Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced that Liwa International Festival 2026 (Liwa 2026) will take place from 12 December 2025 to 3 January 2026 in Liwa, Al Dhafra Region.
It will be held under
the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s
Representative in Al Dhafra Region.
Held in cooperation
with Liwa Sports Club, Al Dhafra Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police, Miral, Abu
Dhabi Media Network, and other partners, the festival reaffirms Al Dhafra
Region’s position as a leading winter destination, both regionally and
internationally.
The event will feature
a diverse programme, including speed races, drift shows, and dune driving
challenges, with top professionals and competitors from around the world.
It will also include
family entertainment, live concerts, cultural tours, and various other
activities, all taking place around Tal Moreeb, the highest sand dunes in the
UAE.
The festival will run
for 23 days, attracting a diverse range of domestic and international visitors,
including camping and desert enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and those
interested in heritage and motorsports.
DCT Abu Dhabi will
also organise desert, art, and entertainment activities, alongside Liwa
Village, which celebrates authentic Emirati heritage.
Liwa Village features
a crafts market and an area for creative workshops and family activities and
children’s games, as well as shops, including local vendors, and restaurants
serving a variety of dishes.
The festival’s full
programme will be announced in the coming weeks.