December is one of the best months to visit Dubai if you like your temperatures a little cooler, so if you choose to visit this incredible city in the 12th month of the year, your visit might just mean you get to experience Christmas in Dubai.

Yes, Christmas in Dubai. It happens!

We know you’ve got questions (What? How? Can you put baubles on a palm tree?), so we’re answering ’em.

Shopping in Dubai at Christmas

Boxing Day sales aren’t really a thing here (boo!), but they do have something else to placate you – the Dubai Shopping Festival. In its 30th year, this festival is about so much more than shopping (although that bit is especially good) – there’s performances by big names, daily firework shows, even drone displays too.

Whilst you’re shopping, keep an eye out for the decorations because the many, many malls of Dubai is where you’ll see some of the best of ’em, like Mall of the Emirates, where the displays in the famous Fashion Dome are mega.

Christmas activities in Dubai

Ski Dubai is an indoor ski slope complete with penguins and enough fake snow to make you forget it’s 25°C outside, whilst Global Village, back open for the season (until May 2025), is where you can sample festive treats from around the world, pick up a bauble or three, and watch shows that range from the dazzling to the downright bizarre. They’ve even added new pavilions this year, from Jordan to Sri Lanka.

Christmas shows in Dubai

If you’re still not feeling Christmassy enough, the Dubai Opera puts on The Nutcracker, whilst the Zabeel Theatre puts onDr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 

Christmas markets in Dubai

Yes, there’s even an actual Christmas market here! Starting on 6 December, the Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market runs the gamut from a tree that’s almost as tall as the Burj Khalifa (well, sort of – 36 feet), to an array of seasonal food stalls, and a gingerbread house – of course.

Christmas church services in Dubai

While the city is known for its modern skyline and luxury shopping, it’s also home to a thriving expat community that celebrates Christmas in full swing, complete with religious services. There are several churches in Dubai that host Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, welcoming worshippers from all backgrounds.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church is one of the most popular options, offering services that are often packed with people celebrating the season. Another great spot is the Holy Trinity Church, which hosts services for different Christian denominations, so you can find the service that suits your tradition.

In December, the weather is about as perfect as it gets, with temperatures typically ranging from a comfortable 20°C to around 26°C during the day. Basically, it’s warm enough to enjoy the beach without feeling like you’re on the surface of the sun.

Evenings can be a touch cooler, dipping to around 15°C, so you might even need to throw on a light jacket if you’re out for a rooftop dinner or strolling around the festive markets. The sky is usually clear with hardly any rain too, so no chance of your holiday plans being washed out.

Because the winter months make for such pleasant temperatures, it means Dubai at Christmas is more expensive than at other times of the year as this is the high season here.

You’ll see a bit of a jump in the costs of flights and hotels, so your best bet is to plan ahead and get in earlier rather than later. But don’t get caught up in the idea that everything here has to be mega glam – Dubai has a really great range of budget hotels, as well as hotels that are perfect for the whole family. And there’s a real range of dining options here too – you can go from five star hotel restaurants to some of the best street food you’ve ever had in a day. And getting around the place doesn’t have to cost a fortune either – taxis here are infamously pretty cheap!

Dubai has in image of money, money, money, but you don’t actually have to have a whole pile of it to enjoy this destination.

It all depends on how you like your Christmas to look like. If you’re allll about the classic white snow and roaring fire thing, this might not be for you.

But if you don’t need your Christmas to be mega traditional looking, then it can be great. Dubai has a lot going for it at this time of year – the temperature is gorgeous, if you love decorations then you’re in for a treat as the malls here go all out (and there’s quite a few of ’em), and if you love the Boxing Day sales then you’re sorted with the Dubai Shopping Festival which is waaaay bigger. Sure, it’ll look a little different than the sort of Christmas holidays you’ve experienced before, but it doesn’t hurt to mix things up a little now and then.

Fancy white sand over white snow? We’ve got cheap flights to Dubai with your name on it