Events in UAE
Christmas events for kids in Dubai
Anytime
Gingerbread Kits
Indulge the kids’ Christmas spirit by ordering The Gingerbread House kit from PlayaRound. Complete with everything you’ll need to build your own gingerbread house including pre-cut walls, roof and door as well as icing sugar and candy decorations, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon with the kids, and tastes absolutely delicious too!
Dhs150. Jewels Tower 2, Dubai Marina, www.playaround.ae (04 457 0455).
December 4-6
A Christmas Show
Do you believe in Santa Claus? If so, head down to DUCTAC for an enchanting, fun filled adventure. Watch as Santa Claus searches for a missing Rudolph while the Elves get up to lots of mischief. An unforgettable experience and a guaranteed white Christmas at every show, it’s a Christmas treat you won’t want to miss!
Dhs125. 4th, 5th show at 4.30pm, 6th show at 3pm and 5pm. Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, www.ductac.org (04 341 4777).
December 4-23
Meet Santa
Head down to Santa’s Grotto at Rainforest Café to meet Santa Claus and receive a special present. Kids will get their picture taken with Santa as well as the chance to write out their Christmas wish list.
Rainforest Café, The Dubai Mall, www.rainforestcafeme.com (04 330 8515).
December 4,11 and 18
Design your own decorations
Wednesdays in Dubai are about getting crafty at Caboodle. Kids can get involved in sprucing up the Christmas tree with a whole host of materials, colours, fabrics and shapes to choose from to embellish their ornaments, which they can then take home and hang on the Christmas tree.
Dhs90, for two hour workshop. 3pm-7pm. The Dubai Mall,www.caboodle.ae (04 325 3367).
December 7, 14, 21 and 28
Winter Cookies
Bring the kids along and let them learn how to make delicious cookies then have lots of fun decorating them with colours, icing and sprinkles. Eating their creations will be the best part of all.
Dhs70 (two hour workshop). 3pm-7pm, Saturdays in December. Caboodle, The Dubai Mall, www.caboodle.ae (04 325 3367).
December 6
Christmas Lights
It’s time to turn on the lights at The Ritz-Carlton and they’re going to do so in magnificent style. With a children’s choir providing festive entertainment, cups of hot cocoa and lots of Christmas cookies and treats for the little ones, the kids faces will be lit up as brightly as the magnificent tree.
Free. 5pm. The Ritz Carlton, Dubai at The Walk, dine.dubai@ritzcarlton.com (04 318 6150).
December 5-7 Time Out Recommends
Dubai Christmas Festival
Kick off the festive celebrations with a visit to the Dubai Christmas Festival which has everything you love about Christmas in one place! A true winter wonderland, with snow everywhere, the kids will be able to take part in a giant snowball fight, glide across the ice accompanied by Christmas tunes and then go visit Santa is his grotto. There’s a fun fair with a helter skelter and carousel, carol singers and even a Peter Pan and Tinkerbell Pantomime. Fun for all the family at this exciting festival.
Dhs50/Dhs60(adult avanced/on the door); Dhs25/30(children advanced/on the door). Panto, grotto, ice-rink and snowzone extra. 4pm-10pm (Thu); 3pm-10pm (Fri, Sat). Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, http://dubaichristmasfestival.com.
December 13
Christmas story time with Time Out Kids and Virgin Megastore
Come join us for a fun morning of storytelling with Elliott the bear and a mystery celebrity storyteller. There will be lots of great prizes to be won and delicious refreshments for the whole family. We’ll also be giving away prizes for the best Christmas costume!
Free. 10am-12pm. Virgin Megastore. Mall of the Emirates.www.timeoutdubaikids.com.
See a show
Kids will love The Very Snowy Holiday brought to life by BlunderBus Theatre Company. With Big Mouse and Little Mouse, falling snowflakes and impending disaster, it’s a fun show for all the little ones.
Dhs125 (includes entry to The Mother and Baby Show); Free (children under 1 year). Dubai World Trade Centre. Show timings vary, call for details. (04 340 5601).
December 14
Teddy Bears Picnic
Time Out Kids Teddy Bears' Picnic is back! So grab the little ones and get over to Sport’s City for an afternoon of sheer bear-faced festive fun, shake paws with Elliott the bear, enjoy family games and attractions galore and join us for a scrumptious picnic. Don't forget to bring your bear to win a prize!
Noon-5pm. Sports City. Tickets fromwww.timeoutdubaikids.com/teddybearspicnic.
