Dubai Joins Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain in New Christmas and New Year Celebrations Across UAE: What You Need to Know

Published on December 10, 2025

The UAE embraces the end‑of‑year holidays with a kaleidoscope of markets, winter villages and record‑breaking fireworks. Each of the seven emirates adds its own flavour to the celebrations — from ice‑skating and gingerbread workshops in the north to monumental drone shows and desert festivals in the capital. The following guide summarises confirmed Christmas and New‑Year events in every emirate for 2025, including dates, highlights and how to attend.

Abu Dhabi

Yas Winter Fest (Yas Island) – Abu Dhabi’s flagship Christmas event opens in Yas Gateway Park on 13 December 2025 and runs until 11 January 2026. The festival offers ice‑skating, a 45‑ft Christmas tree, live music, a winter market and carnival rides, and Santa appears throughout the month. Tickets start at around AED 160 per adult[1] and can be booked through Yas Island’s events site.

Winter Village at Abu Dhabi Mall – From 12 December 2025 to 5 January 2026 the mall’s atrium is transformed into a free‑entry winter village with snow machines, craft workshops and a Santa’s grotto (some activities charge a small fee)[2]. Families should book grotto timeslots online.

Christmas Market under the Dome at Emirates Palace – This elegant market takes place 5–8 December and 24–26 December 2025. The Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental erects a luxury dome filled with artisan crafts, gourmet food stalls and carol singers[3]. Entry is free; arrive early because parking fills quickly.

Winter Wonderland at The Galleria (Al Maryah Island) – The waterfront mall hosts a family‑friendly wonderland from 6 December to 26 December 2025. Visitors can meet Elva, the UAE’s first AI elf influencer, join interactive games and watch a tree‑lighting ceremony at 7 pm on 6 December[4]. The North Atrium opens daily 10 am – 10 pm (until midnight on weekends)[5]. Entry is free; book Santa visits online.

Corniche & MOTN Festival Fireworks – Abu Dhabi’s New‑Year fireworks illuminate the eight‑kilometre Corniche. Experience Abu Dhabi suggests spectators head to Manar at Lulu Island, the Corniche Beach or the MOTN Festival to watch the show[6]. Arrive early; the fireworks usually start around midnight.

Yas Island Fireworks – On 31 December 2025 Yas Island hosts two displays at 9 pm and midnight. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Marina, Yas Beach and Samaliyah Island are listed as the best viewing spots[7]. Some hotels sell packages combining theme‑park access and gala dinners.

Sheikh Zayed Festival (Al Wathba) – The cultural festival runs through the winter and offers the UAE’s biggest fireworks and drone display. Gulf News reports that the 2025/2026 show features five segments from 8 pm to midnight, culminating in a 62‑minute firework show supported by 6,500 drones**[8]. Admission tickets are inexpensive and can be purchased on site or online.

Liwa Festival (Tal Moreeb) – Adventure‑seekers head to the Liwa Festival near the towering Moreeb dune. The event runs until 3 January 2026 and hosts motorsport races, desert camping and a firework display[9]. Entry costs around AED 10[9]; camping spots should be reserved ahead of time.

Dubai

Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market – One of Dubai’s best‑known markets returns to Madinat Jumeirah from 5 December to 31 December 2025. Visitors can wander wooden stalls under a 36‑foot tree, enjoy a snow‑fight zone, bungee trampolines and live music, and it’s free to enter[10]. Bookings are only needed for special activities.

The Grotto at Mall of the Emirates – Families can meet Santa inside a snow‑filled grotto at Mall of the Emirates from 6 December to 25 December 2025. Tickets cost Dhs 165 for children and Dhs 120 for adults[11] and include a souvenir photo. Early evening slots sell out quickly.

Winter City at Expo City Dubai – Al Wasl Plaza becomes a winter wonderland from 6 December to 31 December 2025 with interactive markets, workshops, food stalls and a towering Christmas tree. PropertyFinder notes that the festival runs 2 pm – 10 pm daily[12] and general admission is Dhs 50, while children under three and people of determination (plus one caregiver) enter free[13].

• Carols by Candlelight – This musical highlight takes place 20–24 December 2025 at Al Wasl Plaza during Winter City. What’s On reports that the Firdaus Orchestra performs Christmas classics while dancers light the stage. Shows are at 6 pm and 7.35 pm and tickets cost Dhs 150, which includes Winter City entry[14].

Global Village Winter Season – Beginning 10 December 2025, Global Village decorates its park with twinkling lights, a 21‑metre tree, roaming performers and drone shows[15]. A tree‑lighting ceremony on 10 December at 7 pm includes fireworks and a drone show[16]. Additional elf shows and polar‑bear performances run throughout the school holidays until 4 January 2026[17]. Regular park tickets grant access to the celebrations.

DSF Drone Show presented by Emarat – As part of the 31st Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), more than 1,000 LED drones create nightly aerial shows over Bluewaters and The Beach JBR. Visit Dubai states that the show runs from 5 December 2025 and presents two stories: “Dubai, City of Dreams” (until 25 December) and “Celebrations” (26 December 2025 – 11 January 2026)[18]. Performances occur twice nightly at 8 pm and 10 pm and are free to attend[19]; arrive early for the best viewpoint.

New Year’s Eve at Burj Khalifa – Emaar’s show in Downtown Dubai merges fireworks, lasers, aerial drones and live performances. Burj Park offers an exclusive, ticketed experience where guests can enjoy premium food and beverages and watch the multi‑sensory show[20]. Entry opens at noon, road closures begin around 4 pm, and the celebrations start from 5 pm onwards[21]. Visitors can also watch from free public viewing zones around Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain[22]. Tickets for Burj Park are available via Emaar’s website; spaces sell out early.

