Post Category - Play & PartyPlay & PartyThe Holiday Season just wouldn’t feel right without a visit to Santa (although my kids are always terrified when they come face to face with the man in red)! Whether you want to view him from afar, or the littles are keen to sit on his knee and share their Christmas wishes (or try to convince him of a place on the nice list) – this is where to do it mamas!
The Chupa Chups Santas Grotto at Dubai Winter Festival
Every year Dubai creates its very own winter wonderland complete with skating rink, winter market, a panto, Christmas carolling and even falling snow! Plus, the star attraction, a very festive grotto for Santa and his elves to meet the kids (and dole out a gift for each little visitor). This December the festival is at the outdoor plaza of the world trade centre and promises everything we all love about Chrimbo under one roof. A must for the whole fam!
17th – 19th December
Tickets cost from AED 25 per child and AED 55 per adult
Santa will open his grotto at 4pm – 10pm Thursday and 3pm – 10pm Friday and Saturday
www.dubaiwinterfestival.com
Santa’s Festive Stories at Fairmont The Palm
What could be cosier than snuggling up with Santa for a story telling session? Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in December kids are invited to join the main man at the SeaView Garden for a few tinselly tales. And the best bit? It’s totally free! The hotel is also offering all kinds of fun festive activities for the kids in the run up to the big day – from kids club shenanigans to gingerbread house decorating – they’ve got it all wrapped up.
www.fairmont.com
Santa in the Desert at Al Sahra Desert Resort with the Dubai Irish society
If you’re looking for a Dubai twist on the traditional then this is it mamas! Rather than arriving by sleigh, Santa will make an entrance via camel or dune buggy (of course) and hand out gifts sponsored by Magrudy’s book store for all littles (naughty or nice) plus there’ll be the opportunity to belt out all of the classic Christmas carols and have a generally jolly old time.
12th December from 2pm – 5pm
Please send the names and ages of your children to admin@irishsocietydubai.com in order to secure your place.
AED 50 per child
www.facebook.com/DubaiIrishSociety
A real Dubai institution – every year Santa and his team travel all the way from the North Pole to Dubai where they take up residence in a sparkly little grotto and create a lot of Christmas cheer. This is one not to miss, mamas, purely to see the look on your kids faces when they catch sight of the big man in red and step inside his magical home. Make sure you get there first thing or right after school to avoid enormous queues!
December 1st – 24th
December 1: (6.30pm – 10.00pm).
Dec 2 – 17: (10am – 10pm and 11 pm on Fridays)
Dec 18 – 24: 8.30am– 11pm
AED 60 per child, inclusive of a gift and photo with santa, pass for Kids Connection and entry to a WAFI raffle where you can stand the chance of winning tonnes of prizes including the grand prize of a family trip to Germany courtesy Lufthansa Airlines.
www.wafi.com
Santa Claus and the magical Christmas Journey at Ductac
Perfect if your kiddos aren’t too sure about getting up close and personal with Santa, give them a chance to catch him on stage instead! Santa Claus and The Magical Christmas Journey is a story set during Christmas Eve, when Santa is on his way to deliver gifts to all the kids of the world. Unknown to him is the fact that two elves have snuck into his ride. When Santa’s GPS system goes down, it’s up to the elves to help save Christmas. Fun, silly and all things festive.
11th – 12th December
www.ductac.org
Finally… If your kids really REALLY would rather not meet Santa in person (I understand – he’s big, they’re small) – then Hamleys Dubai are running a ‘Santa wishlist’ campaign where the kids can fill out a letter to him at one of their stores (Mirdif City Centre, Dubai Mall, Yas Mall) – and 100 lucky winners per location will be announced on Christmas Day to have their toy wish granted. So cute.
Santa Claus is coming to town – and I don’t know who’s more excited, me or the kids!
