Every winter, the Al Dhafra desert transforms into one of the UAE’s most exciting seasonal destinations, and this year is shaping up to be bigger than ever. The Liwa International Festival 2025–2026 officially returns from 12 December 2025 to 3 January 2026, delivering 23 days of motorsports, heritage showcases, live entertainment, and family-friendly adventures. Set at the foot of Tal Moreeb, the towering dune that rises around 300 metres and is widely known as the UAE’s tallest, the festival offers a rare combination of adrenaline and culture in a landscape that feels almost cinematic.
Since its launch in 2001, the Liwa International Festival has grown into an essential part of Abu Dhabi’s winter calendar, drawing visitors from across the Emirates and beyond. What makes Liwa unique is the way it balances high-octane sporting events with authentic cultural celebration. The 2025–26 edition continues that tradition, beginning with a dramatic opening featuring the Forsan Al Emarat aerobatics show, followed by fireworks, light displays and coordinated drone performances that illuminate the desert sky. The result is a festival that feels proudly Emirati, yet accessible and exciting to everyone.
Motorsports are the festival’s signature attraction, and the 2025–26 programme brings a packed calendar of competitions across dunes and off-road tracks. Fans can expect major events including Freestyle Drift sessions on 12–13 December and 22–23 December, the Bike Drag Racing event on 14 December, Car Stunt Championship rounds on 19–20 and 28–29 December, and the crowd-favourite Liwa Burnout Championship on 25 December. The action continues with Liwa Drift on 26–27 December and the highly anticipated Monster Jam show on 26 December, before culminating in the headline event: the Tal Moreeb Car Championship running from 31 December 2025 to 3 January 2026. These competitions turn the dunes into a natural theatre of power and precision, reinforcing why Liwa remains one of the region’s most iconic off-road motorsport festivals.
Liwa International Festival is designed to be more than a motorsport gathering; it’s a full-day destination for families, couples, and groups of friends. Throughout the festival, visitors can enjoy daily attractions such as dune projection shows, roaming performances, water karting, and weekend hot-air balloon rides that offer panoramic views of the golden Al Dhafra desert. Fireworks are scheduled for the opening night, weekends, New Year’s Eve, and the closing ceremony, so the atmosphere stays festive right to the final day. At the centre of everything sits Liwa Village, a vibrant hub offering carnival games, rides, pony experiences, ziplines, themed zones for kids, and interactive venues such as classic car displays and entertainment rooms, making the festival just as memorable for families as it is for motorsport fans.
Amid the speed and spectacle, Liwa remains deeply rooted in heritage. The festival celebrates Emirati identity through events and experiences tied to desert traditions, including falconry showcases, local handicrafts, heritage souks, and regional competitions that highlight the cultural character of Al Dhafra. This strong link to tradition is what separates Liwa from typical entertainment festivals, giving visitors the chance to experience both the modern thrill of off-road sport and the historical spirit of the UAE’s desert communities in one trip.
Organisers confirm that general entry is free, while certain premium activities or VIP viewing areas may carry separate charges, so it’s worth checking official announcements and event updates before you go. Because the festival is located in the Liwa oasis area of Al Dhafra, personal transportation is the most convenient way to explore the zones comfortably and move between attractions on your own schedule. The desert location is part of Liwa’s magic, but it also means planning ahead especially for day trips around major motorsport dates or New Year celebrations can make your visit smoother and more enjoyable.
With its sweeping dunes, world-class off-road competitions, and vibrant cultural heartbeat, the Liwa International Festival 2025–2026 stands out as one of the UAE’s most distinctive winter events. Whether you come for the roar of engines climbing Tal Moreeb, the family fun of Liwa Village, or the heritage experiences that honour Emirati traditions, Liwa delivers a one-of-a-kind desert escape that captures the spirit of Abu Dhabi’s winter season. For anyone planning a road trip in the cooler months, this festival is a perfect reason to head into the heart of Al Dhafra and experience the UAE at its most adventurous.
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