Dubai Christmas Market: The Complete Guide
Are you searching for festive markets? Christmas markets in Dubai are just the place! Dubai has its own traditions that include 40-foot Christmas trees, mulled wine, and mince pies. Live music and great shopping make spending time at a Dubai Christmas market so much fun. Celebrate the festive season and the lead up to Christmas eve by visiting Santa Claus, watching a Christmas tree lighting, and taking a North Pole train ride.
You will be able to find gifts for even the most difficult person on your list, from handmade ornaments and crafts to clothing to art. Dive into these Dubai Christmas markets! Dubai street food can be found at most of the markets so you will not go hungry while you take in the many festivities offered. Visit Ski Dubai, Habtoor Palace, or Palm Jumeirah while exploring the city.
Bring along your sense of adventure and your appetite but drop your bags at a Dubai Bounce location for safekeeping. Christmas markets can get pretty crowded so you do not want to be lugging big bags through the streets. Head to one of the most popular Christmas markets and celebrate Christmas in Dubai during this winter season.
Bab Al Shams
When looking for one of the best Dubai Christmas markets, look no further than Bab Al Shams, which is also known as Desert Winter Wonderland. Held at the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort on Al Qudra Road in Opposite Endurance City, Dubai. The market generally runs for 12 days and has over 50 different vendors and stalls offering amazing gift ideas. including digital art.
The 40-foot Christmas tree is a sight to see and the live music played here features well-known Christmas carols and a few lesser-known songs. Santa even comes to visit, so make sure your kids have their Christmas list ready for the jolly old elf. Wrap your hands around a mug of hot chocolate or mulled wine and munch on mince pies.
What to do near Bab Al Shams
You can explore some areas of the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort when you come for the Christmas market or you can take a stroll along Al Qudra Lake. The Tallest Block of Dubai Marina is not far from the resort and offers phenomenal views of the marina and the surrounding city. The Dubai skyline is amazing to see from this vantage point.
The Big Studio Ville Christmas Market
One of the more famous Christmas markets in Dubai and located in Dubai Studio City, The Big Studio Ville Christmas Market is a festive market filled with Christmas decorations, vendors, food stalls, and a party atmosphere. Several stalls sell gifts including lovely Christmas ornaments.
Fill your arms as you shop for gifts, Christmas décor, children’s toys, baked goods, and so many other fascinating items. Free activities for children and adults are offered during the Christmas Market. Live holiday music fills the Courtyard at Studio One Hotel.
What to do near The Big Studio Ville Christmas Market
Relax and be pampered at one of the best salons in Dubai Studio City, Amber Beauty Salon. Men can drop into the Volume Gents Salon for a little pampering of their own. Then take a stroll through the Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Butterfly Garden.
Top your day off with a visit to Dubai Autodrome if you are looking for a great way to unwind. It is a full motorsports facility that has a go-kart track, Race & Drive Centre, and other fabulous games including virtual reality motorsports action.
Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market
This annual market is one of the best Christmas markets in the city and is filled with dining, shopping, and live entertainment. It is a vibrant, festive market that you do not want to miss in Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouth in Dubai. Find amazing Christmas gifts and finish your Christmas shopping when you visit this market.
Look for bungee jumping, a snow zone for snowman-building activities and snowball fights. They do not really scream Christmas festival but are huge draws and great fun for those looking for an out-of-the-box experience this Christmas season. It does create an enchanting winter wonderland, though, with a festive spirit and snow fight zone!
Enjoy a mug of hot chocolate and munch on some tasty sweet treats while listening to a live band play seasonal tunes to keep everyone in the holiday spirit. Be sure to hop on the North Pole train for a fun train ride that winds through parts of the market. Bring a few empty shopping bags with you to tote home all the fabulous finds and gifts you will buy at this festive market.
What to do near Souk Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market
Nab tickets online with XLine at the Dubai Marina and enjoy the longest urban zip-line in the entire world or if you are looking for something a bit more sedate, get tickets to a holiday show at the Madinat Theatre. Book an abra tour and board a traditional Emirati boat for a wonderful water tour of the souk.
Hill House Christmas Market
Located at the Dubai Hills Golf Club, the Hill House Christmas Market is a month-long market filled with live entertainment, Christmas shopping, and great dining options. This one-of-a-kind market is filled with pop-ups offering all kinds of merchandise from brand name items to art from local artisans. This is definitely an immersive market.
Santa even makes sure to visit with the children at the Hill House market. Bring your camera so you can snap some photos of your kids on Santa’s lap. Enjoy fine dining or fast food options at this unique market. Spending time here will put you in the Christmas spirit, it is a marvelous Christmas celebration filled with festive decor.
What to do near Hill House Christmas Market
If you were not able to find all your Christmas gifts at the Hill House Christmas Market, the Dubai Mall is right around the corner. While you are checking out the mall, stop by the Dubai Fountain, it is a fun and beautiful place to visit. Head up to the Burj Khalifa observation deck for amazing views of the Dubai skyline.
Experience Terrific Christmas Markets in Dubai
Whether you are searching for a Christmas carnival or want to visit Santa Claus's grotto, Dubai is the place to be for Christmas lights and holiday charm. The Dubai Harbour is even decked out in holiday cheer and turned into a wonderland for Father Christmas to visit. Academy Park hosts a winter garden where you can greet Santa and mail your Christmas letters.
The holiday season sees a lot of interesting markets in Dubai pop up including the JLT Festive Market, the Winter Garden at Habtoor Palace Dubai in Al Habtoor City on Sheikh Zayed Road, and Nakheel Mall Festive Village.
The most popular Christmas markets in Dubai are listed but if you are hoping for less crowded places to meet Santa, check out a few of the smaller festivals and markets such as the Nakheel Mall Rooftop and Dubai Festival City.
Top Christmas markets will offer festive stalls where you can finish your shopping and then go visiting Santa's grotto with your little ones. Take a stroll along Sheikh Zayed Road while exploring Dubai and searching for the best Christmas gift for that special someone.
