The Al Dhafra Festival Abu Dhabi will take place from October 27, 2025, to January 22, 2026, under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival forms part of the Camel Mazayna Season and celebrates the UAE’s deep-rooted culture and traditions.
This year’s Al Dhafra Festival Abu Dhabi will include camel mazayna competitions, 17 heritage contests, and cultural activities. More than 4,800 prizes worth AED94.4 million will be distributed. The camel mazayna events will be held across four locations — Suweihan, Razeen, Madinat Zayed, and Al Dhafra — featuring 355 rounds and 3,370 prizes valued at AED88.7 million.
The heritage competitions will offer 1,520 prizes worth AED5.6 million, covering events such as camel milking, falconry, Saluki and horse beauty contests, horse racing, date packaging, and cooking. The festival will also feature traditional markets, poetry, and tea-making contests that reflect the UAE’s vibrant cultural spirit.
The event supports the UAE Year of the Community, promoting unity, family ties, and intergenerational connection. It also strengthens camel breeding, falconry, and Arabian horse traditions while boosting tourism and trade.
Through its activities, the festival reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a global hub for heritage celebrations and demonstrates the emirate’s commitment to preserving its authentic Arab identity and timeless traditions.
