Join the countdown and celebrate festive cheer at Yas Bay Waterfront

Santa makes a special appearance with his elves to light up the tree on Friday, December 15.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – 12 December 2023

Winter is officially here and there is no better way to kick off the festivities at Yas Bay Waterfront than an appearance by Santa to light up a 12-metre tree at the Etihad Arena plaza. Join him and his merry elves on Friday, December 15 at 7:00pm to countdown the kick-off to the jolliest season of them all.

Wrapping up the year with a bang, Yas Bay Waterfront is set to paint the night sky on New Year’s Eve with not just one, but two breathtaking firework displays for guests to enjoy at 9:00pm and 12:00am.

Enjoy soaking in the crisp, cool evenings while strolling the waterfront to find pockets of light and joy and live music every weekend. Choose your dining experience from a selection of top international and award-winning restaurants that promise to carry on the merry vibes with their festive menus and tipple.

Guests fancying a chic dining experience with an Italian ambiance can head to Paradiso on Christmas Day and choose from their flavoursome Italian à la carte menu complemented by the upbeat tunes from their live band starting from 12:00pm. On New Year’s Eve, guests can book a table at the restaurant’s beautiful terrace and enjoy a stunning view of the double fireworks show while sipping champagne and savouring some exquisite Italian dishes, along with the live band and DJ performance, at a minimum spend of AED 500.

For more information and reservations, please call 05 437 2869

The exquisite Pan-Asian restaurant Asia Asia joins the festivities with a special Christmas Day brunch from 2:00pm – 5:00pm. Grab your loved ones and head there for a memorable celebration with a taste of Pan Asian flavour with packages starting from AED 400 per person. For New Year’s Eve, they are rolling out a special offer from 8:30pm – 12:30am of an evening brunch with a set menu and free flowing drinks starting from AED 500, going all the way up to AED 900 for guests who want to have a glass of champagne in their hands while enjoying the beautiful fireworks from the Asian restaurant’s terrace.

For more information and reservations, please email reservations@asiaasiaabudhabi.com

The flamboyant pink café EL&N joins the fun with an irresistible offer for all its guests. All menu items are priced at a mere AED 45 till end of year! That’s including their new ‘almost-too-pretty-to-slice’ cakes, their signature espresso chai martini and the gingerbread woman hot chocolate that will come in handy during the night breeze.

For more information and reservations, please call 050 745 1779

Another tempting festive feast awaits at Hunter & Barrel. Guests heading to this elite steakhouse and bar on Christmas Day will be greetedby a mouthwatering roast. For just AED 260, guests can choose from the grain mustard slow cooked leg of lamb, roasted corn-fed whole chicken or Angus beef chateaubriand. On New Year’s Eve, guests can enjoy chef Kamil’s must-try special three-course set menu for AED 750 per person.

For more information and reservations, please call 05 0452 5958

The recently opened Bua Thai Café by Desert Lotus reveals an unmatched offer on December 24 and 25 from 6:00pm – 10:00pm. Guests can indulge in a delectable four-course menu while sipping on unlimited drinks that perfectly complement each flavourful bite of the restaurant’s authentic Thai cuisine, starting from AED 259 per person.

For more information and reservations, please call 055 795 8048

The award-winning party bar Lock, Stock & Barrel is not holding back on its crazy offers this season as they roll out their ‘Festive Roast’ buy one get one free deal every Sunday and Monday till the end of the year. Priced at AED 120, the roasts at Lock, Stock & Barrel includes beverages and ear pleasing live music. For New Year’s Eve, they are going all out with an unlimited drinks offer for four straight hours from 9:00 pm – 1:00am at a price of AED 400 per person.

For more information and reservations, please email reservations@lsbabudhabi.com

The vibrant Central reveals its fair share of festive offers starting with a ‘Family Brunch’ on Christmas Day from 1:00pm – 4:00pm that includes a three-course menu with unlimited drinks starting from AED 250 for adults and AED 200 for ages 12-21, in addition to free dining for kids under five years. For New Year’s Eve, guests can enjoy unlimited drinks, a set sharing menu and AED 100 in gaming credits per person to spend at their retro arcade from 8:30pm – 12:30pm. The package is priced at AED 400 with a discounted rate of AED 200 for guests aged 5 to 21 years.

