Festive season is merry and bright as thousands visit Dubai Christmas Fest 17.12.2014: A record-breaking 30,975 people head to three-day festive event Caption: This year’s Dubai Christmas Fest welcomed a record

A record-breaking 30,975 people head to three-day festive event




Caption:     This year’s Dubai Christmas Fest welcomed a record breaking 30,975 visitors who celebrated the festive season together.


The city is abuzz with festive cheer and sparkle, as the organisers of this year’s Dubai Christmas Fest have revealed that a record-breaking 30,975 people visited the event this month, marking a 14% increase on last year.


Thousands of people flocked to the event over three days to see Dubai Media City Amphitheatre transformed into a winter wonderland, as snow fell on the hour, every hour, children played in the snow fight zone and skated in the outdoor skating rink, and everyone enjoyed a range of festive entertainment on the main stage.


Popular attractions this year included the fun fair, a new magical bouncy castle, a rodeo reindeer complete with Rudolph’s red nose, a penguin bowling alley and the new Christmas Craft Theatre, where children and adults decorated festive t-shirts and personalised Christmas tree decorations.


Mother of three, Nicola Wales, who has lived in Dubai for the last three years, went home with the Ultimate Christmas Hamper, worth more than AED10,000, featuring a gift from every exhibitor at the show. 


Nicola said: “I just couldn’t believe it when I won! I was speechless and am just so grateful; it’s an incredible gift to receive at this time of year.  We visited for the first time on Saturday and we all really enjoyed it.  The boys loved the arts and craft areas and the snow fight zone, and we’re all looking forward to returning next year.”


Santa Claus was especially busy this year, ably assisted by his team of elves, as scores of children lined up to meet him at the Santa’s Grotto, decorated head to toe by everyone’s favourite chocolate brand M&M’s. 


Feedback from visitors has been overwhelmingly positive.  Tara Maqsood wrote on the Dubai Christmas Fest Facebook page: “What an awesome event.  I loved the main stage performances, especially the panto for the kids.  I enjoyed taking a stroll down the market area with all the tables set up with lights.  I would recommend people to go… and would rate this festival 10/10… It couldn’t have been better!”


Chris Fountain, Managing Director of Turret Media, the organiser of Dubai Christmas Fest said, “The popularity of the show continues to grow as the whole community embraces the essence of a fun, family day out and, while there can be challenges with demand, it’s heartening to see so many people enjoying the event and entering into the festive spirit in Dubai. 


“We won’t rest on our laurels, however, and will continue to work hard to deliver the very best in terms of activities, features, attractions and retailers when we return in 2015.”


Local and international businesses came together to offer visitors a range of festive options and present ideas.  The Christmas Market featured more than 200 homemade retailers and big international brands, all offering festive discounts and unbeatable offers. 


Crate and Barrel returned with plenty of holiday inspiration and gifting ideas such as elegant home décor, festive dinnerware, vibrant silverware, glittering ornaments, handmade critters, stocking stuffers and holiday essentials. 




Other sponsors and exhibitors included Samsung, C. Wonder, Lush Cosmetics, French Bakery, The Urban Yogi, Borders, The Joinery Shop, Candelite, Hummingbird Bakery, and Starbucks.


Festive food was served up by Radisson Blu, Deira Creek, Provodore, Certo and The Gramercy, while French Bakery offered individual Gingerbread Houses and Gingerbread Men for children to decorate with icing, sparkles and plenty of festive cheer.


- Lindsay Johnston, Total Communications Dubai - also photos