The Story of Dubai's Christmas

Christmas is an inspiring festival bringing together people of all religions irrespective of caste and creed. Dubai, despite being an Islamic emirate with its own local festivals like Ramadan and Eid, takes delight in celebrating Christmas.

The first thing you notice is the trendily decorated malls and shopping centres welcoming one and all to a shopping extravaganza. Although Dubai is shopping paradise all round the year, shopping festivals and revelries give it a strong flavour of zest and zing during this period. Each mall does its best to outshine another with decorations, special events, celebrations and above all, irresistible festive discounts.

Even hotels and resorts get into the mood with great parties, delicious Christmas feasts and dazzling decorations. Acclaimed carol singers perform Christmas carols that lend a religious appeal to the festival.

Christmas is not all about celebrating and partying but also commemorating the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. While there are several churches in Dubai which organize mass prayers, the St.Frances of Assisi Church at Jabel Ali is the most famous amongst them. The church also arranges free lunch for the poor.

Festivals are all about breathing life into old relationships and making new ones. Friends and families visit each other to wish one another Merry Christmas where they are served liqueurs, coffee and sugared almonds. A typical lunch during Christmas consists of  'Kubbeh' made from burghul or crushed boiled wheat.

Visit Dubai to enjoy Christmas in the party capital of the Middle East, but don't miss out on booking hotels in Dubai in advance to benefit from hefty discounts.