December might feel a while away, but our favourite time of year will be here before we know it. And Dubai has a new festive spot to look forward to. DXB Winter Festival is making its debut at Dubai Festival City Mall, bringing a huge outdoor Dubai winter festival to the waterfront from December 1 to January 10.

Taking over 20,000 square metres of waterfront space, the festival will feature more than 150 vendors, with market streets, independent makers, festive food stalls and open-air cafés. Inspired by traditional European Christmas markets, expect a giant Christmas tree, a funfair and lots of reasons to spend an evening outdoors.

There’s something for the whole family, too. Little ones can meet Santa at his grotto, get involved in creative workshops and enjoy fairground rides, while a main stage will host live performances throughout the festival. There will also be festive parades, music and a changing programme of entertainment, with special celebrations planned around UAE National Day, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

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The festival opens on December 1 and runs until January 10, giving you over a month to visit. Doors open from 4pm on weekdays and 2pm on weekends, with everything running until midnight.

To celebrate its first edition, DXB Winter Festival is offering 25 per cent off an allocation of 10,000 early-bird tickets. You can register now to receive a discount code to use when tickets go on sale.

Where: Waterfront beside Dubai Festival City Mall

When: December 1, 2026 to January 10, 2027; weekdays, 4pm to midnight; weekends, 2pm to midnight

Cost: Ticket prices TBA; 25 per cent early-bird discount on 10,000 tickets

Contact: dxbwinterfestival.ae

Image: Provided

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