Thanksgiving, a beloved American holiday, has found its way to Dubai's cosmopolitan shores. Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 28, 2024! Dubai's melting pot of cultures embraces diverse celebrations, and Thanksgiving is no exception. Restaurants across the city are jumping on the bandwagon, offering special Thanksgiving dinners. Whether you're an expat missing home or a local curious about this festive tradition, Dubai has something for everyone. From traditional turkey feasts to unique fusion experiences, we've curated a list of Thanksgiving activities, dining spots, and more to help you celebrate in style.
Thanksgiving in Dubai
With chill weather and tourists all over the city, you know that festive season is about to hit Dubai. Numerous Thanksgiving gatherings take place in Dubai to inculcate the true spirit of this festival, even though you may be away from home.
Tag along with your favourite people, enjoy a luscious feast, and relish everything you have. From American dine-in venues to additional tips to make your trip memorable, we have you covered!
6 ways to spend Thanksgiving in Dubai
Take a spin at the Dubai Ice Rink
The Dubai Ice Rink, located at the Dubai Mall, is a prominent leisure point for people residing in the Downtown Dubai community and the surrounding regions. If you miss the chill weather in America and wish to experience the same, we have a pinch of it, right here in Dubai. This indoor ice rink in Dubai allows you to glide across the gigantic rinks and also offers a Disco session every two hours. If you are an amateur at ice-skating, the Olympic-sized ice rink offers several coaching sessions to help you skate with ease. Enjoy Thanksgiving this year by skating under snow with your loved ones.
Have a Thanksgiving meal in the desert
How about a Thanksgiving meal in the desert? Sign up for a desert safari experience in Dubai and enjoy a BBQ dinner in the desert safari camp with Egyptian Tanoura dance performances, adventure sports like dune bashing, camel riding and more. With high-quality hospitality, there are guides designated to assist you for the trip and help you at every stage of the Desert Safari Dubai. What better way to spend an offbeat Thanksgiving experience in Dubai!
Related Read: All about choosing the best Dubai Desert Safari
Enjoy Thanksgiving on a traditional Dhow
A mouth-smacking international buffet on board and taking in the lights and sights of Dubai on a traditional dhow cruise for a perfect Thanksgiving. You can enjoy an evening on a 2-hour cruise with a variety of international cuisine on a traditional Arabian Dhow (a one-or two-masted Arab sailing vessel), inclusive of a glass-enclosed lower deck and an open upper deck.
Hop onto the traditional Dhow to have a perfect blend of old and new combined with a visual dining experience of Dubai’s famous attractions and skyscrapers along the artificial canal.
Related Read: Discover the best of Dubai Dhow Cruises
Watch the La Perle show
This Thanksgiving, do something different and experience an extraordinary aqua-stage-based live show – La Perle, featuring 65 artists across 23 different countries. You can witness actors and acrobats performing a breathtaking fusion of artistic acts during the fast-paced live show.
Situated in the heart of Dubai at Al Habtoor City, La Perle is Dubai’s purpose-built theatre which promises to give you a visually captivating experience envisaged by Dragone. The artists perform mind-blowing aerial feats, such as diving from a height of 25 meters. Audiences are close to the action and get a perfect panoramic experience, with projection walls in the theatre. High-definition speakers are installed into the 1300 seat theatre and are sure to teleport you to a world beyond.
Pick up your own Thanksgiving meal
How easy would it be if someone did all the prep work for you for that ideal Thanksgiving meal while you sat back, all cozy? Here are some Turkey takeaways we think you'll like.
Jones the Grocer
Jones the Grocer in Dubai is a family favourite for every meal of the day. For Thanksgiving, the Jones Roast Turkey comes with cranberry sauce, juniper-infused gravy, sage, and stuffing. They also provide a perfectly tender Aussie roasted lamb leg with roast caramelized garlic and rich rosemary gravy. The sides include fluffy duck roasted potatoes, gourmet sausages in beef bacon, and cauliflower cheese. Now that is something you wouldn’t want to miss trying!
Head out to have a perfect Thanksgiving meal!
The festival involves a gathering of family and friends around a sumptuous dinner with roast turkey, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and so much more! But, organizing a Thanksgiving meal can be slightly chaotic. If you wish to take a break from it all and want to enjoy dinner without having to cook for long hours, there are numerous restaurants that honor this occasion and offer wholesome Thanksgiving dinner in the country.
