Sheikh Zayed Festival opens at Al Wathba on 30 October for 136 days
The 2026/2027 season runs until 14 March 2027, with heritage, international pavilions, concerts, and fireworks, drone and laser shows.
The Sheikh Zayed Festival 2026/2027 opens on Friday 30 October at Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi and runs for 136 days, until 14 March 2027, WAM reported.
The season mixes Emirati heritage with entertainment. Traditional arts and crafts sit alongside sports tied to the UAE's environment, including camel racing, falconry and maritime heritage, and international pavilions bring food and culture from other countries. The programme also covers Eid Al Etihad and New Year celebrations, Ramadan events and concerts by Arab and Gulf artists. Fireworks, drone and laser shows return; some earlier displays set Guinness World Records.
The festival is aimed at families, with play and learning areas for all ages. Ticket prices, opening hours and the concert line-up for this season have not been announced yet. Al Wathba is on the Abu Dhabi side of the Dubai to Al Ain road area, so plan a car or taxi trip of about an hour from central Dubai, and expect busy roads on opening night and public holidays.