Top 10: The Laughter Factory returns with shows in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, visit the annual Swiss Christmas Market, register to be a rock star with Hayley's Comet Theatre Company

Your essential guide to what's happening in the Emirates

The Laughter Factory features three top comedians including Chris Kent (pictured) and runs daily until Friday. The Laughter Factory

Abu Dhabi & Dubai

Comedy shows

The Laughter Factory brings the fun this holiday season with three top comedians. Described as “smart, irreverent and revolutionary”, Canadian Dana Alexander is the headliner. Sharing the stage are Irishman Chris Kent (pictured), with his distinctive storytelling, and Englishman Geoff Norcott, a right-wing political comedian. Christmas packages are available for shows tomorrow and Friday; call 050 878 6728 for details.

Tonight, 8pm, Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi; tomorrow, 9pm, Grand Millennium Tecom, Dubai; Friday, 7pm early show, Courtyard Marriott, Dubai; Friday, 9pm late show, Mövenpick JBR, Dubai, Dh140, ages 21+, www.platinumlist.net

Dubai

Kids’ fun

Hayley’s Comet Theatre Company is gearing up for its January term with a rock-star theme. Classes involve singing, dancing and acting, and children will create characters for a musical performance as part of the annual showcase. The term will feature songs by Queen, David Bowie, the Beatles and more.

Starts January 14 and runs until May, 5.30 to 6.30pm on Sundays for ages 6 to 9; 5pm to 7pm on Mondays for ages 11 to 13; 5pm to 7pm on Tuesdays for ages 9 to 11; 5pm to 7pm on Wednesdays for ages 14 to 17, from Dh1,650, James & Alex Studios, Dubai Marina, Dubai, [e-mail]

Register your children for the Hayley's Comet Rock Star term that starts in January. Hayley's Comet

Abu Dhabi

Holiday market

Visit the annual Swiss Christmas Market at Beach Rotana where you can find a Swiss-styled village featuring wooden chalets with vendors selling gift items, ornaments, decorations and handcrafted items. Plus, enjoy a selection of culinary specialities including Swiss raclette, fondue and chocolates. A Swiss folklore band will perform and local school choirs will present holiday carols in the afternoons.

Daily until Saturday, 4pm to 10pm, Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi, www.facebook.com/swissxmasabudhabi

Abu Dhabi

Exhibition

Catch the final day of Learning from Gulf Cities, a group exhibition that is the culmination of a collaboration between acedemics Harvey Molotch, Davide Ponzini and architectural photographer Michele Nastasi. The exhibition challenges depictions of cities in the GCC as flamboyant imitators, portraying them as both original and reflecting what is happening in the wider urban world.

Today, 3pm to 10pm, Project Space, NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 02 628 8000, www.nyuad-artgallery.org

Dubai

Exhibition

Opera Gallery presents Opposite Attracts, an exhibition of works by artists Alfred Haberpointner and Pascal Haudressy that showcases more than 25 artworks created through polar opposite media: one through modern technology and one through wood. Pictured: a detail of Corbeau by Pascal Haudressy

Opens today, then runs daily until December 21, 10am to 10pm, Sundays to Wednesdays; 2pm to 9pm on Fridays; 11am to 9pm on Saturdays, Opera Gallery, Gate Village Building 3, DIFC, Dubai, 04 323 0909, www.operagallery.com

Opposite Attracts at Opera Gallery features works by Alfred Haberpointer and Pascal Haudressy (pictured, a detail of Corbeau by Pascal Haudressy). Opera Gallery

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Abu Dhabi

Family fun

Buy tickets for WWE Live in Abu Dhabi and see wrestling ­Superstars including Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Braun Strowman, Bray Wyatt, Finn Balor, Cesaro and Sheamus. The event blends in-ring athletics with dramatic entertainment and the energy of a rock concert in a fun atmosphere the whole family will enjoy.

Tomorrow, 8pm, from Dh250, Zayed Sports City Tennis Stadium, Abu Dhabi, www.platinumlist.net

Dubai

Festive fun

Dubai Winter Festival returns in time for the holiday season with everything to love about Christmas in one place, including a visit to Santa’s grotto, shopping in the winter market, snowmen and snowballs in the snow-play zone, live performances including carols and a talent show, plus the tree-lighting.

Daily until Saturday, 4pm to 10pm today and tomorrow; 3pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, from Dh75 for a standard adult ticket, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai, dubaiwinterfestival.com

Abu Dhabi

Kids’ camp

Alliance Française Abu Dhabi presents its Winter Camp at Le Royal Méridien, featuring three weeks of games, sports, cooking workshops and more. Children, ages 4 to 12, will improve their French language skills through a variety of activities at this camp that aims to keep them entertained and busy throughout their winter break.

December 17 to January 4, 9am to 2pm, from Dh126 per day, Alliance Française, Le Royal Méridien, Abu Dhabi, 02 612 2900, [e-mail]

Dubai

Family fun

Try the new XLine at Dubai Marina, the world’s longest urban zipline at 1 kilometre, which runs two lines concurrently, allowing two people to experience the ride swiftly and safely at the same time. Operated by XDubai, the line runs from the top of one of the Amwaj Towers in JBR, 170 metres in the air, and runs past skyscrapers and across the water to the terrace of Dubai Marina Mall. Participants can share the fun with a helmet-mounted GoPro and have photos and videos emailed following their experience.

Open 10am to 6pm, Sundays to Thursdays; 10am to 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays, from Dh650 per person; Dh1,200 for two people including a customised edited video and photos, XLine, XDubai, Dubai Marina, www.xdubai.com/xline

Take a turn on the world's longest urban zip line at Dubai Marina. XDubai

Dubai

Art workshops

This Saturday, children ages 7 to 9 can enjoy a two-part storytelling workshop at thejamjar, in which they will use watercolours to illustrate a short story, then read their text to canine friends. The programme, in association with Reading Dogs UAE, aims to improve children’s reading level, reduce stress and help build confidence.

Saturday, 3pm to 4.30pm, Dh120, thejamjar, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, register by tomorrow at www.thejamjardubai.com