Seeking Out Santa in Dubai This Christmas (2024 Guide)

Despite its desert location in the predominantly Muslim Middle East, Santa spotting is actually a relatively easy activity in Dubai each December (though he may come in many different colours, shapes, and sizes in our amazing multicultural city! Seeing Santa is a popular pastime amongst all faiths).

Santas in Dubai work extremely hard and have a hectic schedule, often operating until midnight in the weeks leading up to Christmas. However, we strongly suggest that if you want to experience this, pre-book your slot to avoid disappointment.

Below, based on over a decade of experience visiting Santa in Dubai, we’re outlining the best ‘real Santa’ experiences for your little ones who can’t wait to share their wishlist, and parents who want the classic Santa photo.

NB, some events run through until early January, covering Orthodox Christmas as well, so if you missed that perfect family photo in the mad end-of-school-year rush pre-Christmas, Dubai can be the ideal location to catch up on things a little later—and if your kids want to return to thank Santa for their gifts!!

Ski Dubai Winter Wonderland

This is arguably the most magical way to get into the festive spirit in Dubai. The sub-zero temperature of Ski Dubai in the Mall of the Emirates perfectly sets the scene for multiple immersive experiences you can enjoy while dressed in your cold weather gear.

With a Festive Pass, you can enjoy all Snow Park rides, a photo op at Santa’s Grotto and Village, a fun little chairlift ride, and our famous hot cup of cocoa!

Breakfast with Santa is another popular option here. Rather than a personalised session, Santa will work his way around the room, speaking to all families at this seated event.

Santa Dates 2024 TBC

We don’t have an exact 2024 release date yet. Early bird tickets generally go on sale in early November and are immediately snapped up. Get yourself on their mailing list to be the first to know when tickets go on sale.

Last year Breakfast with Santa took place at 8:00 am, 10 to 25 December.

If you miss out on an exclusive Santa spot, you can also watch for the Festive Fun Run, another way to get that snowy festive feel and meet Santa. Date TBC

Learn more at skidxb and follow their socials @skidxb

The Grotto – Dubai Ice Rink

Situated in the heart of Dubai Mall is the Dubai Ice Rink, which will be transformed this year to be home to The Grotto, an immersive wonderland.

Each Grotto booking includes a walk through Candyland and will get you a full 10 minutes in with Santa, so you should expect a fully immersive experience.

Rules are tight, though, and the pricing feels a bit toppy as they’ve worked out where to cash in on the heavy tourist footfall in this prime location. Children’s tickets are priced at AED 149 each (with gift), and adults’ tickets are AED 99 (Under 12 months old and carers are free but no gift). You need a minimum of 1 adult & 1 child, and a maximum group size is 5.

Pre-sale registration has already started.

Santa times in 2024: December to 5 January 2025, daily 10am to midnight

Learn more at thegrotto.me

Wafi City

The WAFI Santa is infamous in Dubai! Commencing after National Day, you can book with relatively short notice on the day for one of the most magical shopping mall Santa experiences.

Often claimed to be the most ‘genuine’ Santa in Dubai, the queuing systems have improved dramatically over the years to try and give everyone a fair chance at seeing Santa. Plus, they have giveaways and many special offers, such as Magic Planet vouchers, hot cocoa and kids eat free, to encourage you to stick around their mall in Deira.

Santa timing in December 2024, TBC (Last year was 6 to 23 December)

As a guide, last year, they were open from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., so it’s a good one for your early risers. A visit to Santa’s Grotto costs AED 70, including a photo opp and a small stuffed toy gift. You can pay the fee only once to share a gift/photo amongst your family, or pay for each child.

Learn more at wafi.com and follow social announcements at @waficitydubai

Winter Wishes at Times Square

Yet to be confirmed in 2024, this has always been a brilliant ‘Mall Santa’ for little ones as a visit here isn’t overly complex. They have a wonderful traditional Santa in his Gingerbread house and reasonable opening hours.

Additional activities usually include cookie-making workshops, ornament-making, and storytelling. There’s also a Santa Mailbox in Eggs n Soldiers. You’ll need to wait for a formal announcement about this year’s schedule of events, but in the past, they have also included some gold chocolate coins and a ‘nice’ certificate for kids to take home – free!

TBC if a mall purchase is needed for free entry this year (if so, look for Chillout Ice Lounge or Adventure HQ activities first!)

Santa Dates 2024: TBC (last year, they went from 9 to 24 December)

Learn more at timesquarecenter.ae and on social @timessquaredxb

Winter City at Expo City

The magical Winter City at Expo City has been one of the most popular Christmas destinations over the past two years. It celebrates all things winter, from cookie baking and gingerbread houses to Christmas Carol nights under the Al Wasl dome.

While the Carols by Candlelight nights are the absolute highlight here, Santa and Mrs. Claus are the stars. We cannot wait to see what format they’ll announce for this year.

Santa Dates 2024: 6 to 31 December 2024

The ticketing price and how to book are yet to be announced.

Learn more at expocity.com and follow them on social @expocitydubai

Winter District

Back for a second season, this huge winter event (previously held at Jumeirah Emirates Towers) will move to an even larger venue at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre for 2024, bringing with it a wide range of F&B outlets, an artisan market stall, festive activities, carollers, a kids corner, and a Santa’s Grotto.

Santa Dates 2024: 14 to 22 December 2024, 12 pm to 12 am daily.

It’s still TBC how you book your slot, but get this one in your diary for the fabulous festive atmosphere.

Learn more at winterdistrict.com or follow on social @winter.district