10 Things to Do in the UAE in December 2026

December is the month the whole country moves outdoors. The evenings are cool, the festivals are open, and there is something on in almost every emirate. This is our list of ten things to do in the UAE in December 2026, from Yas Island to the Liwa dunes and the old streets of Sharjah.

We only picked events with dates confirmed for this December, checked against organisers and official announcements. Where details like prices had not been published yet, we say so instead of guessing.

1. Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The F1 season ends on Yas Island, and the race runs into the night under floodlights. The nice part for families is that race tickets include entry to Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld and Yas Waterworld, so one ticket can fill a whole Yas weekend. The official site also lists after-race concerts for ticket holders.

• Where: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
• When: Race day is Sunday 6 December 2026, with the race weekend running 3 to 6 December. Check the official site for session times.
• Price: From AED 395 (Visit Abu Dhabi listing), with theme park access included for race ticket holders
• Checked on 8 November 2026, details can change.

Official site: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

2. Dubai Shopping Festival (32nd edition)

DSF is back for 45 days of deals, raffles and concerts across the city. This edition adds DSF Nights, a Hatta Wadi Hub edition for a cooler day in the mountains, and a new beach food hub at Sunset Beach. The full programme had not been published yet when we checked, so keep an eye on the official site.

• Where: Across Dubai: malls, Sunset Beach, Hatta and more
• When: 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027
• Price: Free to browse; concerts and some activities are ticketed separately
• Checked on 8 November 2026, details can change.

Official site: Dubai Shopping Festival

3. MOTN Festival on the Abu Dhabi Corniche

The Mother of the Nation festival turns 10 this year and settles on the Corniche for more than three weeks. It is split into three zones: Melting Aurora for younger kids, Beyond the Sky for teens and young adults, and The Golden Hour for everyone, with food, rides, art installations and live music. Before that, it visits Al Mugheirah Bay in Al Dhafra and Al Jahili Park in Al Ain.

• Where: Abu Dhabi Corniche (earlier stops at Al Mugheirah Bay, Al Dhafra, and Al Jahili Park, Al Ain)
• When: Corniche: 9 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Al Dhafra and Al Ain: 28 November to 2 December 2026
• Price: Not announced when checked
• Checked on 8 November 2026, details can change.

Official page: MOTN Festival (Abu Dhabi Media Office)

4. Al Dhafra Festival in Madinat Zayed

This is the country’s big camel festival, now in its 20th edition, and December is when it reaches Madinat Zayed and its grand finale. Expect camel beauty contests, heritage competitions and a traditional market where you can wander between stalls. It is a long drive, about two hours from Abu Dhabi city, but it feels a world away from the malls.

• Where: Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi, including the Al Dhafra Traditional Market
• When: Madinat Zayed stage 3 to 10 December 2026; grand finale 12 to 19 December 2026
• Price: Not stated in the 2026 announcement
• Checked on 8 November 2026, details can change.

Official page: Al Dhafra Festival (Abu Dhabi Media Office)

5. Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba

The festival grounds in Al Wathba are open all December, with heritage pavilions, food from around the world and a busy evening programme. It is known for big fireworks and drone shows on special nights, so it is worth checking the schedule around National Day and the end of the month.

• Where: Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi
• When: Season runs 30 October 2026 to 14 March 2027, open throughout December
• Price: Tickets and opening hours for the 2026/2027 season not announced when checked
• Checked on 8 November 2026, details can change.

Official site: Sheikh Zayed Festival

6. Global Village Season 31

December is peak Global Village weather: cool enough to walk between the country pavilions all evening, snack your way through the street food and catch the stage shows. Go on a weekday if you can, it is cheaper and a bit calmer.

• Where: Global Village, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Dubai
• Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday 4pm to midnight; Thursday to Saturday and public holidays 4pm to 1am
• Price: AED 25 on weekdays; AED 30 Friday to Sunday and on public holidays
• Checked on 8 November 2026, details can change.

Official site: Global Village

7. Focal Point: Sharjah Art Book Fair

For three days, a restored courtyard house in old Sharjah fills with independent publishers, zines, artist books and talks. It is small and relaxed, and a good excuse to spend an afternoon walking the Sharjah Arts Area.

• Where: Bait Obaid Al Shamsi, Sharjah Arts Area, Sharjah
• When: 11 to 13 December 2026
• Price: Not stated; Sharjah Art Foundation says its exhibitions are free, so check the fair’s page before you go
• Checked on 8 November 2026, details can change.

Official site: Sharjah Art Foundation

8. Liwa International Festival at Tal Moreeb

At the foot of Tal Moreeb, a dune over 300 metres high, the festival mixes desert motorsport with heritage. Look out for Nitro Circus freestyle motocross and BMX shows on 19 and 20 December, falconry and gahwa workshops in the Heritage Village, and the Tal Moreeb Car Championship finale to close the season. Camping spots and RV parking are booked through the festival’s official app.

• Where: Tal Moreeb, Liwa, Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi (about 3 hours’ drive from Abu Dhabi city, about 4 hours from Dubai)
• When: 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027; car championship finale 30 December to 2 January
• Price: The festival site lists general admission as free; some competitions, VIP areas and special events cost extra
• Checked on 8 November 2026, details can change.

Official site: Liwa International Festival

9. DP World ILT20 cricket at Sharjah Cricket Stadium

The UAE’s T20 league is in full swing in December, and Sharjah’s historic cricket ground hosts several evening games. The Sharjah Warriorz play at home on 1, 4, 9 and 11 December, and the stadium also hosts Qualifier 2 on 18 December before the final in Dubai on 20 December. Evening matches in cool weather make it an easy family night out.

• Where: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
• When: 1, 4, 9, 11 and 18 December 2026, all at 6.30pm
• Price: Listed as to be confirmed on the official site; children 5 and over need a ticket, under 5s go free if they do not take a seat
• Checked on 8 November 2026, details can change.

Official site: DP World ILT20

10. New Year’s Eve at Burj Khalifa

The fireworks at Burj Khalifa happen every year and are the UAE’s best-known way to welcome the new year. The 2026 programme, including viewing areas, tickets and road closures, had not been announced when we checked, so plan once the official details are out.

• Where: Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai
• When: 31 December 2026
• Price: 2026 details not announced when checked
• Checked on 8 November 2026, details can change.

Official site: Burj Khalifa

Book F1 and cricket tickets early, and plan desert trips to Liwa or Madinat Zayed with a full tank and warm layers for the evening.