The Liwa International Festival 2026 finally returns to the UAE. The opening weekend rolled out a spectacle that extended from the Empty Quarter dunes to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. On Friday night, the Burj Khalifa lit up in deep red, with the festival’s logo and bold welcome messages.
Liwa Festival 2026 Opening Weekend Lights Up The UAE
The opening ceremony took place in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region and was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region.
Across Al Dhafra, the opening weekend brought together cultural showcases, motorsport action, and large-scale entertainment. Visitors attending Liwa Festival 2026 can expect daily programming across motorsport arenas, cultural zones, and family areas in the Al Dhafra Region. Events will continue through the holiday season and into the New Year.
Burj Khalifa Glows As Liwa Festival 2026 Launches In Al Dhafra
Burj Khalifa turned into a towering digital canvas for Liwa Festival 2026. The opening night kicked off with sound, lasers, and a drone display. From 4X4 vehicles and a Falcon to a racing helmet and floating hot air balloons, the desert turned magical.
Earlier in the day, Al Fursan added aviation flair with a precision acrobatic performance that quickly gained traction online.
Tal Moreeb Motorsport Event At Liwa Festival 2026
Tal Moreeb Motorsport event grabbed attention as the night kicked off. The legendary dune remains the heart of Liwa Festival’s motorsport identity.
Hundreds of drivers lined up in powerful four-wheelers, engines rumbling as they prepared to tackle one of the steepest sand climbs in the region. The challenge continues to be one of the festival’s biggest crowd-pullers.
With the Moreeb Dune Car Championship scheduled later in the festival, the opening night offered a strong preview of the adrenaline still to come.
Culture, Family Activities And Entertainment At Liwa Festival 2026
Away from the engines, Liwa Village moved at a different pace. Emirati culture, family rides, creative workshops, and live performances filled the area throughout the day and into the evening.
There will be falconry championships, electronic freestyle competitions, sand wrestling, and boxing matches to keep the visitors entertained. Expect hot air balloon rides, drone flights, light shows, and weekend fireworks. Also, you can indulge at food stalls offering traditional Emirati flavours alongside global street food.
Also Read: Dubai Launches #HattaWinter With Six Festivals Packed With Cultural Events, Sports And More
New Year Celebrations At Liwa Festival 2026
Liwa Festival 2026 is positioning itself as a destination to ring in the New Year. A dedicated New Year’s Eve concert will lead into a midnight fireworks display, closing out 2025 against a backdrop of music, sand, and stars.
Cover Image Courtesy: Liwa Festival 2026/X
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