The weekend is finally here, and we’re going to make the most of it with snow fights, full moon yoga, brunch with a view, and Christmas gifts from local craftsmen…
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Thursday 15
Get jumping for joy
Everyone loves a trampoline, everyone loves snow – why not combine the two? Bounce Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will be throwing a Christmas party this weekend, complete with DJs, indoor snow and Santa visits. Tickets are Dhs80 per hour, per person, and will enter you into an exclusive giveaway including tees, hoodies, bottles and more. Spots are limited, so make sure to book online beforehand.
Bounce After Dark, Building 32, 4B Street, Al Quoz 1. December 15, 8pm to 10pm. Dhs80 per hour. Tel: (04) 3211400. bounce.ae.
Watch the shuttlecocks soar
The crème de la crème of the badminton world is currently in Dubai for the five-day World Series Finals, and you can see the pros battle it out – including some Olympic winners – on the court. The prize fund is Dhs3.7 million, so you know they’ll be putting their all in…
Hamdan Sports Complex, Emirates Road, Dubai, from 11am until December 18, Dhs25. Tel: (04) 441 9432. More info on website.
Friday 16
Browse an artisanal market with a focus on local
Want to get your loved ones a gift you’ve put real thought into? Try Area 01, which combines the best of the popular Urban Market with the chilled-out sounds of Music on the Avenue. There are stalls from Dubai vendors offering unique products (so perfect to send to family in other countries – you can guarantee they won’t already have something similar), but there’s also food trucks and stands, live music, and even yoga in the mornings. Truly a one-stop shop.
Area 01, Alserkal Avenue, street 8 and 17, Al Quoz, Dubai, 11am to 9pm, December 16 and 17. More info on Facebook.
Have an alfresco brunch
‘Tis the season for catching up with friends over a leisurely lunch, and BiCE’s just-opened terrace should fit the bill when it comes to location. Expect piles of Italian dishes from live cooking stations and an a la carte menu, along with a dessert offering you really should save room for.
BiCE Ristorante, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Fridays 12.30pm to 4pm. Dhs295 with soft drinks, Dhs395 including house beverages, and Dhs430 including bubbly. Dhs135 for kids aged six to 12. Tel: (04) 318 2520. bicegroup.com.
Visit a Christmas market
The Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights will be running a festive market daily in their lobby lounge all the way up until December 26. Inside you’ll find a bundle of food stalls selling homemade cookies, gingerbread and stollen, as well as alcohol-free mulled wine. A live pianist cracking out Christmas jingles from 7pm to 11pm will keep it jolly.
Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, Dubai Creek, Dubai. December 4 to 26, 7am to 11pm. Tel: (04) 5531234. dubaicreek.regency.hyatt.com.
Saturday 17
Get on your bike
Well, sort of. L’Atelier Aquafitness is a water-exercise studio for ladies only, where you can keep fit using a mix of water aerobics and indoor spinning on immersed, specially designed bikes. The water resistance means you work extra hard but with low impact, and the fun of splashing around makes you forget you’re actually working out. L’Atelier offers discovery classes for first-timers at Dhs125, and they’ve currently got deals on memberships so it’s a good chance to get ahead on your new-year fitness regime (that we all struggle to keep up by the second week of January…).
L’Atelier Aquafitness, Al Wasl Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 338 8323. latelieraquafitness.com.
Keep the kids busy with festive crafts
Forget buying an expensive wreath – why not make one yourself? At Heart In A Box’s floral workshop, at Kite Beach’s Seaside Market, you’ll get plenty of help to make a wreath (Dhs100), decorate a fresh miniature Christmas tree (Dhs75), or whack together a floral crown (Dhs40) or necklace (Dhs30) in a very family-friendly afternoon.
Seaside Market, Kite Beach Dubai. From 12pm to 5pm. Tel: (054)411 5957. More info on Facebook
Get the holiday stress under control
What better way to recharge before Sunday morning than with a yoga session under the full moon? Fairmont The Palm’s 90-minute class costs Dhs75 per person, but that includes towels, snacks and the use of a yoga mat. Places are limited so reserving your spot is essential (just email elmira.gazizova@fairmont.c
Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah. 8pm to 10pm, Dhs75 per person. More info on Facebook.
Images: Supplied
