19th Al Dhafra Festival To Celebrate Heritage And Community In Abu Dhabi From October 2025

The 19th Al Dhafra Festival, under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is set to commence as part of the Camel Mazayna Season in Abu Dhabi. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, this festival will occur from 27 October 2025 to 22 January 2026. The event will feature camel mazayna competitions and 17 other heritage contests, offering over 4,800 prizes worth more than AED94.4 million.

The festival's programme includes a variety of cultural activities and traditional markets. Camel mazayna contests will take place across four stations with 355 rounds, distributing a total of 3,370 prizes valued at over AED88.7 million. These prizes will be awarded in categories such as Majahim, Asayel, Asayel hybrids, and Wadh.

The season kicks off with the Suweihan Mazayna from 27 October to 3 November 2025. Following this, the Razeen Mazayna is scheduled for 15-22 November, and then the Madinat Zayed Mazayna from 13-20 December. The grand finale will be the Al Dhafra Festival Mazayna from 3-22 January 2026.

Heritage competitions will coincide with the final Al Dhafra Festival, featuring around 1,520 prizes valued at over AED5.6 million. Events include camel milking contests, falconry, falcon beauty shows, Arabian Saluki beauty and racing events, Arabian horse racing, and the Al Dhafra Arabian Horse Beauty Competition.

Additional contests will showcase Naeem sheep beauty, dates and their packaging skills, shooting competitions, cooking challenges, sour milk preparation, Ansif al-Qaoud (camel sitting), best traditional dress displays, children's competitions, Shilat Al Dhafra (heritage poetry chants), and a tea preparation contest. Various cultural and heritage activities will also be held at the Al Dhafra Heritage Market.

The festival aims to enhance community cohesion in line with the UAE Year of the Community principles by fostering unity within families and communities. It seeks to preserve heritage while promoting intergenerational interaction and instilling values of cooperation through its activities.

Community Engagement

This event supports camel breeding enthusiasts and those interested in falconry and purebred Arabian horses while promoting heritage competitions. It also aims to unify standards for mazayna competitions to increase participation and preserve authentic camel breeds.

The festival strives to boost camel trade activity while contributing to domestic and Gulf tourism growth. By stimulating local economic activity, it highlights Abu Dhabi's status as a premier destination for camel mazayna events.

Preserving Heritage

Cultural festivals organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority demonstrate a commitment to preserving local and Arab heritage globally. By showcasing Emirati values and traditions while instilling national identity principles in society, these initiatives effectively document traditional practices.

This effort reflects Abu Dhabi's broader strategy to safeguard its cultural heritage. The festival not only promotes trade but also solidifies Abu Dhabi's reputation as a key location for camel mazayna events.

With inputs from WAM