A Full Guide to the Sheikh Zayed Festival 2025

The Sheikh Zayed Festival is returning to Abu Dhabi for its highly anticipated 2025–26 edition, bringing months of cultural celebration, entertainment, and heritage showcases to Al Wathba.

Known as one of the UAE’s largest and most beloved annual festivals, it continues to honor the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan while promoting the nation’s values of unity, hospitality, and diversity.

Under the theme “Hayyakum” (Welcome), this year’s festival promises an even more vibrant lineup of events, performances, and attractions from around the world—making it a must-visit destination for residents and tourists alike.

Dates & Venue

The 2025–26 edition of the Sheikh Zayed Festival will open on 1 November 2025 and run until 22 March 2026, at the festival grounds in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. 
The event is held under the theme “Hayyakum” (Welcome), emphasising hospitality, culture and international exchange.

Opening Hours

Visitors will be able to attend daily from 4 pm to midnight, with extended hours to 1 am on weekends and public holidays. 

What to Expect: Main Highlights

This edition is set to feature over 4,000 cultural events and 750 large-scale public shows, involving more than 20,000 participants from across 22 countries. 
Highlights include:

• A dedicated “Heritage Village” offering traditional Emirati life, live folk performances and artisan markets. 

• The 54th UAE Union Day celebrations incorporated into the festival, with fireworks, drone-laser shows, musical concerts and traditional performances. 

• Sporting heritage competitions such as falconry, dhow races and the Zayed Grand Camel Race, plus an agricultural pavilion showcasing innovation and sustainability. 

Cultural & International Pavilions

Twenty-two countries will participate with national pavilions presenting their heritage, crafts, performances and cuisine. This global participation adds an international flavour alongside the Emirati heritage-centric programmes. 

Food, Dining & Leisure Zones

A new dining boulevard, “Al Wathba Boulevard”, features local and international restaurants and cafés, with menus covering Middle Eastern, Asian, European and plant-based options. 
There will also be an Emirati Traditional Food Corner offering authentic local dishes and live cooking demonstrations.

Entertainment & Family Attractions

The festival has expanded its leisure offerings to include:

• A Rare Animals Reserve promoting wildlife conservation. 

• A Family Entertainment City with activities for all ages. 

• A dedicated “Al Wathba Nights” concert series featuring Arab and international artists on the main stage, complemented by fireworks shows every Saturday at 10 pm. 

Why Attend & What Makes it Special

The Sheikh Zayed Festival is not just an event; it is a cultural platform celebrating the UAE’s heritage, values of tolerance and global interconnectedness. 
For visitors and families, it offers an immersive evening out with culture, entertainment, cuisine and fun. For tourism and hospitality in Abu Dhabi, it reinforces the emirate’s role as a lively destination for regional and international visitors.

Tips for Planning Your Visit

• Arrive after 4 pm to enjoy full festival activities and cover prime shows and events.

• Weekends and public holidays extend until 1 am, so you can plan later-night visits then.

• Bring comfortable walking shoes — the festival area is large and involves multiple pavilions and zones.

• Check official festival channels for schedule updates, special event timings and any transport or ticketing information.

• Families: take advantage of dedicated zones for kids and families, and aim to catch the special concerts and drone/fireworks shows on Saturdays.

The Sheikh Zayed Festival 2025 promises a rich blend of heritage, global culture, entertainment and family-friendly experiences — making it a must-visit event this season in the UAE.