Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Sheikh Zayed Festival has opened for its 2026/27 season at Al Wathba South, Abu Dhabi, running for 136 days from 30 October 2026 to 14 March 2027. The festival is held under the patronage of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and supervised by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
New this season
- Music and theatre performances
- Art and photography exhibitions
- Aerial light choreography
- A main stage hosting leading Arab and Gulf artists on weekends, with high-definition visual staging
Returning favourites
- Fireworks every Saturday, plus special displays on National Day (Eid Al Etihad) and New Year’s Eve
- Emirates Fountain and Laser Show
- Heritage Village showcasing Emirati customs, crafts and folklore
- Themed sub-festivals for plants, livestock, food, flowers and honey
- Special programmes for Eid Al Etihad and Ramadan evenings
The festival has set Guinness World Records for its fireworks and drone shows in previous seasons.
International pavilions
More than 15 country and regional pavilions bring global food, crafts and culture, including India, China, Japan, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Pakistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Iran, the Americas, the Levant, Iraq, Yemen, Syria and the GCC.
Visiting
The festival is open daily, and tickets can be booked at zayedfestival.ae.
Source: Khaleej Times.
