Liwa International Festival 2027 will return to the Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region from December 11, 2026, to January 2, 2027. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) with local partners, the festival will feature Nitro Circus performances, new attractions at Liwa Village, motorsports competitions and traditional Emirati experiences. The event offers UAE residents and winter visitors another reason to explore the country’s western desert region.
- Location: Liwa Desert, Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi
- Organiser: Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
- Dates: December 11, 2026, to January 2, 2027
- Who can visit: UAE residents, tourists, families and motorsports fans
- Tourism impact: Supports visitor activity across Al Dhafra during the winter season
- What’s new: Nitro Circus, a first-ever Heritage Village and new Liwa Village attractions
Liwa Festival 2027 will bring three weeks of desert adventures, motorsports, live entertainment and Emirati heritage to Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region from December 11, 2026, to January 2, 2027. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announced the festival programme, which includes the first appearance of Nitro Circus at the event, a refreshed Liwa Village and a new Heritage Village celebrating local traditions.
Set around Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s tallest sand dune at more than 300 metres, the annual festival combines high-energy sporting events with cultural activities and family entertainment. Its latest edition builds on the popularity of the previous festival, which attracted more than 700,000 visitors over 23 days, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
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When Is Liwa Festival 2027?
Liwa International Festival 2027 will take place from December 11, 2026, to January 2, 2027, in the Liwa Desert, part of Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region.
Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the festival has been running since 2001. Over the years, it has developed into a winter destination for people interested in desert sports, Emirati culture and outdoor entertainment.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi is organising the festival with Liwa Sports Club, Al Dhafra Municipality, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Media Network, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and Al Dhafra Hospitals – SEHA.
Nitro Circus Makes Its Liwa Festival Debut
One of the biggest additions to Liwa Festival 2027 is Nitro Circus, an international action sports entertainment brand known for freestyle stunts.
Scheduled for December 19 and 20, 2026, the show will feature more than 15 athletes performing freestyle motocross (FMX), bicycle motocross (BMX) and choreographed routines. The programme includes three shows, with pyrotechnics adding to the performances.
The debut gives visitors another reason to plan their trip around specific festival dates. Those interested in attending should check official ticketing channels for show timings, availability and prices before travelling.
New Rides and Experiences at Liwa Village
Liwa Village will once again serve as a central entertainment area, with more than half of its rides and attractions either new or reimagined for this edition.
New additions include the Circus Swinger, Tagada and Space Tower. Visitors can also try interactive activities such as Ninja Challenge, Pixel Run, Play Strike, Desert Heist, Drift Trike, Target Shooting and Climb Quest.
Bungee jumping is another new attraction planned for the festival.
Several returning favourites will also be available, including the Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, Slingshot, Booster, Go Water Kart, House of Horror, Maze Adventure and 4×4 Track. This mix gives families and groups different ways to spend time at the venue beyond watching the motorsports programme.
Visitors should confirm individual attraction prices and operating hours before their visit, as entry arrangements may differ between activities.
Motorsports and Desert Competitions to Watch
Motorsports remain a major part of the Liwa Festival experience. Organised by Liwa Sports Club, the 2027 programme includes competitions and displays throughout the festival period.
Key dates include:
- December 11–12: Freestyle Display
- December 13: Motorbike Drag Race
- December 14–16: Falcon Race
- December 18–19: Sand Freestyle Display
- December 20: Liwa UTV Track
- December 21–22: Freestyle Display
- December 22–23: Traditional Pigeon Race
- December 24: Liwa Burnout Challenge
- December 25–26: Liwa Drift
- December 27–28: Sand Freestyle Display
- December 30, 2026, to January 2, 2027: Tal Moreeb Car Championship finale
The programme also includes recreational sporting events, such as a cycling race on December 21, the Liwa Festival Community Run on December 23, a padel tournament on December 24–25 and a fitness tour on December 29.
Visitors planning around a particular race should check the latest official schedule before setting off, as individual events take place on different dates.
A New Heritage Village Celebrates Emirati Traditions
Alongside the high-speed action, Liwa Festival 2027 will introduce a dedicated Heritage Village designed around traditional Emirati neighbourhoods.
The new area will give visitors an opportunity to explore aspects of local culture and heritage while experiencing the wider festival programme. It also reinforces the event’s role in showcasing the traditions and history of Al Dhafra, rather than focusing solely on entertainment and motorsports.
The location adds cultural interest for tourists who want to learn more about Emirati life, as well as residents looking for a family outing that combines activities with a connection to the UAE’s heritage.
Why Liwa Festival 2027 Matters
Liwa Festival brings visitors to Al Dhafra during the UAE’s winter tourism season, supporting the region’s profile as a destination for desert adventures, sporting events and cultural experiences.
The previous edition welcomed more than 700,000 visitors over 23 days and received the Best Festival of the Year award at the Middle East Events Awards 2026, according to WAM. The new attractions and international entertainment programme aim to build on that established visitor interest.
For UAE residents, the festival offers a chance to explore a different part of Abu Dhabi beyond the city’s main attractions. Families can enjoy the village activities, motorsports enthusiasts can follow the competition calendar, and visitors interested in Emirati heritage can explore the new cultural area.
Anyone planning a visit should allow time for travel into the desert, check the schedule for their preferred events and confirm ticket prices and access arrangements in advance.
FAQs About Liwa Festival 2027
1. When does Liwa Festival 2027 start and end?
Liwa International Festival 2027 runs from December 11, 2026, to January 2, 2027.
2. Where is Liwa Festival held?
The festival takes place in the Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region, around Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s tallest sand dune.
3. When is Nitro Circus performing at Liwa Festival?
Nitro Circus is scheduled to perform on December 19 and 20, 2026, with three shows featuring more than 15 athletes.
4. What can visitors do at Liwa Festival 2027?
Visitors can watch motorsports competitions, explore new rides at Liwa Village, attend Nitro Circus performances, take part in sporting activities and discover Emirati traditions at the new Heritage Village.
5. How much are Liwa Festival 2027 tickets?
Ticket prices and access arrangements may vary by attraction and event. Visitors should check the festival’s official channels for the latest confirmed details before travelling.
Plan Your Liwa Festival Visit
Liwa Festival 2027 will combine desert sports, international stunts, family attractions and Emirati heritage from December 11 to January 2. With Nitro Circus making its festival debut and new experiences planned across Liwa Village, the event is shaping up as a major winter outing for UAE residents and visitors.
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