Festivals, Markets and Art: Umm Al Emarat Park Fills November With Family Moments

If you have been looking for a reason to spend more evenings outdoors now the weather has turned, Umm Al Emarat Park has filled November with them. Abu Dhabi’s largest green space in the centre of the city is running a full month of festivals, markets, art and family activities as part of its 2026 to 2027 season, and entry is still just AED 10.

The National Festival of Tolerance and Coexistence

From 13 to 15 November, the park hosts the eighth edition of the National Festival of Tolerance and Coexistence, under the theme Growing in Unity and in step with the UAE’s Year of Family. Twenty two countries take part, with India as Country Guest of Honour. Every evening from 5pm to 9.30pm there are performances and traditional showcases, from Egyptian Tahtib and Indonesian dance to the Philippine Pista sa Nayon fiesta, Nigeria’s WA ZO BIA rhythms and Al Ajaweed.

Weekends at the Park Market

Every Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 10pm, the Park Market brings together local businesses, entrepreneurs and makers, with food, shopping and plenty to keep children busy: workshops, storytelling, science experiments, theatre, magic shows and balloon twisting.

Art, music and a national celebration

Artist Ghada Rizk hosts the Healing Art Corner on 20 November from 6pm to 7pm, and Music Coral by Music Choire brings live music to the park on 27 November from 7pm to 10pm. On 28 November, students from Abu Dhabi Grammar School mark Eid Al Etihad with a celebration of national identity and heritage.

The Abu Dhabi Festival’s Children’s Biennale, created with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation and Salayel Hospitality, also continues until 6 December. Under the theme How the World Feels, it is the first outdoor children’s biennale in the Middle East, and its interactive installations are well worth a slow wander.

Wellbeing and inclusion

For Early Childhood Week, Zahrat Al Lotus Autism Center runs interactive awareness sessions on 20 and 21 November from 6.30pm to 8pm, and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City hosts a family health event on 20 November covering sports injury prevention, CPR, diabetes, child safety and early years nutrition. On 27 and 28 November, from 4pm to 10pm, Stars for Special Abilities and Early Intervention Center and Stars Rehabilitation Center for People of Determination will be on hand with information and guidance for families.

First opened in 1982 as Mushrif Central Park and reopened in 2015 after a full redesign, the park was renamed to honour Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation. This month it feels very much like the city’s back garden.

Umm Al Emarat Park
Open daily 8am to midnight, last entry 11.30pm
Tickets: AED 10
Web: ummalemaratpark.ae
Instagram: @ummalemaratpark