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.

It will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region.

The festival is held in cooperation with Liwa Sports Club, Al Dhafra Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police, Miral, Abu Dhabi Media Network, and other partners.

Reaffirming its status as one of the leading winter destinations 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 shows, live concerts, cultural tours, and various 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 organize desert, art, and entertainment activities, alongside “Liwa Village,” which celebrates authentic Emirati heritage.

Liwa Village also includes a crafts market, an area for creative workshops and family activities, children’s games, shops featuring local vendors, and restaurants serving a variety of dishes. -TradeArabia News Service