Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the 3rd Al Wathba Date Festival will begin on 15 January 2026. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival will run until 24 January as part of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in the Al Wathba Region of Abu Dhabi.

The festival aims to support date palm farmers, boost local date production, and promote innovation in date palm cultivation and related industries, while safeguarding the UAE’s agricultural heritage and passing it on to future generations.

The Al Wathba Date Festival will feature 14 competitions, with a total of 116 prizes worth more than AED 2million. These include seven date beauty contests for specific varieties (including Nukhbat Al Wathba, Dabbas, Khalas, Fardh, Shishi, Bumaan, and Zamli), two date packaging competitions, three cooking competitions, a photography competition, and a live painting competition.

The festival will also present a Dates Auction, to highlight the quality of locally produced dates and showcase some of the UAE’s finest and most distinctive varieties. The auction aims to encourage farmers to sustain and further develop date production, while offering visitors and enthusiasts an opportunity to discover Emirati dates and acquire premium selections through live bidding at the display tables.

The festival will also offer visitors a full heritage experience through traditional performances and folk shows, complemented by date sales outlets and a souq featuring products that reflect the nation’s heritage.

The Al Wathba Date Festival will draw enthusiasts and visitors from the Sheikh Zayed Festival, serving as a specialised platform for promoting dates and related products, while preserving the UAE’s agricultural heritage. It also provides a space for farmers from around the world to exchange knowledge on modern cultivation techniques, date palm care, and to gain insight into authentic Emirati traditions.

The festival will underscore the UAE’s deep commitment to the date palm and its products, which are seen as a symbol of generosity and an integral part of the nation’s heritage and identity. It will also highlight the tree’s crucial role in supporting food security and advancing sustainable agricultural development.