Al Ain Unveils First Heritage Festival Celebrating Emirati Traditions

Under the patronage of Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region, the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority will launch the Al Ain Heritage Festival for the first time, running from January 31 to February 9, 2026, at the ADNEC Centre Al Ain under the theme “Tales from Our Heritage.”

Sheikh Hazza said the festival reflects the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to ensure that Emirati heritage remains a national priority. He emphasised that preserving heritage strengthens cultural identity, connects younger generations with their roots, and supports farmers, artisans, and traditional craft practitioners in sustaining and passing on their knowledge.

Al Ain at the Heart of Emirati Heritage

The festival highlights Al Ain’s historic role as the cradle of Emirati heritage, reinforcing its position as a cultural and tourism destination that attracts visitors from across the UAE and abroad. Through high-quality cultural programming, the event reflects the region’s deep historical and civilisational roots.

It also provides economic opportunities for artisans, productive families, and small business owners, offering dedicated platforms to showcase traditional products and transform heritage crafts into sustainable economic resources.

Dates, Crafts and Living Traditions

A central feature of the festival is the Date Festival, which celebrates the cultural and historical significance of the date palm in Emirati and global heritage. Visitors can explore interactive experiences combining education, tasting, and cultural exchange, including a Date Market featuring 50 outlets.

The festival also hosts eight specialised date competitions covering prominent varieties such as Elite Al Ain, Khalas, Shishi, Zamli, Boumaan, Dabbas, Fard, and Wahat, highlighting agricultural excellence and traditional expertise.

A Platform for Arab Cultural Exchange

The Al Ain Heritage Festival showcases the shared heritage of the Arab world, with pavilions representing GCC states and several Arab countries. These exhibits present traditional arts, cuisine, and handicrafts, reflecting the diversity and interconnectedness of Arab cultural identities.

Reviving the Old Emirati Freej

One of the festival’s standout attractions is a fully immersive heritage village, recreating the atmosphere of the traditional Emirati Freej (neighbourhood). Designed in an authentic architectural style, the village features traditional homes, markets, and public spaces, allowing visitors to experience daily life as it once was in Al Ain.

The “Visual Journey Through History” takes visitors on a chronological experience from early desert life and traditional markets to periods of social celebration and modern transformation using interactive light and sound installations to engage the senses.

Heritage in Motion

The festival programme includes a wide range of activities, such as the Honey Village, which highlights regional beekeeping traditions and showcases local and Gulf honey varieties through tasting sessions and educational workshops.

Traditional crafts and arts are also prominently featured, including Sadu weaving, palm frond weaving, Talli embroidery, Dallah making, and traditional jewellery, offering visitors direct interaction with artisans and hands-on learning experiences.

The Outdoor Performance Arena serves as a central gathering space, hosting authentic Emirati performances such as falconry displays and Arabian Saluki shows, both deeply rooted in desert life and hunting traditions.

Food, Performance and Family Experiences

Traditional cooking demonstrations and daily competitions bring Emirati and Gulf cuisine to life, combining live preparation with storytelling that traces the cultural origins of each dish.

Meanwhile, the festival’s main stage offers a daily programme of folk performances, poetry evenings, theatre productions, and heritage cinema screenings, creating an open platform for artistic expression inspired by Emirati and Arab culture.

Specially designed family and children’s programmes including the Heritage Visitor Passport, virtual reality experiences, and interactive workshops ensure younger generations engage with heritage in a contemporary and meaningful way.