Christmas Day

Four Seasons: The Arabica Tent welcomes Santa with a buffet for QR440, QR520 for a sparkling buffet or QR550 for a champagne buffet from noon-4pm. There will be Christmas activities for the kids, and a visit from the big guy in red (4494 8888).

Grand Hyatt Doha: Rocca offers up a special Christmas brunch from 12.30pm-4pm for QR300, QR450 including beverages, QR150 for kids. The usual Friday brunch gets a festive facelift, beginning with a welcome glass of Möet & Chandon and special Christmas crackers, plus Avis Ellis and KC Cousin singing Christmas carols. (4448 1240).

InterContinental Doha: Christmas Day sees Santa Claus coming to the InterCon with loads of gifts, plus a Christmas Brunch in the Al Wajba Ballroom for QR350 including a glass of bubbly, as well as a kids’ buffet and live entertainment from the Doha Steel Drum Band from 12.30pm-3.30pm. Belgian Café and Mykonos also get in the spirit with set menus for QR225 (4484 4444).

Kempinski: Grab a Christmas Lunch at Aroma including traditional favorites with a modern twist. Or, skip the savory and head to the sweet at the waffle station! All for QR200, including coffee or tea (4405 3325).

La Cigale: Christmas comes to classy La Cigale with a special four-course lunch at La Central or Di Capri for QR275, or a Christmas brunch starting at 11.30 at Le Cigalon, which includes a buffet featuring turkey for QR250. Don’t mind if we do (4428 8888).

La Maison du Caviar: Get together with a special dinner including slow cooked lamb shank, wild mushrooms and potatoes, tucked away in the W Doha (4453 5353).

Oryx Rotana: The family is all invited to a Christmas brunch including a kid’s photo shoot under the tree, carols and a visit from Santa, plus a buffet including turkey, Yule log, and gingerbread and a kid’s corner to keep the little ones busy. QR210 or QR285 with beverages (4402 3333).

Ramada Plaza Doha: Take your pick at the Ramada Plaza between dinners at Maxim’s and Bentley’s for QR300. Not Christmas without a massive brunch feed? Head to Hyde Park for a sparkling Christmas Day brunch: keep one eye peeled for Santa. QR190 or QR250 including bubbly, QR90 for kids under 12 (4428 1428).

Ritz-Carlton Doha: Nothing says Christmas like a good Doha brunch! Head to the Al Wosail Ballroom for a family friendly Christmas brunch for QR250 or QR350 with bubbly, QR125 for kids 4-12 from noon-4pm. The Christmas Choir takes the stage at 1pm with face painting, stories and a visit from Santa for the kids. Or, try The Lagoon and The Lagoon Terrace for QR250, QR320 with bubbly, including live cooking stations, roast turkey, and the usual brunch treats. (4484 8000).

Sharq Village and Spa: Come for brunch at Al Liwan from noon-4pm for QR300 or QR150 for kids under 12, including a buffet spread and games, activities and a bouncy castle for the kids, or in Al Dana from 12.30pm-4pm for QR340 including a glass of bubbly, QR170 for kids under 12, with traditional Christmas fare pared with freshly caught seafood (and a special Christmas playroom for kids to scamper off to for movies, treats, and a visit from Santa) (4425 6666).

W Doha: Doha Jazz comes to Market by Jean-Georges along with a special brunch buffet including turkey for QR350 from noon-4pm. Or head to Spice Market for a South East Asian buffet including festive treats for QR350pm, with DJ Sam on the decks from noon-4pm (4453 5353).