21st Liwa Date Festival

Abu Dhabi’s 21st Liwa Date Festival, held in Liwa City from July 14 to 27, celebrates the UAE’s annual date harvest while underscoring the cultural, agricultural, and economic importance of the palm tree. The event features 24 competitions—including mazayna contests for premier date varieties like Dabbas, Khalas, Fard, and Zamli, alongside fruit, model farm, and traditional handicraft categories—with prize money totaling over AED 8.7 million. Visitors enjoy a vibrant heritage program comprising date auctions, traditional souk stalls, educational workshops, poetry evenings, falconry displays, and interactive family activities. The festival reinforces sustainable agricultural practices, supports local farming and food security, and strengthens community ties while bolstering Al Dhafra’s economy and preserving key aspects of Emirati identity.