If you’re planning a winter adventure with motorsports, desert culture, and family entertainment, the Liwa festival is one of the most exciting events to look forward to this season. Running from 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, the festival brings together racing enthusiasts, culture lovers, families, and travellers for an immersive 23-day celebration in the Abu Dhabi desert. General entry to the Liwa International Festival is free, while Liwa Village and some special events are ticketed.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your trip to the Festival, from entry and location to events, accommodation, and practical tips.
- Liwa International Festival 2027: What to expect
- Entry to the Liwa Festival and how registration works
- Festival location and where to stay in Liwa
- Top events and activities at the Liwa Festival 2026-2027
- Tips for visiting the Liwa International Festival 2026-2027
- Liwa Festival 2027 Summary Table
- Key takeaways
- FAQs
Liwa International Festival 2026-2027: What to expect
The festival takes place in Liwa, Al Dhafra Region, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It is organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Liwa Sports Club, Al Dhafra Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police, Miral, and Abu Dhabi Media Network.
Across its 23-day programme, the festival combines high-adrenaline motorsports with cultural displays, live entertainment, markets, fireworks, and immersive desert activities. Most events take place around Tal Moreeb, the tallest dune in the UAE, where the iconic racing climbs occur.
The Liwa International Festival programme is built around four themes: motorsport, traditional sports, family-friendly activities, and attractions. In the evenings, the festival adds live concerts, fireworks, and drone shows to the mix.
Entry to the Liwa Festival and how registration works
Understanding how entry and registration work for the festival makes planning your visit much easier, especially if you’re joining popular activities or competitions.
Tickets and registration
General admission to the Liwa International Festival grounds is free. Sports competitions, VIP areas, and special events may carry separate charges, with detailed pricing published on the Liwa Sports Club (LSC) mobile app. Liwa Village is a ticketed zone, and ticket updates are shared on the official Liwa Village Instagram account, @liwavillage.
It’s best to register early if you’re planning to participate in competitions, as slots fill up quickly each year. Competitions are open to both professionals and amateurs, and participants must register in advance through the LSC app, where the terms for each event are also listed.
How to get to the Liwa Festival in 2026
Getting to the festival is straightforward. Liwa is about a three-hour drive from Abu Dhabi city. Most visitors prefer driving, as it gives more flexibility in the desert, especially when moving between Tal Moreeb and Liwa Village.
By car: Follow the E10/Sweihan–Al Ain Road towards Liwa. Clear festival signage begins as you approach the Al Dhafra region.
By taxi: Long-distance taxis from Abu Dhabi operate regularly, and many travellers book return rides in advance for convenience.
Do you need a 4×4? The main landmarks are reachable on paved roads, but a 4×4 is recommended if you plan to go dune bashing or head into remote areas. Check your car before the drive and consider travelling in a convoy.
Festival location and where to stay in Liwa
Knowing where the festival takes place and the accommodation options nearby helps you plan a comfortable and well-organised desert getaway.
Festival hub: Tal Moreeb Dune
Tal Moreeb is the heart of the Liwa festival, with motorsport events held at its base. Rising over 300 metres, this dune is famous for its steep gradient of around 50 degrees, making it a perfect challenge for professional racers and off-road specialists.
Location
It is located in Mzeerʻah, Mahader Liwa, Abu Dhabi.
Liwa village and themed zones
Liwa Village is the central community hub within the Liwa festival, offering:
- Crafts markets
- Heritage workshops, including perfume-making, henna, weaving, and coffee
- Amusement rides and Liwa’s first Ferris wheel
- Family zones
- Food courts
- Retail stalls by local artisans
- Karting
- A petting zoo, play park, and escape rooms
- A teen hub with RC car challenges and skill games
- Live traditional performances and concerts
The area is divided into six themed zones (Wanasa, Meydan, Adrenaline, Shams Liwa, Tarab Liwa, and Souk), each offering a different cultural or adventure-driven experience. This makes it ideal for visitors who want more than just motorsports. Unlike the main festival grounds, Liwa Village is ticketed. For a closer look at each zone, read our complete guide to Liwa Village.
Accommodation near the festival
Visitors can choose between camping, glamping, or staying in nearby desert resorts:
Camping
The festival has dedicated family and individual camping areas, with prayer rooms, a clinic, and dining in Liwa Village close by. If you prefer glamping, Bab Al Nojoum Camp is another option in the Al Dhafra region.
