It’s (almost) Chriiiiiissssstmaaaasss!
The weekend before the big day is finally here, and we’re going to make the most of it with festive markets, free Christmas films, parties in our PJs and a great new massage…
(Got the whole week off, you lucky crowd? Then check out What’s On’s list of happenings for all of next week).
Read:
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Thursday 22
Cut loose on the karaoke
Start the weekend off with, well, a sore throat – because you’ll be singing at the top of your lungs all night at just-opened karaoke bar Lucky Voice. The British export lets you grab a drink, book a booth, order some snacks, and then select from a catalogue of over 15,000 tracks. So what’ll be your pick?
Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights, Dubai, 4pm to 3am. Tel: 04 447 8010. luckyvoice.com.
Get in a festive mood
Nothing makes us feel quite as Christmassy as a showing of Home Alone, and luckily there’s a free screening at Bay Avenue in Business Bay tonight. It’s a double bill along with the Parent Trap at the open-air cinema, so grab the kids and curl up with a free box of popcorn.
Bay Avenue, Business Bay, 6pm to 9pm, free. More info on Facebook.
Finish up your shopping
Load up on some last-minute gifts at Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s festive outdoor market, where you’ll find local stalls, foodie treats and traditional roasted chestnuts (yum). But the market’s most glorious highlight is its snowball zone – it’s for kids, but even just watching from afar will make you feel super Christmassy.
Fort Island, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, 3pm to 1am on weekdays and 12pm to 1am Thursday to Saturday, free entry. Tel: (04) 432 3232. More info on website.
Friday 23
Check out a just-opened hotel
The beach club opened earlier this year, but now Nikki Beach Resort & Spa has had its full, grand unveiling. The Pearl Jumeirah-located hotel features 450 metres of private beach, along with a 15-metre lap pool, bubble pool, and swanky spa. The former is reserved for hotel guests, but we’ll be checking out the place’s restaurants in the meantime…
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, Pearl Jumeirah, Dubai, spa open Mon to Sun 11am to 8pm. Tel: (04) 376 6000. nikkibeachhotels.com.
Catch up over high tea
The five-star Shangri-La has just given its lobby a rather impressive makeover, and to celebrate it is offering afternoon tea at a holiday rate. Grab a couple of pals and tuck into warm scones, pastries and other light bites, all washed down with top-notch tea and coffee (or bubbly, it is Christmas after all).
Shangri La, Sheikh Zayed Road, until December 30, Dhs135 per person, or Dhs235 with bubbly, 3pm to 6pm. Tel: (04) 405 2703. More info on website.
Saturday 24
Indulge with a rich cuppa
Want to kick back on a winter’s eve with a thick mug of hot chocolate… but you always seem to end up making some watery, powdery stuff? Well this workshop will help, where an expert will teach you how to create the perfect, warming masala hot chocolate.
Jones The Grocer, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Manara, 4pm to 6pm, Dhs75 per person. Book on (04) 346 6886 or email almanara@jonesthegrocer.com. More info on Facebook.
Party in your PJs
If you’d rather be out on the town than tucked up with a mince pie on Christmas Eve, this could be the shindig for you. Movida and a bunch of DJs are hosting a festive party where the dress code is your pyjamas (but somehow we don’t think many will be showing up in nice, fleecy thermal ones).
Movida Dubai, Nassima Roya Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 10pm to 3am. Tel: 055 174 4449. More info on Facebook.
Images: Supplied
