The five-day winter carnival will take place at Gateway Park South on Yas Island.

Need some help getting into the festive spirit? Yas Island is set to be transformed into a winter wonderland next month, as it hosts a five-day Christmas carnival.

The Yas Winter Carvival will take place at Gateway Park South from December 11 to 15. It will be free to enter, with a host of fun activities, plus what is being dubbed the UAE’s largest winter market.

The festival will kick off on Tuesday December 11 with a tree lighting ceremony at 6pm. You’ll be able to watch live music and performances on the main stage, with choirs singing festive favourites.

Kids will be able to build a snowman or have a snowball fight at the snow play zone, or head to the kids’ zone for festive arts & crafts, inflatables and face painting. There will also be a gingerbread decorating station, so you can make your own personalised cookies.

Traditional carnival rides will be found at the funfair. Wristbands will be available to purchase, with unlimited rides and access to the kids’ zone costing Dhs100, or just unlimited rides costing Dhs80.

You’ll be able to get your holiday shopping done at the winter market, with everything from art to toys on offer. And be sure to stick around for the fireworks display every night of the carnival at 9pm.

There will be free parking available just a few minutes’ walk from the event. The carnival will take place from 2pm to 10pm on weekdays, and until 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

We’ll be there with (jingle) bells on…

Yas Winter Carnival, Gateway Park South, Yas Island, December 11 to 15, free entry. yasisland.ae

– For more about Abu Dhabi straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook.