Al Ain Heritage Festival to run Jan 31-Feb 9 under Sheikh Hazza patronage

WAM

Al Ain, Jan 21, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority will stage the Al Ain Heritage Festival from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9 at the ADNEC Centre Al Ain under the theme “Tales from Our Heritage”, under the patronage of Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region.

Sheikh Hazza said the festival aligns with the directives of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to keep Emirati heritage and its preservation a national priority, linking younger generations with the country’s past while supporting farmers and practitioners of traditional crafts.

Organisers said the programme includes a Date Festival highlighting the cultural significance of the date palm, with interactive sections including a Date Market hosting 50 outlets and eight date competitions across varieties including Elite Al Ain, Khalas, Shishi, Zamli, Boumaan, Dabbas, Fard and Wahat.

The festival will also host pavilions for Gulf and Arab countries showcasing heritage, traditional arts, cuisine and handicrafts, and will recreate an old Emirati freej (neighbourhood) through a heritage village designed to reflect traditional homes, markets and public squares in Al Ain.

Other activities include a “Visual Journey through History” experience using light and sound installations, a Honey Village focused on beekeeping heritage, and demonstrations of crafts such as Sadu weaving, palm frond weaving, Talli embroidery, Dallah making and traditional jewellery.

Organisers said the Outdoor Performance Arena will feature heritage events including falconry displays and Arabian Saluki shows, while the main stage will host daily folk performances, poetry and arts evenings, theatre productions and heritage cinema screenings. The programme also includes family and children’s activities, including a Heritage Visitor Passport, virtual reality experiences and hands-on workshops.