More than 700,000 visitors headed into the Empty Quarter for the 2026 edition of the Liwa International Festival, highlighting the growing appeal of large-scale desert events in the UAE. Held from December 12, 2025, to January 3, 2026, the 23-day festival transformed the Al Dhafra Region into one of the country’s busiest winter destinations, centred around Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s tallest sand dune.
A major highlight was Liwa Village, which welcomed 274,440 visitors. Expanded for 2026, it featured five themed zones with cultural experiences, live entertainment, dining, retail outlets and family attractions. Seating capacity was increased, new activities were introduced, and solar power supplied a significant portion of daily energy needs.
Motorsports remained a key crowd-puller, with participation rising 47 per cent year-on-year. Events included the Tal Moreeb Car Championship, drift and freestyle competitions, drag racing, off-road challenges, UTV races, Monster Jam and Extreme MudFest.
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi in collaboration with Liwa Sports Club, the festival will return from December 11, 2026, to January 2, 2027.
