8 Best places for kids to meet Santa in Dubai

SKI DUBAI’S SANTA’S VILLAGE: One place you’re guaranteed a white Christmas? Ski Dubai of course. With so many of us not able to travel this year, you can get your frosty weather fix at this truly magical Winter Wonderland experience. The sparkle starts from the moment you’re past the gates, as an elf hands out candy canes and you go past a gorgeous little Santa’s post office.

Then crunch through the snow and weave your way up through the winding, twinkle-light-lit, fir-tree-lined path of Santa’s village, which has cute kids’ activities to do along the way – including a giant penguin jigsaw and building a castle out of real ice blocks.

Then crunch through the snow and weave your way up through the winding, twinkle-light-lit, fir-tree-lined path of Santa’s village, which has cute kids’ activities to do along the way – including a giant penguin jigsaw and building a castle out of real ice blocks.

SOUK MADINAT’S WINTER WONDERLAND: The popular Madinat Winter Wonderland is back for 2020, where families can enjoy a central Festive Garden with choral carol singing and garden games, outdoor movie nights featuring holiday favourites like Home Alone and The Grinch, kids crafting workshops and a Santa’s Grotto between 10 – 26 December.

Entrance to Santa’s Grotto is free and manned by elves, where children will be able to enjoy the magic of Christmas daily from 4pm to 7pm.

The central courtyard will also be transformed Santa’s workshop with a packed schedule of kids workshops and art stations from 10 to 26 December, running between 12pm to 10pm. Activities include canvas painting, string art, creation of DIY snow globe jars; decoupage with Christmas themed cut-outs, and painting sessions where kids can paint their own Christmas house, and more. DETAILS: December 10-December 26. Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Al Sufouh 1, Dubai.

JBR’S NORTH POLE ADVENTURE: The Winter Wonderland at JBR features an all-new digital pavilion, several street performances, a glice-skating rink, and of course a visit from Santa.

The immersive multimedia show creates a realm of wonder using 360 projections with holograms. Enjoy a magical 15-minute walk through a narrated ‘Journey to the North Pole’, complete with twinkling palaces, lollipop trees and snow-capped forests. Adding to the magical setting are the incredible decorations that include thousands of lights, Christmas trees, life-size toy soldiers – and constant snowfall to add.

The festive village also includes a variety of fun activities for the little ones, including a glice-skating rink, bouncy castle and slide, and Build A Bear stations. Food kiosks, set up along the walkway, offer festive favourites like mulled grape (non-alcohol), hot apple and cranberry pie, grilled raclette cheese and roast beef sandwiches, baked potatoes and turkey sausages, and hot chocolate with a selection of toppings. DETAILS: Entry for a single activity from Dh28, all activities from D123. Family packages for four from Dh463, digital pavilion show can be accessed separately for Dh70pp. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. From 12 Dec until 7 Jan, 12pm to 10pm weekdays, until 12am weekends.

DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY: The Festive Experience in Dubai Festival City has lots of fab and free fun, including a festive maze, enchanted polar bear valley, sing-a-longs, live performances, Gingerbread House workshops and of course a Santa’s Grotto.

The Santa meet and greets are done through a COVID-compliant screen, and happen daily from 4pm (Dh50 for photo souvenir). On top of this the enchanted Polar Bear Valley takes you on a magical walk through beautiful ever green fir trees, snow drifts, polar bears and reindeers to get to the Festive Market.

A tree lighting ceremony every day at 6pm will feature snowfall and hourly sing-along performances, there will be carnival rides, festive jugglers and mimes, as well as a selection of festive retail and f&b kiosks. DETAILS: AT Dubai Festival City, from 6 to 29 December, 4pm to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday and 4pm to 11pm from Thursday to Saturday, free entry and most entertainment is free.

EXPLORE A FESTIVE FOREST MAZE ON THE WAY TO MEET SANTA: This year at La Mer, you can journey through a forest maze, filled with snowy trees, larger-than-life candy canes and snowmen – all surrounded by white fences.

For a minimum spend of Dh150, you can spot a golden reindeer or two and journey through glittering lights as you go to meet Father Christmas himself. DETAILS: Forest maze and Santa meet and greet every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 25 December from 4pm to 7:15pm, at La Mer.

THE BEACH, JBR: Visitors to the The Beach will get the chance to meet with Santa Claus and his elves for free, once you’ve spent Dh100 at any of the dining or shopping outlets Thursday – Saturday between 10 and 25 December. Simply present your receipt and you can have your family photo taken and sent to you as a keepsake.

WAFI MALL’s DECEMBER TO REMEMBER: The Wafi Santa is always one of the favourites, and this year they have an entire Santa’s workshop to explore. Tickets grant you access to the workshop – which is full of arts and crafts activities to enjoy - as well as a framed photo with Santa and a gift. Every few hours Santa will read stories to the children in English and in Arabic, and there’s even a life-sized snow globe, which kids can go inside to take pictures and videos. Every ticket purchase includes a booklet of promotions and discounts which can be redeemed at several restaurants and stores within the mall. DETAILS: A December to Remember at Wafi will open to all on December 3 from 3pm – 9:30 and December 4 – 24 from 8:30am – 9:30pm. In order to accommodate everybody, your tickets for the event can be purchased at: https://www.eticketing.ae/a-december-to-remember-at-wafi-mall.html

TOWN SQUARE DUBAI SANTA MEET & GREETS: Town Square Dubai’s community park is already a popular spot for its little electric train, play area and splash pad, but it’s bringing all the festive feels this winter with free Santa meet and greets from 11-25 December. There’s also an ice skating rink that’s been set up (with synthetic ice), open every day until 9 January from 4pm onwards (Dh10 for residents, Dh15 for visitors). DETAILS: Town Square Dubai Park, Santa’s Meet & Greet weekdays 5pm – 7pm; weekends 4-9pm, free entry for both residents and visitors.