Attend the annual Swiss Christmas Market and experience a traditional European festive event featuring wooden chalets selling an array of seasonal gifts and decorations. Try Swiss culinary favourites and enjoy live music by a Swiss folklore band. From 4pm to 9pm, free entry, Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi, 02 653 8181, www.swissbcuae.com
Have some fun with The Laughter Factory. This month's line-up includes Paddy Lennox, from Ireland; British-Somali comedian Prince Abdi, from TV reality series Show Me the Funny; and Alex Boardman, who is said to be able to conjure something out of nothing. At 8pm, Dh140, ages 21+ only, McGettigan's, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, 04 355 1862, www.platinumlist.net
Register to take part in a festive cooking masterclass with Jones the Grocer and prepare the perfect three-bird roast stuffed with truffle and foie gras, served with Brussels sprouts, chestnuts and parsnips. From Dh575, December 12, Al Mamoura, Abu Dhabi; December 16, Al Manara, Dubai; December 19, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi, www.facebook.com/JonesUAE
See the 2014 French film Les Héritiers (Once in a Lifetime) by Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar. Based on a true story, the pupils in a teacher's weakest 10th-grade class are transformed when they are made to sit a national history exam. The film is in French and will have English subtitles. At 8pm, Alliance Française Dubai, Oud Metha, Dubai, 04 335 8712, www.afdubai.org
Sign up for Expedition: Cycling the Alps. Teams of two to six riders are invited to take part in a six-hour charity spinning event led by teams of instructors who will take participants through some of the climbs and sights of the Alps. Friday, from 9am to 3pm, The Cycling Room, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, register at 02 444 4945, info@theroom
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