One of the biggest events in Al Dhafra region is underway as the 2024 Liwa Date Festival is taking place in the Liwa Oasis.
Running until July 28, the festival sees hundreds of thousands of visitors descend upon the desert region to celebrate the humble date, a fruit that is an integral symbol of Emirati heritage.
It's also an annual gathering point for thousands of farmers who participate in pursuit of their share of a multi-million dirham prize pool.
On Saturday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra, toured the 20th annual festival, visiting various pavillions and being briefed on some of the heritage activities that are part of the event.
If you want to follow suit, the festival is a great place to learn about Emirati customs and traditions. Even better, it's free-to-enter and packed with date-related events, competitions, culinary displays, handicrafts and family-friendly activities.
If you're planning to go, here's what you need to know:
Where does the festival take place?
The 2024 Liwa Date Festival takes place in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region, at Liwa oasis on the northern tip of the Empty Quarter, and near the border between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. It's a place where palm trees have grown and dates have been cultivated for 5,000 years.
Driving there from Abu Dhabi takes about two hours on the E11 highway. The festival is open all day, every day until July 28, and takes place in a huge air-conditioned tent.
What to see and do?
The most important events at the festival are the date competitions with the main one being the award for the Best Date Fruit. There's also accolades for the Heaviest Date Branch and the Best Date Basket Displays, plus an auction where the fruits have been known to sell for upwards of Dh6,000.
For visitors, the festival offer a chance to learn more about local farmers and how they harvest, process and cultivate dates. There are also several stalls selling all things date-related including date-filled pastries, date infused beverages and date syrup.
But its not only about dates. Visitors can also wander the event's rambling souk, where stalls are filled with traditional Emirati crafts such as pottery, weaving, and metalwork. Foodies can enjoy a host of local culinary offerings – with everything from Al Harees, a type of savory porridge to Luqaimat, crispy dough balls coated in sticky date syrup. Live cooking demonstrations from local chefs are also part of the line-up.
The children's village is ideal for families and offers activities such as storytelling, traditional games and hands-on workshops where little ones can learn more about the significance of the date in Emirati society. There's also camel rides, traditional music, arts and crafts and falconry displays for the whole family to enjoy.
Hotels to stay near Liwa Date Festival
Visitors who want to make a night of their trip to Liwa have a choice of hotels to stay in, all not too far from the main event. The five-star Western Hotel Liwa has a dune-surrounded swimming pool, a spa and evening entertainment such as live music and cultural performances, with rates from Dh608.
Bab Al Nujoom Bateen Liwa Resort offers secluded desert villas with private plunge pools and a host of on-site activities including nature trails, archery, camel trekking and more. Summer rates start at about Dh720.
For the ultimate luxury stay, Qasr Al Sarab Resort by Anantara is the place to go for uninterrupted Empty Quarter views, tranquility and an elegant old-world charm – and low-season rates start at Dh1,455.
