Few things in life can compare to the magical thrill of watching Christmas tree lights switch on. Dubai goes all out during the festive season decking the halls of malls, the streets and plush hotel lobbies with mammoth Christmas trees that are a joy to behold. So, we’ve put together a rundown of every Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Dubai!
There’s a 52-foot-tall tree waiting for you to rock around it! Besides heavily ornamented trees, most tree-lighting events also come with carolling sessions, a photo-op with Santa, treats for the tots, and fake snow, if you’re lucky, making this a perfect family day out full of festive cheer.
1. Irish Village, December 3
The beloved Irish pub in Garhoud is getting a crack on the craic well in advance with an early Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on December 3. Coinciding with the National Day holidays, it’s perfectly timed to witness with the whole family in tow. Instead of pints of Guinness, pick up mulled wine and mice pies while a holiday choir harmonises under the winter skies, serenading guests with holiday classics. At 7pm sharp, watch the switch flip and an impressive Xmas tree sparkle into existence.
Free entry
2. Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort, December 4
The Conservatory, the international restaurant inside the Westin Mina Seyahi has a special Tree Lighting Ceremony scheduled for December 4. The airy foliage-filled space will glitter with festive lights and the mouthwatering aroma of holiday drinks and treats.
From 5;30pm; free entry
3. Hilton Palm Jumeirah, December 5
This Palm Jumeirah hotel is spreading festive joy to the world earlier than most with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 5. While the towering, ornamented conifer is the star of the show, Father Christmas – Santa – himself will show up with his entourage of merry elves.
From 6pm-7pm; call 04 230 0000
4. Melia Desert Palm, December 5
This equestrian-themed hotel in Al Awir is hitching itself to reindeers this festive season with an array of holiday events. Top of that list is their Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 5 happening at tPortico. A cup of complimentary mulled wine (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options), free spicy ginger cookies and minced pies will be passed around to guests during the tree-lighting festivities.
From 7pm-8pm; 04 323 8888
5. Taj Exotica Palm Dubai, December 6
A giant Christmas tree will be lit up in this hotel’s lobby area at 5pm. Adding to the Yuletide cheer will be glasses of complimentary festive pastries and drinks. While you make a beeline for those scrummy goodies, the kids (and kids at heart) can line up for some holiday pictures with Santa Claus. In the background, a choir will belt out holiday tunes to get you jingle bell rockin’. More info here
From 5pm-6pm; free entry
6. Sheraton Mall of the Emirates, December 6
Sleighing it with their gorgeously ornamented Christmas Tree is the Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel. While the Xmas tree glows up, a crew of melodious carol singers will be setting hearts aglow. Complimentary pass-around and one mulled drinks will be handed out to guests who attend the ceremony in the 2nd-floor hotel lobby.
From 6pm-7pm, free entry; call 04 377 2356
7. Rixos Palm Dubai, December 6
This five-star hotel’s main lobby is kicking off the 3.5 hour celebrations with Christmas carolling that you can join in on and an appearance by old jelly belly, Santa Claus, who’ll be handing out gifts to the kids present there and festive treats. The main attraction – the stunningly beautiful Christmas tree lighting – will happen at 6:30pm. The event is free to hotel guests who have a reservation at any of the in-house restaurants.
From 6:30pm to 9pm; call 04 457 5555 for more info
8. Paramount Hotel Midtown, December 6
Expect plenty of tinsel and tinseltown-style glamour at the Paramount Hotel Midtown’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 6. A dusting of snow and Hollywood magic turns the hotel lobby on the 14th floor into a winter wonderland complete with festive canapes, piping hot chocolate mulled wine and other holiday drinks. Free for hotel guests and Midtown residents only.
From 6:30pm; call 058 8265729 or email fbadmin.midtown@paramounthotelsdubai.com
9. Raffles Dubai, December 6
Raffles’ yearly Yuletide celebrations will sparkle into life with the lighting of a 20-foot Christmas tree on December 6. While Santa Claus and a sack full of gifts will warm the hearts of the little ones, spiced treats and mulled wine will warm up the adults. The hotel will also be throwing open the doors of its giant gingerbread house, so make sure you go hungry and ready to shop for handcrafted gifts! As an added treat, this year, the hotel also has a Christmas Choir which will add some music to the merriness. Entry is free.
From 6pm; call 04 324 8888 or email dining.dubai@raffles.com
10. QE2, Port Rashid, December 6
You might not see three ships sailing this Christmas, but you can surely get aboard one of the most historic ships to have sailed the world! The cruise ship-turned-floating hotel QE2 is going full steam ahead for Christmas in 2024 starting with a Christmas tree lighting event on December 6. Head to the ship’s alfresco lounge The Pavilion where the lights on the tree will be switched on at 5pm.
With an ocean sunset painting the horizon orange in the background, this is going to be a dream tree-lighting experience with an appearance by Santa Claus. Revellers can warm up with a glass of mulled wine or hot mint chocolate and a festive goodie bag for each family.
AED 30 per child aged 6-12 years; AED 50 per adult. Visit their website for bookings
11. Park Hyatt, Dubai Creek Resort, December 6
This scenic Deira resort’s Christmas Tree will be revealed on December 6, flooding the creekside with a wave of holiday spirit. The 5.5 metre-tall tree will come to life at the hotel’s Lobby Lounge terrace at 6:30pm. Simultaneously, the resort complex’s piazza will also dazzle with festive lights, the dulcet tones of Christmas carollers and an array of festive treats such as roasted chestnuts being handed out.