For more information and reservations, please email reservations@central-uae.com

Stop by the unique community space Artmarket and get a taste of their special Christmas menu that includes flavourful turkey and brie with house cranberry sauce, mince pie French toast with homemade brandy butter and a gingerbread latte to get you in that festive mood. Artmarket’s outdoor area will be the perfect spot to watch the amazing fireworks show on New Year’s Eve, complete with a prosecco package for AED 300 or bottomless champagne at AED 600.

For more information and reservations, please call 052 917 1523

If you’re finding it difficult to decide where to spend your night out this festive season, look no further than The Trilogy, a distinctive concept by Buddha-Bar that offers a trifecta of culinary delights.

First of the trio is Bushra, with a perfectly crafted menu of Levantine cuisine. Starting from 8:00pm on New Year’s Eve, guests can enjoy a full Arabian set menu dinner with bottomless beverages and a spectacular view of the fireworks show accompanied by live entertainment at AED 750 per person and AED 650 for the early birds.

Alternatively, gather your friends and explore Zeera’s mix of modern Indian cuisine on New Year’s Eve with a delicious set menu that includes some of Zeera’s scrumptious signature dishes, priced at AED 750 with the option to save AED 150 if you book in advance.

What about a Boho-themed celebration to end the year? Siddhartha Lounge by Buddha-Bar is preparing for a night to remember on New Year’s Eve starting from 8:00pm till late, bringing a delightful three-course set menu, live entertainment and DJ sets at AED 950.

For more information and reservations, please call 050 601 1194
If you are in search for an authentic traditional Irish pub in the UAE’s capital, then allow us to introduce to you McCafferty’s, located inside Hilton Yas Island. Head there with your family on Christmas Day from 1:00pm – 5:00pm to celebrate with fabulous festive feasts, free-flowing drinks and live music at AED 289 for adults and AED 99 for kids below 12 years, while kids below five years dine for free. On New Year’s Eve, guests can enjoy delicious pass-around bites and free flowing drinks from 8:30pm – 12:30am, promising the best festive atmosphere in the city to ring in the new year.

For more information and reservations, please call 058 598 3623

If you’re after a one-of-a-kind New Year’s Eve bash, set your sights on the legendary Café del Mar and dive into a deluxe three-course feast by their infinity pool, perfect for viewing the spectacular firework extravaganza. Snag your spot for AED 950 or catch the early bird deal at AED 750.

For more information and reservations, please call 050 402 2283

The newly opened NURI Grill & Bar by Madang is coming in strong with a special Christmas Eve offer from 6:00pm – 12:00am with the finest selection of premium cuts in their special ‘Christmas Butcher’s Feast’ offer. The Korean BBQ restaurant will be offering guests to choose from a set of four special cuts or six premium cuts, each set comes with spicy kimchi stew or Doenjang stew, and a variety of delicious Korean sides – all for AED 250. On New Year’s Eve from 8:00pm – 2:00am, they are combining Korea’s best flavours in a five-course meal along with a bottle of grape for AED 650, or a non-alcoholic beverage for AED 500.

For more information and reservations, please call 054 211 5151

As the year unfolds, Etihad Arena, located in the heart of Yas Bay Waterfront is set to host two final events this year. If you are a hardcore gamer, be sure to tune in for the BLAST Premier World Final on December 16 and 17 and watch the best Counter-Strike teams in the world compete for a USD 1 million prize pool. And for the final event of the season, World Tennis League is making a return to Abu Dhabi with a three-day event from December 21 – 24, hosting the biggest tennis stars coupled with epic concerts featuring 50 Cent, Akon, Ne-Yo and UB40.

For more information, please visit https://www.yasbay.ae. Stay connected online by following @YasBayUAE and #YasBayWaterfront.