A snowball battlefield, penguin bowling and a performance by acrobatic snow globe dancers are just some of the things you can look forward to this Christmas…
Downtown
You’ll be tempted to break off a chunk of the life-sized gingerbread house at Emirates Palace, which will be serving chocolate Santas and snowmen, cakes and cookies. Goodies will be sold from 11am to 7pm throughout December. Guests will also see a twist to Le Café’s afternoon tea, as classic seasonal treats are added to the menu. From 2pm to 6pm. For more information contact: 02 690 7999 www.kempinski.com
Those looking to leave the baking alone this season should visit InterContinental Abu Dhabi. All cakes from Piano Lounge are 50 per cent off between 8pm and 11pm daily. Let your nose lead you to the gingerbread house featuring marzipan stollen, lebkuchen – a German spice-infused biscuit – and homemade cookies. While you’re there, why not soak up the sounds of InterContinental Abu Dhabi’s choir? They’re performing daily at Piano Lounge from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
For more information contact: 02 666 6888 www.dining-intercontinental-ad.ae
Fans of foie gras should head to Jones the Grocer in Khalidiya from 7pm to 9pm on 20th December, where you can attend a cookery class to learn how to cook a three-bird roast (chicken stuffed with breast of duck and quail). It will be
made with truffles and foie gras and served with Brussels sprouts, chestnuts and parsnip puree. AED 575. For more information contact: 02 639 5883 [email protected] www.jonesthegrocer.com
The winter camp from My First Gym on Delma Street, opposite Zayed Educational Camp, will introduce children to sledging, ice skating and ice hockey, along with team building games, basic gymnastics and yoga. Running from 19th December to 10th January. AED 200 per day or AED 600 for four days (members) and AED 700 (non members). A five-day package is also available for AED 800 (members) and AED 900 (non members). For more information contact: 02 444 3560 www.myfirstgymuae.com
Royal Rose Abu Dhabi on Electra Street is offering guests the chance to create a gingerbread house – and the person who makes the best will win a night at the hotel. All the necessary tools and decorations will be supplied by the hotel. AED 120 with soft drinks. Friday 19th December from noon to 4pm.
For more information contact: 02 672 4000 [email protected] www.royalrosehotel.com
Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche invites ladies to its X-Mas ladies night on 23rd December in Jazz ’n’ Fizz from 6pm to 2am, during which the fairer sex will receive complimentary drinks until midnight. Celebrate Christmas Eve at Silk & Spice, the hotel’s Thai restaurant. A four-course menu designed by chef Jatupol features stir-fried beef tenderloin with Thai hot basil, green curry with turkey and braised duck in soya sauce. AED 295 with soft drinks, AED 325 with grape and hops. For more information contact: 02 813 7777 www.sofitel.com
Al Maryah Island
The first festive market at The Galleria is now open, and there are over 15 food stalls to browse along its waterfront promenade. Little ones can make snow angels and snowmen, decorate gingerbread men or visit Santa in his grotto, all for free. Swing by the festive photo booth from 25th December to get your photo taken also for free and listen to a choir singing along with Alex Boyé. The music continues with oud, harp, flute and violin players entertaining throughout the month. The market is free to enter and runs from 4pm to 10pm on weekdays and 4pm to midnight on weekends.
For more information contact: 02 616 6999 www.thegalleria.ae
Yas Island
Yas Marina has transformed into a winter wonderland. Its themed promenade leads visitors to a snow fight zone, an area ready for those willing to do battle with the white stuff. Elsewhere, you can try penguin bowling. Open noon to 2pm Sunday to Thursday throughout December for ages eight and under, and 2pm to 7pm for all ages. Friday and Saturday it’s open to all ages from noon to 7pm. AED 30 for 15 minutes. For more information contact: 02 406 2000 www.yasmarina.ae
Staying on Yas Island? Then visit Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, where festive treats such as panettone, melomakarono – a Greek honey-based cookie – and mince pies will be sold in Yas Lounge. Skylite, the hotel’s rooftop bar, offers a menu of hot seasonal drinks such as spiced cocoa and frosty mint, a white chocolate drink with mint syrup and whipped cream on top. Yas Lounge dishes cost from AED 35 and Skylite drinks from AED 20. For more information contact: 02 656 0000 www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi will see its famous red interior have a dusting of white until 10th January. Visitors can watch acrobatic snow globe dancers and a puppet show, and pop by the winter village to see Bjorn, a robotic polar bear. You can also decorate cookies or ice skate, which is included in your entry fee. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Santa as he takes a break from his workshop to visit Ferrari World guests. From AED 205. For more information contact: 02 496 8000 www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com
Al Ain
Christmas Eve at Hilton Al Ain has plenty going on. Start with a seafood dinner (AED 175) at Flavours, the hotel’s all day dining restaurant, then head over to Paco’s, the hotel’s bar. Its five-piece band, BOLT, will perform Christmas tunes into the wee hours. For more information contact: 03 768 6666 [email protected]
Al Ain Rotana also welcomes you to join in the festive fun on 24th December. As well as carols you can have your photo taken with Santa from 6pm in the lobby.
For more information contact: 03 754 5111 [email protected] or visit www.rotana.com
Uptown
Leave your children with Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi staff as they pick their own gingerbread house, knowing that the AED 120 for each house is being donated to charity. You can then unwind in the hotel’s spa, as a 20 per cent discount on all treatments is available between 1pm and 3pm throughout December. For more information contact: 02 657 4849 [email protected] www.ihg.com
Pastry chef Muhamed Jejen from Shangri-La hotel Qaryat Al Beri is leading a cooking class inside a gingerbread house, in Al Nojoom ballroom on 21st December from 10am to noon. Whatever you bake you take home. AED 125.
You can also sample creations from chef Jejen during a Christmas-themed high tea from 3pm to 7pm daily. It comes with unlimited tea or coffee and seasonal treats and costs AED 115. For more information contact: 02 509 8888 www.shangri-la.com
Aloft Abu Dhabi, next to Adnec, welcomes partygoers to its Christmas Eve-themed shindig – a Red, White & Xmas party. Club So-Hi invites residents over 21 years old to dress in red and white. From 8pm to 3am, no entrance fee. For more information contact: 02 654 5138 www.relaxat12.com
Jack Dignum
