JA Resorts & Hotels has announced its Christmas and New Year programme for 2026, with celebrations on Jebel Ali’s beachfront and in the Hajar Mountains.
At JA The Resort, Christmas dining moves between gardens and poolside settings, before a black-tie gala with fireworks on 31 December. Around 90 minutes from central Dubai, JA Hatta Fort Hotel will host festive meals and family activities, followed by a New Year’s Eve bonfire and countdown.
Beachfront hotels and Christmas tree lighting in Jebel Ali
JA The Resort covers one million square metres of beachfront in Jebel Ali, with a private marina and golf course. More than 25 restaurants and bars give it plenty of dining options beyond the festive calendar, making it a setting for a longer Christmas break as well as a celebratory meal.
JA Beach Hotel and the all-suite JA Palm Tree Court host most of the seasonal events. JA Lake View Hotel joins the programme for Boxing Day, so the celebrations are spread across the resort rather than centred on a single restaurant.
The season opens on Tuesday 8 December at Palmito Garden, JA Beach Hotel, with a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony running from 6pm to 10pm. Carols and live music accompany Santa’s arrival, with festive characters joining the evening’s entertainment.
Entry costs £46 per person and is complimentary for in-house guests. Younger guests can also decorate gingerbread houses, priced separately at £20, giving families an extra activity to build into the evening.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at JA The Resort
La Fontana Brasserie at JA Palm Tree Court hosts Christmas Eve dinner on Thursday 24 December, from 7pm to 11pm. The evening pairs a festive menu with live music in the gardens of the all-suite beachfront hotel, offering a relaxed start to the main Christmas celebrations.
Dinner costs £90 per person with soft drinks or £100 with house beverages. Children aged four to 12 dine for £26, while under-fours eat free.
On Friday 25 December, Palmito Garden becomes the setting for a Christmas brunch beneath the palms, overlooking the water. Running from 12.30pm to 4.30pm, it includes a festive buffet with live music and entertainment.
Children have their own programme of performances and games, plus an appearance from Santa. Brunch costs £147 per person with house beverages, with places for children aged four to 12 priced at £76. Under-fours dine free, and the 20% early-booking offer runs until 31 October.
Boxing Day dining and the 27 December pool party
Boxing Day brings a barbecue and traditional carvery at Bunker & Buoy, JA Lake View Hotel. Live music accompanies the afternoon, with the marina providing the backdrop and food served throughout the gathering.
The adult package costs £65 with bottled beer and house wine, or £41 with soft drinks. Children aged four to 12 dine for £21, and under-fours eat free.
On Sunday 27 December, celebrations return to JA Palm Tree Court for an evening pool party at Anchor Pool. From 7pm to 11pm, guests can enjoy a barbecue buffet with live beats and entertainment, looking out across the Arabian Gulf.
Tickets cost £71 with soft drinks or £95 with house beverages. Children aged four to 12 pay £36, while under-fours dine free.
A black-tie New Year’s Eve at JA Beach Hotel
Palmito Garden hosts JA The Resort’s biggest festive event on Thursday 31 December: an Oscars-inspired, black-tie gala running from 7pm until 2am.
The evening includes a festive buffet, with a band and DJ providing the entertainment. A midnight toast and fireworks over the resort will welcome 2027.
The gala costs £505 per person, including house beverages. Children aged four to 12 receive 50% off, and under-fours dine free. Bookings made by 30 November qualify for the 20% early-booking saving.
Tree lighting and Christmas Eve in Hatta
JA Hatta Fort Hotel offers a mountain setting around 90 minutes from central Dubai. Its festive programme makes use of the gardens and grounds, with bonfires joining the seasonal dining and entertainment.
The Christmas tree-lighting ceremony takes place at the lobby entrance on Saturday 12 December, from 6.30pm. The complimentary evening includes carols, with warm mulled wine and festive canapés served as guests gather.
Ornament-making gives younger visitors something to take part in, while the hotel will unveil its Kindness Advent Calendar. Santa is also scheduled to visit, bringing the first of several family-focused celebrations during December.
On Thursday 24 December, the Gazebo hosts a Christmas Eve dinner from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. The menu includes fresh seafood, traditional roasts, premium grilled meats and Christmas desserts, accompanied by live entertainment and performances from the resident choir.
Children can enjoy festive stories and crafts, with surprise gifts also planned. Dinner costs £65 per person with soft drinks or £91 with house beverages.
Christmas Day brunch and family activities in Hatta
Christmas Day brunch takes place at Palm Tree Garden on Friday 25 December, from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. Served family-style, it comes with performances from the resident choir and a live DJ.
Santa and festive characters will join the celebrations, alongside family games and activities. Brunch costs £56 per person with soft drinks or £81 with house beverages.
A complimentary activity programme also runs across the hotel grounds throughout Christmas Day. Children can take pony rides, join a candy-cane hunt, fly kites, decorate hot chocolate and meet Santa. Families can gather again in the evening for a festive quiz and bonfire.
For Christmas dinner, Jeema Restaurant serves a buffet of seasonal favourites and popular Indian dishes, accompanied by the resident choir. Dinner runs from 6.30pm to 10.30pm and costs £34 per person with soft drinks or £61 with house beverages.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in the mountains
Hatta’s New Year’s Eve celebration on Thursday 31 December is scheduled for 10.30pm at Margham Hall. The dinner menu includes Italian bites, Arabic mezze, fresh seafood and signature carvings, with herb-crusted beef and confit duck among the dishes.
Guests will then gather around the bonfire with free-flowing bubbly, before moving to Roumoul Bar for the countdown and a Wish Upon a Star moment at midnight. The £111 ticket includes soft drinks, beverages from the house selection and bubbly.
The mountain programme carries on into Friday 1 January 2027 with an open-air barbecue at Palm Tree Garden. Running from 12.30pm to 4.30pm, it features live-grill specialities, seasonal salads and desserts, alongside activities for younger guests and festive treats.
The New Year’s Day barbecue costs £36 per person, including soft drinks.
