After a resounding debut last year, the Tanweer Festival is making its highly anticipated return to the Mleiha Desert from 21 to 23 November 2025. More than just an event, it’s a transformative journey that invites residents and visitors alike to immerse themselves in a vibrant confluence of art, culture, music, and mindful living—all nestled within one of Sharjah’s most iconic landscapes.
The brainchild of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, daughter of the Ruler of Sharjah, this festival reflects her deep passion for cultural unity, human connection, and sustainability. Drawing inspiration from the mystical teachings of poet Rumi, this year’s theme- “What You Seek Is Seeking You” – calls on attendees to look inward while celebrating outward expression through creativity.
What to expect at Tanweer 2025
The festival’s layout is purposefully designed to enhance both personal and collective experiences. Whether you’re there to learn, unwind, create, or simply soak in the atmosphere, every corner offers something distinct.
The Main Stage
Set beneath the stars, this open-air arena promises a multisensory experience combining ancestral music, ambient lighting, and desert-side visual projections. Think soundscapes blending with the natural terrain.
The Dome
This will be the heart of learning and cultural exchange, hosting panel discussions, workshops, and dialogue sessions that invite participants to reflect and grow through shared stories and insights.
The Tree of Life
A quiet sanctuary amidst the dunes, this space invites guests to slow down and reflect. Designed for stillness, it offers moments of peace and personal realignment away from the crowds.
Nourish
This culinary hub will serve up organic, locally sourced meals including vegan, vegetarian, and traditional Bedouin-style BBQs, all prepared with sustainable food practices in mind.
The Marketplace
Visitors can browse a curated selection of handmade artisanal goods—each piece crafted by local and international artists selected specifically for the festival. It’s not just shopping; it’s storytelling through design.
Immersive Installations
Throughout the desert site, expect interactive art installations that transform the dunes into an evolving open-air gallery, inviting exploration and introspection.
A festival rooted in sustainability
Sustainability is not a side note at Tanweer—it is woven into the very fabric of the festival’s ethos. In line with global green standards and regional eco-initiatives, the event will be a no single-use plastic zone. The festival will feature reuse strategies, composting, and zero-waste dining.
Educational touchpoints across the venue will highlight these practices, encouraging attendees to adopt similar habits in their own lives. In doing so, Tanweer not only celebrates nature but also actively protects it, showing that cultural events can coexist harmoniously with the environment.
Explore Mleiha’s ancient wonders
Tanweer Festival offers the perfect excuse to discover Mleiha, one of the most fascinating regions in the UAE. Festivalgoers can enrich their desert escape with guided tours of the Valley of Caves, visit the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, or embark on desert adventures such as horseback riding or paragliding.
With ancient fossils, relics, and stunning landscapes, Mleiha blends heritage and creativity, making it an ideal festival destination.
It is important the UAE’s creative and conscious communities
The UAE’s cultural scene continues to evolve, with events like Tanweer Festival playing a vital role in shaping this narrative. Tanweer is more than a retreat – it’s a movement for mindful living, connection, and learning.
As the country grows its portfolio of meaningful festivals, Tanweer positions Sharjah as a cultural trailblazer—one that values substance over spectacle, and sustainability over excess.
In a landscape where digital fatigue and fast-paced living often overshadow meaningful experiences, the Tanweer Festival offers a welcome pause. Guests can escape the noise and find purpose through art, culture, and community in a timeless desert setting.
From music under the stars to workshops and eco-friendly retreats, this festival offers it all.
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