One of the most significant holidays in Chinese culture is the Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year. The Year of the Dragon, representing strength, power, and good fortune, will occur this year.
From February 2–11, take part in activities celebrating Chinese traditions and customs throughout the city, savour delectable cuisine at some of Dubai’s best restaurants, and take advantage of fantastic deals at the city’s finest malls and lifestyle hotspots.
Find the best places to shop this Chinese New Year
Get a 10% cashback offer and enter to win one of two gift cards valued at AED 10,000 each when you purchase a Festival City Mall gift card at Dubai Festival City Mall between February 2 and February 11. All citizens and guests from China are eligible for this promotion. Enjoy dragon dancing, a unique IMAGINE show from 6-10 pm, and roaming entertainment from February 9-11 to celebrate the first few days of the new year. A spectacular fireworks show that will amaze and awe guests on February 11 at 9 p.m. will also help usher in the Year of the Dragon at this breathtaking waterfront resort.
Chinese citizens who shop at Mall of the Emirates from February 2 through February 29 can win daily prizes and earn 10X SHARE points on everything they buy. Simply spend RMB 1,000 (a little more than AED 510) at any participating retailer to qualify. Pick up your reward from the raffle box, which includes airline tickets from Southern China, 22-karat gold coins from Damas, and Huawei devices, after presenting your receipt at the Chinese Customer Service Desk.
Enjoy amazing discounts at Damas establishments all throughout the city. AED 3,500 purchases of Damas candles come with a special free gift, 10% off certified diamonds, 30% off Kallista rings, or the option to purchase a 1-carat Gaia ring for just AED 9,995.
Chinese New Year Fireworks Show
Chinese New Year in Dubai is going to be an outstanding celebration for both locals and visitors, with a packed calendar of events ranging from exclusive festive entertainment to captivating live acts. Come celebrate the Year of the Dragon with friends and family at Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall. On February 11 at 9 p.m., take in a breathtaking fireworks show that will bring the festivities to a close.
Plan your trip to Dubai Festival City Mall and reserve a seat at one of the popular restaurants for the best views of the fireworks. The stunning show promises to be an incredible spectacle.
But that’s not all. Visit the breathtaking waterfront location from February 9–11 to enjoy fantastic roving entertainment, including a special IMAGINE show starting at 6 p.m. and must-see dragon dancing.
There’s a holiday surprise in store for patrons of Dubai Festival City Mall. From February 2–11, you may win two gift cards worth AED 10,000 each and receive 10% cashback when you purchase an AED 300 Festival City Mall gift card. All Chinese citizens and tourists are eligible for this promotion.
Top Chinese restaurant
Tàn Chá
Tàn Chá in the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel is offering a set menu for Dhs400 per person. The four courses in the set menu include a wide range of popular Chinese dishes. The restaurant’s version of the prosperity salad, Yusheng, with crispy vegetables, fresh fish, and a spicy dressing, costs Dhs288 in addition to the menu. A dragon dance and a live performance by their regular DJ are also planned for the festivities.
Dhs400 per person (set menu). Fri Feb 9 – Sat Feb 10. JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Business Bay. (56 681 8881)
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel – Business Bay – DubaiEauzone
Eauzone in the Arabian Court at the One&Only Royal Mirage is serving a Chinese New Year feast. Guests may savour a shared menu of Chinese specialities in a gorgeous setting for Dhs388 per person. Fresh seafood and the traditional prosperity toss—a raw fish salad known as Yusheng, which is considered a symbol of abundance, prosperity, and vigour—will be served as part of the meal.
Dhs388 per person (excludes beverages). Fri Feb 9 – Sat Feb 10. One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Marina. (04 315 2412), restaurants@oneandonlyroyalmirage.ae.
One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Marina.XU
Another establishment that has made the shortlist for the best Chinese restaurant is XU. Upon entering the unlicensed, you will be greeted with a wish tree, which is a representation of luck, wealth, and positive energy. Guests are encouraged to put their goals and aspirations for the year on customised wishing cards. There will be plenty of traditional red lanterns throughout the location, and visitors can participate in the Chinese custom of drawing red envelopes for extra good fortune. The Mall of the Emirates location will have these customs and traditional décor from Friday, February 9 to Saturday, February 17.
