• Story time with Mrs Claus at Winter Wonderland, outside The Galleria mall, on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Story time with Mrs Claus at Winter Wonderland, outside The Galleria mall, on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Adding the final touches to Santa's sleigh, outside The Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Adding the final touches to Santa's sleigh, outside The Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Children explore The Galleria's Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Children explore The Galleria's Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Children play inside the giant snow globe at The Galleria's Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Children play inside the giant snow globe at The Galleria's Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A young visitor tries to hook an elf at Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A young visitor tries to hook an elf at Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Daniel Shawky, 5, plays in The Galleria's Winter Wonderland snow park. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Daniel Shawky, 5, plays in The Galleria's Winter Wonderland snow park. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Santa's sleigh, complete with prancing reindeers, at The Galleria's Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Santa's sleigh, complete with prancing reindeers, at The Galleria's Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Winter Wonderland at Town Square, at Yas Mall, on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Winter Wonderland at Town Square, at Yas Mall, on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Visitors take in the festive sights at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Visitors take in the festive sights at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • Santa and his helpers spread Yuletide cheer at Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Santa and his helpers spread Yuletide cheer at Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Christmas tree festooned with decorations at Yas Mall's Town Square. Victor Besa / The National
    The Christmas tree festooned with decorations at Yas Mall's Town Square. Victor Besa / The National
  • Emilia, 9, gets into the festive spirit at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Emilia, 9, gets into the festive spirit at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • One of Santa's helpers keeps young visitors entertained at Town Square, in Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    One of Santa's helpers keeps young visitors entertained at Town Square, in Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • Winter Wonderland at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Winter Wonderland at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • Noursin Shehawy and Hana El Shazly salute the festive season at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Noursin Shehawy and Hana El Shazly salute the festive season at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • Chilling out at Yas Mall's Winter Wonderland. Victor Besa / The National
    Chilling out at Yas Mall's Winter Wonderland. Victor Besa / The National
  • Santa's Grotto at The Galleria mall in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Santa's Grotto at The Galleria mall in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Santa and his reindeer mid-flight in The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Santa and his reindeer mid-flight in The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A giant reindeer welcomes visitors to The Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A giant reindeer welcomes visitors to The Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Sisters Hayal, left, and Umay Bayrak, aged 6 and 3, meet Santa at The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Sisters Hayal, left, and Umay Bayrak, aged 6 and 3, meet Santa at The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Spectacular festive decorations at The Galleria. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Spectacular festive decorations at The Galleria. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Elves at Santa's Grotto in The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Elves at Santa's Grotto in The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Snow-covered Christmas trees at The Galleria. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Snow-covered Christmas trees at The Galleria. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Busy elves at Santa's Grotto in The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Busy elves at Santa's Grotto in The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Galleria visitors pass decorations lining the mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Galleria visitors pass decorations lining the mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Giant Christmas baubles stacked at an entrance to The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Giant Christmas baubles stacked at an entrance to The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • A spectacular Christmas display at The Greens in Dubai, seen at dusk. Antonie Robertson/The National
    A spectacular Christmas display at The Greens in Dubai, seen at dusk. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Festive colours light up The Greens. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Festive colours light up The Greens. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • A gang of elves at the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, in Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A gang of elves at the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, in Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Gingerbread figures entertain the crowds at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    Gingerbread figures entertain the crowds at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The AL Wasl Plaza dome provides a spectacular backdrop for the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    The AL Wasl Plaza dome provides a spectacular backdrop for the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A wintry projection gets visitors into the festive spirit at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    A wintry projection gets visitors into the festive spirit at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Santa greets visitors at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    Santa greets visitors at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Santa Claus and Mrs Claus with young visitors at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    Santa Claus and Mrs Claus with young visitors at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A crowd awaits the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A crowd awaits the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The Christmas tree at Emirates Palace. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    The Christmas tree at Emirates Palace. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Santa gets Christmas present requests at Emirates Palace. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Santa gets Christmas present requests at Emirates Palace. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Visitors get Christmas photos at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors get Christmas photos at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Christmas star decorations at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National
    Christmas star decorations at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A towering Christmas tree at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National
    A towering Christmas tree at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Mall of the Emirates Winter Wonderland festive market. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Mall of the Emirates Winter Wonderland festive market. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Festive reindeers outside Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National
    Festive reindeers outside Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National

Gulf

Christmas season gets under way in the UAE

Sparkling decorations, a chance to meet Santa and yuletide shopping are all part of the festivities

The National

December 14, 2022

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Updated: December 14, 2022, 10:39 AM