13 Christmas markets and Santa sightings in the UAE

The UAE has brought back that festive feeling as the season kicks up a notch in the lead up to Christmas. Snow parks, festive markets and a whole lot of winter cheer is lighting up the way for Santa’s big day. If you are wondering wear to partake in the revelry, read Gulf News tabloid!’s nifty guide.

Yas Mall’s Winter Wonderland: Yas Mall is spreading holiday cheer across the capital with its winter festivities, which continue until December 24. Enjoy festive-themed activities that will take place at the mall’s Town Square daily. The mall has transformed into a winter wonderland with decorations, entertainment and a fun shopping experience. Upon entering Town Square, visitors will be greeted by a two-storey tall Christmas tree where children can meet, talk and click photos with the man of the moment — Santa Claus. There will be variety of activities such as a large ball pit and a snow-laden zone for kids. In addition, children and parents can decorate gingerbread at the dedicated cookie station as well as browse a festive food market. There is also a virtual reality gaming zone and a kids’ workshop area to design festive greeting cards. Stick around to catch a festive parade by toy soldiers every 30 minutes. Visitors can get a chance to light up a bulb on the festive tree and in return will receive a toy from Santa with every Dh20 donation, with all proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Galleria Mall’s Winter Wonderland: The Galleria Al Maryah Island’s Winter Wonderland returns for some Christmas cheer. Running until December 24, this year’s celebrations include a Narnia-themed winter maze, a Candyland arts and crafts zone, roaming entertainment and an opportunity to write to the big man himself. The central atrium of The Galleria feature Santa and his reindeers flying through 75 sleigh bells, which come to life every 20 minutes with a synchronised light and music show. Throughout the season, roaming entertainment such as gingerbread characters, snowmen, a toy soldier marching band and winter ballerinas will add festive cheer. Children of all ages can write a ‘Letter to Santa’ and post it in The Galleria’s festive letterbox. Every day, one winner will have their wish granted and receive a gift voucher from The Toy Store of Dh500. Meanwhile, Santa’s Grotto is open from 3pm until 9pm daily. Guests can also explore Al Maryah Island’s magical Winter Wonderland village on the waterfront promenade. This festive market will have an array of dining options, workshops, play zones and stage performances keeping the whole family entertained.

Winter Fest at Abu Dhabi Corniche: Gather your loved ones and enjoy the variety of winter-themed activities in Abu Dhabi, at this festive wonderland on the Corniche. Enjoy arts and crafts, games, entertainment, market stalls, carol singers, performers, a giant Christmas tree and even an ice rink. The festivities continue until December 21 from 2pm until 10pm daily at Formal Park Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi.

Festive Fun at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: The festive celebration, Winterfest, returns to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi in full splendour. Running from December 20 until January 4, this year guests can expect live entertainment, a winter village, an ice-skating show and more. Featuring four elves, guests can watch as they perform a jubilant dance for the Elf Adage show. Families will get the chance to build and decorate their very own gingerbread house at the park’s factory inside Ristorante Il Cavallino with an add-on package for Dh200. Adorned with sparkling lights, guests will witness the latest chapter in the ice spectacular, brought to life at the Red Theater. Children can also enjoy the interactive snow tubing slide for an unlimited snow-filled experience at the Elf Village. Entry to the park is priced at Dh295.

Winter Spectacular at Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi: There’s plenty of festive cheer at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi as the park transforms into a Winter Spectacular from December 20 until January 4. Daily performances of the Character Holiday Show features animated characters including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. Guests in the mood for a bite can indulge in a range of festive themed offerings and revel in the company of their favourite characters who are bound to make some surprise tableside appearances. Entry to the park is priced at Dh295.

Madinat Jumeirah: Step into a winter wonderland at the Madinat Jumeirah as the annual Souk Festive Market returns. Experience this traditional German market without the need for coats or scarves, and revel in festive fun. This year’s market, which runs until December 28, expect stalls to shop, traditional treats to savour and a 10-metre Led Christmas Tree. Santa’s little helpers will be kept busy with the chance to take to the winding waterways with the big man himself on a traditional Abra boat, while kids can enjoy the snowball zone, create their own gingerbread houses or experience a winter journey on the North Pole mini train. Santa pops by daily at 5pm and 7pm. The market will be open Sunday to Wednesday from 3pm until late (except December 24 and 25 when it will be open from noon until late) and Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon.

