PREPORUKA ZA SVE SARAJLIJE KOJI ŽELE OSJETITI BOŽIĆNI DUH: Posjetite Dubai pun Božića!

Winter carnival

Safari Kid, the international chain of preschools and kindergartens found in the U.S., is hosting its first ever annual Winter Carnival at its premises on Sheikh Zayed Road on Saturday 12th December. The nursery will be abuzz with a festive market of select vendors, and will also feature a petting zoo, stalls selling children’s creations from the nursery, a North Pole themed photo booth, and many other activities in order to provide families a great day out. Call 04-3597398 or 050-4548879.

Lighting up the Festive Season

Dubai is again embracing the festive season with the return of the newly renamed Dubai Winter Festival. Formerly known as the Dubai Christmas Festival, the biggest winter event in the UAE has moved to The World Trade Centre from 17th to 19th December. Continue Reading >>

Sofitel The Palm Dubai

Sofitel The Palm will hold a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday 19th December at 6pm where you can enjoy festive carols by the Sofitel The Palm Christmas Choir, followed by the Sofitel candle ritual. Call 04-4555656.

Young Voices of Dubai

Young Voices of Dubai (YVD) is a group of professional mums who established the choral performance platform that was affordable yet delivered on quality and commitment. At the start of the year, YVD holds an open audition for children between the ages 6 to 18 who love to sing and preferably with a musical background. Since 2005, the group has been performing across the UAE. Watch them this year as they perform their 3-hour “Around the World in Music” show on December 5th at 5.30pm. Ticket prices range from Dhs 85 (Balcony) to Dhs 125 (Stalls). Tickets are available at www.ductac.org or call 04-3414777.

VIDA Downtown Dubai

VIDA Downtown Dubai invites the kids to decorate their very own Gingerbread Houses and are encouraged to resist temptation until the masterpieces are finished. In addition, there will be a variety of fun games to choose from, including a visit from Santa himself. This takes place at the Banquets Room in 3in1 on 11th and 12th December from 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 5pm and is priced at Dhs 125 (inclusive of snacks, juices and Gingerbread House kit). Call 04-4286823 or email Dine@Vida-hotels.com.
 

Fairmont The Palm

Head for Fairmont The Palm for their Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 5.30pm on Monday 7th December and enjoy a special children’s choir performance, festive treats and a visit from Santa. To spread happiness throughout the month of December, children in the city are invited every Thursday, Friday and Saturday to join Santa Claus’ storytelling at 5.30pm at SeaView Garden. Call 04-4573457 or email palm.dining@fairmont.com.

Vii Dubai

Vii brings us a Viinter Wonderland on 24th and 25th December. You are invited to follow the sign to the North Pole to discover a snow-covered terrace with a giant Christmas tree, reindeer and gingerbread houses, as well as a scrumptious Christmas feast for Dhs 340. Vii Dubai is located at Conrad Dubai. Call 050-1696777.

Swing Deluxe for Festive Season

Swing Deluxe will be bringing their unique take on Russian (Gypsy) Jazz to the capital from 24th to 31st December with three appearances at Anantara Eastern Mangroves, and two performances at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara.
Expect a week of infectious big band sound at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel, commencing with theChristmas Eve Barbeque at The Pool Deck on 24th December from 7.30pm to 11pm, followed byBrunch on Christmas Day from 12.30pm to 4pm and finishing with “Swing into the New Year” on The Pool Deck on New Year’s Eve (9pm to 3am). Continue Reading >>

A Festive Celebration

The NSO will herald the coming festive season with a stirring concert featuring everyone’s favourite seasonal music and carols in ‘A Festive Celebration’ concert on Friday 11th December on the open-air Palace Terrace of the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi.
Led by Guest Conductor, Ed Keely, the 15-piece NSO Brass will open the concert with a selection of Stan Kenton jazz standards and jazz arrangements of popular carols.
The NSO Chorus brings together singers from Dubai Singers and the Al Khubeirat Singers who will feature their own choral selections, as well as encourage the audience to join with them for a joyous community carol service to round off the evening, singing favourites such as Deck the Halls, O Come all ye Faithful and Little Drummer Boy.
After a moonlit interval, the 21-piece NSO Orchestra will perform popular music and carols and will later be joined by award-winning American songwriter, Dave LeMieux, and More Than Music, his ensemble of musicians and gospel singers from Denver and Memphis, to perform the UAE premiere of his toe-tapping, inspirational Gospel-Blues-Jazz festive work.
To round off the evening, the NSO Brass, Chorus, NSO Orchestra and Dave LeMieux will come together for the traditional Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.
The Emirates Palace Hotel will offer a selection of seasonal and mouth-watering treats for purchase during the interval, including gingerbread cookies and almond stollen.
‘A Festive Celebration’ will be performed at 7.30pm on Friday 11th December on the open-air Palace Terrace of the Emirates Palace Hotel. Tickets are available from www.nsouae.org and at the concert box office, priced at Platinum Dhs 300; Gold Dhs 200; Silver Dhs 125; Balcony Dhs 75.

