Al Hosn Festival, Abu Dhabi’s annual celebration of cultural heritage returns and will take place from 17 January to 1 February 2026 at the Al Hosn site. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), this year’s festival brings together all members of the community on an interactive journey celebrating Emirati identity and connecting visitors with Abu Dhabi’s living heritage through immersive experiences.
Over 16 days of interactive cultural programmes, Al Hosn Festival provides a platform for cultural exchange and interactive engagement with Abu Dhabi’s heritage, while preserving the emirate’s authentic customs and traditions. This annual event aligns with DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision to protect, preserve, and promote the emirate’s heritage, supporting talents, building capabilities in the culture and creative ecosystem, showcasing Abu Dhabi as a global cultural centre, and providing a platform for artistic expression and public engagement.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi said: “Al Hosn Festival reflects DCT Abu Dhabi’s enduring commitment to safeguarding and sharing the heritage at the heart of our national identity. The festival creates meaningful dialogue between generations and ensures Emirati traditions remain lived, learned, and shared. The return of this long-standing event further strengthens a sense of community and belonging and celebrates the creative spirit that continues to shape Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape. This is living heritage: rooted in history, yet carried forward by today’s artists, artisans, and creatives to inspire our future.”
Al Hosn Festival unfolds as a series of immersive experiences into the heart of Abu Dhabi’s heritage, centred in the history and discovery of traces of water in Abu Dhabi. It follows the evolution of Qasr Al Hosn from a 17th-century watchtower into a landmark that shaped the community. Visitors can also explore traditional desert life through experiences at Majlis Al Shilla, featuring forms like Al Taghrooda, Al Wanna, Al Mankoos, and Al Radha, along with falconry, saluki demonstrations, and interactive camel experiences, a journey celebrating the roots of Emirati identity.
There will be 18 artisan demonstrations at the Festival and seven workshops in The Freej area , alongside Emirati traditional games, as well as a bustling souq featuring 50 vendors offering a curated selection of perfumes, textiles, and jewellery. Additionally, the Building Workshop: Crafting Al Hosn will engage visitors with traditional construction methods to understand how craftsmanship shaped the fort’s architecture. The festival will also present Bait Al Hazawi—an interactive cultural escape room that blends fun with the use of knowledge through themes such as Al Sanaa (etiquette), palm trees, and the sea. Younger visitors can participate in the Youth Heritage Guardians' programme, discovering elements inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in an engaging way.
The festival experiences spotlight the artistry and innovation of Emirati craftsmanship, showcasing traditional and sustainable skills. Programmes such as Threads of Gold, curated by House of Artisans, will explore the artistry of traditional garments and the women and men who craft them. The festival also hosts family workshops designed to encourage shared creativity across generations. Live musical performances by Emirati musicians further enhance the experience, inviting visitors to connect with Abu Dhabi’s rich creative heritage.
More than 40 productive families’ crafts and products, alongside a farmers’ market experience, create opportunities for community engagement throughout the festival. This platform highlights local products and empowers this segment to grow, participate actively and strengthen their presence within the cultural landscape.
Also central to this edition is the Emirati Gahwa Lewan, a multi-layered journey into the world of Emirati Gahwa, where visitors explore the tools, aromas, etiquette, and rituals that make Gahwa a symbol of hospitality and connection. The experience brings together a Gahwa tools exhibition, live Emirati Gahwa ceremonies, and participatory etiquette workshops for adults and children, alongside talks, youth-focused sessions, and the Sanaa’ Al Gahwa Al Sagheer for young hosts in training. Completing the journey, the Bait Al Gahwa Café offers a welcoming gathering place where the aromas, craftsmanship and social traditions of Emirati Gahwa are shared openly with the public.
Visitors are also invited to discover Emirati music, through traditional performances by local and emerging talents, as well as a family-friendly experience which celebrate Emirati dialect and community through an immersive digital experience focusing on pronunciation, meaning, and cultural context across conversational themes. In the evening, Jalasat features intimate sessions with Emirati musicians performing traditional songs, alongside readings by Emirati poets.
In addition, the festival features 60 restaurants offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of dishes. It also includes a range of retail outlets showcasing products crafted by Emiratis, further enriching the visitor experience.
The festival will run daily from 17 January to 1 February 2026 from 4pm-11pm, and until 12am on the weekends. Box office closes half an hour before closing time, at 10:30pm. Tickets are AED35 for ages 13-59 and AED15 for children aged 5-12. Entry is free for children under five years, senior citizens over the age of 60, and People of Determination. Additionally, the new Al Hosn Festival web application offers access to maps, ticketing, workshops, parking, accessibility services, and live updates, ensuring visitors stay informed and connected throughout their visit.
For more information, visit http://alhosnfestival.ae/
