Abu Dhabi pulls out all the stops when it comes to international celebrations. Be it Diwali, Halloween, Christmas, New Year or Thanksgiving in Abu Dhabi, everything is celebrated.
With so many Americans and Canadians in the Emirate, there are plenty of brunches, and dinners, not to mention take-away turkeys to get into the festive spirit.
Thanksgiving falls on the 4th Thursday of every year. It usually falls between the 22nd and the 28th of the month. This year it’s on the 28th of November!
However, Canadian Thanksgiving falls earlier in the month of October. It is celebrated on the 2nd Monday of October each year.
On the whole, businesses can be a little unhurried when releasing information about events.
However, we constantly update this post when we get new information. We suggest bookmarking this page to easily come back to get up-to-date information.
If you are specifically looking for a turkey takeaway in Abu Dhabi, we have you covered.
Here is a list of everything we know to date for Thanksgiving in Abu Dhabi this year.
Thanksgiving Abu Dhabi
1. Sahha, Grand Hyatt
This year, Sahha at The Grand Hyatt is hosting an incredible Thanksgiving Buffet.
Be ready to savour delectable flavours, with root vegetables, roasted potato, beef pancetta, bread pudding and more accompanying the traditional herb-roasted turkey.
The flavoursome buffet will feature an array of international cuisine, with Roasted Turkey at the carving station, crowd favourite Beef Wellington and to end the evening on a sweet note, pumpkin pie.
Price: From AED 240 per person
Date: 28th November | 6 pm to 10 pm
To book call 050 106 4738 or visit here
Verso, Grand Hyatt will also have a takeaway turkey accompanied by an array of sides. Dig into mashed potatoes, braised red cabbage with apples, Brussels sprouts with veal pancetta, mushrooms, baked bread pudding, and Yorkshire pudding. The price is AED 600 for a 6-7kg turkey, and it needs to be ordered at least 24 hours in advance.
Order your delicious festive turkey here between November 25th 2024 and 7th January 2025.
Location: Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl West – Corniche Rd – Abu Dhabi – United Arab
2. A Taste of Thanksgiving at Khayal, Marriott Al Forsan
Celebrate Thanksgiving with an elegant buffet dinner at Khayal, Marriott Al Forsan. Enjoy all the classic dishes of the season, expertly prepared for an evening of gratitude and togetherness.
A spread of roasted root vegetables, herbed roasted turkey, beef wellington and a comforting selection of family favourite desserts.
Select your preferred experience with options for a soft package at AED 205 or an alcohol-inclusive package at AED 340. Gather with friends and family for an evening of fine food and memory-making.
Date: 28th November
Time: 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Price: AED 205 for the Soft Package | AED 340 for the Alcohol Package
Marriott Al Forsan also offers a turkey takeaway option. All of the delicious details are found here.
Each meal has traditional sides like sautéed butternut squash, sweet potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, and savoury sauces. Choose from classic roast turkey or go beyond with a crispy pork belly, gammon-style whole leg, or even a tender baby-suckling pig for a unique festive feast.
Location: Al Forsan International Sports Resort – Al Fursan St – Khalifa City – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
3. Market Kitchen, Le Royal Méridien
The Market Kitchen will be hosting a classic Thanksgiving brunch this year. The event will be a refined 3-course Thanksgiving feast, in a contemporary setting this Thanksgiving in Abu Dhabi.
Thanksgiving brunch will be on the weekend with the first event on Friday, November 29th in the evening starting at 7 pm. The second brunch will take place on Saturday 30th from 12:30 pm to 4 pm.
Dates: Friday 29th November, 7 pm to 9 pm and Saturday 30th November 12:30 p to 4 pm
Price: AED 250 – soft drink package, AED 400 – house package and AED 550 – champagne package.
Booking: It is essential to book ahead by calling 800 101 101 or emailing rmad@lemeriden.com
4. Stratos Revolving Bar and Grill Lounge
Celebrate Thanksgiving with an unforgettable 3-course dinner at Stratos, Abu Dhabi’s unique revolving steakhouse. Enjoy expertly crafted dishes while admiring panoramic views of the city skyline as it slowly transforms with the rotation of the restaurant.
This sophisticated dining experience combines gourmet flavours with a one-of-a-kind ambience, perfect for a memorable holiday gathering.
Date: Thursday, 28th November, 7 pm to 10:30 pm
Price: AED 395 per person.
Booking: It is essential to book ahead by calling 800 101 101 or emailing rmad@lemeriden.com
Location: Le Royal Meridien Hotel – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
It is important to book ahead on 800 101 101 or email restaurants.Irmad@lemeridien.com
5. Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet at Urban Kitchen
Gather your family and friends for a cozy Thanksgiving celebration at Urban Kitchen’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet. Enjoy a wide variety of traditional dishes, as well as some exceptional international favourites.
