Snow parks, Santa sightings, carnival rides and festive treats: here’s everything you need to know.
Abu Dhabi’s favourite winter wonderland is officially back. Yas Winter Fest will return from December 12th to 21st, transforming Yas Gateway Park into a sparkling, snow-dusted festival filled with family fun, seasonal eats and all the festive cheer you can handle. It might even be too much.
After last year’s huge turnout, the 2025 edition promises to be bigger, brighter and far more enchanting, with ten full days of entertainment, activities and twinkling nights under the stars – just don’t expect any winter chill in the desert heat.
Running daily from 4pm to 11pm, the festival is designed for all ages, toddlers to teens to adults who still get excited at the sight of fake snow. Tickets start from AED 25, while little ones under three get in free. You can snap yours up now via PlatinumList.
What to Expect at Yas Winter Fest
Festive Fairground
Get ready for classic carnival energy wrapped in festive sparkle, as the fairground is packed with family-friendly rides, from the elegant Santa’s Grand Carousel to the colourful Tinsel Tea Swirlers, plus bumper cars, pirate ships and plenty of spin-til-you-laugh moments. Thrill-seekers can test their reflexes on winter-themed games including Winter Wipeout, Holiday Gift Grab and more.
Santa’s Village
A must-visit for the little ones. They can write their Letters to Santa, slip them into the North-Pole-bound letterbox, and even meet the man in red himself for festive photos and wish-list sharing. It’s wholesome holiday magic, Abu Dhabi-style. Adults are welcome to sit on Santa’s lap too.
Snowfall Park
It’s a full-on winter playground:
• Glide across the Winter Sparkle Ice Rink
• Step inside a giant Snow Globe for family photos
• Bounce through frozen inflatables and obstacle courses
• Create snowmen, snow angels and snowy mayhem in the Snowfight Zone
You may be in the UAE, but for a moment, it’ll feel like the North Pole.
Winter Market & Festive Eats
The open-air festive market returns with a curated selection of handcrafted gifts, trinkets and seasonal décor, making it ideal for Secret Santa finds or last-minute gifts. Feeling peckish? Wander between the food stalls for comforting festival bites, think wood-fired favourites, winter warmers, sweet churros dipped in chocolate, cinnamon-spiced treats and steaming cups of hot cocoa. Carol singers and musicians set the soundtrack while you explore.
Yas Gateway Park, Yas Island. December 12–21, 2025, daily, 4pm–11pm. From AED 25, under 3s enter free, tickets from platinumlist.net.
