From Christmas shows to festive workshops, here are our top picks for family-friendly events happening this season
Singalong to Christmas classics at Dubai Opera
The Sound of Christmas is returning to Dubai for yet another year of festive belters. You know the ones – ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’, ‘Feliz Navidad’, ‘Jingle Bell Rock’, ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ and ‘Santa Baby’ – to name a few. Performed by 25 of the very best jazz musicians in the UAE and GCC along with some surprise guest singers, it’s a Christmas extravaganza you won’t want to miss. Tickets start from 195 AED and to add to the festive cheer, each ticket also includes a Christmas hat and a festive beverage. Fa la la la la!
From 195 AED; 22 December: 2pm & 8pm; Downtown Dubai; dubaiopera.com.
Shop festive handicrafts at ARTE
Christmas is coming to ARTE The Makers’ Market and savvy shoppers will be able to browse through an assortment of festive handicrafts, all while supporting local crafters. The craft market runs every Friday at various locations across Dubai and you’re guaranteed to get your hands on something special.
arte.ae/events.
Tick The Nutcracker off your bucket list
The Russian State Ballet & Opera House is returning to Dubai Opera this December for an enchanting performance of The Nutcracker. Set to Tchaikovsky’s score and with a live orchestra of more than 30 musicians, the two-act ballet tells the story of Clara Stahlbaum, who on Christmas Eve receives a nutcracker from her mysterious godfather. As midnight draws closer, magic takes over the Stahlbaum household as the nutcracker springs to life to battle the Rat King and his ‘evil’ curse. One of the most popular ballets of all time, especially around Christmas time, The Nutcracker is a bucket list ballet everyone needs to experience at least once.
From 350 AED; 23 December: 8pm; 24 December-25 December: 2pm & 8pm; Downtown Dubai; dubaiopera.com.
Meet Santa at Expo 2020 Dubai
Big news: Santa Claus is flying in from Lapland in Northern Finland and he’ll be making a special appearance at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Finland Pavilion. Families can meet the man in the red suit for photos in the central area of the pavilion from Friday 16 December until Wednesday 23 December (to ensure he’s back in Lapland in time for all the Christmas Eve deliveries!).
16 December-23 December; expo2020dubai.com.
Eat your way around Time Out Market Dubai
Time Out Market Dubai has undergone a festive makeover bringing with it a family-friendly lineup of events, over 30 limited-edition Christmas-inspired dishes, live entertainment, mulled grape and more. Inspired by Europe’s traditional festive markets, ‘Time Out Festive Market’ is running until Wednesday 5 January and the big man in the red suit will also be making a special appearance on Friday 17 December and Saturday 18 December, as well as on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In addition to regular dishes, foodies can tuck into Christmassy plates including Folly Workshop’s giant Yorkshire pud with roast turkey leg and chestnut stuffing, BB Social Dining’s tempura lobster and caviar bao, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki’s silky turkey ramen, 21grams Balkan Bakery & Deli’s festive chocolate and hazelnut baklava with vanilla ice cream, and Pitfire’s warm apple pie with vanilla custard and cinnamon sugar knots.
Prices vary; until Wed 5 Jan; Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai; www.timeoutmarket.com/dubai.