Try the Beaked breaded mussels Sicilian style or Turkey galantine with pear chutney. There is something for every sweet tooth in the extensive dessert list, perhaps a Pumpkin mousse trifle or a cherry pie?
Known for its warm atmosphere and festive flair, this event promises a memorable evening filled with delicious food and good company.
Date & Time: Thursday, 28th November, 7 pm – 10:30 pm
Price: AED 245 soft beverage package, AED 385 free flow selected alcoholic drinks & Thanksgiving fruit punch pitchers and themed cocktails package, AED 95 for kids (7yrs to 12 yrs under 7 dine free)
Booking: WhatsApp 971 56 410 2847
Location: Urban Kitchen, Dusit Thani, 925 Sultan Bin Zayed The First Street (Al Muroor Road), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
6. Thanksgiving Roast & Wine Dinner at Oak Room, The Abu Dhabi Edition
Why not celebrate Thanksgiving with elegance, at Oak Room’s exclusive Roast & Wine Dinner on November 28th, from 6 pm to 11 pm. This dinner offers a refined twist on classic Thanksgiving dishes, beginning with a rich Beef Tartare.
The star of the evening is the Roasted Turkey Leg Roulade, perfectly matched with cranberry pecan stuffing and traditional trimmings. For dessert, indulge in Pumpkin Pie and Cranberry Cobbler, all paired with Château Roquefort wines for a seamless dining experience.
Date & Time: Thursday, November 28th, 6 pm to 11 pm
Price: AED 490 per person
Bookings: Call +971 (0) 2 208 0000
7. Rosewood Abu Dhabi
The Rosewood Abu Dhabi are holding a Thanksgiving feast at Aqua. The stunning venue features 180-degree views over the Abu Dhabi skyline, not to mention the live saxophonist to accompany.
The delectable menu will feature holiday favourites such as roasted turkey with cranberry sauce, traditional sides and other gourmet comfort food of the season.
Location and Date: Aqua Restaurant, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, 28th November 2024
Pricing: Food only – AED 390 per person, Alcohol package – AED 490 per person, Gourmet package with Louis Roederer Champagne – AED 590 per person
Timing: 7 pm to 11 pm
Rosewood Takeaway Turkey
In addition to the festivities within restaurants at The Rosewood, they are also doing a Turkey Takeaway service this year. Running from Thanksgiving through to just after Christmas, it’s a dining centrepiece to take home.
The 5 – 6kg turkey comes with a wide range of mouth-watering ingredients including cranberry sauce, stuffing, two sides and two sauces.
Location and date: Pick up from lobby – 28th November to 26th December
Price: 700 AED per box, additional sides and sauces AED 55 per serving
Booking is required 24 hours in advance, perfect for those who haven’t had time to make arrangements for the festive period.
8. Thanksgiving Wine Dinner at Hawksbill
Gather the crew for Thanksgiving Wine Dinner at Hawksbill, where each course is a specially crafted 4-course menu. Paired with world-class wines to elevate each dish and set in a sophisticated ambience, this evening promises a memorable feast perfect for celebrating Thanksgiving in Abu Dhabi.
Date: 28th November, 6 pm
Price: AED 350 (members’ discount available)
Booking: 971 0 56 660 8780 or dining.sbgc@viyagolf.com.
What Is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the USA, Canada, Grenada, Australia Philippines, Rwanda, Netherlands, Brazil and also Liberia.
The dates vary from country to country. The celebration dates back to the 15 and 1600s. The idea behind the celebration is to give thanks for the harvest of the year.
It is usually celebrated with a family meal, in particular, a turkey is at the centrepiece of the table, similar to Christmas.
The celebration has roots in pre-Christianity when Saxons would offer harvest to the gods. When the harvest was collected, communities came together to eat and enjoy the food.
Shopping bonanzas such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday are linked to Thanksgiving.
Black Friday falls on the first Friday after Thanksgiving and marks the start of the Christmas season.
Similar to everywhere else, after Thanksgiving in Abu Dhabi many stores and outlets provide heavy discounts which is a fantastic opportunity to pick up Christmas gifts.
Cyber Monday, just after Thanksgiving is essentially the online version of discounted items, which is also used by many eCommerce sites in the UAE to boost sales.
FAQ About Thanksgiving in Abu Dhabi
Do they celebrate Thanksgiving in Abu Dhabi? Yes Thanksgiving is celebrated on the day as well as the weekend if it falls mid-week. It is not an official holiday in Abu Dhabi but like all international celebrations the Emirate lays it on!
Does the UAE celebrate Thanksgiving? Abu Dhabi is not the only city in the UAE to celebrate. All of the Emirates mark the occasion in the international hotel chains.
Does Dubai do Thanksgiving? Dubai most certainly does Thanksgiving, being a larger city there is a few additional options.
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