A landmark celebration rooted in identity
The Al Hosn Festival returns as Abu Dhabi’s flagship cultural celebration, transforming the historic Al Hosn site into a vibrant gathering place that honors Emirati heritage through storytelling, craftsmanship, performance, and community participation. Running for 16 days from January 17 to February 1, the festival invites residents and visitors alike to reconnect with the values, traditions, and creative spirit that have shaped the emirate across generations.
Set against the symbolic backdrop of Abu Dhabi’s oldest standing landmark, the festival goes beyond observation. It offers immersive experiences designed to be felt, heard, tasted, and shared, reinforcing heritage as a living, evolving force rather than a static memory.
Preserving the past while inspiring the future
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the festival reflects a broader cultural vision that balances preservation with innovation. By presenting heritage in interactive and contemporary formats, the programme nurtures pride in national identity while opening doors for dialogue between generations and cultures.
According to Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, the festival plays a critical role in keeping Emirati heritage alive by celebrating the artists, artisans, and creatives who continue to shape the cultural narrative of the UAE. The event strengthens a shared sense of belonging and highlights culture as a foundation for community growth and creative expression.
A living heritage hub across Al Hosn
Throughout the festival, the entire Al Hosn cultural site is activated as a multi-sensory heritage journey. A signature evening performance narrates Abu Dhabi’s transformation, beginning with the discovery of water and tracing the rise of Qasr Al Hosn as a symbol of resilience, leadership, and unity. Through music, movement, and visual storytelling, audiences experience how the emirate evolved from a modest settlement into a global capital grounded in tradition.
Each corner of the site offers a different perspective on heritage, encouraging visitors to wander, explore, and engage at their own pace.
Desert traditions and performance at Majlis Al Shilla
At Majlis Al Shilla, the festival brings desert culture vividly to life. Traditional performance arts such as Al Taghrooda, Al Wanna, Al Mankoos, and Al Radha echo across the space, preserving oral traditions that once carried stories, values, and history across vast landscapes.
Complementing these performances are falconry showcases, saluki displays, and interactive camel experiences, offering insight into practices that were essential to survival and social life in the desert. These encounters create a deeper understanding of the relationship between people, animals, and environment in Emirati culture.
The Freej zone and hands-on heritage
The Freej zone forms the heart of community engagement at Al Hosn Festival. Here, visitors meet artisans who demonstrate traditional skills passed down through generations. Hands-on workshops allow participants to try weaving, embroidery, and craft techniques, turning learning into a shared experience rather than a one-sided display.
Traditional games, storytelling sessions, and a curated souq featuring dozens of vendors selling perfumes, textiles, jewellery, and handmade goods add to the lively atmosphere. One standout experience, the Building Workshop: Crafting Al Hosn, explores traditional construction methods and materials, offering insight into how architecture responded to climate and community needs.
Another highlight is Bait Al Hazawi, a cultural escape-room-style experience that blends problem-solving with storytelling, encouraging families to learn together through play.
Inspiring younger generations through heritage
Children and teenagers are given a central role through the Youth Heritage Guardians initiative. Designed to introduce young audiences to heritage elements recognised by UNESCO, the programme uses age-appropriate storytelling, games, and creative activities to make learning engaging and memorable.
By empowering youth to participate actively, the festival ensures that cultural knowledge is not only preserved but also reinterpreted and carried forward by future generations.
Craftsmanship, creativity, and community pride
Emirati craftsmanship takes centre stage throughout the festival, with initiatives that highlight the stories behind traditional attire, tools, and materials. Threads of Gold, curated by the House of Artisans, explores the artistry embedded in Emirati garments and the cultural meanings woven into every detail.
Family-focused workshops encourage creative collaboration across generations, while more than 40 productive families and local vendors present handmade products and locally grown goods. This focus on community-based entrepreneurship reinforces the role of heritage in supporting sustainable livelihoods and local talent.
Gahwa, music, and the art of storytelling
One of the festival’s most immersive experiences is the Emirati Gahwa Lewan, dedicated to the rituals and social meanings surrounding Emirati coffee. Through exhibitions, live demonstrations, and workshops, visitors learn about preparation methods, serving etiquette, and the symbolism of hospitality. The journey concludes at Bait Al Gahwa Café, a welcoming space designed for conversation and reflection.
As evening falls, the festival comes alive with the Jalasat programme, featuring live performances by Emirati musicians and emerging talents. Poetry readings celebrate oral traditions, while a digital interactive experience invites families to explore the Emirati dialect through pronunciation, storytelling, and cultural expressions.
Food, retail, and visitor experience
Food plays a central role in the festival’s atmosphere, with more than 60 restaurants and food trucks offering a diverse range of cuisines. Retail areas showcase Emirati-made products, allowing visitors to take a piece of local creativity home with them.
Al Hosn Festival operates daily from 4pm to 11pm, with extended hours until midnight on weekends. Tickets are priced at AED 35 for adults aged 13 to 59 and AED 15 for children aged 5 to 12. Entry is free for children under five, seniors above 60, and People of Determination.
To enhance convenience, a dedicated Al Hosn Festival web application provides real-time access to maps, schedules, ticketing, workshops, accessibility services, and visitor updates. Free parking is available on Al Hosn Street with a valid ticket, while paid parking and multiple drop-off points ensure smooth access to the venue.
A celebration that connects past and present
Al Hosn Festival stands as a powerful reminder that heritage is not confined to history books or museum walls. By bringing traditions into shared public spaces and inviting active participation, the festival strengthens cultural identity while fostering creativity, dialogue, and community connection. Over 16 days, Abu Dhabi becomes a living heritage hub, where the past informs the present and inspires the future.
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