10 Days of Snow in Abu Dhabi? Yas Winter Fest Is Back

Yas Winter Fest returns to Yas Gateway Park from 12–21 December 2025. Daily 4–11 pm. Tickets from AED 25, kids under three go free. Here’s what’s on, from Santa’s Village to the Festive Market.

Yas Winter Fest is back for ten days at Yas Gateway Park from 12 to 21 December. Expect snow-themed play zones, carnival rides, live shows, festive food and a market. Gates open from 4 PM to 11 PM, with tickets from AED 25 and free entry for kids under three.

Runs 12–21 December 2025 at Yas Gateway Park, Yas Island.
Open daily 4 pm to 11 pm.
Tickets: AED 25 (ages 4–12), AED 35 (12+); under-3s free.
Zones include Santa’s Village, Snowfall Park, Festive Fairground, workshops, main stage and market.
Tickets on Platinumlist.

Dates, timings and tickets

The essentials you actually need before you bundle everyone into the car.

When: 12–21 December 2025
Where: Yas Gateway Park, Yas Island
Time: daily 4 pm to 11 pm
Price: AED 25 (ages 4–12), AED 35 (12+); under-3s free
Tickets: via Platinumlist

Everything runs for ten nights at Yas Gateway Park on Yas Island, with evening timings to keep things cooler. Tickets are priced simply and kids under three enter free. Book on Platinumlist to lock in your slot.

Santa’s Village: nightly tree lighting and meet-and-greets

Classic festive hits, minus the airport queues.

Nightly Festive Tree Lighting at the amphitheatre
Letters to Santa station with themed templates
Meet Santa and grab a photo

The Village anchors the family experience. Each evening a countdown flips the big tree on, with carols and lights. Kids can write and post letters to the North Pole, then meet Santa for the traditional photo.

Snowfall Park: rink, giant inflatables and a snowfight zone

Yes, there’s actual snow-style fun. In Abu Dhabi. It’s fine.

Winter Sparkle Ice Rink for kids
Walk-in Snow Globe photo spot
Inflatables: Penguin Snow Park, Frozen Palace, North Pole Challenge
Snowfight Zone for friendly battles

This is the action zone. Younger skaters get a safe, supervised rink under lights, while families can step into a Snow Globe for pictures. Big inflatables and a dedicated snowfight area keep energy high and phones out.

Festive Fairground: rides and games for all ages

Pick your ride, brace for squeals.

Rides include Santa’s Grand Carousel, Tinsel Tea Swirlers, Frostlight Flyers, Snowy Sailors Pirate Ship
Family picks: Winterlife Snowballoons, Blizzard Cars, Snowworm Express
Midway games like Elf Launch, Holiday Gift Grab, Winter Wipeout

The fairground mixes gentle spinners with bolder rides and plenty of family-friendly choices. Classic games round it out if you need a breather from queueing or negotiating with small diplomats.

Winter Workshop and Celebration Stage

Make something to take home, then park yourselves for the shows.

Workshops: candle making, snow globes, macramé ornaments, wooden toys
T-shirt decorating, marble ornaments, face painting, marshmallow making, candy cane hunt, snowman crafting
Main stage: choirs, stage performances and cosy nightly movies

The Workshop is hands-on and varied, from classic crafts to edible treats. Once everyone’s sugared up, the Celebration Stage takes over with music, performances and nightly film screenings to settle the day nicely.

Winter Feast and Festive Market

Eat first, then shop. Or shop first, then eat. You’ll do both.

Food trucks and pop-ups: burgers, wood-fired pizza, Asian street food
Sweet treats: stroopwafels, churros, hot cocoa and coffee
Open-air market of homegrown brands and handcrafted gifts

Food covers the comfort classics and the sweet stuff you pretend is for the kids. The market lines up local makers and seasonal décor, handy if you’ve left gifting to the last second.