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

On Thursday 10th December, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort will have a tree lighting ceremony followed by carol signing evening and indulgent treats such as mince pie, Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and mulled red beverages. There will also be a special visitor making this event fun filled for the whole family. Head for the patio in front of Oléa terrace and enjoy a special winter wonderland theme. Call 02-4988443 or email restaurant.saadiyat@stregis.com.

A cool Yule

Al Maryah Island will play host to an abundance of festive activities this month. The Winter Fair will take place at The Galleria and Promenade from 11th December to 16th January featuring authentic holiday kiosks with art and crafts and traditional seasonal food and treats. Then the spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration offers an assortment of shopping, dining, family fun, and fireworks along its waterfront Promenade. Performances from live musical acts, will build-up to the dazzling firework display. Celebrations will start at 6pm on Thursday 31st and a mixture of entertainment will be available along the Promenade and in Abu Dhabi Global Market Square. Visit www.almaryahisland.ae.

Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach

Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach turns on the magic on Saturday 6th December with the St. Nicolas Day Christmas tree lighting in the hotel lobby. Taking place from 7pm to 9pm, you can mark the season with classic Christmas carols, a jolly visit from Santa, and seasonal sweets and beverage treats. Call 04-4498781 or email Hotel.Jumeirahbeach.FB@moevenpick.com.

Sheraton Dubai, Mall of the Emirates Hotel

Treat the little ones to an afternoon of decorating gingerbread on Saturday 19th December for Dhs 95 per child. You could also head for the hotel lobby to marvel the large gingerbread bag filled with festive treats, cakes and gifts and visit Sanabel to have the chance of opening the advent calendar box of the day, and discover special prizes behind each door. Call 04-3772352 or visit www.sanabelrestaurantdubai.com/festive.

TIME Hotels

Santa Claus will make two extra special stops in Dubai as he joins the team at TIME Hotels in the run-up to Christmas. The fun begins at 4pm on 10th December with traditional tree lighting ceremonies at both TIME Oak Hotel & Suites and TIME Grand Plaza Hotel, complete with Christmas carols and a taster of the hotels’ Christmas menu, as well as a visit from Santa with goodies for the little ones. He will make a second appearance at TIME Oak Hotel & Suites, during the popular annual Christmas Market, which will take place on the weekend of 18th and 19th December from 9am to 6pm daily. Call 04-3236667.

Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers

Crema lobby lounge with be lighting the Christmas tree at 5pm on Wednesday 9th December. Catch the sounds of the season with carols from the GEMS Jumeirah Primary School – JPS Christmas Carollers and take your camera to capture family moments by the tree with Santa. Participation is free. Call 04-4380000.

SEE ALSO:

Peanuts festive gifts

Gap introduces the limited edition babyGap and GapKids collections featuring the beloved characters of Peanuts, just in time for holiday gifting. The exclusive gapKids collection celebrates the optimistic and adventurous essence of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the gang. Continue reading >>

Al Bustan Rotana Dubai

You’re invited to the Christmas tree lighting at the magnificent Al Bustan Rotana lobby on Thursday 10th December at 5pm. See the tree come to life while the hotel’s choir sing the best Christmas songs and festive goodies are passed around. Visit www.rotanatimes.com or call 04-7054285.

The Palace Downtown Dubai

Enjoy a Wreath Decorating Class with the team at Al Bayt and create your own colourful wreath by Bliss, while enjoying a superb array of beverages. This is available on Saturday 12th December from 2pm to 5pm and is priced at Dhs 140 per person. In addition, the Gingerbread Classes at Ewaan Terrace is where the chefs will guide the youngsters through a fun master class on how to build the perfect mini gingerbread house. You can enjoy this from 6th to 19th December, between 2pm and 5pm, for Dhs 120 per person. Booking is required in advance. Call 04-4287888.

Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort

For a fun-filled afternoon for the entire family, head for the Gingerbread Factory from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesday 9th December where children are invited to decorate their own gingerbread house and to enjoy festive snacks and refreshments. Adding to the excitement, a petting zoo will showcase a range of friendly animals and Santa will surprise the young guests with a gift. The festivities continue in the hotel lobby with the tree lighting ceremony at 6pm where you can tuck into festive goodies while listening to Christmas carols. Tickets cost Dhs 139 per child and Dhs 109 per adult and advanced booking is required. Call 02-6773333.

Pantry Cafe

Pantry Café in Dubai’s Al Wasl Square will be holding a special Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Friday 4th December at 5pm. The family-friendly eatery will be lighting up the giant tree and is inviting all families to join in the magic. Santa will make a special appearance and will be handing out gifts while you listen to the carols and tuck into festive treats prepared by the Pantry Café team. Call 04-3883868.