On Sir Bani Yas Island, where turquoise waters meet wide-open skies and wildlife roams across golden plains, the festive season arrives with a sense of quiet magic. This December, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island welcomes guests into a coastal celebration shaped by three distinct retreats—Desert Islands Resort & Spa, Al Yamm Villa Resort, and Al Sahel Villa Resort. Together, they create a world where nature, culture, and timeless luxury form the backdrop to a holiday spent between sea breezes and wilderness horizons.
Set on the UAE’s largest natural island, home to more than 11,000 free-roaming animals and over forty historical sites, the celebrations unfold across landscapes that feel untouched by time. The rhythms of the island guide the experience: mornings shaped by the call of peacocks, afternoons warmed by the Gulf’s gentle tides, and evenings framed by the glow of lanterns beneath vast desert skies. Within this setting, Anantara crafts a festive season that reflects the spirit of the land—slow, soulful, and rich with discovery.
Festivities begin on 24 December with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Desert Islands Resort & Spa, where guests gather in the courtyard as the season’s first sparkle illuminates the night. The moment feels intimate, set against the scent of the sea and the soft hum of music drifting through the resort. It is a simple yet evocative start to a holiday shaped by connection—whether to family, to nature, or to the rhythms of island life.
Christmas Eve transforms into a trio of culinary journeys across the island. At The Palm, a generous buffet and live stations celebrate Arabian flavours beside panoramic sea views. At Olio, Mediterranean refinement meets the shoreline in a setting where rustic décor and ocean air set the tone for an evening under the stars. And at Savannah Grill & Lounge, guests dine in the heart of the wildlife park, where African-inspired dishes unfold to a soundtrack of gazelles stepping softly through the grass. Each venue offers its own expression of festive warmth, shaped by the landscapes around it.
Christmas Day brings a relaxed island charm, with leisurely lunches across all restaurants and the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus at Desert Islands Resort & Spa. Children gather beneath waving palms as Santa makes his entrance, a moment where the joy of the season blends seamlessly with the island’s tropical beauty. The evening invites guests back to The Palm and Olio for dinners shared among sea breezes, seasonal flavours, and the familiar comfort of Anantara hospitality.
As the year draws to a close, Amwaj Beach becomes the island’s most enchanting gathering place. The New Year’s Eve celebration unfolds beneath the open sky, with live cooking stations, refined dishes, and the Gulf shimmering only steps away. After dinner, the countdown continues in an elegant beachfront setting shaped by live performances and starlit ambience. It is the kind of night that lingers—where the air feels lighter, the music softer, and the first moments of 2026 arrive with clarity and calm.
Beyond its festive dining, the island’s spirit of adventure remains at the forefront. Guests are invited to wander through guided nature walks, glide across the water by kayak or paddleboard, or unwind at the Anantara Spa with a sensory treatment blending Thai and Arabian wellness traditions. For younger travellers, the Kids’ Club ignites imagination and joy with daily festive activities. Whether embraced through stillness or exploration, each experience reflects the island’s promise: a holiday shaped not by spectacle, but by the beauty of living gently in nature.
