Dirham Stretchers' Guide to Christmas Markets and Events in Dubai 2024

The festive season is just around the corner, and Dubai is ready to celebrate with winter markets, seasonal events, and family-friendly activities. Here’s your guide to the best festive experiences this year, including dates, timings, costs, and booking details.

NB: Please double check dates, timings and costs before going. We did our best to collect this information but some data shared online might not be accurate. Thanks for understanding.

1. Habtoor Palace Festive Garden

When: December 5, 2024 – January 31st, 2025
Where: Habtoor Palace Dubai
Timings: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM (weekdays), 4:00 PM - 1 AM (weekends)
Cost: Free entry
What to Expect: Explore a festive garden with fairy lights, food stalls, and live entertainment. Highlights include the grand Christmas tree and Santa meet-and-greets, plus seasonal treats like mulled wine and hot chocolate. Pets welcome.
Instagram: @wintergardendubai
Booking: No booking required. Find the official website here.

2. Dubai Festival City Winter Market

When: December 8, 2024 – January 7, 2025
Where: Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall
Timings: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: Free entry
What to Expect: Enjoy a winter-themed market with festive food stalls, local crafts, and live performances. Don’t miss the IMAGINE light and water show happening hourly in the evening.
Instagram: @dubaifestivalcitymall
Booking: No booking required. Find the official website here.

3. The Ripe Market’s Festive Edition

When: December 16 – December 24, 2024
Where: Academy Park, Umm Suqeim
Timings: Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Cost: AED 5 entry fee
What to Expect: The Ripe Market goes festive with stalls offering Christmas crafts, handmade gifts, and organic products. Enjoy live music, family activities, and workshops.
Instagram: @ripemarket
Booking: No booking required.

4. Madinat Jumeirah Winter Wonders

When: December 6, 2024 – December 31, 2025
Where: Fort Island, Madinat Jumeirah
Timings: Monday - Wednesday : 3:00 PM – 12 AM | Thursday - Sunday : 12:00 PM – 12 AM
Cost: Free entry, plus paid activities. Paid parking.
What to Expect: A charming market featuring food stalls, artisanal gifts, and activities like gingerbread decorating and abra rides with Santa. Live entertainment and stunning decor add to the festive charm.
Instagram: @soukmadinatjumeirah
Booking: No booking required. Find the official website here.

5. Winter Wonderland at Ski Dubai

When: November 24, 2024 – January 7, 2025
Where: Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates
Timings: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Cost: AED 160 per person (includes Santa’s Grotto access and a printed photo with Santa)
What to Expect: Ski Dubai transforms into a snowy wonderland with festive decor, Christmas trees, and Santa meet-and-greets. Kids can play at the snow playground and receive a gift. Hot chocolate completes the experience.
Instagram: @skidxb
Booking: Book tickets here.

6. Expo City Dubai Winter City

When: December 6, 2024 – December 31, 2024
Where: Expo City Dubai
Timings: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: Entry from AED 40 online, AED 50 on-site. Some activities are ticketed.
What to Expect: Expo City becomes a winter wonderland featuring an ice rink, Christmas markets, festive lights, and nightly shows. Families can enjoy live performances, games, decorate gingerbread cookies and get Santa photo opportunities. Don't miss the dome show.
Instagram: @expocitydubai
Booking: Book your tickets here.

7. Global Village Festive Season

When: December 13, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Where: Global Village
Timings: Sunday to Wednesday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Thursday to Saturday: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Cost: From AED 25 entry (weekdays), AED 30 (weekends)
What to Expect: Global Village offers a festive twist with themed lights, live shows, and attractions at the Carnaval. Explore pavilions, shop for gifts, and enjoy multicultural food options.
Instagram: @globalvillageuae
Booking: Tickets available at the venue or online here.

8. Winter Disctrict

When: December 14, 2024 – December 22, 2024 
Where: Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
Timings: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM  
Cost: From AED 25  
What to Expect: Festive decor, live performances, parades, bouncy castles, a snow play area and other games, festive foods, Santa's grotto and a market.  
Instagram: @winter.district
Booking: Book online here.

9. JLT Winter Festival 2024

When: December 14, 2024 – December 22, 2024 
Where: JLT Park Amphitheatre
Timings: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM 
Cost: Free entry 
What to Expect: A 10 m Christmas tree, Santa meet & greet, arts & crafts, parades and live performances, festive foods and drinks as well as a market. 
Instagram: @jltbydmcc 

Festive Events in Abu Dhabi

1. Winter Wonderland at Al Maryah Island

When: December 14, 2024 – December 26, 2024
Where: Al Maryah Island
Timings: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: Free entry
What to Expect: Enjoy a festive market, ice rink, live entertainment, and a magical Santa’s Grotto. Perfect for families.
Check the schedule here.

2. Yas Winter Fest

When: December 13, 2024 – December 22, 2024
Where: Yas Gateway Park North, Abu Dhabi
Timings:  Monday - Thursday : 4:00 PM – 11 PM | Friday - Sunday : 4:00 PM – 11 PM
Cost: From AED 25
What to Expect: Abu Dhabi's biggest winter celebration. More details here.
Instagram: @yaswinterfest