Abu Dhabi: The Liwa International Festival, popularly known as “The Desert’s Grand Stage,” is set to return from 12 December 2025 to 3 January 2026, offering 23 days of culture, adventure, motorsports, entertainment and family fun across the golden dunes of the Al Dhafra region.
Held at the iconic Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s tallest 300-metre dune, the festival has grown into one of the country’s most anticipated annual winter attractions since its debut in 2001. Blending heritage with high-octane adventure, Liwa welcomes thousands of visitors each year for an immersive desert celebration.
This year’s edition will open with a spectacular performance by Forsan Al Emarat, the official aerobatics team of the UAE Air Force, followed by a dazzling fireworks display that will illuminate the vast Liwa desert sky.
A regional hub for desert racing, Liwa once again becomes the beating heart of motorsport during winter. The action-packed lineup includes:
- Freestyle Drift – 12–13 & 22–23 December
- Spartan Race Liwa – 13 December
- Bike Drag Racing – 14 December
- Falconry – 15–17 December
- Car Stunt Championship – 19–20 December & 28–29 December
- Mud Fest – 19–20 December
- Liwa Running Challenge – 20 December
- Liwa Cycling Race – 21 December
- Liwa UTV – 21 December
- Liwa Burnout Championship – 25 December
- Liwa Drift, Monster Jam & Tal Moreeb Running Challenge – 26 December
- Liwa Padel Championship – 26–28 December
- Liwa Cycling Challenge – 27 December
- Sand Wrestling Championship – 26–27 December
- Electronic Freestyle Championship – 30 December
- Tal Moreeb Car Championship – 31 December–3 January
The festival also features Football, Padel and Boxing tournaments every weekend. The Jetour Travel Conference will take place from 19–21 December.
Throughout the festival, visitors can enjoy nightly Dune Projection Shows, Drone Shows, and Hot Air Balloon experiences every weekend. Daily attractions include Water Karting and Mini Tank Paintball.
The festival’s grand finale promises an unforgettable New Year celebration. As the Tal Moreeb Car Championship begins its multi-day run on 31 December, visitors can enjoy a special New Year’s Eve concert, followed by a spectacular fireworks show welcoming 2026 amid Liwa’s breathtaking dunes.
Visitors can pre-book glamping tents, reserve accommodation in nearby towns, or bring their own RVs and tents to camp under the stars. The festival grounds offer an immersive desert escape for families, adventure seekers and culture lovers alike.