Fri Feb 9-Sat Feb 17, open Mon-Sat from 6 pm. Kempinski Dubai Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, xudubai.ae
Kempinski Hotel – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Al Barsha – Al Barsha 1 – DubaiHakkasan
The Cantonese restaurant Hakkasan Dubai commemorates the Year of the Dragon from Friday, February 9 through Saturday, February 24. They have a special menu with new dishes, a festive mixed drink, and a dessert made especially for the occasion. In addition, on Saturday, February 10, there will be a special lion dance to celebrate the new year. A “wishing tree” is present as a customary element of the Chinese New Year, symbolising luck, wealth, and achievement. The menu offers a dim sum called “wishes of prosperity,” smoked eight treasure ducks, and lobster salad.
Dhs788 (per person). Fri Feb 9-Sat Feb 24, 6 pm-11.45 pm. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 426 2626).
The Palm – Atlantis The Palm, Dubai
Celebrate the start of the Year of the Dragon at one of the Chinese restaurants in Dubai that made the shortlist. At the Banyan Tree Dubai location, customers may purchase an exceptional five-course tasting menu designed by renowned chef Alvin Leung for Dhs520 per person. A dragon dance, a representation of strength, riches, and knowledge that is thought to bring good fortune, is the centrepiece of the celebrations as the restaurant is decorated for the Lunar New Year. The menu’s standout dishes are the slow-roasted Demon Duck in lettuce wraps, the 48-hour beef short ribs with kalbi sauce, and the hot and sour lobster soup.
Dhs520 per person. Fri Feb 9 – Sun 18 Feb (tasting menu), Fri Feb 9 – Sat Feb 10 for entertainment. 6 pm – midnight. Banyan Tree Dubai. (04 556 6466), guestservice-dubai@banyantree.com.
Banyan Tree Dubai – Bluewaters Island – DubaiLing Ling Dubai
Chinese New Year celebrations are being held at the magnificent Atlantis the Royal, where guests can enjoy supper and cocktails. A selection of exceptional meals, such as lobster prawn toast with yuzu mustard aioli, lobster longevity noodles with Boston lobster, and salmon sashimi with yuzu dressing, begins at Dhs105 for diners. There will be mixed beverages that have been specially created for the event.
Costs differ. Sat Feb 10 – Sat Feb 24, 6pm – 1am. Atlantis the Royal, Palm Jumeirah, reservations@linglingdubai.com (56 997 1642).
Atlantis The Royal – Crescent Rd – Palm Jumeirah – DubaiShang Palace
Shang Palace, located within the Shangri-La Dubai hotel, is offering a special set dinner for the occasion, with prices beginning at Dhs288 per person. The venue will offer three specially designed menus: a one-day-only lantern festival menu (Dhs288 per person) on Saturday, February 24, a celebratory set menu (Dhs288 per person) and a golden dragon menu (Dhs388 per person) available from Friday, February 9 until Friday, February 16. A wishing tree, Yusheng, and a lion dance performance are all part of the festivities on Saturday, February 10 in the morning.
From Dhs288 per person. Fri Feb 9 – Fri Feb 16, Sat Feb 14. Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road. (04 405 2703), fbreservations.sldb@shangri-la.com.
Shangri-La Hotel Dubai – Sheikh Zayed Rd – DubaiHutong
Hutong Dubai is offering special festive Chinese New Year dishes on Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10, to help celebrate the Year of the Dragon in style. Another establishment that made Time Out’s shortlist of the finest Chinese eateries in the UAE is this one. The burning Peking duck and lobster lao he are just two of the festive meals that guests can savour. There will also be a festive dim lunch that is vibrant. There will be a dragon show and the mysterious face-changing mask as entertainment.
Dhs288 (soft drinks) Dhs448 per person (house beverages). Feb 9 -10, brunch 12.30 pm – 4 pm, dinner 6 pm-11.30 pm. Gate Building 6, DIFC Dubai (04 220 0868).
Ground Floor DIFC – Gate Building 6 – Al Sukook Street – Trade Centre – DIFC – Dubai