This December, Santa is following a glowing pearl to a kingdom beneath Al Marjan Island. At Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, families can follow the story of The Mermaid Kingdom from a live show at the main pool to a Christmas Eve lantern parade. Christmas Day brings a festive brunch at Dar Zellij and a chance to hear five children’s wishes come true.
The story begins at the main pool on 5 December, when Santa arrives with mermaids, underwater elves and a cast of sea creatures. The half-hour show returns at 4pm on 11, 18 and 25 December, followed by a chance for families to meet the mermaids. On 5 December, in-house guests are invited to the Christmas tree lighting for carols, light bites and a visit from Santa.
From 5 to 25 December, each child checking in receives a glowing pearl with a wishing note on which to write one wish before placing it in the Treasure Chest of Wishes behind the Front Office desk. On Christmas Day, the resort will draw five pearls and grant the wishes in a live broadcast on the resort’s social media channels and RAK Radio.
Christmas through a child’s eyes
From 5 to 31 December, children at Starfish Adventure Kids Club can turn recycled materials into seashells, starfish and other ornaments for the Little Makers’ Recycled Tree. On Christmas Eve, families can visit Santa’s Sunken Gingerbread Palace at Möca Lobby Café from 4pm to 6pm. Later that evening, they can gather for hot chocolate and a story from the Mermaid Queen before carrying pearl lanterns through the resort. On Christmas Day, children can hunt for lost pearls and join the Mermaid Academy before meeting Santa and the Mermaid Queen from 1pm to 2pm.
A festive table at Möca Lobby Café, The Market and Dar Zellij
At Möca Lobby Café, seashell macarons and pearl-shaped pastries accompany festive afternoon tea from 14 to 25 December, served from 3pm to 6pm at AED 180 for two. Festive hampers and the signature Gingerbread Shipwreck are available from 5 to 31 December. For celebrations at home, Möca Lobby Café’s roast turkey comes with sage and chestnut stuffing, roast vegetables, gravy and cranberry sauce. A turkey for up to six guests is AED 475, or AED 650 for up to eight. Collection runs from 5 to 26 December, with at least 48 hours’ notice.
On 24 December, The Market hosts a Christmas Eve buffet from 6.30pm to 10.30pm, with children’s activities and a visit from Santa. Dinner is AED 229 with soft beverages or AED 329 with alcoholic beverages. On 25 December, Christmas Beneath the Sea Brunch at Dar Zellij brings roast turkey, beef rib and fresh seafood to the table, with live cooking stations and a live band from 1pm to 4pm. Brunch is AED 299 with soft beverages or AED 399 with house beverages. Children aged 6–11 dine for AED 115 on Christmas Eve or AED 149 at brunch. At both meals, up to two children under six dine complimentary per paying couple.
A New Year’s Eve in The Mermaid Kingdom
On 31 December, The Mermaid Kingdom takes on the colours of pearls and moonlight for a final countdown to 2027. At the main pool, in-house gala guests gather in white and silver for a festive buffet, free-flowing drinks, live music and dance performances. At Dar Zellij, families pass Moroccan dishes around the table as a live duo plays. Up at Neo Sky Bar, guests can watch the fireworks from the rooftop, while Ula pairs a three-course sharing dinner with a live DJ for a boho-inspired evening by the water. All four celebrations run from 7pm to 1am.
Younger guests have a kingdom of their own at the Little Mermaids’ New Year’s Eve Party in Jais Ballroom. From 7pm to 11pm, children can have their faces painted as mermaids, join underwater-themed games and dance to their own DJ. The party is open to families with a confirmed gala or resort dinner booking. Children aged six and above attending with main pool gala guests spend the evening in the ballroom before rejoining their parents from 11pm for the countdown.
The story continues on 7 January 2027, when families gather at The Market for an Orthodox Christmas buffet from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. It’s a chance to share one last festive meal and look back on the moments the children will remember best: the wish they wrote on a glowing pearl, the night they carried a lantern through the resort, or the afternoon they met the Mermaid Queen.
