Okay, picture this: golden sand, gentle sea breeze, and a lobby Christmas tree that winks at you like it knows all your holiday playlists. This December, Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island is basically inviting you to a festive takeover – think classic holiday cheer with a sun-kissed twist. Bring the family, bring friends, bring that relative who always asks for more gravy – everyone’s invited.
First act: the tree that steals the show
There’s a reason people crowd the lobby for the tree lighting. It’s the “aww” moment of the season: shimmer, choir harmonies, cocoa-scented air and that tiny thrill when the lights flip on. If you’ve been searching for a cinematic holiday intro shot – you’ve found it. Bonus: it’s guilt-free for guests (part of the all-inclusive package), so you can sip and sing without thinking about the bill.
Christmas Tree Lighting
Date: 8th December
Time: 6pm onwards
Price: Part of the all-inclusive package for hotel guests
Candlelight, carols, and courses: Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Christmas at Rixos is what happens when tradition meets a five-star kitchen. Expect lavish plates, live music, and a Courtyard party under the stars on Christmas Eve – dancing, laughter, probably someone wearing a novelty reindeer headband. Then on Christmas Day, roll in for a brunch that’s overflowing with classics, desserts that make your inner child clap, and entertainment that keeps the little ones (and the eternally young) smiling.
Venue: Turquoise
Date: December 24th and 25th
Time: Christmas Eve Dinner starting from 7pm
Christmas Day Brunch: 1pm to 4pm
Entertainment: Live music performance and party at Courtyard on Christmas Eve
Price: Part of the All-inclusive package
Price for outside guests: Christmas Eve Dinner AED 985 per person
Price for outside guests: Christmas Eve Brunch AED 895 per person
Afternoon elegance: Festive Afternoon Tea
Need a classy pause between shopping and, well, more eating? This is your stop. Think delicate pastries, festive sweets, and fragrant teas – the kind of tea where you sip and feel refined even if your flip-flops are still sandy.
Venue: Lobby bar and Courtyard Area
Date: Available throughout December
Time: 1pm – 5pm
Price: AED 249 per person for in-house and outside guests
The big, glamorous send-off: Red & Silver New Year’s Eve Gala
Red dresses. Silver sparkles. A midnight that won’t be forgotten. The night kicks off in the grand lobby with cocktails, roaming performers and live music, before moving into a sumptuous dining experience featuring global flavours. Then- performances, dancing and a headline set by Electric Corn (yes, that’s a name you’ll remember). Midnight countdown? Check. Outdoor DJ party in the Courtyard until the wee hours? Also check. Meanwhile, parents can breathe easy – the Rixy Kids Club runs its own New Year’s Eve bash with magic shows, inflatables, face-painting and a Cartoon Cinema so the little ones are partying safely while the grownups celebrate in style.
Date: 31st December
Time: 6:30pm – 3am
Price: Part of the All-inclusive package
Price for outside guests: AED 2,950 per person
New Year’s Day: garden brunch and gentle beginnings
Start 2026 with sunshine, fresh flavours and a backyard vibe: a relaxed garden brunch where kids get outdoor games and adults get laid-back gourmet fare. No dramatic resolutions required – just good food, great company and maybe one sensible promise about doing more of this next year.
Venue: Turquoise
Date: 1st January
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Price: Part of the All-inclusive package
Price for outside guests: AED 895 per person
Orthodox Christmas – the festivities keep rolling
If you thought December was full, January has encore performances. Traditional favourites, live music and another Courtyard party – this time with a garden brunch to wrap things up. Basically: more food, more cheer, more reasons to hang on to holiday vibes.
Orthodox Christmas Eve Dinner
Venue: Turquoise
Date: January 6th
Time: 7pm – 10pm
Price: Part of the All-inclusive package
Price for outside guests: AED 985 per person
Orthodox Christmas Day Brunch
Venue: Turquoise
Date: January 7th
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Price: Part of the All-inclusive package
Price for outside guests: AED 895 per person
Festive entertainment – something for everyone
Rixy’s got a whole calendar of merriment: kids’ art events, sports club masterclasses, sunset live music, Christmas choir performances – plus the Rixy Kids Fest, which turns “kids club” into a proper mini-festival. It’s built so everyone has a schedule that matches their vibe: nap, play, feast, repeat.
Date: December 8th to January 6th
Price: All-inclusive package
Ready to book (because who waits?)
So here’s the deal: whether you’re after twinkling lobby magic, a decadent brunch marathon, a red-and-silver spectacle to ring in 2026, or a sand-between-your-toes kind of holiday remix – Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island has built a whole season that knows how to do joy properly. Pack your holiday sweater (or your sparkliest beachwear), bring the people who make you laugh loudest, and let the resort handle the rest.
See you under the tree – sunscreen optional, holiday spirit mandatory.
Contact & Location:
Phone – +971 02 492 2222
