This holiday season, Shangri-La Hotels is casting a spell of seasonal wonder across major world cities, and Toronto is now part of the magic. Joining the ranks of London, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bengaluru, and Colombo, Shangri-La Toronto will bring its own signature blend of elegance, festivity, and unique local touches to global holiday celebrations.
With immersive décor, unforgettable dinners, curated experiences, and warm seasonal touches in every property, Shangri-La is reimagining what the festive period can feel like. Whether you’re staying in Toronto or any of the other global locations, guests will find themselves enveloped in a world where tradition, luxury, and holiday spirit intertwine.
Festive Highlights in Toronto: Tradition Meets Luxe
In Toronto, Shangri-La introduces its “An Enchanted Stay” package, allowing guests to decorate their own in-room Christmas tree with ornaments, lights, and custom details. The hotel’s interiors are dressed in whimsically seasonal décor—grand trees, delicately crafted gingerbread houses, and elegant chocolate installations created by the pastry team.
This year, the hotel is aligning with the spirit of giving. Guests can contribute to local charitable institutions, such as SickKids Hospital, weaving community engagement into their stay. The Nutcracker Afternoon Tea, in collaboration with the National Ballet of Canada, blends culinary sophistication with cultural heritage, while bosk restaurant will host festive feasts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day featuring premium Canadian ingredients and seasonal cocktails.
When it comes to New Year’s Eve, the Lobby Lounge & Bar transforms into a glamorous Casino Royale–themed celebration—opulent décor, live entertainment, and sparkling libations usher in 2026 with style and flair.
Global Festive Arenas in Shangri-La Properties
London (The Shard)
At Shangri-La The Shard, holiday celebrations reach new heights—literally. With panoramic views over London, the hotel offers festive dining at TĪNG, serving seasonal British and Asian-inspired menus through December into January. Guests can also enjoy Festive Afternoon Tea and special menus on Christmas Eve and Day. The pièce de résistance is the New Year’s Eve Window Package at GŌNG, offering front-row seats to London’s fireworks display inside a refined lounge setting.
Abu Dhabi (Qaryat Al Beri)
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri leans into Arabian elegance for its festive offerings. Signature restaurants marry international and regional cuisine, and Bord Eau presents a decadent four-course Christmas menu. Kids can delight in Santa’s Afternoon Tea, while New Year’s Eve events at Dragora offer carnival-like spectacle with live music, DJs, and dazzling fireworks. In tandem, the hotel’s spa (Chi) presents seasonal wellness rituals to refresh guests in time for 2026.
Dubai
Shangri-La Dubai launches its festivities with a tree-lighting ceremony in early December, followed by a Christmas Market of seasonal treats and gifts. Dining options range from Festive Afternoon Tea to an eight-course Christmas menu at Shang Palace and a lavish buffet at Dunes Cafe. On New Year’s Eve, guests can choose a rooftop dinner at Horizon 42 with sweeping views of the Burj Khalifa fireworks or a more relaxed ambiance at iKandy Lounge.
Bengaluru
In India’s Silicon Valley city, Shangri-La Bengaluru combines cosmopolitan energy with festive charm. The lobby will host a grand Christmas tree and curated holiday installations. Dining venues like b Café, Yataii, and Caprese offer festive menus, while Shang Palace gives a regional twist to Asian classics. The Festive Afternoon Tea harmonizes Indian and European traditions. For New Year’s Eve, guests can enjoy a gourmet buffet or party under the stars at the Sky Deck Party, complete with music, grills, and rooftop ambiance.
New Delhi (Shangri-La Eros)
Shangri-La Eros in New Delhi fuses historic elegance with festive exuberance. Lobbies become winter wonderlands, and guests can indulge in plum cakes, artisan chocolates, and festive treats. Shang Palace offers Far Eastern holiday fare, while Sorrento and Tamra present Italian and international menus. The New Year’s Eve soirée includes live music, gourmet dishes, and cocktail sessions in Grappa.
Colombo & Hambantota
In Sri Lanka, Shangri-La properties deliver island-style celebrations. At Colombo, tree-lighting kicks off the season, followed by Festive Afternoon Tea, holiday buffets, and four-course dinners at Capital Bar & Grill and Shang Palace. Hambantota offers tropical rituals—cake mixing, candle lighting, and gala dinners—infused with local culture, rhythms, and vibrant flavors under the stars.
Mauritius (Le Touessrok)
On the paradisiacal island of Mauritius, Shangri-La Le Touessrok hosts a late-December tree lighting before offering beachfront dinners, coastal gala events, cultural nights, and a “Mega Mauritian Night” featuring Sega dancers, island markets, and lively entertainment. The New Year’s Eve gala by the bay caps off the season in tropical style.
Istanbul (Shangri-La Bosphorus)
Shangri-La Bosphorus in Istanbul crafts a blend of Ottoman elegance and festive celebration. Guests can enjoy festive Afternoon Tea, Turkish-inspired holiday menus, and a Red Bow-Tie Gala Dinner on New Year’s Eve. Live DJ sets, cultural fusion menus, and glamorous ambiance characterize the winter in Istanbul.
The Strategy Behind the Festive Surge
By syncing festive programming across major global cities, Shangri-La is not just selling stays—it’s building a holiday lifestyle brand. The goal is to create consistent global standards with local personality, positioning the hotel group as a top choice for travelers seeking elevated seasonal experiences. In doing so, they invite guests to choose Shangri-La not just for luxury but also for celebration, memory, and occasion.
Strategically, this approach helps fill the holiday season demand across diverse markets, supports cross-property loyalty, and encourages travelers to experience festive combinations—say, spending Christmas in Dubai and New Year’s in Toronto under the same brand ethos.
What Guests Can Expect
For guests staying in these hotels during the festive stretch, expectations will be high—expect lavish décor, seasonal specialty menus, unique local tie-ins, and themed celebrations. Whether one is in Toronto, Abu Dhabi, or Istanbul, the Shangri-La experience promises thoughtful touches like custom tree decorations, limited edition desserts, charitable initiatives, live performances, rooftop views, and show-stopping countdowns.
In effect, each property becomes its own festive microcosm, yet aligned under a global Shangri-La holiday umbrella. Guests familiar with one property may be drawn to try another next year, attracted by consistency and novelty combined.
Outlook & Impact
Shangri-La’s holiday rollout is more than marketing—it’s a statement of intent: that luxury hospitality can be festive, immersive, and emotionally resonant. For cities like Toronto, inclusion in this global holiday circuit reinforces their appeal not just as business destinations but as celebratory hubs. The collaboration between local culture and Shangri-La’s global identity opens doors for city branding, tourism spill-overs, and heightened seasonal travel.
If successful, this may influence other luxury hotel groups to elevate their seasonal offerings or build cross-destination holiday narratives. For guests, it enriches holiday travel options—giving them reasons to attend the season, not merely pass through it.
In 2025, the festive season will no longer be just about where you stay—it will be about how you experience joy, connection, and magic. And with Toronto now firmly in the lineup, Shangri-La’s world of holiday wonder expands in reach, style, and heart.
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