Thanksgiving is a beloved American holiday that brings families and friends together to give thanks, eat delicious food, and make happy memories. While Thanksgiving originated in the United States, its spirit of gratitude resonates with people all over the world.
In recent years, Thanksgiving celebrations have become increasingly popular in Dubai as American expats and global-minded locals embrace this special tradition.
Dubai offers many exciting ways to celebrate Thanksgiving away from home. From luxurious hotel feasts to festive brunches at beach clubs, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Whether you want to join fellow Americans for a traditional turkey dinner or experience Thanksgiving with an international twist, Dubai has something for everyone.
To help you plan an unforgettable Thanksgiving in Dubai, here are seven can’t-miss destinations to make the most of the holiday this year.
While Thanksgiving is not an official public holiday in the UAE, it is widely celebrated across Dubai. Many restaurants offer special Thanksgiving menus featuring traditional American dishes like roast turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and more.
Hotels often host lavish Thanksgiving buffets and brunches. Beach clubs and bars also get into the holiday spirit with live music, drink specials, and festive decorations.
7 Must-See Places to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Dubai 2023
Picking the perfect place will ensure you have an unforgettable Thanksgiving tailored to your tastes. Now let’s explore seven of the best destinations to celebrate this year’s holiday in Dubai.
Burj Khalifa
No list of must-see destinations in Dubai would be complete without the Burj Khalifa. At a staggering 2,722 feet, it’s the tallest building in the world and an awe-inspiring marvel of architecture.
Burj Khalifa is instantly recognizable on the Dubai skyline with its needle-like design. Located right in the heart of Downtown Dubai, the Burj Khalifa is surrounded by dancing fountains, lush gardens, and the massive Dubai Mall.
Visitors can rocket to the observation decks on floors 124 and 148 for jaw-dropping panoramic views. Gazing out at the Dubai skyline from nearly a half-mile up is an unforgettable experience.
For the ultimate indulgence, book afternoon tea at Atmosphere on floor 122, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering 360-degree vistas. The Burj Khalifa mesmerizes both inside and out.
How you can celebrate Thanksgiving at this place
The Burj Khalifa offers a range of special experiences to make Thanksgiving truly memorable. Their luxurious afternoon tea gets a Thanksgiving twist with turkey sandwiches, pumpkin pie, and other seasonal delicacies. You can toast the holiday overlooking all of Dubai during this decadent two-hour experience.
Another option is reserving a private dining room with floor-to-ceiling views at Atmosphere. Their Thanksgiving package includes a holiday-themed gourmet menu and access to a private outdoor terrace overlooking the Dubai Fountains. There’s no better place to enjoy an elegant Thanksgiving dinner.
The team at Burj Khalifa also decorates for the holiday, making it extra festive for visitors. Whether you go for afternoon tea or a private dinner, the Burj Khalifa offers a once-in-a-lifetime way to celebrate Thanksgiving in Dubai.
Palm Jumeirah
The Palm Jumeirah is one of Dubai’s most iconic attractions. This man-made archipelago in the shape of a palm tree extends into the Persian Gulf and can be seen from space. Home to luxury hotels, villas, apartments, and restaurants, the Palm Jumeirah is a haven for upscale living and stylish vacations.
Visitors flock to the Palm for its beautiful beaches, high-end retail and dining, and lively nightlife scene. Hotels like the Waldorf Astoria, Anantara, Sofitel, and Fairmont provide five-star accommodations and amenities. Attractions like the Ain Dubai observation wheel and Aquaventure Waterpark offer fun for all ages.
The Palm Jumeirah is also home to several chic beach clubs like Soho Beach House, Playa Beach Club, and Azure Beach. With a glamorous vibe and endless views of the Dubai Marina’s skyline, the Palm Jumeirah oozes luxury and sophistication.
How you can celebrate Thanksgiving at this place
Spending Thanksgiving on the Palm Jumeirah is a fabulous way to celebrate in style. Many of the hotels offer special holiday brunches and dinners with live music, entertainment, and kids’ activities. The Waldorf Astoria’s lavish Thanksgiving brunch takes place on the outdoor terrace, with amazing Palm Jumeirah views.
Beach clubs like Soho Beach House pull out all the stops with DJs, live bands, and themed decor transforming their venues into Thanksgiving party central. If you’re looking for an exciting and lively Thanksgiving brunch with drinks flowing and music pumping, you can’t go wrong with the Palm Beach clubs.
For a more relaxed vibe, gather family or friends and rent a cabana at Nasimi Beach at Atlantis The Palm. Spend the day lounging by your private pool and soaking up the sun before enjoying a catered Thanksgiving dinner right on the beach.
Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina is one of the most popular areas for both tourists and expats thanks to its bustling waterfront lined with restaurants, shops, and lively nightspots. This buzzing neighborhood revolves around the picturesque man-made marina lined with luxury yachts and dhows. Visitors love strolling along the marina walkways and pedestrian bridges.
Dubai Marina is home to the iconic Cayan Tower as well as other eye-catching skyscrapers like the Princess Tower and Elite Residence. With a huge selection of restaurants featuring cuisines from around the world, Dubai Marina is a foodie haven. The area comes alive at night, with many bars and clubs drawing a youthful crowd.
Dubai Marina offers easy access to attractions like Ain Dubai and the beach. With excellent metro access, staying in Dubai Marina makes it easy to explore all the city has to offer. Whether you want to dine at a waterfront restaurant, dance the night away, or simply go for a stroll, Dubai Marina’s energy and beauty make it a great place to stay.
How you can celebrate Thanksgiving at this place
Dubai Marina offers many options for celebrating Thanksgiving this year. Plenty of restaurants will be serving special holiday menus and brunches. Popular spots like Weslodge Saloon, Observatory Bar & Grill, and Mr Miyagi’s are great choices for indulgent Thanksgiving feasts.
Several hotels like the Address Dubai Marina and InterContinental Dubai Marina are hosting extravagant Thanksgiving brunches complete with live cooking stations, carving stations, and more. These brunches allow you to sample dishes from around the world.
For a more casual vibe, check out one of Dubai Marina’s sports bars like The 44 Sports Lounge & Grill at the Hilton. They’ll have Thanksgiving-themed food and drink specials along with live American football on big screens – a must for die-hard NFL fans.
An evening harbor cruise is another festive way to celebrate, with dinner and views of the glittering Dubai Marina skyline. Whether you’re looking for tradition or a livelier scene, Dubai Marina is a fantastic area for Thanksgiving fun.
Jumeirah Beach
With bright white sands and turquoise waters, Jumeirah Beach is renowned as one of Dubai’s most beautiful beaches. Located in the heart of New Dubai, the main public stretch of Jumeirah Beach runs south from the Burj Al Arab past the Jumeirah Beach Residence. This pristine beach has powdery sand and calm waters perfect for swimming and water sports.
Jumeirah Beach is lined with luxury seaside hotels like the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and Bonnington Hotel. Beachgoers will also find restaurants, cafes, and beach clubs dotting the coastline. Enviably located across from the Burj Al Arab, Umm Suqeim Beach offers stunning views of the iconic sail-shaped hotel.
With its convenient location and natural beauty, Jumeirah Beach has become one of Dubai’s most popular spots. The wide beach has plenty of space for relaxation while offering easy access to attractions like Wild Wadi Waterpark right next door.
How you can celebrate Thanksgiving at this place
Jumeirah Beach offers the perfect backdrop for a relaxing Thanksgiving celebration. Many of the neighboring hotels host special holiday brunches and dinners with beachfront views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel serves an extensive Thanksgiving buffet on its lawn overlooking the Burj Al Arab.
For a livelier brunch party, check out Zero Gravity Beach Club’s popular Thanksgiving bash with DJs, live music, and entertainment. Beachside cabanas allow you to relax in privacy. Several restaurants like Sho Cho and Kiza also offer Thanksgiving menus steps from the sand.
If you want a peaceful Thanksgiving, you can simply spend the day lounging on the beach under the warm winter sun and splashing in the refreshing waters. Take a long stroll down the coast and admire the natural beauty. End your day watching the sunset with a refreshing cocktail in hand.
The Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is the world’s largest shopping mall spanning over 13 million square feet. With more than 1,300 stores and restaurants, visitors can shop to their heart’s content at this retail mecca. Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Cartier draw designer lovers, while more affordable brands also have a strong presence. Outside the mall, the massive Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo amaze visitors with exotic marine life.
The Dubai Mall offers much more than shopping and dining. Other attractions include an Olympic-sized ice rink, a dinosaur skeleton exhibit, a virtual reality park, and kids’ edutainment centers. The Dubai Fountain performs choreographed shows right outside while the Burj Khalifa looms overhead.
With its incredible selection of stores, endless entertainment options, and festive decorations, the Dubai Mall is a must-visit during the holidays. An information desk and visitor guides make it easy for tourists to navigate this mammoth mall.
