Christmas season gets under way in the UAE

Sparkling decorations, a chance to meet Santa and yuletide shopping are all part of the festivities

Story time with Mrs Claus at Winter Wonderland, outside The Galleria mall, on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Adding the final touches to Santa's sleigh, outside The Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Children explore The Galleria's Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Children play inside the giant snow globe at The Galleria's Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A young visitor tries to hook an elf at Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Daniel Shawky, 5, plays in The Galleria's Winter Wonderland snow park. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Santa's sleigh, complete with prancing reindeers, at The Galleria's Winter Wonderland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Winter Wonderland at Town Square, at Yas Mall, on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors take in the festive sights at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National

Santa and his helpers spread Yuletide cheer at Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National

The Christmas tree festooned with decorations at Yas Mall's Town Square. Victor Besa / The National

Emilia, 9, gets into the festive spirit at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National

One of Santa's helpers keeps young visitors entertained at Town Square, in Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National

Winter Wonderland at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National

Noursin Shehawy and Hana El Shazly salute the festive season at Town Square, Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National

Chilling out at Yas Mall's Winter Wonderland. Victor Besa / The National

Santa's Grotto at The Galleria mall in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Santa and his reindeer mid-flight in The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A giant reindeer welcomes visitors to The Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Sisters Hayal, left, and Umay Bayrak, aged 6 and 3, meet Santa at The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Spectacular festive decorations at The Galleria. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Elves at Santa's Grotto in The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Snow-covered Christmas trees at The Galleria. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Busy elves at Santa's Grotto in The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Galleria visitors pass decorations lining the mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Giant Christmas baubles stacked at an entrance to The Galleria mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A spectacular Christmas display at The Greens in Dubai, seen at dusk. Antonie Robertson/The National

Festive colours light up The Greens. Antonie Robertson/The National

A gang of elves at the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, in Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Gingerbread figures entertain the crowds at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National

The Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The AL Wasl Plaza dome provides a spectacular backdrop for the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A wintry projection gets visitors into the festive spirit at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National

Santa greets visitors at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National

Santa Claus and Mrs Claus with young visitors at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National

A crowd awaits the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The Christmas tree at Emirates Palace. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Santa gets Christmas present requests at Emirates Palace. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Visitors get Christmas photos at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Christmas star decorations at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National

A towering Christmas tree at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National

The Mall of the Emirates Winter Wonderland festive market. Pawan Singh / The National

Festive reindeers outside Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates. Pawan Singh / The National

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