If you’re staying in the UAE throughout December to enjoy the winter sun, there’s lots of festive fun to be had for all the family – particularly the youngest members.
After previous years of cancellations, winter markets and festivals are back in 2021, with the chance to chill out without getting chilly at street parades and stage shows, art installations and winter gardens.
This year there’s plenty on offer to keep children entertained, including gingerbread house decorating, an immersive art show that whisks them off to the North Pole, plus plenty of chances to meet Santa Claus across the emirate.
If you’re missing the cold, head to perennial favourites, Ski Dubai and Dubai Ice Rink to get your chill on, while the Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market, returning after last year’s absence, is the perfect place for the whole family to really get into the spirit of things.
Here are 11 places to visit, activities, shows and parades to entertain children this Christmas …
Winter Garden, Habtoor Palace Dubai
Back by popular demand, the Winter Garden at Al Habtoor City is packed with fun and entertainment for children this festive season.
Open until March 31, 2022 families can stroll around admiring the lights and decorations, and children and adults alike will enjoy the street entertainment, including artists, choirs and acrobats.
Food and beverage stalls offer an array of festive delights such as gingerbread men and hot chocolate, while children can enjoy spotting Santa as he makes regular appearances for photos opportunities.
Habtoor Palace Dubai; 5pm-midnight; alhabtoorcity.com
Winter Wonderland, Ski Dubai
If you’re not jetting off somewhere cold, Ski Dubai is the next best thing.
When they’re not busy throwing snowballs, children will be in their element with plenty of entertainment on offer, including the snow park, movies screened at the snow cinema, and activities such as building a snowman and a ride on the chairlifts. Not to mention the chance to meet the big man himself before enjoying a hot drink in Santa’s Alpine village.
Mall of the Emirates; December 1-25; Sunday-Thursday 10am-midnight, Friday and Saturday 9am-midnight; from Dh125; skidxb.com
Gingerbread house workshop, Raffles Dubai
Guaranteed to hold their attention for far longer than an episode of Paw Patrol, enrolling the children in a gingerbread house making workshop will not only keep them entertained, but they also get to bring home a yummy treat for the family.
The pastry chefs at Raffles Dubai will be on hand to teach children how to construct their own little house, complete with icing and sweets decoration.
December 12-18; 3pm-5pm; Dh85 per child or free for one child when accompanied by an adult who is having afternoon tea (Dh180); www.raffles.com/dubai
Christmas magic, Expo 2020 Dubai
Not content with being the world’s greatest show, Expo 2020 is also putting on a series of festive events for families with children.
Head to the Lebanon Pavilion on Saturday to experience a magical event aimed for children hosted by Michel Khairallah. There will be arts and crafts, painting and balloon animal making, as well as live entertainment and plenty of magic tricks.
December 11; 4pm-10pm; event included in Expo 2020 entry price; www.expo2020dubai.com
Theatre of Digital Art, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Already a must-visit for art lovers of all ages, this festive season, ToDA is bringing Christmas to life for children.
The acclaimed digital team has put together an immersive 15-minute Christmas-themed digital multimedia show this winter for anyone hoping to experience a white Christmas without the need for hats and scarves.
Children will find themselves inside a realistic winter scene complete with snow-covered forests, ice palaces and trees made of lollipops, while live actors are on-hand to create the ideal North Pole atmosphere.
Festive workshops will be held at weekends.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah; until January 20, 2022; 11am-1.30pm; Dh60 per adult, Dh50 per child or Dh100 for a combo ticket for one adult and one child; www.toda.ae
Festive Ripe Market, Academy Park
Family favourite weekend destination Ripe Market isn’t just for shopping, as there are plenty of things for children to enjoy too .
As well as the usual array of stalls and food and beverage outlets, children can pay a visit to Santa’s grotto, join in wreath-making workshops, as well as decorate gingerbread houses, all to the soundtrack of festive music.
Umm Suqeim; until December 25; Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm; ripeme.com
Floating Toy Factory, Times Square Centre
If you’re stuck for ideas to entertain, head to Times Square Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road to let children try their hand at toy making.
Also meet Santa at his grotto, before getting the chance to sit in a real sleigh (reindeers not included).
At the Floating Toy Factory, children can meet Mrs Claus in the arts and crafts space and take home a toy made from recycled materials.
Until January 2, 2022; 10am-6pm; timessquarecenter.ae
Winter Camp in the Rainforest, The Green Planet Dubai
Open for children aged 5 to 10, the Winter Camp in the Rainforest at The Green Planet Dubai gives them the chance to spend their December holiday learning about nature and the planet with an array of themed daily activities.
Animal encounters with birds, bats, sloths and sugar gliders, nature-inspired arts and crafts, games and treasure hunts, plus explorations into the heart of the bio-dome are all part of the camp.
Children can take along a packed lunch or dine at The Green Planet Cafe. Lunch is Dh35 per day or Dh140 per week.
December 12-29; Sunday-Wednesday, 9am-2pm; Dh250 per day or Dh750 for a week; thegreenplanetdubai.com
Dubai Ice Rink, The Dubai Mall
If you’re missing the cold weather, get a chilly fix at the Dubai Ice Rink.
Head to the mall with your children and let them loose on the ice as they twirl beneath the snow created by the snow machines which regularly pump out falling flakes.
And don’t worry if your child is new to skating as there is an array of aids to choose from, including seals, snowmen and penguins, which they can hold onto as they find their ice-legs.
Open daily; Sunday-Wednesday 10am-10pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-midnight; tickets from Dh85; dubaiicerink.com
Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market
The family favourite market returns to the popular destination with plenty of activities and entertainment for children.
Wander around the stalls, with many toys on offer, before hopping aboard the North Pole train ride for a chugga-chugga choo-choo around the market.
A live band is on hand playing seasonal tunes, and previous years have featured a faux snowball arena as well as a traditional carousel. There’s also the chance to win an abra ride with Santa.
Madinat Jumeirah; December 16-30; Sunday-Wednesday 3pm till late, Thursday-Saturday 12pm till late; jumeirah.com
Snow arena, festive parade and stage show, La Mer
If you thought La Mer beachfront was only about the sand and sea, think again. This festive season, La Mer Central is being transformed into a snow arena for children aged 3 to 12 to enjoy.
Head along with the family and children can enjoy 20 minutes in the arena (from December 12-28) making snowballs and snow angels to their heart’s content.
There will also be a daily festive parade involving acrobats, dancers and jugglers, and a festive elf stage show (twice daily from December 19-28), with the streets of La Mer decked out in Christmas lights.
Jumeirah 1; December 12-28; children's snow arena 2pm-10pm, entry free with a minimum spend of Dh100 at any La Mer outlet; festive parade, Sunday–Thursday 5pm and 7pm, Friday–Saturday, 7pm and 9pm; festive stage show, Sunday–Thursday 5.30pm and 7.30pm, Friday–Saturday, 7.30pm and 9.30pm
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
The Specs:
The Specs:
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 444bhp
Torque: 600Nm
Price: AED 356,580 incl VAT
On sale: now.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 1 (Carroll 82')
Leicester City 2 (Maddison 55', Tielemans 72')
Man of the match James Maddison (Leicester)
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
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
Sunday:
GP3 race: 12:10pm
Formula 2 race: 1:35pm
Formula 1 race: 5:10pm
Performance: Guns N' Roses
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Manchester City transfers:
OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)
INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m
ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho
ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
