Expo City Dubai’s Winter City will return from December 11 to 31 for its fifth edition, partnering with Disney+ to bring popular characters and stories to life through immersive festive experiences under the theme ‘Once upon a holiday…’.

Held as part of Al Wasl Season, the annual winter attraction will feature themed zones inspired by stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and beyond.

Highlights include Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen, Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story and 20th Century Studios’ Home Alone, offering families opportunities to explore familiar fictional worlds through interactive experiences and activities.

The collaboration aims to create a festive destination for families across the UAE and international visitors, combining Disney+ storytelling with Winter City’s established seasonal attractions.

Returning highlights include snowfall beneath the iconic Al Wasl Dome, children sending letters to Santa, complimentary meet-and-greet sessions with Santa and Mrs Claus, and large-scale projections across the dome.

Organisers also promise festive music, specially curated food and beverage offerings, and additional surprises to be announced ahead of the event.

Amna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Director – Events and Experiences at Expo City Dubai, said: “Winter City has always been our happy place. It’s where families come together, and, for a few hours, everyone becomes a child again. This year, we’re adding a whole new chapter. With Disney+, families can journey from the world of Walt Disney Animation Abulhoul added: “Studio’s Frozen to Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story, 20th Century Studios’ Home Alone and Marvel Studios, while still enjoying everything they love about Winter City. We wanted to create a place where the magic of the holidays and the stories we love can exist side by side, and where families leave with a story that belongs entirely to them.”

Abulhoul  concluded: “What excites me most is that every family will experience Winter City differently. They might arrive for a favourite story and find something entirely new along the way. That’s the spirit behind ‘Once upon a holiday…’, we don’t just want our visitors to watch the story, we want them to be part of it.”

Tamim Fares, Director, Disney+ Middle East, said: “Disney+ has always been a place where families and loved ones come together, sharing stories that resonate across generations. This holiday season, we’re thrilled to bring that feeling 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. From immersive Disney+ experiences and activations to magical moments under the iconic Wasl Dome, this collaboration is about celebrating the joy of coming together and bringing the beloved stories of Disney+ to life in a whole new way.” -TradeArabia News Service