Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 7, 2016, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun.
Abu Dhabi
Festive market
Head to the annual Swiss Christmas Market and experience a traditional European festive event featuring 44 wooden chalets selling an array of seasonal gifts and decorations. Try Swiss culinary favourites and enjoy live music by a Swiss folklore band. Santa Claus, called Samichlaus in Swiss German, will visit on Saturday during the Swiss Christmas Brunch.
December 7 to 11, 4pm to 9pm on Wednesday; 2pm to 10pm on Thursday; 11am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, free entry, Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi, www.swissbcuae.com, 02 653 8181
Dubai
Kids’ camp
Sign up your kids, ages 7 to 15, for the Kartdrome Winter Camp Gulf Star Sports, which offers children an adrenaline-fuelled holiday of go-karting, laser tag, simulators, billiards, video games, team games and competitions.
December 18 to 22 and December 26 to 29, 9am to 1pm, Sundays to Thursdays, from Dh995 per week, Dubai Autodrome, Dubai, info@gulfstarsports.com, 050 429 4860
Abu Dhabi
Family fun
Book tickets to take part in a live-action role play Legends of Arabia: The Quest of the Pearl Tribes at Yas Waterworld. Join the dramatic game, dress up in costume, and take on a new identity in the storyline, where you will encounter Emirati legends and become a tribal warrior from the mythical past of the Emirates. Wear comfortable clothes and good footwear; basic English knowledge is required.
December 9 to 11, 15 to 18, 21 to 23, and 28 to 30, from 7pm to 10.30pm, Dh299 includes an interactive live show, Arabic-themed buffet dinner and souvenir photo, ages 8+, Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.yaswaterworld.com
Nationwide
New movie
Bad Santa 2, a sequel to the 2003 film Bad Santa, sees Billy Bob Thornton reprise his role as Willie Soke, who teams up again with his sidekick Marcus (Tony Cox) to rob a Chicago charity foundation on Christmas Eve. They are joined by Willie's angry mother Sunny (Kathy Bates), who works for the charity, and Thurman (Brett Kelly), who remains devoted to Willie as "my Santa". Dark comedy, also starring Christina Hendricks, Ryan Hansen, Octavia Spencer and Ryan Hansen.
Screening at cinemas across the UAE. (18+)
Abu Dhabi & Dubai
Kids’ event
Sign up your children for Frozen Freaky Friday at Caboodle Pamper & Play, where they can enjoy face-painting, crafts and activities, two hours of play-area access, and a visit from the snowman Olaf from the movie Frozen.
December 16, 4pm to 8pm, Dh99 per child, Caboodle Pamper & Play, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, 02 616 6973; City Walk, Dubai, 04 344 4570, www.caboodle.ae
Abu Dhabi
Festive event
Register to take part in the annual gingerbread decorating party at Lana’s Partiperfect Kitchen. Kids can enjoy decorating Christmas macaroons and gingerbread houses, Christmas string-ball ornaments and lantern-making, face-painting, music, games, candy treats and snacks and drinks.
Saturday, 3pm to 5.30pm, Dh200 per child, Marina Village, Villa A56, Abu Dhabi, book at 02 681 0090, www.partiperfect.ae
Dubai
Craft market
Visit Marina Souq and enjoy shopping for trendy and exclusive items from 30 designers including fashion, accessories, home decor and delicacies, plus pop-up restaurants Baker & Spice, The Salad Jar and Kold Press Juice.
Today, 9am to 7pm, fishing harbour, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, 050 585 7543, www.facebook.com/marinasouq
Dubai
Art exhibition
Saturns Neckless continues at The Third Line. Laleh Khorramian presents a body of work featuring dyed and painted fabrics, vestments and monotype portraits of alien and guardian beings in an exhibition that is an homage to the druids, seers, knowers, oracles, robots and space forms. Pictured: Kimono A (Back)
Daily until December 10, 10am to 7pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed on Fridays), The Third Line, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 04 341 1367, www.thethirdline.com
Dubai
Improv show
Attend Wednesday Night Improv: Maestro, the fast-paced, unpredictable and hilarious night of scenes, songs and games based on suggestions from the audience, who also act as judges, eliminating players until a Maestro is crowned.
Tonight, 8pm, free with registration, The Courtyard Playhouse, Al Quoz, Dubai. register at www.courtyardplayhouse.com/events
Dubai
Art exhibition
Attend the opening of The Land Needs Ironing by Majd Kurdieh, which is the inaugural exhibition of The Workshop, a new concept space that offers a creative atmosphere for designers, artists, music lovers and shoppers. The exhibition showcases works that combine art and literature, and features cartoonish characters that speak for the artist, who is part of the Syrian diaspora. Pictured: An untitled image by Majd Kurdieh
Today, 6pm, then runs daily until January 5, 10am to 6pm, Sundays to Thursdays (closed on Fridays and Saturdays), The Workshop, Villa 45, Street 23B, off Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, Dubai, 04 341 2595, www.theworkshopdubai.com
