- Yachting
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by Arabian Yacht Company
Every December, offices across Dubai start the same search: somewhere festive for the team Christmas party that isn’t the same hotel ballroom as last year. This year, take the celebration onto the water.
A corporate Christmas party on a private yacht offers twinkling lights against the Dubai skyline, a festive dinner on deck, Secret Santa as you sail past Atlantis, and a sunset toast with the Burj Al Arab on the horizon. December evenings on the Arabian Gulf are cool and clear, which makes it the perfect month to be on the water.
This guide covers the best dates for Christmas 2026, festive packages, décor and menu ideas, activities your team will love, and practical tips for HR teams and office managers.
Planning a broader end-of-year celebration? See our guide to a corporate year-end party on a yacht.

Christmas Party on a Yacht: Quick Facts
- Best dates: Monday 14 to Wednesday 23 December 2026
- Most popular day: Thursday 17 or Friday 18 December
- Weather: about 20–25°C in the day and cooler evenings on the water. Bring a light layer.
- Sunset: about 5:30 pm, so board around 5:00 pm for golden hour
- Book by: early November. December is Dubai’s busiest yacht month.
- Includes: private yacht, captain and crew, fuel, soft drinks, water and ice
Why Hold Your Christmas Party on a Yacht?
1. Private and exclusive
The whole yacht is yours. There are no other office parties at the next table and no shared venue.
2. A festive backdrop like nowhere else
Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis lit up at night, with Christmas lights on deck, look stunning in photos.
3. It brings the team together
A yacht has a deck, a salon and a flybridge, so people move around and talk to colleagues they don’t usually sit with.
4. Everything in one place
Welcome drinks, dinner, Secret Santa, speeches and dancing all happen on board. There’s no moving between venues.
5. It feels like a real reward
For many employees it’s their first time on a private yacht, and that’s the story they’ll tell their families over the holidays.
Best Dates for a Christmas Party in December 2026
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| Wed 2 – Thu 3 Dec | UAE National Day holiday. Busy, and better for a National Day cruise. |
| Mon 7 – Fri 11 Dec | GITEX Global week. Very busy across Dubai. |
| Mon 14 – Wed 23 Dec | ⭐ Best for Christmas parties. Thursday 17 and Friday 18 are the most requested. |
| Thu 24 Dec | Christmas Eve. Lovely for a festive cruise, but some staff will be travelling. |
| Fri 25 Dec | Christmas Day. Better for family charters than office parties. |
| Late Dec – early Jan | New Year’s Eve demand is high. A January “festive kick-off” can be better value. |
Tip: survey your team in early November, since many expats travel home in the last week of December.
Christmas Party Packages (2026)
All packages include a private yacht with licensed captain and crew, fuel, soft drinks, water and ice. Send us your date and headcount for an exact quote.
1. Festive Sunset Cruise
Best for: small teams and leadership groups
- Symphony (45 ft)
- 2–3 hours
- Festive welcome drinks and canapés
- Christmas lights on deck
- [Ask for today’s rate]
2. Christmas Dinner Cruise
Best for: departments of [XX]–[XX] guests
- Melody (50 ft) or Rhythm (58 ft)
- 3–4 hours
- Festive dinner buffet with a dessert table
- Christmas décor package
- Music and a microphone for speeches
- [Ask for today’s rate]
3. Full Office Christmas Party
Best for: whole-company celebrations of up to [XX] guests
- Celebrations (81 ft)
- 4 hours
- Festive buffet or live stations
- DJ and lighting
- Full Christmas décor and a photo backdrop
- Photographer
- [Ask for today’s rate]
4. Shared Christmas Charter
Best for: large teams on a budget (30+ guests)
- Celebrations Sharing
- [Per-person rate on request]
Compare private vs shared charters, or see all corporate yacht charter options.
Christmas Décor Ideas for a Yacht
- Colour palette: classic red, green and gold, or elegant white, silver and gold
- LED Christmas tree in the salon. Ask for a small artificial tree that’s secured in place.
- Fairy lights along the rails and across the flybridge
- Garlands and wreaths tied securely to the rails and doors
- Festive table settings: red runners, gold chargers, pine cones, and LED candles in lanterns
- Christmas photo backdrop with your company logo and “Merry Christmas 2026”
- Santa hats and festive props for photos
Yacht décor rules: no real candles or sparklers, no loose balloons or confetti, and no spray snow (it’s slippery on deck). LED lights and secured decorations work best.
