Dubai in Winter: Shutterstock Believe it or not, you can experience the festive Christmas atmosphere, just without the cold that accompanies this time of year. One of the most special and decorated areas in Dubai during this period is the Winter Garden Market at the Palace Habtoor.
The resort's gardens turn into a magical wonderland, sparkling with dazzling lights and beautiful festive decor. You'll find a decorated Christmas tree, an impressive array of dozens of food stalls and various pop-up shops, alongside activities for children, pet services, and live entertainment, as everyone is invited to celebrate the most festive and decorated season of the year.
Dates: Open until December 31, daily from 16:00 to midnight
Address: Winter Garden, City Habtoor Al ,Habtoor, Dubai
Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKWhen was the last time you went skiing in pleasant weather? For those who don't know, you can even ski in Dubai - yes, in the middle of the "desert". Dubai Ski is an artificial indoor ski resort located inside Dubai Mall, one of the largest malls in the world! You can rent ski equipment on site and even take lessons, slide on the snow, roll down the hill inside a giant ball, and during the sparkling season of the year, visit Santa Claus in his cave and enjoy free hot chocolate. If that's not enough, you can enjoy a thrilling cinema experience (for an additional cost) with a movie of your choice, a snack menu delivered by a waiter, a blanket, a personal heater, and chocolate. The cinema is called VOX and is located inside the snow complex at the Mall of the Emirates.
Dates: Dubai Ski is always open, but it gets decorated and turns into a "Winter Wonderland" from December 1 to 25
Address: Dubai Ski, Mall of the Emirates, from 12:00-21:00
Photo: Shutterstock. Ski in Dubai
Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKIf there can be a tropical forest in the middle of a desert, it's only in Dubai! Meet the "Green Planet," a magical forest that looks like it came straight out of a movie. The "Green Planet" is home to more than 3,000 different species and varieties of unique animals and plants, and its purpose is to educate, preserve, and teach the important role of the tropical forest for them and for Earth. It's an experience guaranteed for all ages! The place also has a nice café with a children's play area.
Opening Hours: Daily, from 10:00-18:00
Address: Dubai - Wasl Al - Walk City
Photo: Shutterstock/ GREEN PLANETIf you're in Dubai during Christmas - don't miss the festive market at Jumeirah Madinat. Ho, ho, ho: Santa has arrived in Jumeirah! Dozens of booths with holiday food and drinks await you there, along with plenty of fun activities for Christmas that the kids can enjoy: from a petting corner to the Polar Express train, decorating a gingerbread house and riding with Santa along the water paths.
Price: Free entry
Dates: Monday to Thursday 15:00-00:00, Friday to Sunday 12:00-00:00, between December 15 to 30
Address: Dubai, Island Fort, Jumeirah Madinat
Photo: Shutterstock/ Jumeirah MadinatYou can't visit Dubai without entering one of the impressive malls in the city, which are an experience in themselves! Visitors who arrive during the next month (December-January) will enjoy plenty of holiday decorations at the biggest mall in the world. In addition, children will enjoy the City Festival at Dubai Mall, which will include, beyond decorations, a sparkling Christmas display and even Santa Claus's cave. Another thrilling attraction at Dubai Mall is the Dubai Aquarium, which holds 10 million liters of water and can be viewed from the outside with a 270-degree view angle and a length of 48 meters. You can see the marine animals from outside the aquarium, from the mall. But if you want more parts of it, including diving with sharks and stingrays, watching divers feed the sharks or a boat with a transparent bottom - you will need to purchase a ticket and enter inside. An exhilarating experience for the whole family and an interesting break from shopping. The price includes perks for the aquarium café and gift shop.
Opening Hours: Daily between 10:00-22:00, Friday to Sunday 10:00-00:00
Address: The Dubai Mall
Photo: Shutterstock/The Dubai Mall
The EXPO City Dubai becomes a giant celebration of a magical wonderland until January 2025. What awaits you there? A giant festive festival with different booths in a Christmas atmosphere, gingerbread cookie making classes, a tour of a toy factory, traditional holiday foods, Santa Claus's cave and plenty of treats, alongside a 16-meter Christmas tree that will light up the whole complex.
Address: Ali Jebel, South Dubai Road Expo
Expo Dubai. Photo: shutterstockThe "Aquaventure" water park located in the resort area is the largest water park in the world, sprawling over an additional 22 acres, and includes 105 water attractions and slides, among them the tallest and longest in the world! And if all that is not enough, it features two flowing rivers, including tidal waves and motorboats, and very recently the water park broke the Guinness World Record with 50 slides - the highest number in any water park in the world!
Photo: Shutterstock/ Aquaventure