Al Dhaid Date Festival Returns for Sixth Edition with Four Days of Celebration
Sharjah's premier showcase for local date cultivation opens this week, bringing together farmers, producers and heritage enthusiasts for auctions, competitions and cultural performances.
The sixth edition of Al Dhaid Date Festival commences tomorrow at Expo Al Dhaid, uniting the UAE’s date farming community for a four-day celebration of one of the nation’s most cherished agricultural traditions. Running until 11 October, the festival has been organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with Al Dhaid City Municipality.
The gathering brings together commercial palm growers, agricultural retailers, government entities, and home-based businesses engaged in date cultivation, creating a comprehensive platform for the sector. It reflects the Chamber’s dedication to nurturing sustainable food security whilst supporting the development of local agricultural production.
A dedicated marketplace will showcase premium Emirati date varieties, whilst a series of auctions offering valuable prizes promises to be among the festival’s highlights. The inaugural premium dates auction follows the official opening ceremony on Thursday, 8 October, with further sessions scheduled after Maghrib prayers on subsequent days. The date market operates daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, with auction consignments accepted from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
The commercial programme is complemented by expert-led workshops addressing modern agricultural techniques and date palm husbandry. These sessions provide farmers and growers with practical insights into contemporary cultivation practices and emerging agricultural technologies, enhancing their professional capabilities.
Beyond commerce, the festival celebrates the cultural significance of date palms within Emirati heritage through traditional folkloric performances and artistic presentations. These elements underscore the date palm’s enduring importance to the nation’s cultural identity and way of life.
Particular emphasis is placed upon supporting productive families and local home-based businesses, with dedicated platforms enabling direct engagement with consumers and traders. This approach substantially enhances the commercial viability of locally produced dates and strengthens community participation in the agricultural sector.
The auction programme divides entries into two categories: farm-grown dates and household-produced varieties. Participants must register at the desk before submitting dates for classification and weighing. Each bidder may enter up to 30 kilograms per auction, displayed across approved cardboard boxes, with up to two varieties permitted per participant.
Organisers have established rigorous standards to maintain auction integrity. All dates must originate from 2026 season local production, sourced directly from farms or households. Entries must be premium-grade, pest-free and free from defects or abnormal characteristics. Pressed or bundled dates are excluded from participation.
Transactions occur directly between sellers and buyers, with participants required to attend bidding sessions personally or through appointed representatives, ensuring transparency and direct engagement within the marketplace.
Source: WAM