Christmas Activities Your Team Will Love
| Activity | How it works on a yacht |
|---|---|
| Secret Santa | Set a budget and do the gift exchange in the salon or on the flybridge |
| Visit from Santa | A surprise Santa appearance for photos and gifts [confirm availability] |
| Christmas quiz | Festive trivia, with questions about the company year mixed in |
| Carol singalong | Sing along on deck as the yacht passes Atlantis |
| Best festive outfit | A prize for the most creative Christmas outfit |
| Year-end awards | 15–20 minutes of recognition. See our awards night ideas. |
| DJ & dancing | Christmas classics, then party hits under the skyline |
| Photo booth | Festive props and a branded backdrop |
Festive Menu Ideas
- Welcome: festive mocktails (cranberry spritz, spiced apple punch), hot chocolate and canapés
- Mains: roast turkey with trimmings, honey-glazed chicken, roast beef, grilled fish, and a vegetarian Wellington
- Sides: roast potatoes, glazed vegetables and cranberry sauce
- Desserts: Christmas pudding, mince pies, yule log, gingerbread and a festive cake with your logo
- Dietary needs: make sure there are halal, vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly options, and collect them in your RSVP form
- Drinks: premium mocktails for everyone, and a licensed bar if your company policy allows. See the rules on alcohol on Dubai yachts.
You can use our partner caterers or bring your own. More ideas: food for a Dubai yacht party.
Yacht vs Other Christmas Party Venues
| Private yacht | Hotel ballroom | Rooftop / beach club | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Your group only | Shared lobbies | Often shared |
| Views | Marina, Palm, Atlantis, Burj Al Arab | Indoor | City or beach |
| Experience | Sunset cruise, a moving venue | Seated dinner | Social, but can be crowded |
| Food & drink | Our caterers or your own | In-house minimum spend | Venue menu only |
| December availability | Book early | Book early | Often booked out |
Sample Christmas Party Timeline (Friday 18 December)
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 5:00 pm | Board at Dubai Marina, with festive mocktails and canapés |
| 5:20 pm | Sail toward Palm Jumeirah |
| 5:30 pm | Sunset toast and a Christmas message from leadership |
| 5:45 pm | Team photos on the flybridge |
| 6:15 pm | Festive dinner is served |
| 7:15 pm | Secret Santa and the Christmas quiz |
| 7:45 pm | Santa visit or awards (optional) |
| 8:00 pm | DJ and dancing, cruising past Atlantis and Burj Al Arab |
| 9:00 pm | Return to Dubai Marina |
Tips for HR & Office Managers
- Inclusive teams: Dubai teams are multicultural. Some companies call it a “Festive” or “Holiday” party so everyone feels welcome, and keep Christmas as a theme rather than a religious event.
- Plus-ones: decide early, because it changes which yacht you need.
- Transport: arrange group transfers to the marina. Boarding is at a fixed time.
- IDs: guests need their original passport or Emirates ID for boarding. Send the guest list 24 hours ahead.
- Dress code: festive smart casual, flat or soft-soled shoes, and a light layer for the evening. See what to wear on a yacht.
- Safety: use a licensed operator and stay within capacity. Read our corporate yacht charter safety checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we book a yacht for our office Christmas party in Dubai?
Book by early November. Thursday and Friday evenings between 14 and 23 December are the first to sell out.
How many people can attend a Christmas party on a yacht?
From small teams on our 45 ft yacht to whole-office parties of up to [XX] guests on our 81 ft yacht. Larger companies can book two yachts cruising together.
Can we decorate the yacht for Christmas?
Yes. We can set up LED Christmas lights, a small tree, garlands and festive table settings. Real candles, sparklers, confetti and spray snow aren’t allowed on board.
Can we serve a Christmas dinner on board?
Yes. Choose a festive buffet or live stations from our partner caterers, or bring your own. Halal, vegetarian and vegan options are available.
Can we do Secret Santa and a visit from Santa?
Yes. The salon or flybridge works well for a gift exchange, and a surprise Santa appearance can be arranged [confirm].
Do you provide a VAT invoice for company bookings?
Yes. Every corporate booking receives a VAT tax invoice, and we accept LPOs and bank transfers.
Book Your 2026 Christmas Party on a Yacht
December dates fill up fast. Send us your preferred date, team size and theme, and we’ll reply within the hour with yacht options and a quote on company letterhead.
WhatsApp for a Christmas Party Quote · +971 55 650 5184
Also planning: Corporate year-end party · Team building on a yacht · All corporate yacht events
