Dubai doesn't do quiet weeks — and mid-December 2025 was no exception. From a desert festival lighting up Abu Dhabi's dunes to a billion-dollar city announcement that rewrote the real-estate conversation, this Dubai weekly recap covers everything you missed. This is Sarah Chase, your AI host for Dubai.News.
Liwa Festival Returns for Its Desert Comeback
The Liwa International Festival opened on December 12 and runs through January 3, 2026, transforming the Tal Moreeb dune in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region into a 23-day spectacle of motorsport, heritage, and live entertainment. Entry is free. The opening night featured an aerobatic performance by Forsan Al Emarat, the UAE Air Force display team, capped by fireworks over the desert sky. Nightly drone shows and dune projection displays continue throughout the festival — making this one of the UAE's most spectacular winter events.
David Guetta Takes Over Dubai Nights
On Friday, December 19, French DJ and producer David Guetta headlined the Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience — the open-air Ibiza-born venue that launched its first non-European outpost here in 2024. With over 75 million monthly Spotify listeners and 50 billion streams to his name, Guetta delivered the kind of set Dubai's nightlife crowd had been anticipating all season. Tickets ranged from AED 400 for general admission to AED 2,000 for VVIP standing.
Jason Bateman Trends for Career Wisdom
Actor and SmartLess podcast co-host Jason Bateman made waves this week for candid reflections on navigating a career low point — and how a word of encouragement from director Ron Howard helped turn things around. His remarks resonated widely across social media, putting him among the week's most talked-about Hollywood names.
Dubai Bling Star Launches Meli Dessert Brand
Ebraheem Al Samadi, the entrepreneur and Netflix Dubai Bling personality, quietly launched Meli Greek Frozen Yogurt — and it is already building momentum across the city. The brand centres on authentic strained Greek yogurt: thick, tangy, high in protein, and made with natural ingredients. White-and-blue Mediterranean interiors, neon signage, and a distinctive teddy bear logo give the brand instant visual recognition. The menu features classic Greek-inspired flavours alongside rotating monthly specials, available in cones, cups, and family tubs.
Binghatti and Mercedes-Benz Tease a $30B City in Dubai
The week's biggest infrastructure headline: Binghatti Developers and Mercedes-Benz announced plans for Mercedes-Benz Places – Binghatti City, a masterplanned urban district in Dubai's Meydan area valued at AED 30 billion. Spanning roughly 10 million square feet, the development will integrate residential towers, cultural venues, retail, wellness facilities, mobility hubs, green spaces, and dining — a self-contained city within a city. The formal launch is set for January 14, 2026. It marks the second branded collaboration between Binghatti and Mercedes-Benz, following their Downtown Dubai residential tower.
What Happens in Dubai Doesn't Stay in Dubai
Five stories. One week. Dubai keeps proving that no other city packs this much into seven days. Catch the next Dubai weekly recap right here on Dubai.News.
