The Liwa Date Festival is set to return for its 20th edition this July. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of the Presidential Court, the festival will take place in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region, from 15 to 28 July 2024.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the event aims to showcase the date farming sector and support farmers in the Al Dhafra Region. It will feature date and fruit mazayna competitions, model farm contests, handcrafts, a children’s village, and more.
What is Liwa Date Festival
The Liwa Date Festival celebrates an integral part of Emirati heritage, the versatile date palm. Dates have been a dietary staple for generations in desert communities like the UAE. At the same time, the tree's trunk, fronds, and other parts were traditionally used in buildings, handicrafts, and tools.
The festival showcases these important aspects and features the latest agricultural practices, promoting the exchange of expertise to produce high-quality dates. As one of Abu Dhabi's key heritage events and tourist attractions, it highlights the cultural, heritage, and economic significance of dates in the UAE.
Visitors can learn about dates and sample popular varieties. The main event is the 'Best Date Fruit' competition, where Emirati farms compete for the 'Best Date Grower.' More details about the timing and entry tickets will be out soon, stay tuned!