Winter in Dubai is that wonderful season. Where the weather is cool enough for walking, swimming and sitting outside. The boats are out and the beaches are busy. Where an evening aperitif in the garden is not only possible but enjoyable and the night might even be cool enough to consider a mulled wine.
Spending Christmas at home in Dubai with my family and my mother-in-law has given me time to reflect on another year. It’s also been enjoyable having some downtime with our family. A pause in a season otherwise filled with a unique blend of Dubai festive cheer and the mesmerizing allure of this stunning city. This year, instead of the traditional Christmas beaches and BBQs of Oz, we stayed to enjoy adventures closer to our current home, making family memories under the warm desert skies. With the magic of the city at this time of year and Grammie visiting, it all feels rather special.
DSF Drone Show
We start our line up of Winter in Dubai holiday highlights with a visit to the Dubai Shopping Festival’s (DSF) drone show. The show is absolutely captivating. The skies above JBR once again glitter with thousands of synchronized drones, forming beautiful holiday and Dubai-themed patterns.
It is an incredible performance to witness, especially with the kids beside us, their eyes wide in wonder, trying to figure out how it all works. My mother-in-law, who’s seen countless Christmas lights in her lifetime, is just as impressed and the energy in the air is electric with anticipation. We all feel the thrill of the season, even in the desert.
Global Village
The next day, we take a trip to Global Village, a cultural extravaganza that is like stepping into a world of international Christmas markets. We explore the pavilions from all over the world, tasting delicacies, and buying little trinkets.
We’re all delighted again by the stunt show performance and it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves with Grammie. Global Village always delivers a fusion of cultures and festive spirit which makes it a perfect outing to embrace the joy of Christmas.
Christmas in Dubai
We have always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve in our family. So even though we have lunch booked for tomorrow, tonight I make an effort for our home celebrations. As the weather is so nice, we’re able to enjoy sitting outside. I ready the table while the kids try to beat Jason at table tennis.
The meal and the evening come together nicely and we all enjoy the home celebrations and Christmas feast. It’s special having Grammie here to celebrate with us and the boys are in good spirits with expectations of Christmas morning only one sleep away.
As Christmas morning dawns, the excitement is palpable. After unwrapping some gifts and calls with family from afar, we get ready, with the compulsory family photo for special occasions.
Our Christmas Day lunch plans continue to embrace our home country theme as we head off to Byron Bathers Beach Club for the afternoon.
The relaxed beachside atmosphere, combined with some delicious food, made it feel like a celebration, even though we are oceans away from home. I loved the seafood, Grammie adored the BBQ and the kids enjoyed a swim and kicking around in the sand afterward. I managed to sit back for a bit to take in the views of the sparkling waters along The Palm.
The festive decorations and the staff’s warm hospitality were the finishing touch to our Christmas celebrations.
Al Seef and the Souks
Once we recover from Christmas, our holiday activities took us to the Old Town with its gold and spice souks. The vibrant colors and exotic scents of the spice souk are a sensory overload in the best possible way.
Walking through the gold souk is like wandering into a treasure chest; the gleaming jewelry in every window feels like a little Christmas miracle of its own. My mother-in-law had a blast looking at the sparkling displays and was in awe of the Guinness Book of Records largest gold ring (weighing in at 52kg!).
The abra rides are always a highlight of our Old Town adventures. Soon we’re weaving back through the narrow streets of the fabric souk to find a restaurant on the creek.
Creek City Restaurant, with its views over the chaos of the abras below, is the perfect place for a refreshing lemon mint juice and restoring biryani. After the long walk through the old town and some bargaining for souvenirs, it’s nice to share a meal in a calmer spot and observe the souks from afar.
New Year’s Eve
Another New Year’s Eve rolls around. Grammie has dedicated herself to New Year’s with Jasper & Harley and Jason & I take the opportunity to hit the town.
We have booked our celebration at The Address Montgomerie where a memorable evening of dining, dancing and fireworks await. Our good friends, Brad & Diana, arrive at our house dressed for the occasion and we walk across to the golf club. Arriving on the red carpet with a glass of bubbles immediately deposited into our hands sets the tone for the evening.
The buffet spread is first class. I make a start on the freshly shucked oysters for starters but Jason is more intent on getting through the spread of BBQ, spit roasted and grilled meats available, all with the relevant accompaniments. There are seconds and possibly thirds throughout the course of the night.
Luckily the dancefloor is very active during the evening and we’re eventually able to work up a appetite for dessert with our efforts. The chocolate leaf christmas trees are outdone only by the macron christmas tree. It’s spectacular but alas, very delicious, and is annihilated too soon.
Fittingly, fireworks over the lake ring in the New Year. The crowd gathers at the balcony to watch the celebratory lighting up of the night sky. We can see other fireworks going off around us. It’s a special moment to pause and enjoy the passing of the old and the welcoming of the new.
A bit more dancing tops off the night before we walk home, past those waiting for taxis and drivers and thoroughly happy with our first choice for 2025.
Dubai Safari Park
We also visit Dubai Safari Park, which turns out to be a perfect family outing. The park is sprawling and a great place to walk around. It’s a magical place to see the animals and I’m fascinated by the variety of wildlife, from African elephants to rare Arabian oryx. We spend some time in the animal nursery petting goats and donkeys. Then I insist on making a beeline for the lions, my absolute favourite.
The kids’ excitement is less specific and they’re happy to discover all the different animals as we walk around. They even read the information, spruiking all sorts of interesting facts about the various animals. Most notable excitement is derived from the various snakes, crocodiles and spiders contained in the Reptile House. The aviary also brings about a lot of enthusiasm. It was a wonderful bonding experience for all of us.
Mott 32
Our last treat for the winter holidays is Mott 32 for brunch. This restaurant, known for its elegant atmosphere and top-tier Cantonese food, is the perfect place to end our adventures. It’s also the perfect place for a little early surprise birthday celebrations for Grammie.
The menu is incredible, with everything from traditional crispy duck pancakes to dim sum, and we all indulged in some truly exceptional food. The elegant design of the restaurant felt very festive for the birthday celebrations with a saxophonist and dancing girls rounding off the fun and dancing for the afternoon.
The views are hard to top overlooking JBR beach, over The Palm and all way to the Burj Al Arab in the distance. My mother-in-law, who loves being a little bit spoiled, was particularly impressed, and the kids were more than happy to indulge in the sweet treats that came with dessert.
Throughout the trip, it was heartwarming to see my two boys bond with their grandmother in such a special way. They had a blast exploring Dubai together, and my mother-in-law really enjoyed watching her grandsons take in the sights. Winter in Dubai, with its unique fusion of modern luxury and traditional charm, made for the perfect backdrop for our winter holidays, complete with Christmas and even birthday celebrations.
Good To Know
This Winter in Dubai wasn’t about skiing or sitting by the fire and although we were away from most of our family for Christmas, it was great to be able to share the festive season with Grammie. Plus, having a few adventures together and making lasting memories in a city full of wonder is a wonderful gift in itself. From abra rides to sky high lunch, Dubai provided us with some winter holiday experiences that we’ll remember for a lifetime, and I’m grateful we could share it with the people we love most.
Would I Return?
Yes.