Winter City 2025 will again turn Al Wasl Plaza into Dubai’s main festive hub, running from Saturday 06 December 2025 to Wednesday 31 December 2025 with an evening programme of markets, shows and family activities. The event forms part of the wider Al Wasl Season, which uses the plaza’s 360-degree dome as a dramatic backdrop for themed experiences across the winter months. Organisers position Winter City as a Christmas-inspired village rather than a single show, combining tree lighting moments, choir performances and children’s workshops in one walkable space. This structure allows families and visitors from other emirates to build flexible itineraries across several evenings instead of only one night. It is planned as a long-running seasonal destination, not a one-off concert.
Overview of Winter City at Al Wasl Plaza
Winter City occupies the heart of Expo City Dubai, wrapping around the central Christmas tree under the Al Wasl dome. Here the programme focuses on classic festive themes, with a North Pole style market, Santa’s Grotto, and nightly light shows across the dome surface. Organisers position the experience as inclusive, with spaces for strollers and wide walkways suitable for grandparents and younger children alike (children/family-friendly). In addition, couples and groups of friends can focus on the live music zones and food stands that stay open until late evening. The atmosphere stays deliberately family-oriented even on busy weekend nights.
Dates, daily timings and crowd patterns
According to published schedules, Winter City operates every day from Saturday 06 December 2025 until Wednesday 31 December 2025. Official timings are set from around 14:00 until 22:00, although most programmed shows and busier moments fall between 16:00 and closing time. Because local school terms continue for part of December, weekday afternoons usually feel quieter, particularly before sunset. However, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 19:00 and 21:00 often see the heaviest movement around the tree lighting and stage shows. Families who prefer calmer conditions should consider earlier entry times on weekdays.
Tickets, packages and inclusive pricing
Current guidance places general admission tickets for Winter City between approximately AED 40 and AED 90 depending on the date and purchase method. Early period tickets from Saturday 06 December to Friday 19 December are listed around AED 40 when purchased online, or AED 50 at the Expo City box office. Peak tickets from Saturday 20 December to Wednesday 24 December rise to about AED 80 online and AED 90 at the box office because they cover Carols by Candlelight and the most in-demand evenings. In addition, a family pack at approximately AED 240 covers two adults, two children, one caregiver, reserved parking and two children’s meals, which suits larger family groups seeking predictable costs (children/family-friendly). Entry remains free for children under three and for people of determination with one caregiver, with ID required.
Santa’s Grotto and creative activities for children
Santa’s Grotto sits among the core draws inside Winter City, allowing children to meet Santa, deliver letters and collect small themed treats. Around this space, the event team programmes workshops such as gingerbread decorating, craft corners and simple music or storytelling sessions tailored for younger visitors. Because many families arrive straight after school, organisers tend to cluster child-focused sessions from late afternoon until early evening. Meanwhile, play zones and soft-themed structures remain active throughout opening hours to give younger siblings extra space between scheduled activities (children/family-friendly). Some specific workshops may require pre-booking or carry a small additional fee, so checking details in advance is recommended.
Tree lighting moments, live shows and Carols by Candlelight
Each evening, Winter City centres its programme around the lighting of the main Christmas tree beneath the Al Wasl dome. This moment typically combines music, crowd countdowns and lighting sequences projected around the plaza, creating a focal point for both residents and visitors. In addition, roaming performers, choir groups and small theatre pieces move through the space, so guests who wander between stalls still encounter entertainment. From Saturday 20 December to Wednesday 24 December, the schedule places special emphasis on Carols by Candlelight, which blends traditional carol arrangements with the dome’s immersive projections (suitable for couples, families and solo visitors). Peak-period tickets for these nights usually sell faster than earlier December dates.
Food stalls, festive treats and seasonal shopping
Winter City also functions as a compact food market, with hot chocolate, mince pies, grilled dishes and international snacks arranged around the main routes. Many stalls lean into Christmas flavours, from spiced drinks to gingerbread, yet there are also lighter regional options for guests who prefer savoury plates. Alongside food, a North Pole style market offers crafts, ornaments, clothing and small gifts from local and regional vendors. Because these stalls vary by day, repeat visitors from Dubai and neighbouring emirates often discover new products across the month (suitable for couples and solo shoppers). Prices for snacks and gifts can vary widely, so setting an approximate budget per person helps.