#1 Claw BBQ
If You Want to enjoy live American football on TV while munching on your favourite cuisine, then you should feast at Claw BBQ on Thanksgiving. You can enjoy a buffet full of traditional meals like turkey, pumpkin pie, and much more. If you love American food and crab, then this is the place for you.
#2 Hell's Kitchen
Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen in Dubai is inspired by his reality TV show and is an ideal stop to dine this Thanksgiving. With world-class cooking, the kitchens are all set to turn up the heat with a Thanksgiving-inspired menu featuring pecan pie, pumpkin pie, candied yam, and of course the famous Turkey Wellington.
#3 Fuchsia Urban Thai
For those who are urging for a guilt-free and bite-size portion of delicious Thai flavours, you should not miss out on visiting Fuchsia Urban Thai. The restaurant's chic ambiance and diverse menu make it a popular choice for those seeking a taste of Thailand in Dubai. The restaurant is known to offer a unique Thanksgiving dinner with dishes like pink dim-sum stuffed with minced turkey.
#4 Brunch And Cake
With an ambiance that makes you want to Instagram everything around, the Brunch and Cake in Dubai’s Jumeirah 1 offers a delicious single-serving turkey with exotic sides. You can enjoy all flavours of the season through this meal and is a go-to spot for Thanksgiving.
#5 Counter Culture Café – Dubai Marriott Harbour
Enjoy all the classic favorites during this festive season and feast to your heart’s content with a turkey platter, sweet potato pie, roasted apple, and more at Dubai’s famous neighbourhood café - Counter Culture Café. Counter Culture Café offers a blend of Arabian hospitality and international cuisine in a relaxed setting, making it a great spot for both locals and tourists.
#6 Brasserie Boulud
At Brasserie Boulud, Thanksgiving is celebrated by serving a menu inspired by Daniel Boulud’s signature dishes like turkey stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, butternut squash soup, and much more.
#7 Bull & Bear
Bull & Bear at Waldorf Astoria DIFC offers a luxurious Thanksgiving experience with a modern twist. Their menu features a succulent roast turkey with all the trimmings, alongside innovative dishes that blend traditional flavors with contemporary culinary techniques. The restaurant's elegant atmosphere and panoramic city views make it an ideal setting for a memorable holiday celebration.
Tips on spending Thanksgiving in Dubai
With notorious transportation delays and travel snags, the Thanksgiving holiday is the busiest time of the year to travel. This holiday season, we are here to ease some of those travel headaches to escape for a drama-free adventure.
Travel light
If you have family in Dubai, consider shipping some of your belongings, especially presents, bulky items, and extra clothes to lighten your traveling load.
Have the best time shopping
For all the shopaholics who are in search of great deals, Dubai is your one-stop destination. The Dubai Mall is one of the biggest shopping malls in the world with excellent views of the city and offers attractive deals during this season. With about 1200 shops, shoppers can shop and buy gifts for their loved ones. Since you are already here, don’t forget to check out the dancing Dubai Fountain and the Dubai Aquarium - the largest indoor suspended aquarium in the world which is housed inside the mall.
Beaches During Winters? Yes!
People around the world are always delighted when it's beach season. Unlike other places in the world, beach season in Dubai is best experienced during winters. Usually, it is too hot in Dubai to venture outside during the summers.
International travellers looking for something different to do this winter, Dubai is where you need to be. Imagine spending winters in a pair of swimsuits!
Related Read: Best Beaches in Dubai – Your Guide to the Best Outdoor Beach Activities In Dubai
Visit Dubai Global Village
Known to be the leading festival park, the Dubai Global Village is known to host numerous events every year from October till the beginning of April. Since the country experiences a drop in temperature, large-scale events are usually held during this time.
This Thanksgiving, you should schedule a visit to the Global Village in Dubai and attend the series of festivals that are planned. Enjoy various cultural, shopping and entertainment activities.
Enjoy Water Sports and Water Parks in Dubai
The waterparks in Dubai operate during the better part of the year but they may not be functional during the peak of winter. During Thanksgiving, the weather is beginning to get a little chilly, so you can always check the closure dates before heading to the destination. If not waterparks, you can always enjoy a dip at resort swimming pools as they are open and are temperature controlled.
Related Read
Water Sports in Dubai – An Extensive Guide
The Ultimate Guide to the 5 Best Water Parks in Dubai
