Mission Elf-Possible 2026 in Dubai

Mission Elf-Possible 2026 in Dubai is a Christmas family show at Theatre by QE2, the 1969 theatre on board the Queen Elizabeth 2 at Port Rashid, with six performances across 5, 6 and 12 December. Santa’s Nice List has gone missing with only hours to go before the big day, and it falls to two of his most trusted elves, Holly and Pepper, to find it and get it back to him in time.

The story: a missing Nice List

The setup is simple enough for the youngest children to follow. Without the Nice List, Christmas itself is in jeopardy, so Holly Elf and Pepper Elf set off on a race against the clock. The questions the show teases are the fun part: will Rudolph’s famous nose come in handy, will Pepper keep the mission on track, and will Holly ever manage to do anything on time?

Along the way the show mixes laughs, colourful visuals and festive set pieces with action and a few heart-warming moments. Underneath the tinsel, it is a story about teamwork, friendship and believing in the impossible, which gives children something to cheer for as the two elves learn to work together.

Who makes it

The production comes from the creative team behind a run of family shows staged in Dubai, including The Great Christmas Elf Bake-Off, The Great Elf Escape, Around the World in 80 Days, The Wizard of Oz and A Christmas Carol. If your children have seen one of the earlier elf shows, this is a new adventure in the same spirit. Titles such as Around the World in 80 Days and The Wizard of Oz show the team also adapts classic stories for young audiences beyond the festive season, so the format of short, lively family theatre is a familiar one for them. The same venue also stages A Christmas Carol later in December, from 17 to 26 December, if you want to make the QE2 part of your family’s festive routine.

The show is performed in English. The Platinumlist page describes it as running for approximately one hour in one place and 1 hour 10 minutes in another, with no interval either way, so plan for a little over an hour in your seats.

Show times

There are two performances on each show day, at 11am and 3pm:

• Saturday 5 December
• Sunday 6 December
• Saturday 12 December

Doors open 30 minutes before each performance, and the theatre bar opens an hour before.

A theatre with a history

Part of the appeal is the venue itself. The Queen Elizabeth 2 was one of the most famous ocean liners of the 20th century, making more than 800 transatlantic crossings between 1969 and 2008 before settling permanently at Port Rashid, where she reopened as a hotel in 2018. Theatre by QE2 opened later that year in the ship’s original theatre, which has been kept as it was designed in 1969 by Gaby Schreiber. It seats 515 people. When the theatre launched in October 2018, a family Christmas show was on its very first programme, and Christmas shows for children have returned to its stage in later seasons, this one included. The ship itself is now a hotel with 224 rooms and suites and around ten restaurants and bars, so you can easily make a longer outing of it.

Practical rules for families

• Age: the show is suitable for all ages. Everyone aged 3 and over needs a ticket, and under-12s must be accompanied by an adult.
• Strollers: not allowed inside the theatre, but you can leave them outside.
• Snacks: food and drink are only allowed in the theatre if bought at the theatre bar.
• Late arrivals: admitted at the duty manager’s discretion.
• Cameras: professional cameras and audio or video recorders are not allowed.
• Tickets: valid only for the date and time booked. The terms say allocated seats are non-exchangeable and non-refundable, although the page also offers a fan-to-fan ticket exchange.

For level access, wheelchair spaces or other access needs, the team asks you to email tickets@otbuae.com before you buy, so they can arrange seating in advance.

Getting to the QE2

By car, follow Sheikh Zayed Road towards Port Rashid and then the signs for Queen Elizabeth 2. On the Metro, take the Red Line to BurJuman station and finish the journey by taxi or rideshare. Taxis can reach the ship from anywhere in Dubai.

Who it suits

Mission Elf-Possible is pitched at families with young children, grandparents planning a Christmas outing with little ones, and anyone who enjoys a festive stage show. At around an hour with no interval, it is a manageable first theatre trip for preschoolers, and the story of two slightly chaotic elves is pitched to make both children and parents laugh.

For more festive ideas, see our kids events in Dubai and shows and theatre guides, or browse things to do in December and things to do this weekend.