Disney is bringing some of its most-loved holiday stories to Dubai this December. Expo City Dubai’s Winter City is teaming up with Disney+ for its fifth edition, themed “Once upon a holiday” with zones inspired by Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and 20th Century Studios favorites like Frozen, Toy Story and Home Alone.
The festive event runs December 11–31, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily at Al Wasl Plaza and tickets start at AED 60 (about $16). The Dubai Media Office and the Emirates News Agency (WAM) announced the collaboration. This is the first time Winter City has partnered with Disney+ since the event launched in 2022. The Dubai Media Office says the Disney+ zones, experiences and activities will be making their regional debut. Time Out Dubai called it “a special Disney pop-up,” this is a holiday event built around Disney+ stories, not a Disney park.
What Disney experiences can you expect at Winter City?
Expo City shares that guests will find dedicated themed zones inspired by stories on Disney+, with Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen, Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story and 20th Century Studios’ Home Alone named as the headliners, plus Marvel Studios and more. Time Out Dubai reports Marvel heroes and Disney princesses will also come to life around the immersive Al Wasl Dome. What’s On adds toys coming to life, princess meet-and-greets and outdoor movie marathons of festive films. Some Winter City favorites from the last four years are coming back too:
- Snow falling beneath Al Wasl Dome, with state-of-the-art projections across the dome
- Complimentary meet-and-greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus
- Letters to Santa, where kids can send off their wish lists
- Festive music, family workshops and specially curated food and drinks
“Winter City has always been our happy place. It’s where families come together, and, for a few hours, everyone becomes a child again,” said Amna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Director of Events and Experiences at Expo City Dubai. “We don’t just want our visitors to watch the story, we want them to be part of it.” Tamim Fares, Director of Disney+ Middle East, said the goal is to bring Disney+ “beyond the screen and into the heart of Winter City, creating a holiday destination where audiences can step into the worlds and stories they love.”
How much are Winter City tickets, and when can you go?
Tickets are already on sale through Expo City Dubai, and booking ahead is recommended. Here’s what’s listed right now:
- Dates: Friday, December 11 through Thursday, December 31, 2026
- Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily
- Where: Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai
- General Admission: AED 60 (about $16)
- Winter City Express Entry Pass: AED 175 (about $48)
- Free: Children 3 and under, plus People of Determination with one caregiver
You can check additional info, see the area map and purchase tickets at the Dubai Expo City website.
Is this connected to Disneyland Abu Dhabi?
No. Winter City is a Disney+ collaboration with Expo City Dubai, and it isn’t tied to Disney’s theme park plans in the UAE. The Walt Disney Company announced that it’s working with Miral on a Disney theme park resort on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, its seventh resort destination. Miral will be developing, building and operating it and Disney Imagineers leading the creative design.
In September 2026, Miral Group CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi told The National he’s “very happy with the progress” and that Miral meets with Disney “literally every month,” but there’s still no opening date. You can catch up on that story with our look at how Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro re-confirmed Disney Abu Dhabi. Until that park opens, Winter City is one of the easiest ways for you to see Disney stories brought to life in the region.
