Let’s be honest, everyone in Dubai waits for the moment the weather finally chills out. And when it does, the vibe shifts, the decorations come out, and the malls compete to be the place to be. This year, Mall of the Emirates (MOE) isn’t just competing—it’s locking down the title of Dubai’s ultimate festive hub.
They’ve pulled together a seriously elaborate calendar for November and December 2025. It’s a classic Dubai celebration: energetic, completely family-friendly, and designed so you can tick off your shopping, entertainment, and holiday memory-making all in one trip. Think theatre, Santa experiences, that real-snow feel we all love, and a bit of community giving thrown in. Every corner of MOE is getting a makeover, promising a genuinely festive atmosphere for residents and tourists alike.
The Tradition That Meant Something: Stollen Charity Sale
The festive season kicked off on a seriously warm note with one of MOE’s longest-running traditions: the Stollen Charity Cake Sale on 23 November. Hosted under the Fashion Dome in partnership with Kempinski Hotel, this event is pure Dubai nostalgia. They baked out that beautifully long Stollen cake, laid it out, and sold slices starting at 10 AM. It’s always more than just a sweet bite; the event is all about giving back, with all proceeds going directly to charity. It was the perfect community moment, allowing us to grab a treat, snap a photo of that massive cake, and start the holiday rush with a meaningful act of kindness.
Ski Dubai: A Winter Wonderland Like No Other
You can’t talk about a Dubai winter without mentioning Ski Dubai. From 1 to 25 December, the slope transforms into a full-blown Winter Wonderland, and honestly, it’s still one of the most popular family traditions in the city. You walk in, and suddenly you’re in a snowy escape complete with Christmas trees, a North Pole mail station, and the main man himself: Santa.
What’s New for 2025?
This year, they’re shaking things up. Magic Planet is getting in on the action with Santa’s Magical Toy Workshop. Expect colouring, frosty games, and appearances from the mascots, Zack and Zia. It gives the kids a lot more to do before they finally get to meet Santa.
But the biggest, most thoughtful addition this year is the Sensory-Friendly Sessions. As part of Majid Al Futtaim’s push for inclusion, these slots are designed to be calmer and more comfortable for people of determination. They use softer sounds and have trained facilitators on hand. It’s a wonderful move that makes this iconic Dubai experience accessible to everyone.
Ski Dubai Festive Packages – Your December Weekend Plans:
They’ve tailored the packages so you can pick exactly how much snow time you want:
- Meet Santa: Your standard snowy meet-and-greet. Grab the Early Bird deal until 30 November (AED 140 vs. AED 160 standard). Bonus: Sensory-friendly slots are on 15 December at 6 PM and 7 PM.
- Family Meets Santa: Planning a group photo in the real snow? Starts at AED 600 for four people.
- Meet Santa & Snow Park: Includes your Santa time plus unlimited access to all the Snow Park rides (AED 305).
- Meet Santa & Snow Fun: All of the above, plus an adventure boost with the Chairlift ride and the Mountain Thriller (AED 345).
- Breakfast with Santa (12–25 December): Held at North 28. Start your day with breakfast and a chat with Santa. Sensory-friendly slot is 15 December at 8 AM. (Ages 2 and below: AED 80 | Ages 2+: AED 160).
These packages are guaranteed to book up fast, so if you want that genuine winter feel without a flight, get planning. Head to skidxb.com for the details.
A Touch of Culture: Theatre is Back!
MOE isn’t just about shopping and snow—they’re bringing serious entertainment to the table. The newly opened New Covent Garden Theatre will host Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish from 5 to 24 December.
This isn’t your grandma’s fairy tale. The production has been a huge hit in the US for ten years and has been refreshed for a local audience. Expect a mix of great humour, vibrant sets, and a soundtrack featuring modern hits from Taylor Swift and Stevie Wonder. It’s a fun, family-friendly show that offers a great cultural break from the usual mall hustle.
If you’re looking for a shorter, gentler experience for the little ones, A Fairytale for Christmas runs from 19 to 21 December. It’s a story-led performance bringing classic holiday tales to life—a perfect imaginative outing.
You can check out the details at newcoventgardentheatre.com.
The Grotto: A Full Festive Journey
The Grotto Experience is always one of the most anticipated attractions, and this year, it’s running from 6 to 25 December with a bigger setup. They’ve made it less of a quick photo stop and more of an actual journey.
- Start at the Letter-Writing Station: Kids get to pen their message to Santa.
- Move to the Merry Mailroom: A cheerful, buzzing space.
- The Grand Finale: Santa’s Grotto, where they hand over their letter, take the photo, and leave with a festive gift.
Playful elves, Flossy and Sparkle, will be around to keep the energy up with mini challenges.
Crucially, they are also hosting Whispering Winter Sessions. These are reduced-capacity, calmer environments—with gentler lighting and soft sounds—specifically for children with Special Educational Needs. It’s another great move to ensure everyone can enjoy this charming tradition.
Grotto Ticket Prices:
- Child: AED 165
- Adult: AED 120
- Carer: Free
(Note: All prices are subject to VAT & fees.) You can book at thegrotto.me/moe.
Gifting Made Simple
You know the feeling: you’ve finally bought all the gifts, and now you have to face the mountain of wrapping paper at home. Forget it.
THAT Concept Store is bringing back its holiday wrapping station. Buy your gifts anywhere in the mall, take them over, and the team will wrap them in stylish, chic, contemporary finishes. It’s a small detail, but a major lifesaver for anyone rushing between gatherings. It takes the stress out of the gifting process, offering a completely seamless, high-end experience that only Dubai can deliver.
The MOE Verdict: A Complete Calendar Under One Roof
What MOE has done this year is brilliant. They’ve managed to capture the best of the season and put it all under one air-conditioned roof. You can step out of the real snow at Ski Dubai, go straight to a cultural theatre performance, pause for a charitable Stollen slice, and then have your last-minute gifts professionally wrapped—all without losing your parking ticket or battling traffic between venues.
This variety and the clear focus on being inclusive (with all those sensory-friendly and reduced-capacity sessions) truly reflect Dubai’s character: dynamic, diverse, and absolutely focused on family happiness. For many of us, the MOE winter attractions are the signal that December has finally arrived.
If you’re planning your festive outings for 2025, put Mall of the Emirates high on the list. They genuinely have something for everyone.
Which part of the MOE festive calendar are you planning to visit first?
Read More:
- Christmas Gift Ideas in Dubai That Feel Special (and Totally Local) – Social Kandura
- Where to Find Santa — Family-Friendly Festive Events & Santa Meetups in Dubai – Social Kandura
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