As winter settles over the UAE, the vast dunes of Al Dhafra once again become a stage for one of the country’s most atmospheric cultural gatherings. The Liwa International Festival 2026 has officially opened in the Liwa desert, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, welcoming visitors until 3 January 2026.
The opening was marked by the attendance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, alongside His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, who toured the festival grounds and explored the programme creating this year’s edition.
Set against one of the UAE’s most dramatic natural landscapes, the festival positions Liwa not simply as a destination, but as an experience where heritage, adventure, and spectacle coexist. The opening ceremony unfolded with a carefully orchestrated sound, light, and laser presentation, accompanied by drone choreography and a fireworks display that illuminated the desert sky. The evening also featured a performance by Al Fursan, the UAE’s official aerobatic team.
At the heart of the festival lies Liwa Village, a cultural hub curated by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi. Designed as a living tribute to Emirati heritage, the village brings together a traditional souk, creative workshops, and family-oriented spaces. It offers a slower, more reflective rhythm amid the wider festival energy, allowing visitors to engage with craft, cuisine, and storytelling rooted in the region’s identity.
Beyond culture, Liwa International Festival is defined by scale and diversity. The programme spans high-adrenaline motorsports, dune challenges, freestyle and drift competitions, alongside falconry championships and traditional sports. New additions this year include the Extreme Mud Fest driving challenge, expanding the festival’s appeal to adventure enthusiasts seeking something beyond the conventional.
As night falls, the desert transforms again. Light installations, drone flights, hot air balloon experiences, and weekend fireworks lend a cinematic quality to the landscape. The New Year’s Eve celebrations promise to be a highlight, combining live music with fireworks and the launch of the Moreeb Dune Car Championship, a signature moment for motorsports followers as the year turns.
What sets Liwa International Festival apart is its ability to balance scale with intimacy. While the programme is expansive, the setting remains elemental. Sand, sky, and silence frame every experience, reminding visitors that this is a celebration shaped by place as much as performance. It is this harmony between heritage and modern spectacle that continues to define Liwa as one of the UAE’s most distinctive winter gatherings.
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi in collaboration with key national partners, Liwa International Festival 2026 reinforces Al Dhafra’s position as a destination for culture-led travel, offering an experience that feels both grounded and elevated, timeless yet forward-looking.
For those seeking a New Year shaped by open horizons, tradition, and shared moments under the desert sky, Liwa remains unmatched.
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