Al Hosn Festival 2026…a cultural heritage platform that embodies the Emirati identity
Abu Dhabi, January 17 / WAM / Al Hosn Festival, in its tenth session, is a cultural and heritage platform in Abu Dhabi that offers visitors a lively and diverse experience extending over 16 days that reflects the richness of the Emirati heritage and highlights the authentic values of society.
The festival comes to confirm the status of the fort as an ancient historical and cultural symbol in Abu Dhabi’s memory through a variety of interactive events and activities that suit different age groups, combining live performances, interactive experiences, workshops, heritage markets, and educational activities for all family members.
The festival begins at the historic Al Hosn site surrounding Al Hosn Palace to take visitors on an integrated cultural journey that follows the development of Emirati society over time and highlights the importance of the fort as a focal point in the emergence of the capital, Abu Dhabi, from a watchtower in the seventeenth century to a prominent historical and cultural landmark that shaped the social and political lifestyle while strengthening man’s connection to the environment.
The launch of the current edition of the festival coincides with the anniversary of “Nikhwa” Day, an affirmation of the authentic Emirati values based on altruism, unity, and the spirit of belonging and pride, which were reaffirmed in 2024, making the festival a living embodiment of these values through the experiences that families and visitors experience during the days of the events.
Maryam Al Dhaheri, Head of the Programs Department at Al Hosn Festival, confirmed in a statement to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that the launch of the tenth session constitutes an important milestone for promoting heritage and embodying the values of Emirati identity through a live experience that brings together families and individuals on an innovative cultural journey.
She said: “We made sure that the programs and activities were suitable for all ages and mixed education, entertainment and interactive experiences to enhance the community’s connection to its heritage and transfer cultural knowledge to future generations.”
The festival’s activities are distributed throughout the Al Hosn site, and offer multiple experiences for visitors, including a journey through Emirati heritage and cultural identity, where the main show is the story of the discovery of water in Abu Dhabi, and traces the development of Al Hosn Palace from a watchtower to a prominent landmark that tells the development of society and its relationship with place and the environment.
The “Shallah Majlis” allows visitors to explore traditional life in the desert through live performances of the arts of Al-Taghrouda, Al-Wuna, Al-Mankus and Al-Radaha, in addition to falconry shows, saluki dogs, and interactive camel experiences, in vibrant scenes that reflect the roots of the Emirati identity and its societal values.
The Al Freej area includes 18 live displays of traditional handicrafts, seven workshops, as well as Emirati folk games, and a heritage market that includes 50 stores displaying perfumes, textiles, and jewelry.
The “Building: Designing the Fort” workshop provides a practical experience for visitors to learn about traditional construction methods and the role of craftsmen in shaping the walls of the fort, reflecting the importance of the craft in preserving heritage and transferring knowledge to new generations.
The festival presents “Beit Al-Hazawi”, an interactive cultural puzzle room that combines fun and knowledge, and addresses heritage topics such as sand trees, palm trees, and the sea, in an innovative manner that enhances cultural awareness.
Children participate in the “Little Guardians of Heritage” program, which provides an interactive educational experience inspired by elements of intangible cultural heritage included in the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Al Hosn Festival highlights the ingenuity of Emirati craftsmen through the “Threads of Gold” program presented by the Craftsmen’s House, showcasing the arts of traditional clothing making and the stories of the craftsmen, in addition to family workshops that enhance joint creativity between generations.
Live music performances by Emirati musicians create a lively atmosphere, inviting visitors to connect with Abu Dhabi’s creative heritage.
More than 40 productive families contribute to enriching the events by displaying their products and handicrafts, in addition to the farmers’ market experience, which provides opportunities for broad community interaction, supports local creative industries, and enhances their presence within the cultural scene.
The “Emirati Coffee Liwan” occupies a pivotal position, as it offers a comprehensive journey into the world of Emirati coffee, which includes learning about its tools, rituals, and serving etiquette, in addition to live performances, interactive workshops, youth programs, and the “Little Coffee Maker” event. The experience is completed in the “Coffee House,” which provides an open space to meet, interact, and enjoy the aroma of coffee and its craftsmanship.
The festival allows for watching performances by local talents and emerging artists, and family experiences that celebrate the Emirati dialect through the “Ramsa Ahl Al Dar” experience, in addition to music sessions and evening poetry programs presented by Emirati talents, to enhance cultural communication between visitors and the local community.
In addition, the festival includes 60 restaurants and stores offering products made by Emirati hands, so that the visitors’ experience is rich and diverse in knowledge, culture and local hospitality.
Al Hosn Festival activities will continue daily until next February 1 from 4:00 pm until 11:00 pm in a vibrant cultural atmosphere that reflects the spirit of Abu Dhabi and its ancient heritage.
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