Liwa International Festival 2027 will run from December 11, 2026 to January 2, 2027 at the Liwa desert in Al Dhafra Region, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region.
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi in collaboration with Liwa Sports Club, Al Dhafra Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Media Network, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and Al Dhafra Hospitals – Seha, the festival centres on Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s tallest dune at more than 300 metres.
Now in its third decade, having launched in 2001, last year’s edition drew more than 700,000 visitors over 23 days and took home the Best Festival of the Year award at the Middle East Events Awards 2026.
This year’s Liwa Village returns with more than half of its rides and attractions either new or reimagined. New additions include the Circus Swinger, Tagada, Space Tower, and a debut Bungee Jump, alongside returning favourites such as the Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, and Slingshot. Action sports company Nitro Circus makes its festival debut on December 19–20, 2026, with 15 or more athletes performing freestyle motocross, bicycle motocross, choreographed routines and pyrotechnics across three shows.
The motorsport calendar spans the full festival run. Events include a Motorbike Drag Race on December 13, a Falcon Race from December 14–16, the Liwa Burnout Challenge on 24 December, and Liwa Drift on December 25–26.
The programme closes with the Tal Moreeb Car Championship finale from December 30 to January 2, 2027. Visitor participation events cover cycling, a community run, padel and a fitness tour.
Heritage programming is presented by Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority through a reconstructed Heritage Village modelled on a traditional Emirati neighbourhood, Al Fareej.
Visitors can attend live falconry demonstrations, workshops on Nabati poetry, sessions on Emirati Gahwa etiquette, and hands-on activities in traditional crafts including palm-leaf weaving. Regional activations will extend to Dhafeer Fort, Al Meel Fort, Al Yabana Fort, Khanour Fort and Mezairaa Fort across Al Dhafra.
A dedicated festival app launches alongside the event, giving visitors access to the event calendar, camping and RV booking, and commercial participation options.
