Expo City Dubai is set to stage Carols by Candlelight Show 1 from Saturday 20 December 2025 to Wednesday 24 December 2025, running 18:20 to 19:20 at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai. Recommended booking ahead. For venue and access support, call Expo City Dubai on 800 39762489, and for public transport guidance, call RTA on 800 90 90. The address to share with drivers is Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai, Expo Road E77, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tickets typically start at approximately AED 150, while availability can change by day.
A winter concert under Al Wasl Dome
Carols by Candlelight has become a signature seasonal moment at Expo City Dubai, because it blends familiar carols with a distinctly Dubai winter setting. Moreover, the venue’s dome lighting and the plaza’s scale give the performance a “big night out” feel without losing warmth. Also, the show suits families who want festive atmosphere without a late finish (family-friendly). Doors for Show 1 usually open at 18:00. As the crowd settles, you can expect a calm build rather than a sudden rush onto the first note.
Music style and what the performance feels like
This programme leans into classic Christmas carols, so you get a sing-along friendly repertoire that feels recognisable even on a first visit. Meanwhile, the candlelit concept keeps the mood gentle, which makes it easy for couples to treat it as a seasonal date (couples). Also, many visitors come for the atmosphere as much as the music, so the experience can feel immersive even from mid-distance viewing spots. Keep your phone brightness low, because it affects nearby sightlines. Although it stays festive, it usually avoids loud, club-style sound, so it works for mixed-age groups.
Firdaus Orchestra and the Al Wasl setting
Expo City Dubai often pairs this concert with the Firdaus Orchestra, which brings a polished, theatrical sound to otherwise familiar melodies. In addition, Al Wasl Plaza functions like a natural amphitheatre under the dome, so the setting becomes part of the performance rather than just a backdrop. Also, that dome environment can amplify crowd energy, especially when audience participation rises. Arrive early if you prefer a less crowded entry experience. As a result, the show often feels like a shared seasonal ritual rather than a standard concert stop.
Show dates and the exact time window
Show 1 runs 18:20 to 19:20 on Saturday 20 December 2025, Sunday 21 December 2025, Monday 22 December 2025, Tuesday 23 December 2025, and Wednesday 24 December 2025. Moreover, the timing helps families manage bedtime routines while still catching a full concert experience (family-friendly). Also, if you plan dinner, you can either eat before 18:00 or push plans to after 19:30, depending on your pace. Late arrivals can miss the opening atmosphere. Therefore, aim to be at the plaza by around 18:00, especially on the weekend dates.
A second show option for the same night
Expo City Dubai typically schedules a second daily performance from 19:50 to 20:50, which gives you a flexible alternative if you prefer a later start. Meanwhile, the venue usually opens the door for that later show around 19:35, so you can roll straight from Winter City activities into the concert. Also, some visitors attend Show 1 and then stay nearby for the evening ambience, rather than booking both shows. Do not assume walk-in availability, even on weekdays. If you want the later slot, treat it as a separate plan and time your arrival accordingly.
Pairing the concert with Winter City before 18:20
If you want a fuller festive outing, you can arrive around 16:00 and explore Winter City first, then transition to the concert without rushing. Moreover, this approach works well for families, because it breaks the evening into playful time and seated time (family-friendly). Also, it helps you avoid last-minute parking pressure, since you reach Expo City earlier than the peak concert arrivals. Give yourself a buffer for queues and walking time. As a result, you step into Al Wasl Plaza calm, rather than arriving flustered right before 18:20.
Getting there by Metro and by car
The easiest public transport route is the Dubai Metro Red Line to Expo 2020 Station, and then a short onward trip into Expo City Dubai. Meanwhile, drivers usually approach via Expo Road E77, so you can plan around typical Dubai evening congestion patterns. Also, Expo City typically operates multiple parking zones, and signs on site guide you to the closest available areas. Parking capacity can tighten on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Therefore, metro can feel smoother on Saturday 20 December 2025 and Sunday 21 December 2025, especially if you dislike slow exit traffic.
Arrival notes from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
If you drive from Abu Dhabi, leave earlier than you think you need, because evening congestion can build as you approach Dubai’s outer corridors. Likewise, if you come from Sharjah, an early departure helps you avoid the busiest interchange windows and still arrive before doors open. Also, keep a simple plan for the return drive, because the concert ends at 19:20 and many guests move at once. Plan a short rest stop for the driver if you travel long-distance. As a practical option, some groups choose Show 2 instead, so they can travel after peak early-evening traffic.
Weather watch for 20 to 24 December
Dubai’s forecast shows spotty showers on Saturday 20 December 2025, so you should expect damp walkways and occasional slippery patches near entrances. Moreover, Sunday 21 December 2025 looks calmer with hazy sun, while Monday 22 December 2025 and Tuesday 23 December 2025 trend warm with a mix of cloud and sun. Also, Wednesday 24 December 2025 looks sunny, which usually makes the arrival and exit more comfortable. Bring a light jacket, because evening breezes can feel cooler under open walkways. Even when temperatures stay mild, rain earlier in the day can make outdoor waiting areas feel less pleasant.
Closing notes on tickets, traffic, and what to carry
Expect busier arrivals from about 17:30 onward, so earlier entry often means easier parking and a calmer walk to Al Wasl Plaza. Moreover, metro can reduce exit delays, especially on Saturday 20 December 2025 and Sunday 21 December 2025, while drivers should aim to leave either before 17:30 or closer to 18:00 for smoother flow. Wear closed shoes if showers linger, bring a compact umbrella on Saturday 20 December 2025, and keep a light layer for breezier moments on all dates. Make your reservation before the prime slots disappear. Ticket and door prices can change and remain approximately, and you can buy tickets through PLATINUMLIST or Expo City Dubai’s official ticketing channels, while the editor notes shared on www.few.ae also emphasise verifying timings by phone on the day.
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