Classical music fans in Dubai can expect a very atmospheric beachside night on Friday 12 December 2025, when Candlelight Open Air: Mozart to Chopin is staged on the outdoor terrace of Sofitel Dubai The Palm. The bar is scheduled to open from 6:00 pm, with the main concert window listed from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm for a compact early evening programme. At the piano, French-based artist Elizaveta Frolova brings together works by Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin, performing on an instrument supplied by HOUSE of PIANOS in a garden setting lit by hundreds of candles. The concept is part of the international Candlelight series by Fever, which focuses on intimate classical recitals in distinctive venues rather than formal concert halls. Because the capacity of the open-air terrace is limited, booking in advance is strongly advised.
Atmosphere and programme on the terrace
This particular Candlelight programme moves gradually from Mozart’s brightness toward the more introspective colours of Chopin. According to the published running order, the evening typically includes familiar pieces such as Mozart’s Rondo alla Turca, highlights from his piano sonatas, dramatic moments from The Magic Flute, and Beethoven favourites like the first movement of the Moonlight Sonata and the opening of Symphony No. 5. The concert then leans into Chopin’s lyrical nocturnes and virtuoso polonaises, giving the pianist space to shape a narrative arc rather than a simple “greatest hits” sequence. Although the ticketing pages describe the show length as around sixty-five minutes, it is framed for audiences as a one-hour session that fits neatly before dinner. You can therefore treat it as an early evening highlight rather than a late-night commitment.
Venue layout and seating at Sofitel Dubai The Palm
Sofitel Dubai The Palm sits on the eastern crescent of Palm Jumeirah, and the Candlelight stage is set in the resort’s garden and beachfront area rather than inside a ballroom. Seating is arranged in zones around the pianist, generally on standard chairs rather than lounge sofas, so visibility and sound are designed to work even for those slightly further back. Ticket descriptions explain that exact seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis within each price category, making arrival time important if you care about sightlines. The sound system supports the piano gently rather than overpowering it, with the organisers aiming for a relaxed listening level where conversation stops naturally as the music starts. Because the venue is directly by the water, you should expect a light Gulf breeze throughout the concert.
Schedule, ticket prices and booking options
For Friday 12 December, doors are planned to open around 6:00 pm for bar service, with last entry a few minutes before the 7:00 pm start to maintain the atmosphere once the candles are lit. Official listings for Candlelight concerts at Sofitel Dubai The Palm show prices starting from approximately AED 200, with higher zones reaching around AED 250 depending on the date and availability. Some platforms already indicate that cheaper categories are selling quickly or partially sold out, particularly for the Friday evening slot. In practice, the most direct booking route is through FEVER, which curates the Candlelight series as the official organiser for Dubai, while secondary marketplaces such as KOOBIT aggregate tickets if any are released there. Because this show is part of a limited two-night run, leaving tickets until the day itself is risky.
Pre-show drinks, dinner options and suitability
One of the selling points of this particular Candlelight event is the integrated food and beverage plan at the resort. The terrace bar opens an hour before the performance, so guests can enjoy aperitifs overlooking the Palm skyline and the softly lit gardens. After the concert, Sofitel promotes a special dinner experience in selected restaurants, allowing you to move more or less straight from the last note into a seated meal without leaving the property. This makes the night especially attractive for couples planning a relaxed anniversary or birthday evening, but it also works for small groups of friends who want a cultured yet informal outing. Families with older children from about eight years upward are generally welcomed under the Candlelight age guidelines, as long as younger listeners can remain seated and quiet during the performance (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo-friendly). If you intend to stay for dinner, mention the concert when reserving so staff can time the table accordingly.
Travel and parking for Dubai residents
For Dubai residents, the simplest route is still to drive or take a taxi to Palm Jumeirah and follow Crescent Road to the eastern side, where Sofitel Dubai The Palm is clearly signposted. Traffic along Sheikh Zayed Road on Friday evenings can be heavy from around 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, so it is wise to allow extra time when coming from central areas such as Downtown or Deira. Once at the resort, guests can usually choose between valet parking and self-parking in the hotel’s car parks, though spaces may tighten around the 6:30 pm arrival wave. Plan to reach the hotel at least thirty minutes before bar opening if you want a stress-free parking experience.
Arriving from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other Emirates
Visitors driving from Abu Dhabi can expect a journey of around ninety minutes in normal traffic to the Palm’s eastern crescent, provided they stay on the E11 and then follow signs toward Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. From Sharjah, the route along the E11 past Dubai Creek and through the Marina area can easily exceed an hour on Friday evenings, especially before the weekend rush eases. Because the concert ends around 8:00 pm, there is comfortable time to drive back the same night, but staying over at the hotel or nearby accommodations turns the recital into a short city break. Public transport users from other Emirates might consider intercity buses to Ibn Battuta or Al Ghubaiba, then Dubai Metro to Dubai Marina or Internet City, followed by a taxi or ride-hailing car to the hotel. Whatever your starting point, building in a generous buffer for traffic will make the evening feel calmer.
Weather outlook and practical comfort on 12–13 December
Forecasts for Friday 12 December in Dubai indicate hazy sunshine during the day, with temperatures peaking near 29–30°C and easing down to a comfortable 24–26°C by early evening, with only light winds and no rain expected. Similar conditions are predicted for Saturday 13 December, again with dry skies and mild night-time temperatures, so mud or standing water on the terrace should not be an issue. Light layers therefore make sense: a breathable shirt or dress is ideal for the day, with a thin shawl or blazer for when the breeze picks up after sunset. Because traffic patterns on Friday evenings around the Palm can create bottlenecks, it is sensible to travel outside the tight 6:00 pm arrival window if possible, or to factor in extra time for taxis and ride-hailing pick-ups. In every case, ticket prices and door policies remain subject to change, so treat the current range of approximately AED 200 to AED 250 as a guide rather than a guarantee, and always check the latest availability with FEVER or via the Sofitel reservations team before committing your final plan. Make your reservation and travel arrangements early so this beachside Candlelight night does not turn into a last-minute scramble. According to recent checks and planning notes often highlighted by the editor team at www.few.ae, this combination of timing, weather and setting should create one of the more memorable classical evenings on Dubai’s December calendar, especially for those who appreciate a carefully paced night out rather than a rushed schedule.
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