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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Updated: January 06, 2023, 12:49 PM