• A woman wearing antlers looks at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
    A woman wearing antlers looks at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
  • Medical staff member Anne Aguilar draws a Santa Claus figure on a coverall suit in the nursing station of the Covid-19 intensive care unit on Christmas Eve at the United Memorial Medical Centre in Houston, Texas. AFP
    Medical staff member Anne Aguilar draws a Santa Claus figure on a coverall suit in the nursing station of the Covid-19 intensive care unit on Christmas Eve at the United Memorial Medical Centre in Houston, Texas. AFP
  • A Christmas tree is seen in front of ice sculptures ahead of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province. AFP
    A Christmas tree is seen in front of ice sculptures ahead of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province. AFP
  • Allan Gubbins and his daughter Helena look at a Christmas tree during an outdoor Christmas Eve Service of Lights at the Granada Presbyterian Church in Coral Gables, Florida. AP Photo
    Allan Gubbins and his daughter Helena look at a Christmas tree during an outdoor Christmas Eve Service of Lights at the Granada Presbyterian Church in Coral Gables, Florida. AP Photo
  • A scouts marching band takes part in Christmas celebrations in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province. AFP
    A scouts marching band takes part in Christmas celebrations in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province. AFP
  • Children hold lit sparklers whilst celebrating Christmas Eve at an improvised shelter, set up under an overpass by people who lost their homes due to the floods caused by the rains brought by Hurricanes Eta and Iota, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Reuters
    Children hold lit sparklers whilst celebrating Christmas Eve at an improvised shelter, set up under an overpass by people who lost their homes due to the floods caused by the rains brought by Hurricanes Eta and Iota, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Reuters
  • Cellphone repairmen wear Santa Clause-themed glasses as they ply their trade sitting on a sidewalk in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. AP Photo
    Cellphone repairmen wear Santa Clause-themed glasses as they ply their trade sitting on a sidewalk in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. AP Photo
  • A priest presides over a Christmas Mass at the Manila Cathedral, in Manila, Philippines. Reuters
    A priest presides over a Christmas Mass at the Manila Cathedral, in Manila, Philippines. Reuters
  • Altar boys attend the celebration of Christmas at the Basilica Notre Dame in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. Reuters
    Altar boys attend the celebration of Christmas at the Basilica Notre Dame in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. Reuters
  • Parishioners (on screen) attend an online Christmas mass at the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea. EPA
    Parishioners (on screen) attend an online Christmas mass at the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea. EPA
  • People listen to a Christmas Eve mass celebrated in the open outside a church in Prague, Czech Republic. EPA
    People listen to a Christmas Eve mass celebrated in the open outside a church in Prague, Czech Republic. EPA
  • Priscilla Batz takes shelter from the rain beneath a giant Salvation Army collection kettle on Christmas Eve in New York. AP Photo
    Priscilla Batz takes shelter from the rain beneath a giant Salvation Army collection kettle on Christmas Eve in New York. AP Photo
  • A Pakistani security official stands guard outside a church as members of the Christian minority community attend a Christmas mass at the St Patrick's Cathedral in Karachi, Pakistan. EPA
    A Pakistani security official stands guard outside a church as members of the Christian minority community attend a Christmas mass at the St Patrick's Cathedral in Karachi, Pakistan. EPA

World

Christmas celebrations around the world - in pictures

From Australia to the United States, residents were in the festive spirit

The National

December 25, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Read more:

UAE leaders wish Christians across UAE a Merry Christmas

More than 18,000 worshippers register for Christmas Mass in Abu Dhabi amid strict precautions

PFA Team of the Year: David de Gea, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Alonso, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
more from Janine di Giovanni
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

While you're here
While you're here
More coverage from the Future Forum
RESULTS

6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.

8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB) Dh 92,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

World