How you can celebrate Thanksgiving at this place
The Dubai Mall pulls out all the stops for Thanksgiving with elaborate decorations and events. Visitors can enjoy photo ops with decorative turkeys, pilgrims, fall leaves, and other holiday theming. A giant Thanksgiving parade takes place in the atrium with dancers, acrobats, and balloons.
On Thanksgiving Day itself, the Dubai Mall hosts a feast for the community with live music and kids’ activities. Shoppers can take advantage of Thanksgiving sales at many stores offering special discounts. The Dubai Shopping Festival also coincides with the holiday, making deals even more enticing.
With endless dining options, you can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at one of the mall’s many restaurants. Popular picks include California Pizza Kitchen, P.F. Chang’s, and Texas Roadhouse. The Dubai Mall’s festive holiday spirit makes it a top choice for Thanksgiving family fun.
Dubai Miracle Garden
Spread across 72,000 square meters, Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the world’s largest natural flower gardens. Located near Arabian Ranches, this dazzling floral oasis lives up to its name. The garden features whimsical displays made from millions of flowers arranged into colorful shapes like hearts, stars, and pyramids.
Visitors can walk through flower-filled passageways, gaze at floral waterfalls and fountains, and see Dubai landmarks recreated in blooms. Dubai Miracle Garden’s imaginative exhibits change seasonally to showcase different flowers. At night, the garden comes alive with a mesmerizing light and music show.
With its flower displays, the Miracle Garden has garden restaurants, retail shops, and kids’ play areas. With its visual splendor and sweet floral scents, Dubai Miracle Garden delights visitors of all ages.
How you can celebrate Thanksgiving at this place
Dubai Miracle Garden unveils special Thanksgiving displays each November. Massive floral arrangements shaped like turkeys, autumn leaves, pumpkins, and cornucopias decorate the garden. The heart-shaped floral installation is filled with orange and yellow blooms for the season.
During the holiday period, the Miracle Garden adds Thanksgiving-inspired treats and beverages to its food and beverage menu. Kids can enjoy themed arts and crafts activities like making turkey hats and cornucopia centerpieces using flowers, leaves, and other natural materials from the garden.
In the evening, the garden’s illuminated displays and music shows take on a Thanksgiving theme. There are also holiday-themed games and entertainment like pumpkin bowling. Spending Thanksgiving at Dubai Miracle Garden provides a fantastically festive experience the whole family will love.
Global Village
Global Village is Dubai’s beloved multicultural theme park and shopping destination. This huge park is divided into sections called pavilions representing different countries from around the world. Visitors can shop at the pavilions’ local handicraft stalls, sample international cuisine, and enjoy cultural shows.
Other major attractions at Global Village include carnival rides, games, street performances, live concerts, and fireworks displays. During the cooler months from October to April, Global Village comes alive each evening with color, music, and excitement. With so much to see and do, it’s a top choice for family fun.
How you can celebrate Thanksgiving at this place.
Global Village is the perfect place to experience Thanksgiving traditions from different cultures. In the American pavilion, visitors can pose with Pilgrims and Native Americans, watch American football, eat classic Thanksgiving dishes like turkey and pumpkin pie, and more.
The Canadian pavilion highlights Canadian Thanksgiving customs with autumn foods and family activities. Other international pavilions also offer a taste of Thanksgiving traditions from their cultures. It’s eye-opening to discover the different ways people around the world celebrate gratitude.
On Thanksgiving Day, Global Village hosts a big community feast welcoming people from all walks of life. Live entertainment includes multicultural song and dance performances honoring harvest festivals worldwide. The colorful fireworks show also gets a Thanksgiving theme.
For families visiting Dubai during the holiday, Global Village provides a memorable Thanksgiving outing. The park’s festive shows and decor make the entire experience highly immersive and engaging for kids and adults.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving in Dubai offers wonderful ways to celebrate the holiday while soaking up sunshine far from autumn’s chill. From world-class hotels and beach clubs to family-friendly attractions, Dubai has diverse destinations to experience Thanksgiving traditions in unique settings.
The iconic Burj Khalifa and lavish Palm Jumeirah hotels provide unforgettable views and luxury. For festive brunches and parties, hotspots like Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach guarantee good times. Family attractions like Global Village and Miracle Garden make the holiday special through immersive theming and entertainment.
Whether you want to feast like royalty, dance the night away, or simply relax beachside, Dubai serves up incredible Thanksgiving experiences. The holiday spirit is alive across this glamorous city.
If you’re looking to get away this Thanksgiving, consider a trip to spectacular Dubai. The dazzling destinations and festive events will make it an unforgettable holiday for you and your loved ones. Start planning your Dubai Thanksgiving now and get ready for a celebration unlike any other.
