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. 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 caroling sessions, a photo-op with Santa, tasty treats for the tots, and fake snow, if you’re lucky, making this a perfect family day out full of festive cheer. Here’s a rundown of every Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Dubai!
1. Rixos Palm Dubai, December 6
This five-star hotel’s main lobby is kicking off the 4-hour celebrations with live piano, cello and violin performance, welcome cocktails for guests, 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. The main attraction – the stunningly beautiful Christmas tree lighting – will happen at 6:30pm. The event is open to anyone with a reservation at any of the in-house restaurants.
From 6:30pm to 10:30pm; call 04 457 5555 for more info
2. Taj JLT, December 7
A giant Christmas tree will be lit up in this JLT hotel’s lobby area at 6:30pm on December 7. Adding to the Yuletide cheer will be the glasses of complimentary mulled wine and eggnog served on arrival alongside an array of festive snacks such as minced pies and cookies. 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 will set the mood.
From 6:30pm; call 04 5741 111 or email tjsdubai@tajhotels.com
3. Jumeirah Emirates Tower, December 8
If Christmases past at Jumeirah Emirates Towers are anything to go by, then their tree lighting ceremonies are one for the books. This most wonderful time of the year is celebrated in a big way at this hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road with a glittering Christmas tree, delicious mulled wine and canapes handed around to merrymakers, a choir of carollers dressed in their festive best to serenade you and Santa ditching the sleighs and opting for glass-fronted elevators to put you into the ho-ho-ho-holiday spirit. Christmas tree lights will be turned on at 6pm.
From 6pm to 8pm; call 0 4 330 0000 for reservations
4. Anantara Downtown Hotel Dubai, December 8
Downtown is down for some festive revelry at Anantara. The lobby will transform into a winter wonderland as carollers, canapes and a Christmas tree mushroom at the venue at 6pm. Expect a dusting of snowfall as ol’ St.Nick and his reindeer show up.
From 6pm to 7pm; call 04 444 1407 or email restaurants.adtd@anantara.com
5. Global Village, December 8
Who’s the grandest Christmas tree of them all? The answer is the whopping 21-metre (68 feet) tree at Global Village whose lights go up on December 8 at 7pm. We’re getting dizzy just thinking about how the tree-topper would have been placed on this stonker of a tree! Tinsel, ornaments, gift boxes, every imaginable decoration will adorn the massive tree at the theme park where Santa and his elves will arrive from the North Pole. Arches decked with fairy lights, walkways of light trails and more magical spots in and around the tourist haunt will make for Insta-worthy holiday snaps. Afterward, make sure you zero in a roasted chestnut stands and dig in for that perfect winter exepriece. Also check out other foodie delights and viral food stalls that Global Village is famous for! Entry to Global Village costs AED 18 per person
From 7pm; get your tickets at www.globalvillage.ae
6. Jumeirah Al Naseem, December 8
Keeping up with Dubai’s love for the biggest and best, the elegant resort will be home to a 20-foot-high Christmas tree all through the festive season. The lights go up on December 8 and is open to the public, so you can view the magical tree in all its glittering glory while you sip on steaming warm cups of hot chocolate. Everyone visiting will have made the nice list here as Santa will be handing out presents such as plush toys, candy canes and holiday cookies along with his helpers. So, bring your Christmas stockings with you. We’re told the Christmas crew will arrive on a sleigh!
From 6pm-7pm
7. Meydan Hotel, December 9
A gingerbread house, tinsel festoons, twinkling fairylights and more will turn The Meydan Hotel into an enchanting Christmassy landscape. The final flourish will be Christmas tree lights being switched on, which will happen on December 9 at 7pm.
Visit www.themeydanhotel.com/ to book your spot!
8. Santa’s Secret Island, Bluewaters, December 9
Although it’s called an island there’s nothing tropical about this frozen wonderland that will be up at Bluewaters from December 10 until December 29. Snowfall, festive lights, an ice rink and more will be up but it’s the Christmas tree lighting event on December 9 that will mark the beginning on the celebrations. Head out to The Wharf at 7pm to see the lights on the towering tree at Bluewaters go on with the dazzling Ain Dubai in the background adding to the magic.
From 7pm at The Wharf; visit www.bluewatersdubai.ae for details
9. Winter City at Expo City, December 9
It doesn’t get more “Christmas in Dubai” than Expo City’s Yuletide festivities at Winter City. A whopping 52-foot-tall Christmas tree will be the centre of attention in Al Wasl Plaza. Prepare to crane your necks to see all the way to the top of the dazzling tree on December 9, when the lights go up.
From 6pm-6:15pm; visit ww.expocitydubai.com/en/winter-city
10. Palazzo Versace, December 9
The fabulous Mosaico Lobby Lounge will add a touch of Italian Renaissance to Christmas celebrations with its tree-lighting ceremony on December 9. 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 and drinks. Santa will show up and lead visiting kids and adults through a countdown to the Christmas tree lights being switched on. A minimum of AED 150 AED spend per person.
From 6pm-8pm; call 04 556 8805 or email dining@palazzoversace.ae
11. Raffles Dubai, December 9
Raffles’ yearly Xmas celebrations will sparkle into life with the lighting of a 20-foot Christmas tree on December 9. 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! Entry is free
From 6:30pm to 7:30 pm; call 04 324 8888 or email dining.dubai@raffles.com
12. QE2, Port Rashid, December 9
You might not see three ships sailing this Christmas, but you can definitely get aboard one of the most historic ships to have sailed the world! The cruise ship-turned-floating hotel QE2 is pulling out all the stops for Christmas this year and their getting the ball rolling with a Christmas tree lighting event on December 9. Head to the ship’s alfresco lounge The Pavilion where the lights on the tree will be switched on at 5:30pm. With an ocean sunset painting the horizon orange in the background, this is going to be a dream tree-lighting experience you don’t want to miss. Carollers, Santa Claus and a glass of mulled wine or mint hot chocolate await revelers.
AED 50 per person for Festive Tree Lighting, inclusive of drink
AED 150 per person for Festive Tree Lighting and dinner buffet at Lido
Visit www.qe2.com/en/offers/festive-tree-lighting/ to book
13. Centara Mirage Beach Resort, December
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 9 at 5pm. Remind the kids to bring their letters to Santa outlining their wishlist of gifts as the jolly old man himself will be visiting the venue. Adults can enjoy a free glass mulled wine while kids can relish hot chocolate during the lighting ceremony as a talented choir performs traditional carols. Later, scope out the Gingerbread House displayed in the lobby and stock up on an array of festive goodies such as stollen, pies and pudding.
From 5pm; call 04 522 9999 or email cdd@chr.co.th
14. Jumeirah Golf Estates, December 9
Christmas can’t get greener than on the rolling greens of the Jumeirah Golf Estates. On December 9, 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 activities for kids await. Packages start at AED 115 per person
From 5pm-8pm; call 04 375 8059 or email at events@jge.ae
15. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, December 15
Ring in the festive season with this Palm Jumeirah resort’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the hotel lobby. You can soak up the Yuletide vibes by noshing on baked goodies, warm mulled wine and a concert by a live choir.
From 6pm; call 04 275 4444 or email restaurants.exoticadubai@tajhotels.com