Seeking Out Santa in Dubai Christmas 2026

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 Santa at Winter Wonderland

This is arguably the most magical way to get into the festive spirit in Dubai. The sub-zero temperatures at Ski Dubai in the Mall of the Emirates perfectly set 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!

• Please bear in mind this is not a suitable experience for under 2’s.

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. This can be less intimidating (and much warmer) for your littlest ones.

Visit Santa from 1 to 25 December 2026

Early bird tickets are yet to go on sale, but get snapped up immediately when they do for the most popular dates immediately before Christmas. Add yourself to their mailing list now to be the first to know when tickets do go on sale.

Additionally, Breakfast with Santa will take place at 8:00 am daily from the 12 to 25 December, and costs AED 160 per person, infants AED 80 (including babies and toddlers). Note that December 15th is a Sensory-Friendly Session for children with sensory sensitivities.

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. Dates TBC

Learn more at skidxb and follow their socials @skidxb

Dear Santa

The elves at the New Covent Garden Theatre at the Mall of the Emirates will guide your family along with your child’s letter to Santa through six enchanted rooms, before meeting Santa at his very special log cabin. Experience a brisk winter walk, the delights of sugarplum square and so much more as you make your way to the man in red. Bring your letter with you, or arrive early to write it in the cosy ‘wishing nook’.

Rules are tight, so make sure that you’ve read all of the terms and conditions before you buy your tickets. Whispering Winter Sessions are also on offer for children with Special Educational Needs and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Children’s tickets are priced at AED 165 each (with a gift), and adults’ tickets are AED 120. This year babies under 12 months are also required to have a ticket at a cost of 50 AED. You need at least 1 adult & 1 child to be able to attend, and the maximum group size is 6. The experience lasts roughly 20 to 40 minutes, depending on whether you choose to arrive early. If you book during October you will receive a free professional photo.

Santa times in 2026: 4 December to 25 December 2025, daily 10.00 am to 8.00pm (except the 8 to 10 December when the experience will only be available from 3.00pm) .

Learn more and book at thegrotto.me

Snowbury Square at Times Square

This has always been a brilliant ‘Mall Santa’ experience for little ones, as a visit here isn’t overly complicated. They have a wonderful traditional Santa in his Gingerbread house and reasonable opening hours. This year, details are still to be confirmed, but we’re still expecting lots of festive fun in 2026! We’ll post more updates as soon as they’re available.

In the past activities at ‘Snowbury Square’ have typically included cookie-making workshops, ornament-making, and storytelling sessions, as well as festive plays, live music and dance performances.

Santa Dates 2026: TBC

TBC if a mall purchase is needed for free entry this year.

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 in recent 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 (dates TBC), Santa and Mrs. Claus are also the stars most families come to see.

Santa Dates 2026: 5 to 31 December 2026 (4:00 pm to 10:00 pm)

General Admission tickets are now on sale for AED 50 – another significant price increase from last year...

Carols by Candlelight is AED 150 per person, and this includes entry to Winter City.

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

CandyTown at Jewel of the Creek

This was a wonderful new addition to the festive circuit in 2025. This community event at the sparkling luxury waterfront venue Jewel of the Creek was a big hit and included carollers, artisan stalls, arts and crafts, stilt walkers and drummers, and most importantly, a Santa’s Grotto! We very much hope that this event will return in 2026, although nothing has been officially announced.

Santa Dates 2025: The event ran from 5 to 28 December (Thursdays and Sundays from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Fridays and Saturdays 5:00 pm to Midnight; Closed Monday-Wednesday)

Entry was free but there were paid activities.

Learn more @jewelofthecreekdxb

Winter Wonderland at Al Barari Playground

A relatively new addition, Winter Wonderland at Al Barari Playground offers kids a magical winter set up outdoors in their famously beautiful adventure park. In addition to the park’s standard features, kids can enjoy an ice rink, train ride, and plan a visit to Santa’s Grotto. Other paid activities are also available, including snowball fights and gingerbread house making.

We’re still awaiting an official announcement from Al Barari Playground, but it is hoped the they will offer a similar festive set-up in 2026.

Santa Dates 2026: TBC

Learn more and book your interest tickets here – follow their Instagram @albarariplayground to see when Santas 2025 tickets go on sale!)

Winter District

Back for a fourth season, this massive winter event will once again take place in the plaza at Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

Not yet fully launched for the season (as of early October, they’re still at the vendor outreach stage), we expect this event to feature a wide range of food and beverage outlets, artisan market stalls, festive activities, carolers, a kids’ corner, and a Santa’s Grotto.

Santa Dates 2026: 12 to 28 December 2026 (12 pm to 12 am daily).

Tickets are expected to go on sale via Platinumlist. They start at AED 25 or AED 100 for a family of 5, and season passes are AED 175 –TBC 2026

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

Brunch Santas in Dubai

As you might know, family brunch in Dubai is a bit of an institution! Many events are claiming to offer Santa experiences this year, so please bear with us as we compile a more accurate list for 2026.

Jump over here to check out our complete festive guide to visiting Dubai at Christmas, plus our guide to the best festive brunchs (2026 list out soon – though many are already fully booked by the end of September!)