The Annual Festive Season Carnival at Address Montgomerie. To be perfectly frank, the main reason we’re here for our Friday outing today is because we can walk here and, perhaps more importantly, it’s starting early (12pm, early by Dubai standards) when most of the festive events and activities are either late afternoon or evening affairs.
Our children don’t stretch to 8pm to see Santa, not when they regularly rise before 6am. At this time of year, that’s before the first of the sun’s rays are even visible. So it follows that as the sun disappears for the day, they’re waning too.
They’ve spotted the jumping castle before we even reach the grounds of the Montgomerie and we know there’s no going back now. The boys are on their bikes and my husband and I are walking – it is nice to have a venue like this so close by.
We arrive and Santa is present in his grotto. The boys visit and are specific and consistent in their Christmas wishes – Harley wants a red remote control motorbike that can stand up by itself. Jasper has Pokemon cards on his list.
After the all important Santa visit, we make it to the fun fair and there are prices on everything so we promise the boys one ride. They have a 20 minute slot on the giant bouncy slide (for AED20) which is reasonable, for Dubai anyway. We frequently remind the boys that they can’t have everything they want. This doesn’t stop them from trying though.
In any case, while they’re on the giant bouncy slide we reassess and decide to settle in for the afternoon. This means that the value ticket becomes worthwhile. The boys are delighted with face painting, trampoline bungees, pizza making, gingerbread decorating, arts & crafts and another turn each on the giant bouncy slide. What’s more the very friendly attendant lets me upgrade one of the already purchased bouncy tickets so it becomes even better *value*.
We find a spot on the grass and enjoy whiling away the afternoon. In addition to the above activities, pizza, gingerbread, popcorn and fairy floss are consumed. Not an entirely healthy afternoon but it’s interspersed with obstacle courses (running, sit ups, push ups in varying forms) as well as the aforementioned activities so I vow to make it up with a healthy dinner.
There is live music and lots of families, art and craft stalls and of course, food vans. My husband has an excellent burger but I’m trying to be healthy before the inevitable festive season blowout so I opt to wait until we get home. This doesn’t stop me from sampling everyone else’s treats.
We have brought Jasper’s golf club over thinking that he might hit some balls at the driving range but clearly that’s not happening today – there is too much to occupy them already and we manage to keep the value ticket going for the afternoon. It had crossed my mind to stay at Monty’s for dinner but they’re bouncing one minute and then next minute it’s dark and the tears start.
We make a bee-line for home. The tears last most of the way but this doesn’t put a dampener on the afternoon. We’ve had a lovely time and although not altogether Christmassy, the afternoon has been festive. Predictably, now that the sun has disappeared the ever familiar witching hour is upon us. Thank goodness for a healthy meal and that conveniently close bed – festive season or not!
Would I Return?
Yes. The Address Montgomerie does a range of family events. Their website isn’t always updated or easy to search so check Face Book for events, dates and timings.