There’s one Abu Dhabi tradition that lights up the sky, serves up the world on a plate and keeps going for more than four months. If you’ve been to Al Wathba on a cool winter evening, you already know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, this is your sign. The Sheikh Zayed Festival is launching its 2026/2027 season on October 30 at Al Wathba South, and It’ll run for a full 136 days! I have all the brilliant details you need to know, so keep reading to find out more.
Your Insider Scoop On What’s New This Season
If you’ve visited before, expect a few fresh touches. This year’s edition brings new music and theatre performances, along with art and photography exhibitions for anyone who likes to wander and take it all in. There’s also freshly designed aerial light choreography, so the night sky show will look different from what you remember.
On weekends, leading Arab and Gulf artists will take to the main stage, backed by high-definition visual staging that should make the performances even more fun to watch.
Our favourites Are back
Don’t worry, the crowd-pleasers are returning too. The Heritage Village is back to showcase Emirati customs, crafts and folkloric performances, a good way to get a real feel for local culture. The Emirates Fountain and Laser Show also returns, mixing water, light and music.
Then there’s the fireworks. You can catch weekly displays every Saturday, as well as special shows on National Day and New Year’s Eve. The festival has even set Guinness World Records for its fireworks and drone shows in previous seasons, so the bar is already pretty high.
Something For Every Season Of The Festival
With The Sheikh Zayed Festival running for so long, there’s always something new to dip into. Sub-festivals covering plant, livestock, food, flower and honey themes will run throughout the season. National celebrations are part of the calendar too, including Eid Al Etihad and the Ramadan evening programmes.
A Trip Around The World In One Spot
The international pavilions are a big part of the fun. More than 15 countries and regions will have dedicated pavilions on site, including India, China, Japan, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Pakistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Iran, the Americas, the Levant and Iraq, Yemen, Syria and the GCC. It’s a great chance to browse, snack and soak up different cultures without leaving Abu Dhabi.
The festival will be open daily from October 30 to March 14, 2027, and tickets can be booked at zayedfestival.ae.
