Al Dhafra Dates Festival Returns for Fifth Edition with Kuwait as Honoured Guest
Under the distinguished patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority presents the fifth iteration of this celebrated festival, honouring regional bonds and showcasing the finest expressions of Gulf agricultural heritage.
The Al Dhafra Dates Festival will flourish once more in Madinat Zayed from 16 to 25 October 2026, presenting an occasion of considerable cultural significance for the region. This edition marks a particularly auspicious moment, with the State of Kuwait participating as Guest of Honour, a distinction that reflects the profound fraternal bonds and shared cultural traditions that have long characterised the relationship between the two nations.
Kuwait’s presence will enrich the visitor experience considerably, offering the opportunity to discover the multifaceted dimensions of Kuwaiti heritage whilst fostering meaningful exchange of expertise and knowledge. This collaborative approach celebrates the rich diversity of Gulf cultural heritage and underscores the enduring connections that unite the peoples of the region.
A Festival of Remarkable Scale and Ambition
The festival will present 22 competitions offering 180 prizes with a combined value of AED4.6 million, accompanied by daily dates auctions and an expansive programme of heritage, cultural and family-oriented activities. The fifth edition introduces the Date Palm Auction for the first time, an innovation designed to preserve local palm varieties, propagate rare cultivars of economic value, and make these treasures available to farmers and enthusiasts.
His Excellency Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, emphasised the festival’s profound purpose: reflecting the authority’s commitment to preserving heritage associated with the palm tree whilst reinforcing its significance within the UAE’s national identity. The event provides an invaluable platform for supporting producers and showcasing the exceptional quality and remarkable diversity of Emirati dates.
Celebrating Emirati Agricultural Excellence
The festival’s seven date beauty competitions represent the pinnacle of local cultivation: Al Dhafra Elite, Fardh, Zamli, Dabbas, Boumaan, Khalas and Shishi varieties. These are complemented by two date-packaging competitions, celebrating both natural dates and those prepared with added ingredients. A comprehensive honey competition encompasses five categories: Sidr Honey, Samar Honey, Liquid Honey, Honeycomb and Crystallised Honey.
Rashid Khadem Al Rumaithi, Director of the Al Dhafra Dates Festival, highlighted that the daily dates auction commences at 5pm, affording farmers an invaluable opportunity to showcase and market their finest produce whilst enhancing its economic value. The festival supports Emirati farmers through knowledge exchange whilst creating meaningful marketing opportunities, contributing to improvements in locally grown date quality and opening possibilities for honey producers, artisans, productive families and national entrepreneurs.
Cultural Expression and Culinary Excellence
The International Competition for Cooking with Dates, Date Products and Olive Oil brings together distinguished chefs from hotels and representatives of productive families, celebrating the versatile applications of these cherished ingredients. Photography and Live Painting Competitions centre on themes including Palm Trees and Dates, Marine Life, and Wildlife in Al Dhafra, inviting artistic expressions that capture the essence of the region’s natural and agricultural heritage.
The festival’s comprehensive heritage programme includes workshops, public competitions and live performances showcasing the knowledge, skills and values associated with the local environment. These diverse activities offer visitors of all ages the opportunity to engage in artistic and hands-on experiences, enabling them to discover, appreciate and express different aspects of the UAE’s cultural heritage.
The festival contributes significantly to preserving local palm varieties, propagating rare cultivars, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices that support food security whilst celebrating local arts and talent, strengthening tourism and reinvigorating the local economy of Al Dhafra Region.
Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office