With MOTN getting announced just this week, we already have some updates on the highly anticipated Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi as well!
The festival has always been synonymous with record-breaking fireworks as well as a larger than life exploration of the UAE’s heritage.
This year too, the Sheikh Zayed Festival is coming back with a huge variety of new cultural and entertainment events for the whole family to enjoy, in fun, exciting settings that feature international music concerts, rare opportunities to learn about wildlife, a selection of amazing culinary experiences from all over the world, fun competitions and much, much more.
When is the Sheikh Zayed Festival happening?
While exact dates aren’t out yet, the festival’s social pages do confirm that we can expect things to kick off around November 2025, and things will continue until March 2026 at least!
So that’s one thing we know we’re definitely going to be hitting up when the weather gets better. Per previous editions, you can expect the festival to run daily from 4 pm until midnight on weekdays, and until 1 am on holidays.
In order to make the Sheikh Zayed Festival more accessible to all, the tickets start for as little as AED 10, which you can even purchase online to avoid the queues.
The festival has come to be one of the most important cultural and entertainment events in the country, representing all the values that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan stood for. Through numerous activities and immersive experiences, the goal is to preserve the cultural and civilizational heritage of the Emirates.
What’s on the agenda this year?
The entire Sheikh Zayed Festival is full of events guaranteed to ensure that your entire family has loads of fun every single visit. There’s so much to do, you’re simply going to have to keep going back for more!
In previous years, the cornerstone of SZF has remained the Heritage Village. It’s a unique opportunity to learn about the culture and heritage of the UAE, based on a history rich in tradition and instilled noble values.
There are also numerous pavilions sporting goods from different countries, quite like the Global Village in a manner. Each country’s pavilion showcases the best of its apparel, food, beverages and other items unique to its land. Of course, you can always count on live entertainment to keep the spirits and vibes going!
The festival this year has promised several surprises, but a few things you can count on definitely include
- The largest fireworks shows with world record numbers
- Al Wathba Nights concerts featuring top Arabic music stars
- Rare animals from around the world in special shows
- Stunning custom car shows
Of course, you cannot miss out on the Al Wathba Floating Market. The first of its kind outside Thailand, this market is truly unique in Abu Dhabi and offers a stunning natural environment with breathtaking views and outdoor seating overlooking the water. Sample a variety of dishes served from boats and watercraft for the ultimate unique meal.
Last year’s Layali Al Wathba featured some of the top artists from the region delivering concerts that provided a mix of traditional, national, folk, and modern performances to suit all musical tastes. From Kadim Al Sahir to Abadi Al Johar – Nabeel Shuail – Khalid Al Mulla, Najwa Karam and Alshami, Angham and more – we can’t wait to see what the line-up brings this year.
Of course, the Sheikh Zayed Festival really does cater to all ages, so there’s plenty to do for the little ones as well! From the interactive Play Fountain to the thrilling Fun Fair City, there’s a variety of exciting games and activities for all ages to keep them involved and having fun.
Watch this space for more updates on the concert line-up, F&B stalls you can expect and of course, the record-breaking fireworks that will leave you in awe!
Details:
When: November 2025 to March 2026
Price: From AED 10, visit SZF