What happened? MINT Market and Arabian Adventures are bringing Carols in the Desert back to Dubai for three evenings in December 2026 after its sold-out debut last year.
Who is affected? Dubai residents, families, Christmas shoppers and visitors looking for a festive outdoor experience can attend the event.
Why does it matter? The event combines Christmas entertainment with Dubai’s desert setting, offering carols, live performances, family activities, food, drinks and a local Christmas market.
- Location: The Fort – Lisaili, Dubai
- Organisers: MINT Market and Arabian Adventures
- Dates: December 18, 19 and 20, 2026
- Time: 5pm to 10pm
- Who can attend: Families, residents and visitors
- Highlights: Christmas choir, Santa on a camel, camel rides, Santa’s grotto, live entertainment and festive market
- Tickets: Prices to be announced; expected to go on sale in November
- What’s next: Register your interest with MINT Market for ticket updates
Christmas celebrations are heading into the Dubai desert this December with Carols in the Desert 2026, a three-night festive event at The Fort – Lisaili. MINT Market and Arabian Adventures will host the event on December 18, 19 and 20 from 5pm to 10 pm, with Christmas carols, live entertainment, family activities and a festive market. The event follows a sold-out 2025 debut and gives residents and visitors another outdoor option for celebrating the festive season in Dubai.
When is Carols in the Desert 2026 taking place in Dubai?
Carols in the Desert will take place across three evenings from Friday, December 18 to Sunday, December 20, 2026.
The event will run from 5 pm to 10 pm at The Fort – Lisaili, giving guests an opportunity to enjoy the programme after sunset when the desert setting becomes part of the experience.
The organisers have not yet announced ticket prices. MINT Market is currently accepting registrations of interest, with tickets expected to go on sale in November.
What can visitors expect at the Christmas event?
The main attraction will be a Christmas choir performing carols beneath the desert sky, alongside live performances and festive entertainment throughout the evening.
Santa is also expected to make an unusual entrance. Instead of arriving in a traditional sleigh, Santa will make his appearance on a camel, adding a distinctly Dubai touch to the Christmas celebrations.
Families can also visit Santa’s grotto, while children can enjoy camel rides and a performance by entertainer Magic Phil.
For adults, the evening will include mulled wine and marshmallow roasting around the fire, creating a more relaxed festive atmosphere after sunset.
Food will also be part of the experience, with a festive BBQ and drinks available during the event.
Will there be a Christmas market at The Fort – Lisaili?
Yes. MINT Market will host a dedicated Christmas market as part of the three-day event.
The market is expected to bring together UAE homegrown brands, giving visitors an opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts and support local businesses.
According to MINT Market, the 2026 market will feature 20 UAE homegrown brands each evening. This adds a shopping element to the event beyond the entertainment and family activities.
For visitors planning their Christmas shopping, the market could be a convenient way to browse locally created products while spending an evening outdoors.
Why is The Fort – Lisaili becoming a bigger leisure destination?
The Christmas event also comes as The Fort – Lisaili prepares for a wider expansion.
Arabian Adventures, part of the Emirates Group, announced plans in September 2026 for an AED 8 million expansion of the desert destination.
The planned development will add new dining, cultural, entertainment and adventure facilities from 2027. The first phase is scheduled to begin in January 2027 and is expected to include an Arabic market, a VIP majlis, new dining concepts and children’s play facilities.
The expansion is also set to feature a 250-metre dune-top desert zipline, described by Arabian Adventures as the first of its kind in the UAE.
These plans are separate from the 2026 Christmas event, but they highlight how The Fort – Lisaili is developing beyond a traditional desert experience into a broader leisure destination.
For Dubai residents, Carols in the Desert 2026 offers a different way to spend the festive season away from indoor malls and city-centre venues.
Families are likely to find the combination of Santa, camel rides, a children’s show and a Christmas choir particularly appealing, while adults can enjoy the market, food and drinks around the fire.
The event also gives UAE-based small businesses and homegrown brands an opportunity to reach Christmas shoppers through MINT Market.
From a tourism perspective, the desert setting adds another distinctly Dubai element to the festive calendar. Visitors can combine a Christmas-themed evening with one of the city’s established desert experiences.
How can you get tickets for Carols in the Desert?
Ticket prices have not been confirmed yet. According to the organisers, tickets are expected to go on sale in November 2026.
Those interested can register through MINT Market to receive updates when ticket sales begin. Visitors should wait for the official ticket announcement before making plans based on pricing.
FAQs
When is Carols in the Desert in Dubai?
Carols in the Desert will take place on December 18, 19 and 20, 2026, from 5 pm to 10 pm.
Where is Carols in the Desert 2026?
The event will be held at The Fort – Lisaili in Dubai.
How much are tickets for Carols in the Desert?
Ticket prices have not been announced yet. Tickets are expected to go on sale in November 2026.
What activities are available for children?
Children can visit Santa’s grotto, enjoy camel rides and watch a performance by Magic Phil. The event will also feature Christmas carols and live entertainment.
Will there be a Christmas market?
Yes. MINT Market will host a Christmas market featuring UAE homegrown brands. The 2026 edition is expected to have 20 brands each evening.
Carols in the Desert 2026 will bring Christmas carols, Santa, family entertainment, food and local shopping to The Fort – Lisaili across three December evenings. With ticket prices still to be announced, interested visitors can register their interest ahead of the November ticket launch.
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