Is this your first Christmas away from home? Don’t you worry. It can be fun. Here are seven events that we’re pretty confident will put you in the festive spirit.

Thank us later!

1. Dig into some delicious treats

Thank Eataly for bringing the taste of an Italian Christmas to Dubai with its artisan Panettone. The citrus-infused sweet bread loaf will leave you wanting more.

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Available at Eataly, The Dubai Mall; to find out more call 04 330 8899.

2. Treat yourself to a staycation

Armani Hotel will spoil your for 24 hours straight. The stay is in a room overlooking The Dubai Fountain. You get breakfast at Armani/Mediterraneo, a seven-course dinner at Armani/Ristorante (they’re throwing in a glass of sparkles too) and a 60-minute couples treatment at Armani/SPA. Lastly, you take home a 16-piece box of handmade Armani/Dolci pralines and loads of wonderful memories.

Valid from 23rd to 27th December; priced at AED 5,300 per night (double occupancy) including breakfast and taxes; to find out more call 04 888 3888.

3. Indulge in a feast on Christmas Eve

La Môme Dubai is there to put up one. Its six-course Noël menu includes its signature foie gras pan fried with balsamic, lobster bisque, turkey supreme stuffed with veal kidney and Madère sauce. The finale is a fromage platter that comes just before the Buche de Noel. There’s grape to match.

24th December; priced at AED 450 per person (without beverages); to find out more call 04 308 0470. 

4. A customary brunch on Christmas Day

Your first meal on Christmas should be an epic one and Fume will prepare that for you. Go with an appetite because Christmas brunch here includes starters such as smoked salmon terrine, crab cake and wild mushroom and mascarpone voul au vent. For mains you’ll get turkey breast roulade with trimmings and cranberry compote, jumbo prawns Thermidor and potato dumpling with seafood. Make sure to leave space for dessert because treats include panettone with cinnamon and mascarpone cream as well as chocolate panforte with warm chocolate or caramel sauce.

25th December; priced at AED 195 per person; to find out more call 04 421 5669.

5. Take the little ones for a festive activity

What sort of activity? Gingerbread decorating, obvs. Hosted by Ritz-Carlton Dubai’s talented chefs, the session will give children the chance to get creative with the seasonal treats. Plus, they get to eat them afterwards. 

Available on 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th December at Caravan; priced at AED 270 per child; to find out more call 04 318 6150.

6. Visit a Christmas market

Al Habtoor City’s Winter Garden Market is as festive as it can get. Think gourmet food stalls as far as your eyes can see, a Santa’s Grotto (complete with reindeer and sleigh decorations), special entertainment acts and a snow fight zone with LED trees and lit up animals. 

And do wait for Santa. He will be arriving in his…red Bentley (and you were thinking sleigh? Dude, it’s 2016).

7th to 31st December; 5pm to 9pm (weekdays) and 3pm to 9pm (weekends); Versailles Gardens of The St. Regis Dubai; free entry; find out more here.

7. Be a part of the Christmas tree lighting ceremony

The best Irish bar in the world (we’re not kidding, it took home the title at the Irish Pubs Global Awards earlier this year), Irish Village, will be hosting a tree lighting ceremony. There will be carols to add to the festive feel. They’ll also be serving mulled beverages and home-made mince pies.

5th December; 7pm to 9pm; to find out more call 04 2824750.

Read: 10 Places To Have A Christmas Party In Dubai.