By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 3 min read
Is Christmas Day a holiday in Dubai?
No. The UAE Government’s public holiday list has National Day on 2 and 3 December and New Year’s Day on 1 January, but not 25 December. Offices and schools are mostly open. Christmas is still visible in hotel lobbies, malls and churches, and many residents take leave anyway.
If you are planning around real days off, see the UAE public holidays guide. The Dubai Shopping Festival runs from 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, so December has extra crowds regardless.
Where are the Christmas markets?
Festive markets in Dubai are run by venues and organisers, not by one city body. Past seasons have put them at places such as Madinat Jumeirah, Expo City Dubai and Dubai Festival City. Each sets its own dates, hours, entry terms and stall list. We could not confirm the 2026 programmes, so check the venue’s page before you go. Our Dubai events calendar tracks events we have confirmed.
| Venue area | What the drive involves |
|---|---|
| Madinat Jumeirah (Umm Suqeim) | Beach-road traffic builds in the evening, and the hotel drop-off is the easiest entry |
| Expo City Dubai (Dubai South) | Out in Dubai South, reached by Sheikh Zayed Road then Expo Road; use the drop-off zones |
| Dubai Festival City (Garhoud) | Close to Dubai International, so it suits a stopover; check the mall entrance for your drop-off |
Church services on 24 and 25 December
Dubai has several churches that hold Christmas services, including Holy Trinity Church in Bur Dubai, St Mary’s Catholic Church in Oud Metha and the churches in Jebel Ali Church Village. Times and any arrangements for attending are set by each church, so confirm with them. They are often busy and parking is limited.
We cover church, temple and gurudwara trips in our guide to worship-place transport in Dubai. A driver can drop the family at the gate and wait or return after the service.
Brunches, dinners and what is open
Hotels on Palm Jumeirah, in Dubai Marina and Downtown publish set Christmas brunches and dinners. Reserve directly, and ask what time the last seating is, so you can book the car for your return. Check opening hours for malls and attractions on 24 and 25 December with each operator, as hours can change for the day.
Getting around on 24 and 25 December
Evenings are the pinch point. Traffic builds from about 5 pm, and parking at market venues fills early. A car with driver removes the parking problem and the question of who drives home after dinner. A chauffeur service by the hour suits a day of brunch, church and a market in different parts of the city.
Plan your return, not just your outward trip. Ask about a fixed pickup time near the end of the meal, and give your driver the venue’s exit gate. The same logic applies a week later: see our New Year’s Eve fireworks guide for road closures.
When to visit
The weather is mild, and demand for hotels and cars is high, so book early. For month-by-month temperatures and seasonal openings, read the best time to visit Dubai. For the full city plan, return to the Dubai travel guide, and see all Dubai events on our events page.
Photos in this guide
A decorated Christmas tree inside Dubai Festival City MallRohitshiv / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A canal at Madinat Jumeirah lined with palms, with the Burj Al Arab behindDiego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Dubai Festival City Mall seen across the creek-side marinaJpbowen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The entrance of Holy Trinity Church in Bur DubaiZI Jony / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