Christmas Market at Aspen: Get into the festive spirit and pick up your favourite Christmas treats from Aspen Lounge. Buy a gift for friends and family or treat yourself to traditional festive sweets such as homemade mince pies, cookies, gingerbread houses and hampers. At Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates.

Gingerbread Land at Boxpark: Join a tasty session of gingerbread house decorating, where young ones can accessorise the classic soft baked cookie houses and transform them into an edible home fit for a gingerbread king with multi-coloured gummies, sprinkles and candy. Kids will be able to step into the sugary haven of Gingerbread Land where a selection of games and activities await — there’s a slide puzzle and a face-painting corner. There’s also a ‘spin the wheel’ area giving kids a chance to win instant prizes. And if they feel like singing their favourite tunes out loud, Sing along Videoke will be set up to get everyone in the holiday spirit. Decorate your own gingerbread house at Boxpark from December 19 to 31. Also enjoy the festive decor such as brightly lit reindeer, a Christmas tree and the beloved giant golden teddy bear, are dotted across the outdoor location for December.

Santa Comes to Bollywood Parks: The theme park is hosting the Santa Comes to Bollywood celebration with a meet-and-greet with Santa himself, a parade, festive tree lighting, roaming street bands, a carol performance by a choir, a buffet and more. Running from December 19 to 28, kids also get to participate in a Spot the Elves competition where the first 100 children to spot elves placed around the park win a gift. All the festive fun is available for Dh99 per person (UAE residents), which also includes park access, unlimited rides and live entertainment acts from 1pm onwards. Guests will also receive a complimentary digital photograph.

Santa’s Island at Bluewaters: Bluewaters has brought Santa’s Island back to its shores with a festive market, food, entertainment and activities, until January 1. For the little ones, there will be interactive entertainment including face painting, games stalls, arts and crafts and workshops where they’ll be able to decorate cookies or create their own Christmas cards or elf legs n’ hats to take home. Each day, a feast of colour and excitement will come courtesy of the Arctic Parade, bringing polar bears, Eskimos, Jack ‘n’ Jill Frost and the Ice Queen to thrill kids. Throughout the season, roaming entertainers, carol singers and live musicians will keep the mood festive. Santa’s Grotto will be hosting a meet-and-greet each day up until Christmas Eve, where the kids can say hello, and tell him what they really want for the season. Adults aren’t left out either, as Bluewaters is creating a Parents’ Grotto at the market, where adults weary of all the shopping can take a seat and relax with a beverage. Daily from 4pm to 11pm during the week, and 4pm to midnight from Thursday to Saturday.

Motiongate Dubai: Gather around a 12-metre Christmas tree and enjoy a roaming parade every Wednesday to Saturday with characters such as The Smurfs, Shrek, Po from ‘Kung Fu Panda’, King Julien from ‘Madagascar’ and many more. The festivities, which continue until January 7, will also include a night market and a Santa house photo booth, a choir and acrobatic elves. Park entry ticket priced at Dh275.

WowJBR: Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) is celebrating the season with a Christmas market, complete with an ice-skating rink, a dancing Santa and loads of activations. With a diverse cast of holiday-themed characters due to be roaming up and down The Walk, visitors will be able to spot everyone from a break dancing Santa and his little helpers, to the Grinch, nutcrackers and the Sticky Bandits, the mischievous duo from the ‘Home Alone’ movies. Visitors can also win gifts directly from the North Pole by listening out for a ringing phone, with the first person to answer it getting a chance to win prizes. Elsewhere, a giant interactive Rubik’s Cube game will challenge families’ puzzle-solving skills with prizes on offer. The celebrations run until December 27 at The Walk, JBR, and are free of charge.

Festive Garden at Habtoor Palace, LXR Hotels & Resorts: Share some Christmas cheer with friends and family at Habtoor Palace, LXR Hotels & Resorts’ annual Festive Garden. Open daily from 5pm until 10pm, the hotel’s Versailles Gardens has been transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a huge Christmas Tree at its centre. The alfresco venue also features rides for the little ones, including a ‘chu chu’ train, plus mini golf, a merry-go-round, traditional gingerbread house-making classes and a dedicated snow fight zone. At 6pm daily, Santa Claus pays a visit with youngsters invited to step into his grotto to receive a gift. A resident singer also performs a daily medley of festive favourites and singalong classics. To add to the winter cheer, a variety of kiosks and food stalls with serve delicious Yuletide delights alongside a selection of warming Christmas beverages. Drinks start from Dh25, while festive dishes are priced from Dh30.