December has officially arrived and with it, it brings an extra sparkle to the UAE as we mark the festive season.

As we welcome cooler days, the nation hums with that unmistakable end-of-year energy, with celebrations aplenty and a time to spend with your loved ones.

Whether you’re hopping between Christmas markets, booking in those long-overdue festive dinners, planning your winter escape, or simply soaking up the magic from a cosy terrace, December invites you to lean into the season. It’s a moment to pause, savour the rituals, and let the UAE’s festive spirit carry you into the new year.

And, of course, GRAZIA is here to keep you in the know for everything to do this festive season.

The Maine goes beachside

One of GRAZIA’s favourite restaurants The Maine, which has locations spanning across Business Bay, JBR, Studio City, London, Bodrum and more, has officially gone beachside in Dubai. Located at Vista Mare Palm Jumeirah, The Maine Beach House will be a complete coastal experience with beachfront dining, cabanas and terraces, all in the famed restaurant’s signature style. Opening on December 18, you can bet you’ll find the GRAZIA team here for the foreseeable.

Messika’s high festive energy

This festive season, One&Only One Za’abeel adds an extra layer of sparkle thanks to a collaboration with Parisian high jewellery house Messika. The result? A holiday takeover that feels equal parts glamorous and playful. Front and centre is a statement Christmas tree in the resort’s iconic lobby, dressed in Messika’s signature purple hues and jewel-like ornaments – a subtle nod to the Maison’s contemporary elegance and diamond-driven DNA. While you revel in the spectacle of the Christmas tree, indulge in a limited-edition edit of purple-toned pastries over at Maison Devoille, created by Pastry Chef Christophe Devoille. Meanwhile, the Champagne Bar gets in on the fun with bespoke cocktails and mocktails inspired by Messika’s modern femininity and bold creativity.

Dior takes over Dubai Mall for Christmas

Dior has unveiled a spectacular Christmas tree at Dubai Mall to mark the festive season – a towering gingerbread-inspired installation that swaps pine needles for craftsmanship. Inaugurated by Razane Jammal and Karen Wazen, the golden, icing-detailed structure feels more like an art piece than décor and is now on display at the Fashion Atrium for you to indulge in the festivities.

Your Christmas shopping starts with Chanel

Chanel has opened its new Beauty and Fragrance flagship boutique in Dubai Mall, a luminous haven dedicated to all things Chanel. The space brings together the House’s full universe – from the latest makeup drops to skincare to iconic fragrances and chic beauty accessories, inviting guests to discover, play and indulge. At the heart of the boutique sit two private treatment rooms, offering personalised rituals and immersive skincare experiences for those wanting a deeper moment of luxury. It’s the kind of refined, sensorial escape that makes festive beauty shopping feel elevated, the Chanel way.

All aboard the Mirbad Express

Back for its festive edition, Mirbad transforms into the Mirbad Express this December. This dreamy, homegrown pop-up brings together more than 140 local and international brands, winter capsules, creative workshops, live performances and all the seasonal treats your inner child could hope for. This year, Abu Dhabi is leaning fully into the magic, turning Erth into a storybook-style winter village complete with gondolas, cosy cabin rooms, soft snowfall and a sparkling ice rink that feels lifted straight from a festive film.

Running until December 14 from 4pm to midnight, get your tickets here.  

Festive treats that feel like edible art

Ines Chatti Patisserie is elevating the season with a Festive 2025 Collection that feels more like edible art than dessert. At the centre is a spectacular pine-cone-shaped Yule Log, crafted with chocolate, hazelnut and pine-nut praline, brightened with yuzu and matcha, and finished with a crunchy pistachio base, which is an imaginative blend of French technique and Japanese influence. Alongside it come her whimsical edible decorations, from chocolate owls to delicate baubles designed to hang on your tree before being devoured. Available to pre-order from December 5 for delivery from December 15, it’s the chicest (and sweetest) way to dress up your festive table.

An end-of-year glow-up

Following the rush that has been Q4, some self-care is something that we could all indulge in. For some, that includes a hair refresh. Privé7 has quietly introduced one of Paris’ best-kept beauty secrets to the UAE with the arrival of Kydra Le Salon – a botanical, celebrity-loved haircare line used on icons like Naomi Campbell and Bella Hadid. This month, the salons are leaning into festive prep with treatments that leave your hair looking party-ready, whether you opt for a quick Kydra Express boost for instant nourishment and shine or the Jelly Gloss Colour Refresh for that luminous, soft-focus finish that photographs beautifully. Available at Privé7 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it’s the kind of indulgent seasonal touch-up that slips effortlessly into your December glow-up routine.

Time for some bubbles

When it’s the festive season, the bubbles always need to be flowing. Atlantis The Royal is dialling up the sparkle with an exclusive Moët & Chandon bubbles pop-up at Elements lounge, set against the drama of the Skyblaze fountains. The resort has teamed up with the iconic champagne house to create a festive escape where guests can sip chilled bubbles and graze on a curated canapé pairing menu, available until mid-January.

The Nutcracker at the Dubai Opera

One of the world’s most cherished ballet classics is coming back to the Dubai Opera for this holiday season. Performed by the renowned Astrakhan State Theatre Opera and Ballet, this timeless holiday story captures the spirit of the season, telling Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable tale with exceptional choreography, live music performed by an orchestra and stunning visual artistry. The show will run from December 18 to 21, 2025, bringing entertainment and festive wonder for children and adults alike, an experience the whole family can enjoy. Since its premiere in 1892, the Nutcracker has become more than just a performance; it has become a celebration of heritage and music, making it the perfect holiday experience for ballet lovers, families, and anyone seeking a truly memorable festive moment.

The spa at Palazzo Versace Dubai introduces The Gold Ritual

This season, The SPA at Palazzo Versace Dubai introduces a new treatment, The Gold Ritual. This luxury experience is comprised of a 120-minute full-body treatment crafted to rejuvenate and illuminate your skin for this festive season. Priced at Dhs1,100, this treatment includes a gold-infused exfoliation, a tension-melting massage, and a revitalising facial. Powered by Omorovicza’s mineral-rich Hungarian thermal waters and colloidal gold, this ritual is the ultimate treat to fully restore and nourish your skin from top to bottom, leaving your complexion radiant as ever. The perfect escape for yourself or a thoughtful gift, the Gold Ritual is a truly luxurious experience promising a luminous glow that will carry you into 2026.