Expo City Dubai’s Winter City turns Al Wasl Plaza into a snowy Christmas village every December; in 2025 it ran from 6 to 31 December, 4pm to 10pm, with tickets at AED 50 and free entry for under 3s and people of determination with a carer. Expo City had not announced its 2026-27 Al Wasl Season or the Winter City dates when we checked on 13 October 2026; last year the season was announced in September and opened on 31 October. Outside the event, Al Wasl Plaza’s dome projections and the Surreal water feature are free, and Terra, Alif, Vision and Garden in the Sky are ticketed. Go on a weekday at 4pm to see the plaza in daylight and after dark.
Status
- Winter City 2026
- Dates not yet announced; expected in December, as in every recent year
- Last edition
- 6 to 31 December 2025, 4pm to 10pm, Al Wasl Plaza
- Tickets (2025)
- AED 50; earlier editions AED 40
- Free
- Children aged 3 and under; people of determination plus one carer
- Al Wasl Season 2025-26
- 31 October 2025 to 2 May 2026
- Expo City public areas
- Free to walk around all year
Last checked: 13 October 2026 against Expo City Dubai’s event and season pages. We will update this page as soon as the 2026-27 season is announced.
On this page
Winter City at a glance
| 2025 edition | 2026 edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | 6 to 31 December | To be announced |
| Hours | 4pm to 10pm | To be announced |
| Venue | Al Wasl Plaza, under the dome | Expected at Al Wasl Plaza |
| Ticket | AED 50 | To be announced |
| Free | Under 3s; people of determination and one carer | Expected to continue |
| Season pass | Al Wasl Season Pass covered selected events | To be announced |
What is inside Winter City
The 2025 edition filled the plaza with themed zones and falling snow:
- Sugarplum Land, the Reindeer Academy and Nutcracker Land: themed play and photo zones for younger children.
- Mrs Claus’s Bakery: cookie decorating.
- A Disney+ themed area new in 2025.
- Santa and his elves, with letters to Santa and a Santa’s grotto.
- A giant Christmas tree with a daily tree lighting and snowfall moments.
- A North Pole-style market with gifts, festive treats, music and street performers.
- Carols by Candlelight, 20 to 24 December, a sing-along concert under the dome.
It is aimed mostly at families with children under 10. For other festive markets, including the free one at Madinat Jumeirah from 4 to 27 December 2026, see Christmas markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The Al Wasl Season
Winter City is part of Expo City’s Al Wasl Season of events under the dome. The 2025-26 season ran from 31 October 2025 to 2 May 2026 and included:
| Event | 2025-26 dates | Price guide |
|---|---|---|
| Harvest Festival (autumn edition) | Around the season opening in late October | About AED 50 |
| Festival of Cake | 28 November to 2 December | About AED 75 |
| Winter City | 6 to 31 December | AED 50 |
| Carols by Candlelight | 20 to 24 December | Ticketed |
| New Year’s Eve | 31 December | Ticketed; a 9pm countdown for children and midnight fireworks |
| Hai Ramadan | During Ramadan | Markets, food and traditions |
| Concerts under the dome, including the Firdaus Orchestra’s classical and opera nights | Through the season, such as 11 and 25 April 2026 | About AED 75 to 150 |
| Harvest Festival (spring and summer editions) | 5 April and 2 May 2026 | About AED 50 |
The Al Wasl Season Pass gave unlimited access to selected events with app-only perks; it is worth it only if you plan to go to three or more events.
Free and paid at Expo City Dubai
| Attraction | Cost | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Al Wasl Plaza and dome | Free (ticketed during some events) | A 67-metre trellis dome, the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface, with shows after sunset |
| Surreal | Free | A choreographed water feature, one of Expo City’s most photographed spots, with shows through the day and evening |
| Parks and playgrounds | Free | Rashid’s Adventures Playground, Taqa Island and green spaces |
| Terra, the sustainability pavilion | About AED 50 | A walk-through on nature and climate, popular with children |
| Alif, the mobility pavilion | About AED 50 | The story of how people and ideas move, with a giant passenger lift |
| Vision Dubai | About AED 75 | Exhibits on the UAE’s vision and leadership |
| Garden in the Sky | About AED 30 to 40; under 3s free | A 55-metre rotating observation tower over the site |
| Attractions pass | From about AED 120 to 160 for adults | Several paid attractions in one day |
The pavilions usually open from about 10am to 6pm, and the public areas stay open into the evening. Garden in the Sky can close in high winds. Check prices on the Expo City Dubai website, as they change by season.
The best evening to go
- Weekdays, Monday to Thursday, are quietest; the weekends before Christmas and Christmas Eve are the busiest.
- Arrive at opening, 4pm, to see the zones in daylight, stay for the tree lighting and snowfall after dark, and leave before the evening rush.
- Combine it with Terra or Garden in the Sky in the early afternoon, then the Surreal show and the dome projections after Winter City.
- Bring a light layer: December evenings are about 18 to 20°C.
- Carols by Candlelight nights (20 to 24 December in 2025) are the most atmospheric but the most crowded.
Getting there and parking
Expo City Dubai is at the southern end of the city, off Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311) and Expo Road (E77), about 35 minutes by car from Downtown Dubai. Follow the road signs to the Sustainability or Opportunity parking zones. Sustainability Parking J is free public parking, Parking V is a paid valet option, and there is mobility parking near Al Wasl Plaza. On site you can rent e-bikes or scooters or book a taxi buggy.
New Year’s Eve at Expo City
In 2025, Expo City held two countdowns under the dome: an early one at 9pm for children and a midnight countdown with fireworks. It is one of the more relaxed family options; see every venue in New Year’s Eve fireworks in the UAE.
Update log: 13 October 2026: 2026-27 Al Wasl Season and Winter City dates not yet announced; 2025-26 details shown as a guide. Upcoming Expo City listings include a concert at Jubilee Park on 25 October and another on 5 December 2026.
- Dubai winter season: what is open, what is new and when.
- Global Village: Season 31 from 14 October.
- UAE National Day events: fireworks and shows.
- Things to do in Dubai with kids: by age and budget.
- Dubai Miracle Garden: open until May.
Expo Winter City FAQs
When is Winter City at Expo City Dubai in 2026?
The 2026 dates had not been announced on 13 October 2026. In 2025 it ran from 6 to 31 December, 4pm to 10pm, so expect a similar December run.
How much is the Expo Winter City ticket?
AED 50 in 2025, with free entry for children aged 3 and under and for people of determination with one carer. Earlier editions cost AED 40.
Is Expo City Dubai free to enter?
Yes. The public areas, Al Wasl Plaza’s projections outside ticketed events, the Surreal water feature and the playgrounds are free. Terra, Alif, Vision and Garden in the Sky are paid.
Is there parking at Expo City Dubai?
Yes. Sustainability Parking J is free public parking, and there is paid valet parking and mobility parking near Al Wasl Plaza.
What is the Al Wasl Season?
Expo City’s programme of festivals, concerts and family events under the Al Wasl dome. The 2025-26 season ran from 31 October 2025 to 2 May 2026, including Winter City, Carols by Candlelight, New Year’s Eve and Hai Ramadan.
Is Winter City good for toddlers?
Yes. It is designed for young families, with snowfall, themed play zones, cookie decorating and Santa, and children aged 3 and under go free.