib from AED 350 per person, between 6:30-11pm, or visit on Christmas Day for dinner and experience the venue’s glorious views, from AED 400 per person. Jose by Pizarro is serving festive tapas on the 24th with live music and lashings of seasonal magic between 3-10:30pm, or you can enjoy an a la carte Italian menu at neighbouring restaurant Sole, between 12pm-11pm.
On Christmas Day Nahaam and Sole are combining forces to bring guests an ultimate brunch, with a sprawling feast and live music. Packages start at AED 535 for soft beverages, AED 695 for house and AED 895 for premium, while kids eat for AED 200.
Love our festive listings? Stay tuned for Boxing Day, NYE, NYD, turkey takeaway, and other festive events listings that aren’t premium dining. If you’re in RAK check out our listings for the emirate here.
