Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the 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.
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 program, 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.
