Al Hosn Festival returns to Abu Dhabi this January for 16 days of living heritage

Abu Dhabi’s flagship celebration of culture and tradition, Al Hosn Festival, is set to return to the historic Al Hosn site from 17 January to 1 February 2026, inviting you to immerse yourself in the emirate’s rich Emirati heritage.

The 2026 edition brings together 16 days of interactive cultural programming, designed to celebrate Emirati identity while connecting audiences with Abu Dhabi’s living traditions through hands-on, immersive experiences.

Spread across the iconic Al Hosn cultural site, the festival offers a journey into the heart of Abu Dhabi’s past and present. One of the highlights is the signature evening show, which traces the discovery of water in Abu Dhabi and follows the evolution of Qasr Al Hosn from an 18th-century watchtower into a defining landmark of the capital.

What to expect at Al Hosn Festival 2026

You'll be able to explore traditional desert life at Majlis Al Shilla, featuring art forms such as Al Taghrooda, Al Wanna, Al Mankoos and Al Radha, alongside falconry, saluki demonstrations and interactive camel experiences.

The Freej area will host 18 artisan demonstrations and seven workshops, traditional Emirati games and a lively souq with 50 vendors offering perfumes, textiles and jewellery. New for this year is Bait Al Hazawi, an interactive cultural escape room that blends fun with knowledge through themes such as etiquette, palm trees and the sea.

Families are well catered for, with workshops encouraging creativity across generations and the Youth Heritage Guardians’ programme introducing younger visitors to elements recognised on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Craft, community and culture

This year’s festival continues to spotlight Emirati craftsmanship and sustainable practices. Programmes like Threads of Gold, curated by the House of Artisans, explore traditional garments and the stories of the women and men behind them.

Over 40 productive families will showcase crafts and products, alongside a farmers’ market experience that supports local entrepreneurship and community engagement.

A central highlight is the Emirati Gahwa Lewan, a multi-layered journey into the rituals, tools and etiquette of Emirati gahwa. From live ceremonies and etiquette workshops to the family-friendly Sanaa’ Al Gahwa Al Sagheer experience, it all comes together at Bait Al Gahwa Café, a welcoming space to gather and connect.

Music, poetry and food

Each evening, the Jalasat programme will feature intimate performances by Emirati singers and musicians, alongside poetry readings. A family-friendly digital experience celebrating the Emirati dialect adds a modern, interactive layer to the festival.

If you're a foodie, you can look forward to 60 restaurants and food trucks, offering everything from local favourites to international bites, plus retail outlets showcasing Emirati-made products.

All the details:

Dates: 17 January – 1 February 2026

Times: Daily 4pm–11pm | Weekends until 12am

Tickets:

AED 35 (ages 13–59)

AED 15 (children 5–12)

Free for children under 5, seniors (60+) and People of Determination

Parking:

• Complimentary parking at Free Gold Parking on Al Hosn Street (with valid ticket)

• Valet parking on Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Street: AED 150

• Drop-off points on Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Street, Zayed the First Street and Hamdan bin Mohammed Street

ADR tip:

A new Al Hosn Festival web app will provide access to maps, ticketing, workshops, parking and live updates throughout the festival.

For full details, visit alhosnfestival.ae