Sheikh Zayed Festival 2025-2026 kicks off tomorrow in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, 31st October / WAM / Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him”, and the follow-up and supervision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the State, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Presidential Office, the Sheikh Zayed Festival 2025-2026 will begin tomorrow in the Al Wathba area in Abu Dhabi and will continue until the twenty-second of March 2026, under the slogan “Hayakum”, with a vision And a renewed identity that reflects its status as a global cultural and heritage festival.

The Sheikh Zayed Festival is one of the most prominent cultural and heritage events in the country, as it highlights the human and social values ​​in Emirati society, and highlights the country’s message based on tolerance and coexistence, reflecting the cultural diversity of a society that includes more than 200 nationalities.

The higher organizing committee of the festival announced the features of the new edition, which includes more than four thousand cultural events and seven hundred and fifty major public events, with the participation of more than twenty thousand exhibitors and participants from inside and outside the country, in addition to the participation of twenty-two countries that present, through their pavilions, cultural and heritage exhibitions that reflect the specificity of each civilization and enhance cultural exchange between peoples.

This year, the festival includes a group of national and heritage events, the most prominent of which is the Union March, which expresses the national cohesion among the people of the Emirates and confirms the values ​​of unity and belonging established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him.

The festival also witnesses the organization of Union Day celebrations, which include national, artistic, and popular performances, roaming performances, raffles, and prizes, in addition to fireworks, laser, drone, and musical concerts.

The Heritage Village stands out as one of the main destinations of the festival, as it allows visitors to learn about traditional Emirati lifestyles through heritage pavilions and popular markets, in addition to Emirati folk bands that present performances that express national values ​​and authentic cultural heritage.

The festival witnesses the organization of heritage and sports competitions, including sailboat races, a falconry competition, the Zayed Grand Prize for Camels, and a popular food competition, in addition to the Ramadan Sports Championship in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, which confirms the festival’s status as a major destination for community and sporting events.

The Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence participates in the festival’s activities, through a special pavilion that highlights the award’s efforts in supporting the agricultural sector and encouraging sustainable practices and innovation in the fields of agricultural and livestock production.

The pavilion includes a display of the projects of the winners in the various award categories, as well as examples of innovative agricultural practices and community initiatives in the field of food security.

During the festival period, the winners of the award in its new session are honored, in recognition of their contributions to developing the agricultural sector and promoting the concepts of sustainability and responsible production.

This year, the festival is witnessing the development of a number of new entertainment areas that enhance the diversity of the experience offered to visitors, including the Al Wathba Boulevard area, which includes a group of local and international restaurants and cafes, and provides a comfortable environment for families and individuals.

The Emirati Popular Food Corner is one of the most prominent destinations that attract visitors, as it offers dishes that reflect the local heritage and authentic flavors of Emirati cuisine, in addition to live cooking demonstrations that allow visitors to learn about traditional food preparation methods.

The new destinations include the Al Nawader Reserve, which displays a group of rare animal species with the aim of enhancing knowledge of wildlife, in addition to the “Winterland” amusement park, which offers activities suitable for all ages and provides various entertainment experiences that combine family games with a fun atmosphere, and the Al Wathba Custom Show event dedicated to fans of modified and classic cars, which enhances the diversity of activities offered by the festival.

A number of national and community institutions participate in the festival through special pavilions such as the Memory of the Nation, the Agricultural Oasis Councils, and the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence, in order to enhance the concepts of sustainability and social responsibility.

The festival also provides a rich experience through international pavilions and various markets that represent the cultures of the participating countries and display their products and traditional crafts, reflecting the spirit of openness and cultural exchange between peoples.

The festival also includes the “Skills” program, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Center for Technical and Vocational Education and Training and the Abu Dhabi Media Network, to support national talents in the technical and vocational fields.

The festival is also preparing for New Year’s celebrations with a special program, which includes fireworks and laser shows with the participation of more than six thousand drones, in addition to children’s activities and various musical performances.

The Emirates Fountain also continues to present shows that combine water, lighting and lasers to the tunes of selected international music, after expanding in design and space within the new developments.

Al Wathba Nights concerts host a group of Arab and international artists on various weekly evenings, in addition to fireworks displays that take place every Saturday at ten in the evening.

The festival receives its visitors daily from four in the afternoon until twelve midnight, and from four in the afternoon until one after midnight during weekends and official holidays.

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