Liwa International Festival 2026 To Feature Cultural Activities And Family Entertainment In UAE

The Liwa International Festival is set to return from 12 December 2025 to 3 January 2026. This event will bring 23 days of culture, adventure, motorsports, music, and family fun to the Al Dhafra Region's golden dunes. The festival has become a highly anticipated annual event in the UAE, blending heritage with adventure.

Since its inception in 2001, the festival has evolved into Abu Dhabi's ultimate winter experience. It offers a wide range of activities, from world-class racing and dune sports to cultural experiences and lively entertainment. The festival opens with the Forsan Al Emarat show, featuring aerobatics by the UAE Air Force.

Liwa becomes a hub for motorsport each winter. This year's edition promises even more excitement. The festival kicks off with Freestyle Drift on 12-13 December and 22-23 December. Following this is the Spartan Race Liwa on 13 December and Bike Drag Racing on 14 December.

The festival continues with Falconry from 15 to 17 December, showcasing precision and heritage. On 19-20 December, visitors can enjoy the Car Stunt Championship and Extreme Mudfest, a new addition offering an exhilarating motorsport experience amid the desert sands.

The Liwa Running Challenge takes place on 20 December alongside the Liwa Cycling Race and Liwa UTV on 21 December. From 23 to 24 December, the Pigeon Hunt Competition occurs before the high-energy Liwa Burnout Championship on 25 December.

On 26-27 December, events like Liwa Drift, Monster Jam, and Tal Moreeb Running Challenge take centre stage. The Liwa Padel Championship runs from 26-28 December while Sand Wrestling occurs on 26-27 December. The Car Stunt Championship returns on 28-29 December.

Exciting Activities for All Ages

The Electronic Freestyle Championship happens on 30 December. Meanwhile, the Tal Moreeb Car Championship runs from 31 December to 3 January. Football and Padel are available every weekend along with Boxing from 15 to 21 December.

The Jetour Travel Conference will occur on three consecutive days: 19, 20, and 21 December. Throughout the festival, visitors can enjoy daily Dune Projection Shows and Drone Shows along with Hot Air Balloons every weekend.

Family-Friendly Attractions

Liwa Village serves as a lively hub of entertainment for all ages. Families can enjoy water karting, carnival rides, skill games, pony rides, and two ziplines (one for children). Attractions include Classic Car Museum, Auto Zone, Horror Escape Room, Smash Room plus Pony Grove petting zoo.

This year’s attractions feature Souk Zone and Pop-Up Heritage Shops offering handmade crafts while Performance Stage hosts live music acts daily. Food enthusiasts can savour Emirati favourites alongside global cuisines across various F&B outlets throughout the festival grounds.

New Year's Eve Celebrations

New Year’s Eve at Liwa International Festival promises unforgettable moments as Tal Moreeb Car Championship begins its three-day run starting on New Year’s Eve itself! Visitors can enjoy special concerts followed by magnificent fireworks lighting up vast desert skies welcoming in another year!

This celebration invites attendees into an atmosphere filled with music adventures amidst breathtaking landscapes found within Al Dhafra Region itself! The festival celebrates UAE’s proud heritage through falconry handicrafts Souk Liwa pigeon shooting championship connecting spirit desert nation enduring love culture community innovation!

With inputs from WAM