With Christmas just around the corner, the UAE is pulling out all the stops to spread festive cheer. From dazzling light displays to quirky trees and magical wonderlands, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are brimming with seasonal decorations.
So, if you’ve ticked off last-minute gift shopping and finished icing your gingerbread cookies, why not get into the holiday spirit by checking out some of the best Christmas displays in the UAE?
Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi
Prepare for a whimsical experience at Reem Mall’s Winter Candy Land. The star attraction? A 16-metre inverted Christmas tree. There are also plenty of photo opportunities, from festive elves to upside-down holiday scenes, making it the perfect destination to create unforgettable memories. The display will be on until December 29.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental has a dazzling holiday centrepiece – a Christmas tree uniquely crafted from round ornaments. The stunning display serves as the perfect backdrop for capturing special holiday moments, while its elegance reflects the festive sophistication the hotel is known for.
Bluewaters Island, Dubai
If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, head to Bluewaters for a futuristic holiday spectacle that runs until January 11. Laser trees, 3D light installations and a vibrant laser wall have transformed the area into a high-tech wonderland. There will also be laser trees with vibrant beams of light creating festive reflections.
Global Village, Dubai
Global Village's decorations include a towering Christmas tree adorned with candy canes, red stockings, fairy lights and baubles, all guarded by a gingerbread cookie fence.
Adding to the magic, the tree features colourful elves scaling its branches and ornaments that create a cosy holiday vibe. Around the tree, there are playful snowman cutouts and oversized candy props. Families can watch daily shows of Santa and the Elves, Christmas Clowns and Polar Bears and the Explorer until December 30.
The Springs, Dubai
Even residential neighbourhoods are joining in the festive cheer, with The Springs showcasing a unique take on the traditional Christmas tree. Crafted entirely from bright string LED lights, it's topped with a shining star, adding a modern take to an old favourite.
Expo City, Dubai
Winter City is back at Al Wasl Plaza, featuring its daily tree lighting ceremony until December 31. In addition to the dazzling tree, there's also a Santa’s Grotto, where children can visit Old Saint Nick and capture memorable photos. There's a Gingerbread show, while stilt walkers dressed as candy canes roam the plaza, bringing festive cheer to every corner.
Background: Chemical Weapons
Tomorrow 2021
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
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Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
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Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Price: From Dh149,900
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
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• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
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- Financial well-being incentives
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The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
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May 9, v Malaysia
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Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
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THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