Luxury stays
- Aldhafra Resort – Vignette Collection by IHG
- Bab Al Nojoum Bateen Liwa
- Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
- Desert Islands Resort by Anantara
- Liwa Hotel
- Western Hotel Liwa
- Western Hotel Ghayathi
- Danat Jebel Dhanna
If you’re comparing prices or planning based on your preferred community in Abu Dhabi, Property Finder’s Data Guru tool can help you view detailed rental and sales insights across nearby areas like Al Dhafra and Al Mirfa.
Top events and activities at the Liwa Festival 2026
The festival offers a packed lineup of activities, bringing together motorsports, culture, and family fun across its vibrant desert setting.
Motorsports
The festival is best known for its thrilling motorsport schedule:
- 4×4 and quad bike climb up Tal Moreeb
- Drag racing
- Drift arenas
- Off-road and endurance racing competitions
- Burnout and freestyle drift shows
- Buggy and bike drag racing
- Dune bashing
- Monster Jam, with giant trucks, freestyle stunts, and pit parties
Professional drivers from the region and around the world participate in the dune races, making it a major motorsport attraction. Amateurs can take part too, as long as they register in advance through the LSC app.
Cultural and family-friendly attractions
Beyond adrenaline sports, the festival showcases Emirati traditions and provides a wealth of family entertainment. Visitors can enjoy:
- Falconry displays
- Falcon racing and pigeon hunting competitions
- Sand wrestling and boxing
- Craft workshops
- Traditional Emirati performances
- Amusement rides and themed zones
- Escape rooms
- A petting zoo
- Cultural cafés, pop-up shops, and deer encounters at Mezair’ah Fort, Al Meel Fort, and Qutuf Fort
- Live concerts and drone shows
- Nightly fireworks
Food and dining at the festival
The festival features a diverse range of food outlets, from traditional Emirati street food to international pop-ups. Cafes, tea houses, and gourmet stands operate throughout Liwa Village, making it easy to explore the festival without worrying about meals.
Dining options include:
- Local favourites from popular Abu Dhabi food outlets
- Coffee, from freshly brewed classics to specialty blends
- Desserts such as kunafa, churros, and hot chocolate
- Fine dining with dishes by well-known chefs
Food hygiene across the festival is supervised by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA).
Tips for visiting the Liwa International Festival 2026-2027
Planning can make your Liwa festival trip smoother:
- Pack warm layers for desert evenings, as temperatures drop at night.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes, and a reusable water bottle for daytime visits.
- Book your accommodation early, as December is the peak travel season.
- Carry plenty of water and snacks if you’re camping, as refill stations and dining options outside the festival are limited.
- Download maps before you set off, since mobile signal can be weak in remote parts of Liwa.
- Follow @liwafest on Instagram for event updates and programme releases.
- Follow @liwavillage for Liwa Village ticket and programme updates.
- Note where the medical clinics are when you arrive. The festival has at least two, with security teams and civil defence on hand 24/7.
- Respect cultural norms, especially in family-only areas.
Liwa Festival 2026–2027 Summary Table
This table provides a quick overview of the key details for the Liwa Festival 2026–2027. From dates and location to attractions, entry options, accommodation, and travel tips, it’s a handy reference to help you plan your visit efficiently.
| Aspect | Details |
| Dates | 11 December 2026 – 2 January 2027 |
| Location | Tal Moreeb, Liwa, Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi |
| Main Attractions | Motorsports, heritage shows, Liwa Village, family activities, Monster Jam, concerts, fireworks, and drone shows |
| Entry | Free general admission; Liwa Village and some special events are ticketed; competitors register via the LSC app |
| Accommodation | Camping, glamping, luxury desert resorts |
| Travel | Car or taxi (about three hours from Abu Dhabi) |
Key takeaways
The Liwa festival offers an exciting blend of culture, motorsport, and family entertainment, taking place from 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027. Its central hub is situated around Tal Moreeb in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region, offering a range of activities, from dune racing to cultural shows and fireworks.
General entry to the Liwa International Festival is free, competitors register through the Liwa Sports Club app, and Liwa Village tickets are sold separately. With a mix of camping, glamping, and luxury resorts, the festival caters to every type of traveller. Whether you’re coming for motorsports, heritage, or a family-friendly winter escape, the festival delivers a memorable desert experience.
FAQs
It is held from 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027.
It is taking place at Tal Moreeb Dune in Liwa, Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi.
You can register through the official Liwa International Festival website, with on-site registration available for select events.
Official campsites, glamping tents, and several luxury resorts are within driving distance of the festival.
Yes, Liwa Village includes workshops, kids’ rides, cultural entertainment, and nightly fireworks.
No, general admission to the festival grounds is free. Sports competitions, VIP areas, and special events may charge separately.
No, Liwa Village is a ticketed zone within the festival. Follow @liwavillage on Instagram for ticket updates.
