Father Christmas finds a home away from home at Ski Dubai

Dubai: Christmas has arrived early and residents can now take their children along to celebrate the holiday cheer with Santa Claus.

Dozens of curious shoppers gathered outside the metro station at Mall of the Emirates to see Santa, along with his wife, Mrs Claus, who made their way to Ski Dubai on their sleigh on Wednesday night.

Accompanied by a dozen elves who sang "Santa's Coming to Town," Santa made a quick stop to light up the 13-metre high Christmas tree that is located at the Galleria.

Santa and Mrs Claus then went on their way to take up residence at Ski Dubai where they will be available until December 24.

"This place feels exactly like the North Pole and I am not home sick at all. It feels great and I cannot wait to meet all the good children in the UAE," said Santa.

Entertainment

Santa and Mrs Claus will be welcoming visitors at Ski Dubai from 2 to 10pm everyday, and guests can meet the jolly couple in front of the Christmas tree in the snow with Christmas Fairy Lou.

"This year is unlike any other because Santa, along with Mrs Claus, will be greeting children in the snow and they will also be offered lots of games and entertainment," said Mike Mahoney, General Manager of Ski Dubai. Every child entrance ticket into Snow Park comes with a complimentary photograph with Santa. Santa and Mrs Claus will also host a Christmas Carol stage show on Christmas Eve that will be performed along with the Dubai Choir and guests from the Dubai Centre for Special Needs.

As part of the festive season celebration, a number of activities will be held to raise funds for the Dubai Centre for Special Needs.

The main activities that will support the special needs centre including breaking the UAE record, where chefs today will be creating a 355 metre long Stollen at the Galleria.

Festivities

• WHAT: Meeting Santa Claus
• WHEN: 2pm until 10pm, every day until December 24
• WHERE: Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates