Discovering Liwa and its desert heritage

Deep in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region, where golden dunes stretch toward the horizon, Liwa is a place where Emirati heritage, culture and traditions remain closely connected to everyday life. 

Each winter, the Liwa International Festival brings this landscape to life, welcoming visitors for several weeks of motorsport competitions, cultural experiences, and family entertainment. The 2026/27 edition takes place from 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027. 

The festival’s roots can be traced back to 2001, when drivers first began tackling the steep slopes of Tal Moreeb. What started as a gathering of motorsport enthusiasts has since grown into one of Abu Dhabi’s major winter events, bringing together sport, entertainment and Emirati heritage.

Today, the Liwa International Festival attracts visitors from across the UAE and beyond, offering an opportunity to experience the desert landscape alongside the traditions and community spirit of the region. 

With 2026 designated as the UAE’s Year of the Family, the festival also provides a setting for different generations to spend time together, discover local culture and create lasting memories. 

For Emiratis who return each year, however, Liwa offers something beyond the activities and entertainment. For Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, an annual visitor, returning to the desert is a familiar experience, one that brings together friendship, relaxation and a shared passion for motorsport. 

“It is a relaxing and peaceful experience as it is away from the city, its noise, and chaos. It allows me to connect with my friends and enjoy the thrill of doing motorsports,” Al Mazrouei said.

His perspective reflects the personal connection many visitors have with the area. The landscape itself remains one of the festival’s biggest attractions, particularly Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s tallest sand dune, rising more than 300 metres above the surrounding desert. With its steep incline, the dune provides a dramatic setting for the Moreeb Hill Climb, where drivers put their vehicles and skills to the test. For motorsport enthusiasts, the sound of modified engines traveling across the dunes is part of the experience.

Competitions involving four-wheel drives, quad bikes and dirt bikes bring an added sense of excitement to the landscape, while the surrounding desert offers plenty of space for visitors to take in the scenery.

Away from the motorsport action, the festival places an equally important focus on Emirati culture and heritage. Traditional crafts, local food and cultural activities offer visitors an opportunity to discover different aspects of life in the UAE, with experiences that connect younger generations to traditions passed down through families. 

For Al Mazrouei and his family, this connection is an important part of what makes Liwa special. When asked what the area represents to them as Emiratis, he explained that visiting the desert brings back memories of their ancestors and how they once lived, while offering an opportunity to keep those traditions alive. “We love seeing families and younger generations coming together to enjoy and experience our heritage."

"UAE has come so far from where it was that all generations get to experience our culture and traditions,” Al Mazrouei reflected.

The festival also provides a platform for local businesses and vendors to showcase their products, from traditional clothing and food to bukhoor and incense. These offerings give visitors an opportunity to discover locally made products while supporting the people and businesses helping to preserve Emirati crafts and traditions.

There is plenty to bring families and friends together, too. From exploring the festival village and sampling local cuisine to watching motorsport competitions and discovering traditional crafts, the experience extends well beyond the racetrack. It is this combination of entertainment, culture and community that gives the festival its wider appeal.

As the Liwa International Festival continues to grow, its connection to the region remains central to its identity. For returning visitors, part of the appeal lies in the familiarity of the landscape and the traditions associated with it, alongside new experiences to discover each winter. 

More than a destination for adventure, Liwa offers a chance to connect with the UAE’s desert heritage and the generations who have shaped it. Whether visiting for the motorsport, the cultural activities, or simply time spent with family and friends, the festival brings people together in a setting where Emirati traditions continue to be celebrated and shared.

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