A selection of noughties British artists and a spectacular ice show are coming to Dubai Opera next month.
The Downtown Dubai venue has unveiled its festive programme for December, with music and dance featuring heavily among the upcoming performances.
Here's what to expect ...
'Christmas Cracker': Thursday, December 10
Among the artists jetting into the UAE ahead of Christmas is Gareth Gates, who will perform as part of Christmas Cracker, a concert featuring Yuletide classics and singalong carols.
The British singer-songwriter was runner-up in the first series of Pop Idol in 2002, the talent show that went on to become The X Factor. He will be joined on the night by Natasha Hamilton, former member of Atomic Kitten, the British girl band known for hits such as 2000's Whole Again.
"This festive extravaganza promises to transport guests to the magical days of Christmases past, a definite delight for those who want to reignite that childhood wonder," said Dubai Opera.
While the pop stars will perform festive classics, guests can also expect renditions of their most famous chart hits, too.
Tickets for Christmas Cracker start from Dh225, including a welcome drink.
'Santa Baby': Friday, December 11
NSO Big Band will put a jazz twist on festive favourites in this concert, which will be performed at 2pm and 8pm.
The band, which brings together musicians from across the UAE, will perform upbeat renditions of songs such as Everybody's Waitin' for the Man With the Bag, Silver Bells and All I Want for Christmas is You.
The show will also feature guest jazz musicians and vocalists from Europe and Armenia.
Tickets start from Dh190 and include a welcome drink.
'The Simon & Garfunkel Story': Saturday, December 19
This concert-inspired show tells the story behind the musical folk duo of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel.
Following a sold-out run in London's West End as well as a worldwide tour, The Simon & Garfunkel Story uses projections, photos and film footage alongside live performances and eerily similar vocalists. The duo, who rose to fame as one of the best-selling music groups of the 1960s, disbanded in 1970 and went on to forge solo careers, although they did reunite several times.
Expect to hear some of the New York duo's most recognisable hits, including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Tickets start from Dh145 and include a welcome drink.
'Cirque de Glace': Thursday to Saturday, November 24 to November 26
Dubai Opera is set to turn its stage into an ice rink once more for this frosty show (it previously did the same for The Nutcracker on Ice in 2016).
This year, a troupe from Russian Ice Stars will perform a series of theatrical acrobatics, dances and contortions on skates, in a show that's touted to trace the story of human evolution.
There will be high-octane lifts and high-speed throws aplenty, ensuring you'll be gripping the edge of your (socially distanced) seat.
Tickets start from Dh295 and include a welcome drink.
For more information or to book tickets, visit dubaiopera.com
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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