Abu Dhabi’s Liwa International Festival returns on 11 December with Nitro Circus and a heritage village

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Mark your calendars! The Liwa International Festival is set to return on 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027 in the Liwa desert, in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region. DCT Abu Dhabi announced the dates and programme on 18 October 2026.

The festival is held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region. DCT Abu Dhabi organises it 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, which began in 2001, is set against Tal Moreeb, which they describe as the UAE’s tallest dune at more than 300 metres.

The previous edition, which ran from 12 December 2025 to 3 January 2026, welcomed more than 700,000 visitors over 23 days, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office. DCT Abu Dhabi was listed as the winner of Best Festival of the Year for Liwa International Festival 2026 in the Middle East Event Awards 2026 winners list`.

The organisers say the upcoming edition reimagines Liwa Village, a new international show, motorsport championships, heritage activities and family events.

What is new at the Liwa International Festival 2027

Liwa Village is the festival’s main entertainment area. This year, more than half of its rides and attractions are new or reimagined.

New rides include the Circus Swinger, Tagada and Space Tower. New challenges include Play Strike, Ninja Challenge, Pixel Run, Desert Heist, Drift Trike, Target Shooting and Climb Quest. Bungee Jumping is also new.

Returning attractions include the Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, Slingshot, Booster, Classic Cars, Go Water Kart, Mini Tank Paint Ball, House of Horror, Maze Adventure and the 4x4 Track.

Nitro Circus makes its festival debut

Nitro Circus, an action sports entertainment brand, will make its festival debut on 19 and 20 December, according to the organisers. They say there will be three shows with more than 15 athletes. The shows include freestyle motocross (FMX), bicycle motocross (BMX), choreographed performances and pyrotechnics.

Visitors under 16 must be accompanied by someone aged 21 or over.

Motorsport and sport at the festival

Liwa Sports Club is organising the motorsport and desert sports programme. The dates announced are:

• Freestyle Display: 11 and 12 December, and 21 and 22 December
• Motorbike Drag Race: 13 December
• Falcon Race: 14 to 16 December
• Sand Freestyle Display: 18 and 19 December, and 27 and 28 December
• Liwa UTV Track: 20 December
• Traditional Pigeon Race: 22 and 23 December
• Liwa Burnout Challenge: 24 December
• Liwa Drift: 25 and 26 December

The Tal Moreeb Car Championship finale will run from 30 December to 2 January.

Visitors can also join the Liwa Sign Climb Challenge on 19 December and a cycling race on 21 December. The Liwa Festival Community Run is on 23 December, a padel tournament on 24 and 25 December and a fitness tour on 29 December.

Emirati heritage at the Liwa International Festival 2027

The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority is presenting a Heritage Village. It is inspired by a traditional Emirati neighbourhood known as Al Fareej. It includes demonstrations and hands-on activities for families and younger visitors.

The programme includes:

• A House of Poetry and Poets, with sessions on Nabati poetry
• A Falconry Tent, with live falcon displays, demonstrations and workshops to make model falcon hoods
• Traditional games such as Teelah and Karabi, tug of war, camel riding and a palm-climbing simulation
• Workshops in making palm-leaf products (khoos) and weaving
• An Emirati Majlis area explaining etiquette, and a live workshop on preparing and serving Emirati gahwa

The festival will also have activities at several forts and heritage sites across Al Dhafra Region. They include the Liwa Sign landmark, and retail and dining at Dhafeer Fort, Al Meel Fort and Al Yabana Fort. Khanour Fort will have a heritage experience featuring traditional Emirati crafts. Mezairaa Fort will have a cultural experience inspired by the stories and heritage of Liwa.