The beginning of December means one thing: the festive holiday season. From foggy mornings to hot chocolate entering every cafe menu, the city takes a collective effort to cosy up. While Race Weekend brings in the thrill and action, the rest of our curated guide this week is made for comfort and cosiness.
To Shop
Missoni | Pre-Fall 2026
As the season has officially shifted, we scale to cosy fits. The Pre-Fall 2026 collection by Missoni lends a helping hand with loose volumes seen on their coats, double-breasted jackets, and trousers. The devil is all in the details though, as formal tailoring still runs supreme and while monochromatic on the surface, a closer inspection will reveal muted colours in Missoni’s geometric motifs, making each piece an interesting conversation starter.
Parfums de Marly | Festive Advent Calendar
December has hardly begun, so it’s still not too late to indulge in an Advent calendar! Especially the latest by Parfums de Marly, which is 12 doors as opposed to the standard 25. From EDPs to luxurious creams and candles, one thing remains common with this calendar, and that is revelling in the art of scent.
Nadine Njeim Beauty | Bloomingdale’s
Clean beauty brand Nadine Njeim Beauty has officially made their Bloomingdale’s debut! With skincare-makeup hybrids, expect palettes that pack a punch in pigment, formulations that pull a double-duty shift in caring for the skin, and their cheeky Blushberry Tint that’s perfect for the upcoming festive season!
Manebí | A Festive Gift Guide
The season of gifting is right around the corner, and Italian lifestyle brand Manebí is doing the heavy lifting for us with their festive gift guide. Featuring a curated selection of elevated accessories and 100% cashmere knitwear, it’s a gentle reminder to not rely on scented candles for this year’s gifting.
Perfect Moment x BWT Alpine F1 Team | Winter Capsule Collection
A collaboration no one could have predicted, luxury skiwear brand Perfect Moment has partnered up with the BWT Alpine F1 Team to launch a winter capsule collection. For those getting ready for their festive travels, this collection blends the energy of motorsport and skiing, featuring ski jackets, knitwear and ski suits in Alpine F1 Team’s iconic blue and pink palette, accented with dynamic contrasting details. The collection also includes knitwear and accessories that, altogether, tie in a cohesive winter wardrobe.
Zara Home | Winter Fragrances
Cosy season starts with cosy scents, and Zara Home is leading the charge with its 2025 Winter Fragrance Story. A collection designed for warmth, joy, and the feel-goodness that the holidays bring, it features sweet, food-inspired scents that mirror festive rituals, specifically the treats.
The Gingerbread Collection is a warm, spicy scent reminiscent of freshly baked gingerbread, featuring notes of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, clove, and citrus accords. Whereas the Salted Caramel collection is as gourmand as they come, with notes of vanilla, caramel, praline, and nut butter. The final collection, the Winter Cypress collection, is cool and woody, reminiscent of fresh pine trees in the forest, featuring notes of cypress, pine tree, eucalyptus, clove, moss, and cedar.
To Dine
Bocasu | Al Quoz
Tucked in the heart of Al Quoz emerges a new Japanese concept shaped by design and flavour. Bocasu, led by Chef Yu Hasegawa, is the latest dining spot to elevate Dubai’s diverse scene by spinning Japanese flavours with a Middle Eastern twist. Nothing encapsulates this philosophy more than the Jawarma, a shawarma interpreted through a Japanese lens. Beyond the fusion bites, there are also the classics: fresh hand rolls, premium A5 wagyu shabu, and of course, matcha.
Dime | Al Satwa
Think diner vibes that remind you of Grease the musical, and that’s Dime in a nutshell. Serving all-American classics, they’re especially known for their burgers, which melt in the first bite.
Alica Bakery | Port de La Mer
Craving a slow morning with nothing but a croissant and a coffee? Alica Bakery, located in Jumeirah, starts every morning with freshly baked treats. For something heartier, try their Morning Tray, which includes soft-boiled eggs with pickles, labneh-pistachio zaatar, avocado sumac, and sourdough.
To Experience
Abercrombie & Fitch x McLaren Formula 1 | Yas Mall
Celebrating the Grand Prix Abu Dhabi, Abercrombie & Fitch has partnered up with the McLaren Formula 1 team, further blending fashion and motorsport by launching a collection of licensed graphic apparel. Along with the new collection, Abercrombie at Yas Mall will also feature McLaren’s Formula 1 car for the public to view till Monday, December 8.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai x Maison Schiaparelli
Starting Christmas in the fanciest of ways, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, has revealed a remarkable couture Christmas tree created by Daniel Roseberry for Maison Schiaparelli. Paying homage to Elsa Schiaparelli’s fascination with astronomy, the tree was designed with this celestial heritage in mind, with 960 golden metal rods in full glitter, mirror-polished gold, and perforated reflective metal that softly filters the light, a reference to Elsa Schiaparelli’s Zodiac collection.
Within the tree is a red heart inspired by Daniel Roseberry’s Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2025–26 collection. Strikingly eye-catching (as most of Schiaparelli is), the heart is built on a 3D‑printed structure and powered by a mechanical system that beats just like a human at 60 pulses per minute. Adding drama to it are 1,458 red Swarovski crystals because nothing about Schiaparelli is subtle or subdued. For those looking for a festive season that’s just as theatrical, Maison Schiaparelli will be in residence at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, offering exclusive experiences, including a Schiaparelli Suite.
Catch the Formula 1 Live | The Stables Dubai
British gastropub The Stables Dubai are gearing its engines for the nail-biting Race Weekend. Broadcasting the action live on the big screen, guests can soak up the energy while also indulging in hearty British classics and crowd-favourite pub bites. And the best part? Diners will get a chance to win tickets to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!
To Watch
Die My Love | Cinemacity
Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, Die My Love follows the story of Grace, a writer and young mother who is slowly slipping into madness. A harrowing psychological drama, it’s a slow burn that gets into the nitty-gritty of postpartum depression with incredible cinematography and stellar acting performances.
F1 | Roxy Cinemas, Dubai Hill Mall
A Grand Prix unlike any other, this will be the first time in 15 years that 3 drivers will have a shot at the World Drivers’ Championship. So naturally, you’re bound to find F1 screening all over the city, but if you’re looking for the action combined with a theatre experience, then Roxy Cinema at Dubai Hills Mall has got you covered.
Elf | Cinema Akil
An oldie but a goldie, December means the start of cosy, fun Christmas films! This 2003 classic starring Will Ferrell is heartfelt and a laugh-out-loud comedy that brings both the festive spirit and weekend comfort.
