While festive fun continues this week, there is also plenty more to do, including a thrilling basketball match, a glittering soccer awards ceremony, a new skating rink and the return of Monster Jam.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from December 23 to December 29.
Monday, December 23
Start the week by telling Santa Claus your Christmas wish over the phone. Head to City Centre Deira, where there is a Santa Hotline booth, which allows people to chat with “Father Christmas” between 2pm and 10pm.
This bit of festive fun aside, the mall is replete with roaming entertainment, a dazzling Christmas tree centrepiece, plus a meet-and-greet spot with Santa Claus and his merry helpers between 5.45pm and 9pm.
Daily, until December 25; City Centre Deira, Dubai; 800 226 255
Tuesday, December 24
Basketball fans can support Dubai BC, an Emirati professional team, as they go against a European powerhouse at Coca-Cola Arena on Tuesday. The basketball team is facing Igokea, a Bosnian club, which has competed major international leagues with several championship and cup titles.
December 24; from Dh75; doors open 5.30pm; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai; 800 223388
Wednesday, December 25
Take the children to The Galleria Al Maryah Island on Christmas day. In the mall's north atrium, children can explore makeshift tinsel woods and become honorary pine scouts, uncovering treasures and earning badges along the way. Other activities in the area include cane-fishing, bauble-painting and gingerbread-decorating. Also check out the Santa's Grotto, which runs until December 26.
The mall's promenade area has also been transformed into a winter wonderland with festive activity huts, stage shows and roaming performers. There's also an ice-skating rink and snow slide until December 31.
Daily, until December 31; 10am-10pm; The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi; 02 493 7400
Thursday, December 26
Off the back of Wicked's cinematic release, journey through the world of The Wizard of Oz at Theatre by QE2. The family-friendly production brings a festive twist to the classic tale, featuring Dorothy and her friends, who travel down the yellow brick road to Oz, meeting other beloved characters Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion along the way. Audiences can expect lively songs, humour and interactive moments throughout the show.
December 26; 10.30am-1pm and 2.30pm-5pm; from Dh120; Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid; 058 838 3107
Friday, December 27
A constellation of football stars is descending upon Atlantis The Palm for the 15th Globe Soccer Awards. The event is a celebration of the sport, attended by top-tier athletes, visionary coaches, astute club managers and more.
For the first time in its history, the ceremony will be open to the public, giving fans a chance to be in the same room as some of the biggest names in the industry and a chance to meet them up close. Some of the attendees include English footballer Harry Kane, Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays with Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr.
Two ticket categories are available, including one that allows access to the main auditorium and the after-party celebrations, as well as a ticket that gives entry to the red carpet and the winners' enclosure.
December 27; from Dh3,000; doors open 5.30pm; Atlantis The Palm, Dubai; info@globesoccer.com
Saturday, December 28
Gigantic truck extravaganza Monster Jam is returning to the capital, at Moreeb Dune in Liwa. Watch the quirky and colourful five-tonne trucks defy gravity in various competitions, including racing, freestyle and skills categories – set against the picturesque desert landscape.
Visitors can pay extra to access the pit party for more off-track fun and a meet-and-greet with the talented drivers. Monster Jam tickets include access to the Liwa International Festival, where a host of other family-friendly activities can be enjoyed.
December 27 and 28; from Dh75; 3pm onwards; Liwa, Abu Dhabi
Sunday, December 29
Take friends or family to Floored, a new roller skating rink at Oasis Mall Dubai. Skaters of all ages and skill levels are welcome to take the wooden rink floor. The venue, which can also be booked for private events and birthday parties, offers coaching classes to for those who want to take their skating journey more seriously.
Monday to Thursday, 10am-10pm; Friday to Sunday, 10am-midnight; Dh70 for unlimited skating time; Oasis Mall, Dubai; 04 515 4000
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
How it works
A $10 hand-powered LED light and battery bank
Device is operated by hand cranking it at any time during the day or night
The charge is stored inside a battery
The ratio is that for every minute you crank, it provides 10 minutes light on the brightest mode
A full hand wound charge is of 16.5minutes
This gives 1.1 hours of light on high mode or 2.5 hours of light on low mode
When more light is needed, it can be recharged by winding again
The larger version costs between $18-20 and generates more than 15 hours of light with a 45-minute charge
No limit on how many times you can charge
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
