Wonderful things to do this festive season in Dubai

Looking for fun activities for the whole family to make the most of the festive season? Here our suggestions

Winter camp at Odyssey nurseries

Reggio on Ice, introduced by Odyssey Nurseries this December, creates a unique wintery environment where kids can engage in a variety of enjoyable frosty, hands-on activities. In an imaginative Reggio World on Ice, magical adventures are planned to foster children’s inherent curiosity. Join Odyssey’s Reggio World on Ice to make your winter break magical! A fun, educational, and enlightening experience for children.

Branch Locations: Burj, Umm Suqeim 2, SZR, Meydan, JBR, Living Legends. Until December 30. Up to the age of 6. Open to non-nursery children and returning alumni. Call +9715 0607 9419 and visit the website or Instagram

Family Escape Package at Arabian Park Dubai

With the Family Escape Package at Arabian Park Dubai, spend quality time with your loved ones and make lifelong memories. Discover a relaxed holiday packed with unique holiday activities. Unwind in family rooms with connected doors and benefit from a complimentary upgrade to half-board accommodations as well as a late check-out time of 6 pm.

For adventure seekers, the fun-filled stay includes four complimentary passes to Aventura Parks Dubai, the largest zipline adventure park in Dubai. You can also benefit from a free drop-off service to Dubai Mall or La Mer Beach if you want to go shopping.

From AED610. Visit the website

Rive Gauche Christmas Eve & Day Brunch – It’s a family affair

Give this year’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations more glitz by entrusting them to Rive Gauche, a brand-new French dining and cabaret experience. Very much a family affair, the DIFC immersive venue will preserve all the high-kicking and Moulin-Rouge style flair for their Christmas brunch while keeping everything kid-friendly.

Expect a joyful three-course brunch meal that will take you on a culinary journey of traditional French dishes, paired with unique festive entertainment, including a live cabaret performance right out of Paris and a DJ blasting lively soundtracks in between dishes.

December 24 and 25 from 1pm-4pm. From AED390. Call +9714 363 7260 and visit the website or Instagram

Santa workshops and parades at City Centre Deira

The official candy fest, the frosty ice north pole, and the clumsy elves are just a few of the fun themed parades that City Centre Deira is hosting to help you make special memories with loved ones.

Families who want to make their children’s Christmas and holiday celebrations special are in for a treat as the mall is hosting a number of fun activities such as little elves’ workshop, where up to two kids can access after spending AED300 at this arts and crafts area (until December 25 from 10am-10pm), Santa’s Grotto for a meet-and-greet is situated in the food central section of the mall (until December 25 from 4-9pm) and children can make a wish at the “make a wish” stand before placing their letter in the jolly mailbox for Santa Claus (from 10am-10pm).

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Seasonal sweet treats at LDC Kitchen + Coffee

This year, LDC venues have gone all out and painstakingly made delicious pies, Yuletide chocolate logs, and an all-time favourite, hot chocolate bombs. This month, both children and parents can indulge in athe wonderful tradition of decorating their own gingerbread cookies, which is offered at all LDC locations.

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LUSH Festive Pop-up at Madinat Jumeirah Dubai

By spicing up the holiday season with its new Christmas collection and perennial favourites, the LUSH Festive Pop-up at Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market will put everyone in the festive spirit. You can design your own bath bombs at the pop-up shop from just AED50.

Festive Art Exhibition at Skaya Art

Yana Rusnak’s Revival Art (Dynamic Bright Edition) is on display in Dubai at Oblong Contemporary Gallery as a part of a group festive-themed exhibition, thanks to Dubai-based boutique art consultant Skaya Art Agency. Yana is a well-known Ukrainian artist who has a variety of works on exhibit that combine animalism and abstract elements using acrylic paint on canvas and aluminium foil.

Free to attend. Until January 8 from 10am-10pm. Visit the website or Instagram

Visit the website or Instagram

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day at MasterChef, the TV Experience

On National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, a meal at the first MasterChef-branded restaurant in the world will come to a sweet end. Tomorrow a genuinely delicious, extremely decadent chocolate mousse will be offered to every diner who orders a main meal.

Millennium Place Hotel, Dubai Marina. December 16 from 1-11pm. Call +9714 5508 111 and visit the website or Instagram

New Year celebrations at Jamie’s Italian Dubai Mall

Jamie’s Italian Dubai Mall is a fantastic place to ring in the new year with a spectacular view of the famous Burj Khalifa and delicious Italian cuisine. For young children who wish to participate in the action, there is also a kids menu available.

December 2022 31 from 7pm onwards. From AED 1,889. Kids between 3-10 years old only pay half the price. Call +97155 213 6967 and visit the website or Instagram