Getting to Expo City from Dubai and other emirates
Winter City takes place at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai, near Expo Metro Station on the Route 2020 line. Visitors staying in central Dubai usually reach the venue in 25 to 40 minutes by car outside peak rush hours, using Sheikh Zayed Road or Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. Meanwhile, metro access provides a straightforward option from areas such as Dubai Marina, Downtown or Deira, especially for evening visits when parking might tighten. Guests driving from Abu Dhabi city typically need around 60 to 75 minutes, depending on conditions along the E11 corridor, while travellers from Sharjah should allow at least 60 minutes via key Dubai approaches (children/family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo). Allow extra time on Fridays and Saturdays because evening traffic often slows around key interchanges near Expo City.
Parking, internal circulation and accessibility notes
Expo City offers on-site parking around the precinct, with some packages during Winter City including reserved spaces near the entrances. However, these closest car parks can fill early on peak nights around Saturday 20 December to Wednesday 24 December and during New Year’s Eve programming. Once inside, guests move through largely flat, stroller-friendly walkways, and there are multiple rest zones with seating for older visitors or families with infants. In addition, the plaza’s circular layout allows groups to separate for short periods and still reconnect easily near the central tree or stage (children/family-friendly). Parking capacity is limited near the main plaza on the busiest evenings, so early arrival is strongly advised.
Weekend patterns and choosing the right visit time
Across December, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays usually form the busiest visiting window, particularly from 18:00 to 21:00. Opening weekend on Saturday 06 December and Sunday 07 December often attracts residents eager to see the decorations early, though the heaviest footfall tends to arrive closer to school holidays around Friday 19 December. Because Carols by Candlelight focuses on Saturday 20 December to Wednesday 24 December, those nights see a sharp jump in demand for both tickets and parking. Meanwhile, the last evenings from Sunday 28 December to Wednesday 31 December combine post-Christmas outings with visitors already planning New Year’s celebrations. Families who prefer space for strollers and quieter queues should target earlier time slots between 16:00 and 18:00 on weekdays.
Weather expectations for December evenings at Winter City
Climatology for Dubai shows that December evenings are generally mild, with daytime highs often around 26 to 28 degrees Celsius and night-time lows near 16 to 19 degrees Celsius. As a result, guests can usually walk comfortably outdoors in light layers, though a thin jacket or shawl feels useful once the breeze picks up under the dome. Although heavy rain remains rare, short showers sometimes pass through the city during winter, especially later in the month. Therefore, families planning to stay several hours might carry a compact umbrella or light waterproof layer, particularly on weekends with unsettled forecasts (children/family-friendly). Footwear with closed toes and non-slip soles is recommended, since plaza surfaces can feel slick if a brief shower coincides with your visit.
Warnings, transport tips and planning checklist before you go
For December 2025, current long-range guidance still suggests mostly dry conditions, yet visitors should always recheck updated forecasts a day or two before travelling, particularly for Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Light jackets, breathable trousers and comfortable shoes strike a good balance between the warm late afternoon and cooler late evening temperatures, while small blankets or extra layers help children stay comfortable in strollers. Because car access around Expo City can slow significantly near 18:00 on weekends, drivers from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah should plan to arrive before 17:00 and consider a later departure after 22:00 to avoid the heaviest queues (children/family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo). Public transport via Dubai Metro to Expo 2020 Station offers a practical alternative, especially on the peak Carols by Candlelight dates, although passengers should factor in walking time from the station to Al Wasl Plaza. Ticket prices and New Year’s Eve surcharges may change slightly as the season approaches, so treat the stated AED ranges as approximately indicative rather than fixed. If you plan to attend on the busiest dates, booking your preferred time slot and planning transport early is essential for a smooth visit. According to recent event coverage followed by editors at www.few.ae, Winter City 2025 is shaping up as one of the key family-friendly festive anchors in Dubai’s end-of-year calendar.
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