With schools switching to homeschooling and summer just around the corner, keeping the kids engaged (without resorting to another screen) can feel like a full-time job. Luckily, DAZ Festival 2026 at Al Jahili Park in Al Ain is running until 12 April and is the perfect excuse to get everyone out of the house. From a zip‑line that lets you fly over the grounds to a petting zoo, hands‑on workshops, live shows, tasty food, and cool pop‑up shops, there’s something for every age. Best part? Kids under 13 get in for free on weekdays. Yes, really. Come with me to find out even more exciting reasons why, DAZ Festival needs to become your next big family day out!
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1. Go Full Thrill Mode
If your kids have been sitting at a desk all morning, they’re going to want to burn off some serious energy, right? DAZ has them covered! Zip the DAZ World is back and lets you glide across the whole festival from up high in one fast, exhilarating ride. Add in the Adventure Towers and the Zip-Cycle, and you’ve got a solid afternoon of heart-racing fun for the whole crew.
2. Learn Without It Feeling Like School
This is where DAZ really shines for younger kids. The Petting Zoo with Al Ain Zoo lets little ones get up close with friendly animals, while Pony World offers gentle rides for the really small ones. Feeling adventurous? The Fossil Discovery Workshops let kids dig and uncover prehistoric finds, and the Pottery & Clay Workshops are perfect for getting hands dirty and brains buzzing. All without boring worksheets in sight.
3. Catch A Show (Or Three)
The Community Stage is running a packed daily line-up, and this year’s character appearances are genuinely exciting. Think Care Bears, Maya the Bee, and Shaun the Sheep taking centre stage. Plus, roaming characters popping up around the grounds throughout the day. Whether your little one is obsessed with one of these characters or just loves a good live show, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained between attractions.
4. Refuel At The Food Yard
All that running around works up an appetite, and the Food Yard’s 16 outlets mean there’s something everyone. Even the pickiest of eaters. To name a few options you could grab burgers from Salt. Try the Korean noodles and fried chicken from Meokja. Pick up some Belgian fries from T’parletje. Or treat yourself (and the kids) to something sweet from Brooki. It’s relaxed, lively, and honestly one of the nicest parts of the day.
5. Shop, Browse & Soak It All In
When you need a slower moment, there’s a fun mix of pop-up shopping to wander through. Pick up beauty finds at Celaeno Beauty, get a fresh cut for the kids at Cozy Cuts, or browse casual fashion at Gloss Á Lévres. Between the open-air setting of Al Jahili Park and everything going on around you, it really does make for a full, relaxed day out rather than just a quick visit.
Tickets & Timings
Here’s everything you need to know before heading out:
Weekdays (Monday to Thursday)
- Adults (13+): AED 25
- Children (0–12): Free
- Children (0–4), Senior Citizens (60+), and People of Determination (with one caregiver): Free all week
Weekends (Friday to Sunday)
- Adults (13+): AED 35
- Children (5–12): AED 15
- Children (0–4), Senior Citizens (60+), and People of Determination (with one caregiver): Free all week
All tickets cover access to the festival grounds, the Community Stage, kids’ shows, the petting zoo, the arcade zone, the football area, and selected attractions. Free ticket holders should head to the Box Office on arrival to collect a physical ticket for entry.
And there you have it. With all those fantastic reasons and perks like FREE entry, why would you want to miss it? DAZ Festival 2026 is running until 12 April at Al Jahili Park, Al Ain. Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster.ae from AED 25. For more details, visit www.dazfestival.ae!
