Tourism Breaking News
Retail Abu Dhabi, the retail plat-form of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is embracing the festive season with unmissable mall activations, events and promotions. The Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season is being held for the second year running to support the emirate’s expansive retail landscape during the peak festive period. An array of themed activities for the entire family to enjoy has been planned until 31 January 2022. Shoppers can find the best festive bargains, taking advantage of up to 80 per cent discounts in 3,500 retail outlets across 20 malls throughout the emirate. Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season has also partnered with some of the most popular malls to provide festive entertainment to enrich the shopping experience.
At The Galleria Al Maryah Island, families can visit Santa Claus and take photos in his snow-filled Winter Village from 10am to 10pm until 24 December. Little ones can also visit the Letters to Santa station where they can pen personal letters to Father Christmas to be en-tered into daily prize draws. For more information or to book a visit, go to: www.thegalleria.ae/winterwonderland.
At a North Pole activity in Yas Mall, young shoppers can ride the magical Santa Express train to the Elf Toy Factory while listening to festive performances from the mall’s live band. Children can also demonstrate their artistic flair by creating their very own gingerbread house. For more information, visit: https://www.yasmall.ae/en/events/winter-wonderland.
At Deerfields Mall, a Festive Barasti Zone is open daily from 4pm to 10pm until 5 January, featuring a traditional souk selling perfumes, homemade cheeses and labneh, as well as traditional clothes. In addition, a multi-level virtual reality ‘Tippy Tree’ experience offers shoppers the chance to digitally simulate decorating a Christmas Tree, with each level get-ting harder for participants as the decorations increase in size and they try to avoid toppling over the virtual tree. For more information, visit: . https://deerfieldsmall.com/events/
The Festive Market at Abu Dhabi Mall features holiday decorations, arts and crafts, hand-made accessories and unique gifts for the whole family, while Santa Claus is returning for a kids’ meet-and-greet opportunity in the Winter Village. Open daily from 11am to 9pm until 24 December, visitors should book in advance at: https://www.santaatabudhabimall.com/
At Al Ain Mall, a range of magical festive programming throughout December includes per-formances by Nutcrackers and Big Elves, a kid’s Christmas workshop, live shows by the Roy-al Mariachi Band and more. For the full timetable, visit: .https://www.instagram.com/alainmalluae/
For more information on the upcoming Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season, please visit: www.retailabudhabi.ae
