Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is preparing another edition of the Dubai Public Libraries Winter Camp at Al Safa Art and Design Library in Dubai, running from Monday 15 December to Friday 26 December 2025, every day from 8:45 AM to 1:00 PM. This Al Safa programme focuses on art and design for children aged 9 to 14, with structured morning workshops and supervised activities (children/family-friendly). The camp sits under the wider “Winter of Challenge and Creativity” theme across several Dubai Public Libraries branches, reflecting the authority’s push to blend culture, reading and hands-on arts. Over recent years, these winter camps have become a familiar fixture in Dubai’s cultural calendar, offering a mix of education, creativity and social interaction during the school holidays. Parents looking for a structured winter break activity will find this camp positioned as a calm, organised option in central Dubai.
Creative winter learning at Al Safa Library
At Al Safa Art and Design Library, the camp is designed as a compact, creativity-focused morning programme rather than a full-day childcare option. Organisers aim to balance playful experimentation with clear learning goals around design thinking and problem solving. Workshops across the wider Dubai Public Libraries Winter Camp include acrylic and 3D painting, pottery, sand art, shadow theatre, team games and traditional Emirati crafts, and the Al Safa sessions follow this broad creative direction with an emphasis on visual arts. Additionally, children are encouraged to explore how colour, texture and composition work together when they develop small projects over several days. The overall tone is educational, but the activities are framed to feel playful and accessible for pre-teens and young teens.
Daily schedule and age focus for participants
The Al Safa programme runs every day from Monday 15 December to Friday 26 December 2025, with daily timings from 8:45 AM until 1:00 PM, giving families a predictable morning structure over the 12-day period. Children aged 9 to 14 are usually grouped by age and skill level so that early adolescents are not placed in the same exercises as younger participants, although the precise grouping may depend on registration numbers. Most activities are planned indoors in the library’s workshop rooms and reading spaces, meaning the camp remains comfortable even during cooler or rainy winter mornings. Parents are typically expected to drop children a few minutes before 8:45 AM, and collection at 1:00 PM is handled directly from the library, with no separate bus system mentioned for this venue. Families should plan drop-off and pick-up times carefully, because the programme is structured as a continuous morning block.
Art and design workshops that build real skills
Within the broader “Winter of Challenge and Creativity” theme, Al Safa’s camp is expected to prioritise art and design tasks that can be completed in stages across multiple days. For example, one project might take children from sketching ideas to building a simple 3D object or collaborative mural, which helps them experience the full creative process. The winter camp description highlights pottery, sand art and shadow theatre as core experiences, and Al Safa’s strong visual arts profile makes it likely that many of these elements will feature in its timetable. In previous years, similar winter camp programmes under Dubai Culture have also woven in themes like science, environmental awareness and space, so it would not be surprising to see design tasks linked to nature, sustainability or local heritage. The key idea is that participants leave with more than crafts to take home; they gain confidence using art to express ideas.
Registration, camp fees and booking options
For the Al Safa Art and Design Library venue, camp fees are listed at approximately 210 AED per participant for Dubai Public Libraries members and approximately 420 AED per participant for non members for the full Winter Camp period. This makes the programme relatively affordable when spread across the 12-day schedule, especially for families who already hold a library membership. However, parents should still treat these amounts as approximately, because public institutions sometimes update prices or introduce promotional rates closer to the dates. Registrations are handled directly through Dubai Culture and Dubai Public Libraries channels, so families can either register online through official platforms or enquire in person at participating branches. Because places are limited, early booking is strongly advised rather than relying on last-minute registration.