Sharjah

Sharjah Events Festival at Al Majaz Amphitheatre – This annual festival runs 11–13 December 2025 with live performances, carnival rides, train rides, food stalls and family activities[23]. The event provides a winter‑garden ambience along the lagoon and is free; some rides require coupons. Families should arrive before sunset to find parking.

Sharjah Shopping Promotions – From 8 December 2025 to 19 January 2026, malls across Sharjah host promotions, prize draws and entertainment sessions[24]. The initiative creates a festive market atmosphere for shoppers.

Enchanted Southern Gardens Winter Festival (House of Wisdom) – The House of Wisdom’s southern gardens host “The Little Prince” festival from 14 December to 25 December 2025. Few.ae reports that the event transforms the gardens into a lit‑up story world where children explore themed paths, storytelling corners, theatre shows and art workshops[25]. Each child receives an Explorer’s Passport with stamp‑collecting activities[26]. Timings are expected to run in late afternoon and evening[27]; entry is likely free but visitors should check the House of Wisdom’s calendar for daily schedules.

New Year fireworks – The National reports that Sharjah welcomes 2026 with fireworks at three coastal locations: Al Majaz Waterfront (five‑minute show), Khor Fakkan Beach (ten‑minute display) and Al Heera Beach (ten‑minute display)[28]. Viewing is free; arrive early as parking is limited.

Ajman

Ajman Hotel Festivities – The heritage‑style Ajman Hotel has a full Christmas programme. The hotel’s Christmas Tree Sparkles on 6 December 2025 at 6 pm features carols, mulled drinks and a visit from Santa[29]. A Christmas Eve Cocktail Reception (24 December, 6.30–10.30 pm) at the lobby lounge includes live entertainment and festive drinks[30]. On Christmas Day the hotel offers a beach‑side brunch at Café Naseem from 1 pm–4 pm, with kids’ playground and Santa, priced from AED 260[31]; there’s also a beach party at ZanziBar from 7 pm–midnight with a DJ[32]. Reservations are recommended via the hotel’s website.

New Year’s Eve on Ajman Corniche – Ajman often hosts fireworks along its Corniche; details for 2025/2026 were pending at the time of writing, but previous displays have started at midnight and are free to watch. Keep an eye on Ajman Tourism’s social pages for announcements.

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK)

Tree Lighting & Gingerbread Workshops – RAK hotels start the season with tree‑lighting ceremonies: Anantara Mina Al Arab lights its tree on 4 December at 6 pm; Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort holds theirs on 5 December; and The Ritz‑Carlton Al Wadi Desert follows on 6 December[33]. These events are usually free and include carols and mulled drinks. Families can also join gingerbread‑house workshops at Anantara (4–25 December, 1 pm–4 pm) and the Ritz‑Carlton (6–26 December, 3 pm–5 pm)[34]. Book places through the respective hotels.

Outdoor Movie Nights – The Ritz‑Carlton Al Wadi Desert hosts outdoor movie nights between 20 December and 30 December 2025 (6 pm–10 pm)[35]. Guests watch festive films under the stars and can purchase snacks on site.

Christmas Day Brunches – On 25 December 2025, several RAK resorts offer festive brunches: Shore House at The Ritz‑Carlton Al Hamra Beach (1–4 pm) with Santa and live music[36]; Sea Breeze at Anantara Mina Al Arab (1–4 pm)[37]; and Reunion at Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort (1–4 pm) which serves seafood and roasts[38]. Bookings are essential.

RAK New Year Fireworks – Ras Al Khaimah continues its quest for Guinness records with a record‑breaking fireworks and drone show at Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra Beach. The National notes that previous displays have broken records for the longest chain of floating fireworks and straight‑line drone display[39]. For New Year 2026 the emirate is planning another extravagant show with dedicated camping areas, live music, children’s activities and food trucks[39]. Viewing is free; families should arrive early or reserve spots in designated camping zones.

Fujairah

New Year’s Masquerade Dinner at InterContinental Fujairah Resort – Fujairah’s InterContinental resort hosts a Masquerade Dinner on 31 December 2025. The buffet‑style gala runs 7 pm–12 am, featuring live entertainment, DJ sets and fireworks at midnight, with packages around AED 999 for adults and AED 499 for children[40]. Seats should be booked directly with the resort. Additional New‑Year dinners and fireworks at other beach hotels (e.g., Fairmont Fujairah) were still being finalised at the time of writing.

Umm Al Quwain

Waterfront Fireworks – WAM News Agency reported that Umm Al Quwain welcomed 2025 (and plans to do the same for 2026) with a spectacular fireworks display along the Al Khor Waterfront, organised by the emirate’s Department of Tourism and Archaeology. The evening included musical performances, children’s activities and food trucks, drawing tourists and families[41]. Entrance is usually free; arrive early for parking along the corniche.

From the bustling markets of Dubai to the serene deserts of Al Dhafra, the UAE’s 2025 festive calendar offers something for everyone. Families can explore immersive story‑gardens in Sharjah, build gingerbread houses in Ras Al Khaimah and ice‑skate under the stars at Yas Winter Fest. Revellers counting down to 2026 will find multiple fireworks displays — including a world‑record attempt in Ras Al Khaimah and a multi‑sensory extravaganza at Burj Khalifa. To make the most of the season, book tickets early, confirm timings with organisers and arrive ahead of sunset for the best views. Whether you’re seeking cosy Christmas markets or jaw‑dropping New‑Year spectacles, the UAE promises a magical end to 2025.