Winter City at Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl Plaza was turned into a ticketed Christmas destination for December, opened by a giant tree lighting, with Santa's letterbox, a toy-factory walkthrough, elf workshops and revamped Carols by Candlelight performed by Expo City's all-women Firdaus Orchestra with local schoolchildren.

The brief

Families in Dubai looking for a Christmas outing through December.

The idea

Al Wasl Plaza became a paid-entry Christmas venue, opened by lighting a huge tree, with a letterbox for Santa, a walk-through toy factory, and candlelit carols by local pupils and the Firdaus Orchestra.

What to borrow

Pairing imported holiday rituals with the venue's own orchestra and local schools makes a seasonal event feel rooted in the place.