Location, access and on-site facilities
Al Safa Art and Design Library sits close to Al Wasl Road, near Safa Park in central Dubai, which makes it relatively easy to reach from many residential areas including Jumeirah, Business Bay and Al Quoz. The library has its own entrance and a modest surface parking area, with additional public parking available on surrounding streets and near Safa Park, though these spaces can fill quickly during busy times. The library building houses workshop rooms, reading areas and exhibition spaces, so most activities should take place in purpose-built creative rooms rather than improvised classrooms. The morning-only schedule means many parents choose to drop off children, run errands or work nearby, then return for pick-up at 1:00 PM. Parents should remember that siblings who are not registered cannot stay unattended in the library during camp hours.
Weather outlook and weekend conditions in December
Dubai’s mid-December weather is generally mild, with daytime highs usually around 22 to 28 degrees Celsius and cooler nights between about 14 and 20 degrees. Around Friday 19 December, passing showers are likely, with slightly cooler temperatures and the possibility of wet pavements near parking areas. Saturday 20 December and Sunday 21 December may also see light rain and lower daytime highs in the low 20s, although severe weather is not expected. After this short wet spell, conditions typically stabilise with mostly sunny skies and comfortable temperatures into the week of 22 December. Forecasts for 25 and 26 December are likely to follow the same general pattern of mild winter weather without extreme heat. Even with some showers around the weekend, the indoor nature of the camp should keep workshops running without disruption, though children may encounter wet pavements when arriving and leaving.
Practical arrival plans from other Emirates
Families driving from Sharjah or Ajman will usually come via E11 Sheikh Zayed Road or Al Khail Road, continuing toward central Dubai before turning toward Al Safa and Jumeirah, and traffic can be heavy in the morning rush, particularly between 7:30 and 9:00 AM. As a result, it is sensible for Sharjah and Ajman families to aim to leave home earlier than usual, perhaps targeting arrival around 8:15 AM to allow for congestion and parking. For those coming from Abu Dhabi, the journey along E11 can take 75 to 90 minutes depending on traffic, so combining the camp drop-off with a day of remote work or errands in Dubai may be more comfortable than commuting back and forth. Additionally, some families choose to park near Safa Park and walk a short distance to the library, especially if they plan a quick park visit after pick-up on cooler days. Whatever the starting point, planning a realistic travel window helps avoid late arrivals at the 8:45 AM start time.
Public transport options and car-free access
For families who prefer not to drive, public transport is a realistic option for the Al Safa venue. The nearest Dubai Metro stop is typically Business Bay Station on the Red Line, from which a short taxi ride or connecting RTA bus can take families toward the Jumeirah and Al Wasl corridor near the library. In addition, several bus routes run along Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Beach Road, making it possible for older children to accompany parents by bus before drop-off. However, because camp hours start relatively early, families using public transport should plan extra time for transfers and short walks from the nearest stops. Checking Metro and bus timings the day before each session reduces the chance of missing the morning start.
Practical warnings, weather tips and booking reminders
For clothing, light layers are ideal, such as a cotton T-shirt with a thin hoodie or light jacket, since mornings can feel cool around 14 to 17 degrees and afternoons remain pleasant in the low to mid-20s; closed shoes are recommended because some weekend days around Friday 19, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December may see light rain and puddles near parking areas. In traffic terms, parents should expect heavier flows on Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road and Al Wasl Road between 7:30 and 9:00 AM, with slightly quieter streets if they arrive closer to 8:15 AM, though this also reduces buffer time for parking; afternoon pick-up at 1:00 PM usually falls before the main evening rush. Public transport via Dubai Metro and RTA buses provides an alternative for families living along the Red Line corridor or in well-served neighbourhoods, especially on days with rain when parking pressure may increase. Current official information lists full-camp fees at approximately 210 AED for members and approximately 420 AED for non members, but parents should remember that these figures can change and should always be reconfirmed with Dubai Culture or Dubai Public Libraries when booking. Make your registration early, because spaces at this type of winter camp tend to fill quickly once school holidays begin. According to recent checks compiled by the editorial team at www.few.ae, families who secure their booking in advance and plan for December’s mild but changeable weather usually experience a smoother, less stressful camp period for their children.
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