Liwa International Festival 2025 kicks off in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region

Abu Dhabi: The Liwa International Festival 2025, Abu Dhabi's premier winter tourism and entertainment destination, kicked off on Friday in the Al Dhafra region with its first event: a freestyle car show featuring vehicles set to compete in this season's Tal Moreeb races.

Most of the festival's activities will take place in the Moreeb area, organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Liwa Sports Club. The festival offers a blend of skill, challenge, and excitement, featuring a 23-day program filled with entertainment and cultural experiences.

The freestyle car show began on Friday evening and will run for two days, featuring over 130 cars from various categories. Drivers will showcase their skills in maneuvers such as doughnuts, drifts, and precision control.

Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Liwa Sports Club, stated, “The freestyle show marks the ideal start for the Liwa International Festival, positioning Tal Moreeb as a unique sporting and tourism icon that attracts thousands of participants and visitors from around the world annually.” He added that the festival aims to highlight Al Dhafra as a comprehensive sports tourism destination through a harmonious blend of adventure sports and cultural activities, with the Tal Moreeb Hill Climb serving as the festival’s crowning event.

Al Qubaisi praised the tremendous support of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra, emphasising that the leadership’s backing transforms the festival into a platform that enhances the UAE’s status as a global destination for tourism and cultural events.

With its stunning desert landscapes and strategic location, Al Dhafra offers a unique tourism experience that combines adventure with natural tranquility. The festival highlights these features while providing high-quality services to visitors through integrated infrastructure and exceptional event organisation.

The Liwa International Festival 2025 runs from December 13, 2024, to January 4, 2025, offering a range of championships and sports events, including the Tal Moreeb Hill Climb, car and motorcycle races, and traditional activities such as camel and falcon races.

Key events and competitions

The festival invites motorsport enthusiasts, families, and friends to enjoy the natural beauty of Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi.

It features a diverse program of speed races, drift shows, and dune driving challenges, alongside family-friendly entertainment, live concerts, tours, and cultural activities around Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s highest sand dune.

Event highlights

• Freestyle Show: December 13–14, 2024. Participants showcase their drifting prowess.

• Buggy Torque Challenge: December 15, 2024. Modified vehicles tackle sand dunes.

• Liwa Burnout Challenge: December 19, 2024.

• Liwa Drift Championship: December 21, 2024. Professional drivers demonstrate their skills.

• Drag Race: December 22, 2024. High-speed motorcycle races.

• Monster Trucks Show: December 27–28, 2024. Giant 12,000-pound trucks perform thrilling stunts.

• Motocross Displays: December 30–31, 2024.

Liwa Village: The festival hub

Liwa Village serves as the heart of the festival, offering a variety of family-friendly activities. The “Wanasa Zone” welcomes visitors with carnival games, a petting zoo, and an escape room. The “Oasis Museum” provides a distinctive cultural experience, while the Liwa Souk showcases handmade crafts and products by local artisans, celebrating the UAE’s rich heritage.

Every evening at 8:00pm, fireworks illuminate the skies over the Liwa Desert. Visitors can also enjoy hot air balloon rides, offering breathtaking views of the festival and surrounding dunes.

New experiences in 2025:

• Hollywood Circus: Featuring acrobatics, comedy, and thrilling performances.

• Liwa Sun Wheel: A Ferris wheel providing panoramic views of Tal Moreeb and the desert, perfect for capturing memorable photos.

A selection of culinary delights, ranging from Emirati specialties to international cuisines, is available at the festival’s restaurants.

Celebrating Emirati heritage

The festival honours the UAE’s rich cultural heritage with traditional sports events such as:

• Camel Races: December 16, 2024.

• Equestrian Races: December 23, 2024.

• Falconry Competitions: December 24–26, 2024.

Each Saturday night, Liwa Village hosts live performances by renowned Emirati and Gulf artists, including:

• Mutref Al Mutref and Mohammed Al Bakri: December 14, 2024.

• Hamad Al Ameri and Aryam: December 21, 2024.

• Aseel Hameem and Mahmoud Al Turki: December 28, 2024.

The New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31, 2024, features performances by Abadi Al-Johar and Rahma Riad, along with a spectacular fireworks display over the Liwa dunes.