Story time with Santa
Storytelling with Santa is the most magical combination this Christmas. Head down to Ski Dubai to meet Father Christmas and listen to him read a story about the joys of the festive season, before he hands out gifts for all the little ones.
Dhs50, 14-24 December, 5pm-6pm. Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates (04 409 4000).
December 15-19
Get creative
If the kids are looking bored with the Christmas shopping, why not book them into art camp where they’ll have the chance to get creative, make some special festive decorations, get messy and meet new friends in the process.
Dhs900 for 5 day course. 10am-1.3pm, ages 6- 11 years. Ductac, Mall of Emirates, Al Barsha (04 341 4777).
December 17-27
Winter Wonderland Time Out Recommends
Get down to the Souk Festive Market at the Madinat Jumeirah for an enchanted winter wonderland with fun for all the family. Spread over a whopping 2,200sq m the magical venue has been extended this year to extend from the amphitheatre all across the lagoon waterways. Guests can enjoy seasonal food and drinks including gingerbread and roasted chestnuts as they marvel at the giant Christmas tree. Kids can play in the giant snow globe, do some ice skating, take part in a reindeer rodeo, visit Santa and hop aboard the North Pole train.
Free entry. 3pm-midnight (weekdays), 1pm-midnight (weekends). Madinat Jumeirah (04 366 6730)
Tuesday 17
Movie Magic
Get into the festive spirit with a wintery trip to the movies as Time Out Kids host an exclusive screening of Disney’s newest blockbuster Frozen. Be one of the first to see this movie featuring talking snowmen, oodles of ice and wintery adventure by visiting www.timeoutdubaikids.com/frozenfor your chance to win an exclusive invitation.
Entry by invitation only. 6pm. Vox Cinemas, Mall of Emirates.
December 20-31
See a panto
Christmas isn’t Christmas without a visit to a pantomime and this year, Snow White has come to town. Watch as the dashing Prince and fair Snow White fall in love, boo and hiss at the Evil Queen and chortle at the seven dwarves and their mischief. With great songs, dancing and audience participation, it’s a festive treat everyone will enjoy.
Dhs130. 20th - 31st December (No show on 25th), see website for show times. Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates,www.ductag.org (04 0341 4777).
December 21
Gingerbread decorating
Kids can enjoy hands-on festive fun at Armani/Deli with special gingerbread decorating sessions assisted by the in-house chefs. Sandwiches and soft drinks are provided to keep the little workers fuelled as they work, and their creations will be gift wrapped for them to take home.
Dhs175 (including soft drinks and sandwiches), 10.30am-12pm. Armani Hotel, Downtown Dubai (04 888 3888).
December 24
Christmas fun
Make Christmas Eve truly memorable with fun at Caboodle’s Santa and the Christmas workshop. With crafts, balloon bending, dressing up,games and lots more wintery fun it’s a great way to get rid of some of that excited Christmas energy.
Dhs70, for two hours, Caboodle, The Dubai Mall, www.caboodle.ae (04 325 3367).
December 25
Festive Feasts
Raffles
Make Christmas Day special with a visit to Raffle’s winter wonderland complete with life size igloos, giant gingerbread houses and a festive feast for all. Kids can run wild in their own area and Santa will also be paying a visit.
Dhs375 (with soft drinks); Dhs575 (with house beverages); Dhs190 (children under 12 years); Free (children under 6). 12.30pm-4pm. Raffles Hotel, Oud Metha (04 324 8888).
Al Forsan
Give the kids a Christmas to remember with pony and camel rides, falconry displays, bouncy castles and even a mini zoo. A visit from Santa as you tuck and a special Christmas buffet will wrap up the day nicely.
Dhs395 (food only); Dhs499 (with house beverages, sparkling grape and hops); Dhs197.50 (children 6-11 years); Free (children under 5) 12.30pm-4pm. Bab Al Shams, next to Endurance Village (04 809 6194).
Na3Na3
Tuck into a traditional turkey with all the trimmings or opt for something out of the ordinary this Christmas with the extensive brunch at Na3 Na3. The little ones will enjoy their own special buffet, a visit from Santa and complimentary access to Qix club where they can play games, have a go on the climbing wall or indulge in some PlayStation.
Dhs195 (with soft drinks); Dhs265 (with house beverages). 12.30pm-4pm. The Address Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai (04 888 3444).
Emirate: Dubai
Venue: Make this year one your youngsters will never forget with these exciting events
Dates: Dec 4, 2013 - Dec 25, 2013
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