These 7 Santa’s Grottos in Dubai Are on Our “Nice” List
One Christmas weekend, I took my neice to see Santa. And let’s just say, it was pure, festive chaos—and none of us knew where she learned these from.
At one point, she handed mall Santa a 3-page gift list and casually said, “I have extra copies if you need them.” Like, who does that? But she’s clearly so adorable, and so are other kids (and kids at heart) who went and sat on the bearded gift-giver’s lap.
Just because of its high entertainment value, taking the kiddos to Santa’s grottos in Dubai has been our yearly tradition—and we’re not stopping anytime soon. Here are the most fun and festive picks you can add to your merry wishlist.
Where can I see Santa Claus in Dubai?
There are a bunch of holiday spots where you can see Santa Claus in Dubai! Swing by festive places, like The Grotto at Dubai Ice Rink, Ski Dubai, Winter Garden at Habtoor Palace, and Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market.
The Grotto at Dubai Ice Rink
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Website: https://www.thegrotto.me/
Address: Dubai Mall – Unit GF – 207 – Financial Center Rd – next to Ice Rink – Downtown Dubai (Parking: P3, Cinema Parking)
Contact Details: +971 800 382246255
Fees:
- Child – AED 149
- Adult – AED 99
- Babies (under 12 months) – Free
- Carer (letter required stating the cared-for person’s disability benefits) – Free
- Adult Dubai Ice Rink Public Session + The Grotto Combo Ticket – 199 AED
- Minimum Booking – 1 Adult & 1 Child
- Maximum per Booking – 5 Guests in Total
Can’t travel abroad for the holidays? The magical Christmas grotto at Dubai Ice Rink recreates the North Pole experience, featuring attractions like Candy Cane Land and the Enchanted Forest.
Children can meet Santa, participate in games with elves, and even receive a special gift! We also love that there are many things to do before the main event to keep things interesting. One of which is the elves helping the kids write their festive letters.
When it’s time for the meet-and-greet with Santa, you’ll get your photos taken professionally, and you can pay for this after your visit. If interested, you can book 10-minute windows for entry—so we say make the most of it.
Cool tips:
- We recommend wearing warm, comfy clothing, plain long socks, and gloves at The Grotto at Dubai Ice Rink. More often than not, we think the cold will bother you here.
- Save more when you get The Grotto and Dubai Ice Rink combo ticket—great for families and big groups!
Ski Dubai
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Website: https://www.skidxb.com/ar-ae/ski-dubai
Address: Sheikh Zayed Rd – Al Barsha – Al Barsha 1
Contact Details: +971 4 409 4000, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10 AM to 11 PM
- Friday – 10 AM to 12 AM
- Saturday to Sunday – 9 AM to 12 AM
Fees: AED 160 per person
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Located in the Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai offers a winter wonderland experience where families can meet Santa Claus in his snowy grotto.
You’ll gear up at the changing room with free fleece gloves, snow boots, disposable socks, trousers (sizes S to 4XL), and helmets. Just be sure to pre-book your outfit online to avoid any hassle.
You can also enjoy activities like snow tubing and skiing while getting hot chocolate, a printed photo with Sant, and a surprise gift.
Handy hack:
We suggest arriving around 40 minutes before your booked Meet Santa slot at Ski Dubai. This ensures you have enough time to collect your tickets, get dressed, get used to the cold (-4°C), and avoid other potential delays.
Winter Garden at Habtoor Palace
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Website: https://www.alhabtoorcity.com/en/winter-garden
Address: Al Habtoor City – Sheikh Zayed Rd
Contact Details: +971 4 435 5577, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 4 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday to Sunday – 4 PM to 1 AM
Entrance Fee: AED 25, fully redeemable
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The Winter Garden at Al Habtoor Palace is a winter wonderland that comes alive with joy during the holidays.
For us, one of its best features is its 18-meter-high Christmas tree! This also goes with shimmering lights and lovely festive-themed decor.
Moreover, it features live entertainment and photo opportunities with Santa Claus. We also like that it offers pet-friendly entertainment (with dog grooming services!), so even your furry friends can meet Father Christmas!
Nifty tricks:
Need more gifts? We say do some last-minute shopping at the Winter Garden at Habtoor Palace! This Christmas market includes a dedicated retail souk (market) with various gifting ideas.
Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market
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Address: Souk Madinat Jumeirah – 45MP+8J2 – Jumeirah – Jumeirah 3
Fees:
- Christmas Market – free to visit
- Payment for the activities vary
Families can enjoy a unique experience by sailing on a traditional Abra with Santa at Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market. The event includes rides on the North Pole Train and various festive activities, including visiting Santa’s grotto.
The Christmas market is spread over a whopping 1,750 square meters—that’s a lot of space for cool activities! This includes the North Pole Train, a 4-lane bungee, and a Venetian carousel.
Of course, we think the main event is likely the 36-foot Christmas tree with colorful decorations. Be sure to angle your photos properly to capture them well.
Insider scoop:
Parking is limited here. But you can park for free at Wild Wadi, just a 10-minute walk from the Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
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Website: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/dxbrz-The-Ritz-Carlton-Dubai/overview/
Address: Al Mamsha St – Jumeirah Beach Residence
Contact Details: +971 4 399 4000, [email protected]
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The Ritz-Carlton offers a festive dining experience where children can meet Santa Claus. The event includes activities like face painting, balloon animals, and a hearty adult meal.
There are also plenty of things to enjoy at The Ritz-Carlton. You can enjoy the beach and pools, treat yourself at the spa, experience the Sunken Garden restaurant’s modern Arabic cuisine, and more!
Fun little idea:
Let the kids join the Ritz Kids Club! This is where the little ones can engage in hands-on cooking classes, kid-sized afternoon teas, nature exploration, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, and more.
Al Ghurair Centre
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Website: http://www.alghuraircentre.com/
Address: Al Rigga Rd – Deira
Contact Details: +971 800 24227, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 10 AM to 12 AM
Fees: AED 100 (minimum shopping fee)
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The Al Ghurair Centre shopping center boasts over 380 stores, diverse eateries, a cinema, and a hotel. At times, it also offers a chance for guests to visit its magical grotto, where you can snap a pic and get Christmas gifts from Santa.
We adore that the kids can enjoy a heartwarming story time with Father Christmas. And if the little ones write to him, sometimes the luckiest two can have their wishes come true!
Savvy suggestion:
- Don’t want to drive today? Al Ghurair Centre is conveniently located near Union Metro Station, where you can get easy access via public transport.
- Use the mall’s free Wi-Fi—you can connect without entering personal info!
Expo City
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Website: https://www.expocitydubai.com/en/things-to-do/events-and-workshops/tree-lighting/
Address: Al Wasl Avenue
Contact Details: +971 800 39762489, +971 4 555 2020, [email protected]
Fees:
- Online – AED 40
- Box Office – AED 50
Santa’s Grotto is the best showcase of Winter City at Expo City Dubai. It’s a holiday destination with a giant Christmas tree, colorful lights, and lots of caroling.
The kids can meet Santa, write letters, and join various workshops. Not only that, but we also like that the kids can meet Mrs. Claus!
At Winter City, you may also explore the North Pole Market for holiday snacks, check out the VR and arcade, let the kiddos play at the outdoor inflatables, and so on.
Do it all:
We suggest joining as many Expo City workshops as possible! Try gingerbread decorating, bath bomb making, winter-themed arts and crafts, loom weaving, bracelet designing, a slime station, and/or a bear-making workshop!