Abu Dhabi, UAE – 24 February 2026: Liwa International Festival 2026 concluded after 23 days of festivities in the Al Dhafra Region, welcoming more than 700,000 visitors across the festival period, reflecting continued growth in the event’s scale and appeal.
Held from 12 December 2025 to 3 January 2026, the festival once again transformed the area surrounding Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s tallest dune, into a vibrant winter destination, drawing families, motorsports fans and culture lovers from across the UAE and beyond.
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in collaboration with Liwa Sports Club, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Media Office, Al Dhafra Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Media Network, and Miral, Liwa International Festival continued to grow as a major winter event, combining heritage, adventure and entertainment within the unique landscape of the Al Dhafra Region.
At the heart of the festival, Liwa Village was a central hub for families and friends. In 2026, Liwa Village welcomed 274,440 visitors, marking a 26% and underscoring its growing appeal as a key gathering and entertainment space during the festival. Expanded for the 2026 edition, the village featured five themed zones offering cultural activities, live performances, dining experiences, retail and family entertainment. Enhancements this year included increased seating capacity, new attractions for adults and children, and a continued focus on sustainability, with solar power supplying a significant portion of daily energy needs.
Motorsports is a defining feature of the festival, and race participation increased by 47% this year. Events included the Tal Moreeb Car Championship, freestyle and drift competitions, drag racing, off-road challenges and UTV races, alongside large-scale showcases such as Monster Jam and Extreme MudFest, drawing strong competition and visitor engagement throughout the programme.
Heritage remained a core pillar of the festival, with traditional competitions, cultural showcases and activations around Tal Moreeb and surrounding historic sites, reinforcing Al Dhafra Region’s living heritage and desert traditions.
Looking ahead, the next edition of Liwa International Festival is scheduled to take place from 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, continuing to build on the festival’s growing momentum and community appeal.
For updates and future announcements, visit www.liwainternationalfestival.ae
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About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions.
By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.
DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.
For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae/
Media Contact: Mina Kiwan on [email protected] or +971552426806