We’re here to get you feeling festive…

With silly season beginning, we’re making any excuse to get in the Christmas spirit. So as well as ensuring our own Christmas tree is up at least five weeks before the big day (too soon? We think not…), we’ll be making it to as many Christmas lighting ceremonies at some top Dubai venues as we can.

As well as the big lights switch-on, many ceremonies also include pop-up markets, mulled wine and carol singing.

So we’ve rounded up some of the city’s best, because after all, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

December 4: Steigenberger Hotel

Kicking things off on Wednesday December 4, Steigenberger Hotel in Business Bay will light up the pool deck of their Swim & Tonic pool bar with the Christmas tree lights switch-on. Guests can expect Christmas carols sung by the German International School Dubai choir, and festive eats from the food and beverage stalls. You might even get an audience with Santa, if you’re on the nice list that is…

Steigenberger Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, 6pm onwards, Wednesday December 4, free. Tel: (04) 369 0000

December 5: Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates

Watch in awe as Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates gets all Merry and Bright for the festive season with their annual tree lighting ceremony on Thursday December 5. From 5.30pm to 6.30pm, guests can expect a traditional choir, festive holiday décor and delicious canapés and refreshments.

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Mall of the Emirates, Barsha, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, Thursday December 5, free. Tel: (04) 341 0000. kempinski.com

December 5: Raffles

Raffles Dubai starts the holiday spirit with its annual 20-foot Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 5. Guests can tuck into festive treats, sip on warm mulled wine and sing along with the Christmas Choir as Santa Claus makes a special appearance with a sack brimming full of gifts for the little ones. The doors also open for the giant gingerbread house, and guests can head inside to purchase freshly baked treats and gifts.

Raffles Dubai, WAFI, 6pm to 7pm, Thursday December 5, free. Tel: (04 )324 8888. Raffles.com

December 5: Movenpick Ibn Battuta

Al Bahou restaurant at Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate will welcome visitors for its beautiful tree lighting ceremony from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Thursday December 5. Embrace the holiday spirit with a choir of carol singers, pass-around canapés and festive drinks. Keep an eye out for Santa Claus as he makes a surprise visit to the little ones.

Al Bahou, Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate, next to Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, Thursday December 5, free. Tel: (04) 444 0000. movenpick.com

December 5: Emirates Golf Club

The much-loved golf club is kicking off the Christmas period in style with its annual tree lighting ceremony on Thursday December 5. There’s going to be a choir showcasing the very best Christmas songs, steaming cups of fruity mulled wine, plus complimentary seasonal treats to feast on. Once the lighting is complete it’s time to party, as the ever-popular Spike will be offering a roast for Dhs99, and unlimited house beverages between 8pm and 11pm for just Dhs120 per person.

Emirates Golf Club, near Nakheel Metro station, Dubai, Thursday December 5, free. Tel: (04) 417 9999. dubaigolf.com/dine

December 8: Towers Rotana

The Aspen’s are back for a third year in a row to get the crowds singing at the annual tree lighting ceremony at Towers Rotana. Expect a live performance of festive favourites including Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, complimentary festive goodies and an appearance from Santa.

Towers Rotana, Sheikh Zayed Road, Downtown Dubai, 7pm, Sunday December 8, free. Tel: (04) 343 8000. rotanatimes.com

December 9: Fairmont The Palm

Fairmont, The Palm holds a spectacular tree-lighting ceremony every year, illuminating their vast Christmas tree in the lobby with usually over 2000 spectators. This year it takes place on Monday December 9, and there’ll be a children’s choir from Dubai Performing Arts belting out some Christmas songs, gingerbread making for the little ones and even a musical Santa’s grotto. Adults can get their festive fix with an eggnog or mulled wine and there’ll be an array of complimentary festive bites like mince pies or turkey dinner samples. Mmmmm. It runs from 5pm to 7pm, with the lights switched on at 6pm – so make sure you get there early to get a good viewing spot.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, Monday December 9, 5pm to 7pm. Tel: (04) 457 3457. fairmont.com/palm-dubai

December 11: The Irish Village

The annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at Irish VIllage is one of the biggest and best festive events of the year. Taking place this year on Wednesday December 11, it will feature live music from a festive choirs, festive eats such as mulled wine and mince pies, as well as the small matter of turning the lights on on the giant twinkly tree.

Irish Village, Garhoud, Dubai, 7pm to 10pm, Wednesday December 11. Tel:  (04) 282 4750. theirishvillage.com

December 12: Park Hyatt Dubai

Celebrate the festive season with the glittering tree lighting at Park Hyatt Dubai on Thursday December 12. Sing along to traditional Christmas carols with the choir, browse Christmas market stalls and tuck into wintery treats as you shop.

Park Hyatt Dubai, Dubai Creek, Dubai, 6pm onwards, Thursday December 12, free. Tel: (04) 602 1234. hyatt.com

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Images: Supplied