Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has sent a message of “joy and peace” to Christians in the Emirates and across the world.
Sheikh Mohamed wished residents and their families well in a post on social media.
“To those celebrating the occasion, both in the UAE and around the world, I wish you a happy and merry Christmas. May this be a time of joy and peace for you and your families,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote.
Worshippers attended Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services in churches, with clergy expressing wishes for hope and healing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Christmas decorations and lights have adorned roads and homes across the UAE, as residents join in the celebrations.
Malls in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have put up Christmas trees and set up winter holiday markets – complete with Santa Claus and his elves greeting children and handing out presents.
Shoppers have posed for photographs in malls decked out with reindeer, polar bears, snowmen and gingerbread houses.
Christmas decorations in the UAE – in pictures
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Dubai Festival City Mall is looking festive with its Winter Wonderland set-up in the main atrium. Pawan Singh / The National -
The entrance to Dubai Festival City Mall's Winter Wonderland. Pawan Singh / The National -
A view of the festive atrium at Dubai Festival City Mall. Pawan Singh / The National -
The giant Christmas tree at Dubai Festival City Mall. Pawan Singh / The National -
Hanging Christmas decorations at The Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh / The National -
A view of The Dubai Mall at Christmas in 2021. Pawan Singh / The National -
Mall of the Emirates installed a carbon-neutral LED tree at the centre of its Winter Wonderland Festive Market in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
The tree turns different colours. Pawan Singh / The National -
The decorations at Mall of The Emirates' Winter Wonderland Festive Market. Pawan Singh / The National -
The entrance to Mall of the Emirates' Winter Wonderland Festive Market. Pawan Singh / The National -
Expo 2020 Dubai's Christmas tree being put up by the elves. Victor Besa / The National -
A gingerbread house at the entrance of the Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Children can mail their Christmas letters to Santa at Expo 2020 Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Expo 2020 Dubai's Al Wasl Dome lit up with Christmas projections. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Festive performances are taking place at Expo 2020 Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National -
More views of the Christmas decorations around Expo 2020 Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National -
The centre atrium all set for Christmas at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Colourful Christmas Santa boot decor at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A young girl poses in front of the Christmas gingerbread house decoration at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A shopper takes photos of the centre atrium Christmas decoration at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Festive Christmas decorations in Santa's Winter Village at The Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Extravagant and festive Christmas decorations at The Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Santa Claus in the holiday spirit at The Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Santa Claus and his elves giving out presents to the children that wrote him letters at The Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A young boy opens his gift at The Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
A young boy writes Santa a letter at The Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Curling game at the Winter Wonderland along the waterfront promenade of The Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Extravagant and festive Christmas decorations at The Galleria Mall Al Maryah Island. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
