If you’ve ever popped into Dubai Mall to grab a gift, and maybe a coffee, especially in December, you’ll know how easily those plans can unravel. There’s so much to do, and even more to look at, and this festive season, the mall adds to that excuse to take a few detours with its Winter Wonderland transformation.
Fashion Avenue puts you in the holiday mood straight away. The entrances are framed with crystal-lined trees and snow-touched branches, while columns dressed with 2,500 glass crystal decorations shimmer as you pass.
Inside, the main talking point is Air Castles, a large-scale installation by artist Dimitri Shabalin. Made entirely from recycled children’s toys, it turns familiar, playful objects into a sculpture reminiscent of a snow globe. Each piece is painstakingly hand-painted and finished with glittering crystal accents, combining craftsmanship with a touch of nostalgic warmth.
Over at the Fashion Dome, the atmosphere brings that seasonal magic. A dramatic chandelier is the main element in the space, surrounded by a circle of suspended 1.5-metre snowflakes.
Throughout the mall, 200 suspended chandeliers tie everything together. A flowing canopy made from more than 100 kilometres of lighting casts a gentle, warm, and cosy glow on the walkways and open spaces.
It’s not like anyone ever really needs an excuse for a Dubai Mall run. But with the whimsical scenery on display, what’s stopping you from scheduling one slightly earlier than planned?