Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – The Sheikh Zayed Festival 2025–2026 kicks off on Saturday in the Al Wathba area of Abu Dhabi.
It will continue until March 22, 2026, under the slogan “Long Live You”, with a renewed vision and identity that reflects its status as a global cultural and heritage festival.
The event is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and under the follow-up and supervision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE.
The Sheikh Zayed Festival is one of the most prominent cultural and heritage events in the Emirates.
It highlights the human and social values in Emirati society.
It also highlights the state’s message of tolerance and coexistence, reflecting the cultural diversity of a society comprising more than 200 nationalities.
The festival’s organizing committee announced the features of the new edition.
It includes more than four thousand cultural events and seven hundred and fifty major public events.
This was achieved with the participation of more than twenty thousand exhibitors and participants from inside and outside the country.
In addition to the participation of twenty-two countries, they present cultural and heritage exhibitions through their pavilions that reflect the uniqueness of each civilization and enhance cultural exchange between peoples.
This year’s festival includes a group of national and heritage events, most notably the Union March, which expresses national cohesion among the people of the Emirates and affirms the values of unity and belonging established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul.
The festival also witnesses the organization of Union Day celebrations, which include national, artistic and popular performances, touring performances, raffles and prizes.
In addition to fireworks displays, lasers, drones and concerts.
heritage village
The heritage village stands out as one of the main destinations of the festival.
It allows visitors to learn about traditional Emirati lifestyles through heritage pavilions and popular markets.
In addition to Emirati folk bands that present performances that express national values and authentic cultural heritage.
The festival will witness the organization of heritage and sports competitions, including sailing races, a falconry competition, the Zayed Camel Grand Prix, and a popular food competition.
In addition to the Ramadan Sports Championship in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, which confirms the festival’s position as a major destination for community and sporting events.
The Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence participates in the festival’s activities, through a special pavilion that highlights the award’s efforts to support the agricultural sector and encourage sustainable practices and innovation in the fields of agricultural and animal production.
The pavilion includes a presentation of the projects of the winners in the various award categories.
In addition to models of innovative agricultural practices and community initiatives in the field of food security.
This year, the festival will witness the development of a number of new entertainment areas that enhance the diversity of the experience provided to visitors.
Among them is the Al Wathba Boulevard area, which includes a group of local and international restaurants and cafes, and provides a comfortable environment for families and individuals.
