Christmas Day and the lead-up to the New Year is always an extra-busy time in the UAE, as the country goes into peak festive mode, with everything from meals and markets to fireworks and family-friendly events.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from December 25 to 31.
Monday
Plant-based diners, or those who want to try the diet before Veganuary comes along, can head to Planet Terra in Dubai for a six-course meal made of animal-free, organic and ethically sourced ingredients.
Christmas Day lunch starts with an amuse-bouche of truffle taco with mushrooms and cream, followed by a starter of (not) tuna tartare with beef tomato, haricots and creme fraiche. Cleanse your palate with mango and lime granita before diving into the main, which is a choice between creamy butternut and pesto ravioli with basil, or pumpkin turkey roll with chestnut puree with rainbow carrots and jus.
End the meal with hazelnut and pecan millefeuille with cream, strawberries and ice cream, as well as an after-dessert treat of dark chocolate Christmas truffle with pistachio and ginger.
Planet Terra has a special menu for children that includes a main, hot chocolate and a Christmas cookie. Carol singers will be on site to set the festive mood, while little guests can get gifts from under the restaurant's Christmas tree.
Monday; noon-3pm; from Dh220 per person, Dh60 per child; The Greens, Dubai; 054 306 6000
Tuesday
On Tuesday, sign up the little ones for Mess Fest, which takes place in the outdoor area of edutainment play centre OliOli in Dubai. On offer are sensory-rich activities with sand, water and paint, which is code for one big messy play session.
The pop-up, which runs until Saturday, features different play areas with activities such as paint palooza and mud madness. Children can also blow bubbles or mess around with slime, and also witness fun and educational experiments.
Until Saturday; 10am-7pm; Dh139 for one child and one adult for three hours; Al Quoz, Dubai; 04 702 7300
Wednesday
Continue the play session at Cityland Mall in Dubai, which has launched a toy festival in partnership with pan-Arab free-to-air television channel Spacetoon.
The three-month festival brings together the world's leading toy makers such as Barbie and Hot Wheels to showcase their products. There are also meet-and-greets and photo opportunities with mascots such as CoComelon and Bluey, as well as parades and live performances.
Children can engage in arts and crafts workshops, interactive activities such as jumbo games, cupcake decorating, as well as a petting zoo. The mall's outdoor amphitheatre is hosting live performances, including one by Grammy-nominated Arab singer Rasha Rizk.
Until March 22; noon-10pm; Dh60; Wadi Al Safa 4, beside Global Village; citylandmall.com
Thursday
On Thursday, visit the new Graffiti Art House at Adrenark Adventure, a massive indoor adventure park in Abu Dhabi.
As its name suggests, the new attraction is built with art at its heart. Visitors can engage in fluid art, canvas and ceramic painting or face art under the guidance of in-house artists. You can channel your inner graffiti artist by wielding recreational spray paints in purpose-built chambers.
Mondays to Wednesdays, 10am-10pm, Fridays and Saturdays, 10am-midnight, Thursdays and Sundays, 10am-11pm; from Dh135; Al Qana, Abu Dhabi; adrenark.com
Friday
After Rachel's Thanksgiving trifle, another culinary recreation inspired by the sitcom Friends is on offer at a Dubai sandwich shop.
Head to Wise Guys in DIFC to sample the Moist Maker, a sandwich inspired by Ross Geller’s stolen Thanksgiving sandwich. It is made of smoked turkey, truffled mashed potatoes, herb mayonnaise, melted provolone and Kashkaval cheeses packed between pillowy slices of brioche bread. The sandwich also comes drizzled with a generous amount of gravy and is served alongside a dollop of cranberry sauce.
Daily; 8.30am-11.30pm; Dh70; Dubai International Financial Centre; 052 686 3801
Saturday
Join a vision board workshop Society Dubai on Saturday.
Participants will be taken through a three-hour step-by-step guide in crafting vision boards that serve as visual representations of their dreams and desires. The concept is meant to serve as a source of motivation, and has been endorsed by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Steve Harvey.
The UAE session will be led by motivational speaker Ira Poladko, who's the creative mind behind Mira Vision Board. “Vision boards, also known as dream boards or inspiration boards, are a visual tapestry of your goals and aspirations, a simple yet profound way to clarify your desires,” explains Poladko. “It's more than just images; it's a personalised roadmap to make your dreams tangible through consistent focus.”
Saturday; 11am-2pm; Dh330 per person, inclusive of breakfast; Jumeirah 1; 04 222 2811
Sunday
Numerous spots across the UAE are turning into party venues and viewing hubs for dazzling fireworks shows to ring in 2024 with a literal bang. While Burj Khalifa spots can get a tad expensive, Global Village has not one but seven fireworks displays for a fraction of the cost.
The shows are timed to represent midnights in seven different countries and time zones. The first will commence at 8pm on the main stage, marking midnight in China. This is followed by fireworks at 9pm (for Thailand), 10pm (for Bangladesh), 10.30pm (for India), 11pm (for Pakistan), midnight (for the UAE) and 1am (for Turkey). Each display will have its own countdown.
Fireworks aside, visitors enjoy more than 250 dining options, head to the carnival area with about 195 rides, games and attractions, or shop at the various country pavilions.
Sunday; from 8pm; Dh27 per person; Global Village, Dubai; globalvillage.ae
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
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
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
