Liwa International Festival 2027 will run from 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in collaboration with a broad group of government and civic bodies. The flagship winter celebration of the Al Dhafra Region is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region.
The organising partnership is institutional in scale. Liwa Sports Club, Al Dhafra Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Media Network, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and Al Dhafra Hospitals, Seha, each carry a distinct role in delivering the festival, from policing and municipal oversight to heritage programming and sports administration. The event has been a fixture of the United Arab Emirates’ winter calendar since its founding in 2001.
DCT Abu Dhabi, the lead organising authority, describes its mandate as driving the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and creative industries, coordinating effort and investment among partner organisations, and applying policies and systems that support those industries. The department says its vision is shaped by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape, and that it works to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s standing as a destination defined by authenticity, innovation and hospitality.
Accountability for the festival’s growing footprint is measurable in its recent record. Last year’s edition welcomed more than 700,000 visitors across 23 days and was named Best Festival of the Year at the Middle East Events Awards 2026. The 2027 edition is set against Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s tallest dune at more than 300 metres, and combines a reimagined Liwa Village, an international entertainment debut, motorsport championships and an expanded heritage programme.
At the centre of the festival, Liwa Village will see more than half of its rides and attractions presented as new or reimagined. New experiences include the Circus Swinger, Tagada and Space Tower, alongside challenges such as Play Strike, Ninja Challenge, Pixel Run, Desert Heist, Drift Trike, Target Shooting and Climb Quest, plus a new Bungee Jumping attraction. Returning favourites 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.
Meanwhile, international entertainment arrives through Nitro Circus, the global action sports brand making its festival debut on 19 and 20 December with three shows featuring more than 15 athletes in freestyle motocross, BMX, choreographed performances and pyrotechnics. Tickets are available on Platinumlist.
Liwa Sports Club has assembled the motorsport and desert sports programme, building towards the Tal Moreeb Car Championship finale from 30 December to 2 January. Highlights include the Freestyle Display (11-12 and 21-22 December), Motorbike Drag Race (13 December), Falcon Race (14-16 December), Sand Freestyle Display (18-19 and 27-28 December), Liwa UTV Track (20 December), Traditional Pigeon Race (22-23 December), Liwa Burnout Challenge (24 December) and Liwa Drift (25-26 December). Public sporting events include the Liwa Sign Climb Challenge (19 December), a cycling race (21 December), the Liwa Festival Community Run (23 December), a padel tournament (24-25 December) and a fitness tour (29 December).
The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority presents the first-ever Heritage Village, inspired by a traditional Emirati neighbourhood known as Al Fareej. Its programme includes the House of Poetry and Poets, introducing Nabati poetry; a Falconry Tent with live displays and workshops on making model falcon hoods; traditional games such as Teelah and Karabi, tug of war, camel riding and palm-leaf weaving; instruction in Emirati Majlis etiquette; and a live workshop on preparing and serving Emirati Gahwa.
By contrast with the central site, festival activations extend across Al Dhafra Region at Dhafeer Fort, Al Meel Fort, Al Yabana Fort, Khanour Fort and Mezairaa Fort. A first official festival app will allow visitors to browse the event calendar, book camping spots and RV parking, and explore commercial participation. Details are at liwainternationalfestival.ae, with Liwa Village tickets at liwavillage.ae and Nitro Circus tickets at platinumlist.ae; updates are available at @liwafest.