Expo City Dubai's winter wonderland extended and Chinese New Year celebrations announced

The Christmas-themed attraction will remain open for one more week, before making way for another set of festivities

Winter City at Expo City Dubai opened on November 23. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Kids can make themed arts and crafts at various stations across the venue

The venue features photo opportunities with Mr and Mrs Claus

Santa Claus's house is installed at the venue, and guests can go inside to take pictures

There are festive arts and crafts stations across the venue

Guests can write letters to Santa in an activation that Expo City Dubai first launched during Christmas season last year

Al Wasl Plaza has a Christmas-themed projection show that will start from December 3 onwards

Two giant nutcrackers greet guests at the entrance of Winter City

Venue staff are dressed as Santa's elves

Winter City covers two avenues in the Mobility area of Expo City Dubai

The famed Expo robot, roaming around the venue, wears a plush reindeer antler

There are carnival-style games on site

Winter City features festive decor, with a prominent white and gold theme

One of the arts and crafts stations is a tie-dye workshop

Winter City features extreme activities for kids, including wall climbing and zip line

The festive project on Al Wasl plaza will take place every day at 6pm

Expo City Dubai's Winter City has been extended until next Thursday.

The festive-themed attraction will remain open for an additional four days, with renewed operating hours of 3pm until 9pm at locations including Santa's House, the zip line and the skating rink, as well as the Christmas projection show at Al Wasl Plaza.

The site also announced it is celebrating Chinese New Year two days after Winter City has closed — from January 14 to 28. As part of the celebrations there will be a carnival-style area, complete with kiosks and stalls showcasing the country's culture and cuisine.

On the first day, there will be a parade outside the Chinese pavilion, featuring more than 20 floats and 60 group formations.

Inside Expo City Dubai's magical winter wonderland

From two giant nutcrackers greeting you at the entrance to Expo 2020 Dubai's famous robots sporting plush reindeer antlers, Expo City Dubai has been transformed into a joyous winter wonderland.

Winter City, which opened on November 23, covers two avenues at the site's Mobility District and offers plenty of festive fun. Upon arrival, visitors will find staff dressed as Santa Claus's elves, ready to greet them with colourful pinwheels and huge smiles.

Elves May and Lyka at Expo City's magical Winter City. Chris Whiteoak / The National

More than 30 stalls and kiosks line the avenues, offering an array of activities and festive products from carnival-style games to arts and crafts stations, including a tie-dye workshop spot.

Other vendors sell Christmas ornaments, as well as generic artisanal home decor. Guests can also grab quick bites and drinks from several spots across the Christmas-themed area.

Entry to Winter City, as well as Santa's House, is free. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Families will also be able to stop off and say hello to Santa Claus, whose humble abode has been reimagined at the site, with a cozy fireplace and toy workshop.

Santa Claus with Nevaeh and Milly, in front of his fictional house in Expo City Dubai's Winter City

Expo City Dubai has also brought back Letters to Santa, first launched during Expo 2020. Visitors can get creative with their handwritten notes, and drop them at a giant mailbox to be delivered straight to Santa himself.

Entry to Winter City, as well as Santa's house, is free.

Santa's House at Expo City's magical Winter City. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Other features of Winter City are ticketed, such as a children's wall climbing experience, zipline and ice skating rink.

Expo City Dubai's central Al Wasl Plaza will also be transformed into a festive spectacle, with a special projection show featuring Christmas lights and music.

The dome, with its magnificent sound and light technology, conjures the perfect merry mood, and guests can catch the show for free, every day at 6pm. Aside from the projection, free-to-watch toy soldier acrobatics shows will also be staged at the dome at various times throughout the day.

This story was originally published on November 30