From 6:30pm; call 04 602 1234
12. Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market , December 6
The stunning 36-foot Xmas tree at this outdoor Christmas market nestled amongst Souk Madinat’s waterways, is always a delight. The market throws open its (faux) snow-laden doors at 3pm on December 6. The lights on the tree go up when the sun goes down! More info here.
13. Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel, December 6
The creekside property is turning into a merry winter wonderland filled with melodies of carols, visits by Santa and festive treats and bevvies being passed around. Lights on their gorgeous tree in the lobby are turned on at 6:30pm.
From 6:30pm-7pm; call 04 207 1717
14. Winter City at Expo City, December 6
Who’s the grandest Christmas tree of them all? The answer is the whooping 52-foot-tall Christmas tree in Al Wasl Plaza. Recycled from last year, this tree’s as sustainable as it gets. Prepare to crane your necks to see all the way to the top of the dazzling tree when the festive Christmas spot opens on December 6. We’re getting dizzying just thinking about how the tree-topper would have been placed on this stonker of a tree.
From 6pm-6:15pm; visit the Expo City website
15. Emirates Golf Club, December 6
The lush green lawns of the world-class golf club turn into a wintry haven all through the festive season.
The tree lighting ceremony kicks off at 7pm on December 6 and will be accompanied by the music from a jazz band and carollers. at Emirates Golf Club. Mulled wine, festive treats are included in the free-flowing beverage package.
From 7pm-9pm; AED 149 per person. Call 04 4179999 or email
16. Palazzo Versace, December 7
The fabulous Mosaico Lobby Lounge will add a touch of Italian Renaissance to Christmas celebrations with its tree-lighting ceremony on December 7. And it won’t be a silent night for sure as the melodies of carolers will fill the air along with the scent of cinnamony Christmas canapes including a foie gras station, turkey carving station, panettone, roasted chestnuts, caramelised almonds and mulled wine. Santa will show up and lead visiting kids and adults through a countdown to the Christmas tree lights being switched on at 7pm. A minimum spend of AED 150 per person.
From 6pm-8pm; call 04 556 8805 or email dining@palazzoversace.ae
17. Dubai Festival City Mall, December 8
Winter Wonderland at Festival Bay will have a towering tree by the outdoor promenade set up in an interactive light park. Their yearly Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place in the evening followed by the festive edition of IMAGINE show – the immersive laser, light and water show.
17. Aelia One Za’abeel, December 7
You’ll hear the bells ding dong merrily on high at Aelia in The Link, One Za’abeel on December 7. The French Riviera-inspired restaurant will host the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony on the day with live piano music by Daryna Ivanova, and complimentary delights from a buffet, including savouries, pastries, and desserts.
From 5pm to 7pm; call 04 666 1617
18. Centara Mirage Beach Resort, December 8
Keep your Santa hats and flip flops at the ready as this beach resort has a rollicking Christmas tree lighting event planned. The resort’s Vistas Lobby Cafe will be home to a sparkling Christmas tree whose lights will be turned up on December 6 at 6pm.
Remind the kids to bring their letters to Santa as the jolly old man himself will be visiting the venue. Adults can enjoy a free glass of mulled wine while kids can relish hot chocolate during the lighting ceremony while noshing on canapes and stollen.
From 5pm; call 04 522 9999 or email cdd@chr.co.th
19. Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, December 8
The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at this longstanding hotel in Deira throws in all the ho-ho holiday vibes – live carolling, twinkling lights and free entry to boot on December 8.
From 6pm; call 04 399 3333
20. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, December 9
Inspired by the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire’s opulent and ornate, this hotel is glamorous on any given day. But the wow factor is amped up during Christmas time with spectacular decorations and a beautiful Christmas tree. The tree lighting ceremony will be an all-out production with carol singers on December 9 early in the evening. Free for hotel guests
Call 04 453 0550 for timings and more info
21. Renaissance Business Bay, December 10
The Renaissance knows how to throw a party – Hollaback girl Gwen Stefani performed at their grand opening in 2017. For Christmas 2024, though, we’re told Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are taking charge of the celebrations. First up, up is a sparkling Christmas tree that will be lit up on December 10. The sound of carols will be interrupted by sleigh bells from Santa, who’ll be showing up with some surprises. Free entry for all
From 6pm; call 04 873 3333
22. Swissotel Al Ghurair, December 12
This Deira hotel’s lobby is blinging it up for Christmas with a 20-foo-tall Christmas Tree in the lobby. The lights go on December 12 to the tunes of Christmas carols in the background and canapes and festive drinks. The tree lighting ceremony is free to attend for guests participating in the hotel’s gingerbread house-making workshop and their LINDT Festive afternoon tea. AED 190 for two adults and two kids
From 6pm; call 04 293 3270, or visit the website
23. Jumeirah Golf Estates, December 14
Christmas can’t get greener than on the rolling greens of the Jumeirah Golf Estates. On December 14, the resort’s Earth Terrace venue overlooking the golf course’s 18th hole is hosting a Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration. Wear your prettiest ugly sweater as this outdoor venue will truly feel wintry. Live carol singers, a visit by Santa and his elves as well as face painting and a bouncy castle awaits kids. Free entry
From 5pm-8pm; call 056 998 3703
24. JLT Park
The Winter Festival at this neighbourhood park has a glorious tree-lighting ceremony happening at 5:30pm on December 14. You can ogle for free at the magic of the lights sparkle to life on the 10-metre-tall tree.