Liwa International Festival 2026: A Desert Stage for Culture, Competition and Camaraderie

There are winter festivals and then there is Liwa.
As temperatures cool and the Empty Quarter turns crisp, the quiet desert of Liwa awakens into a roaring, glowing stage of culture, adrenaline, and Emirati pride. From 12 December 2025 to 3 January 2026, the Liwa International Festival returns bigger, bolder, and more globally followed than ever.

More Than Sand and Speed-

On the surface, Liwa is a celebration of motorsports. But in truth, it is a festival of tradition, bravery, and deep-rooted love for the land.

At its heart stands Tal Moreeb, the legendary dune known as “the Scariest Dune”, with its towering height and 50-degree incline. Drivers from across the GCC, Europe, and Asia gather to challenge its slopes, roaring engines and cheering crowds turning the desert into a natural stadium. These daring climbs last only seconds, but the memories last far longer.

Yet, what truly defines Liwa is its soul. Families pitch tents under the stars, traditional food simmers over open fires, and the scent of freshly brewed gahwa drifts through Liwa Village.

The family-friendly Liwa Village features activities like Go Water Kart, Smash Room, 4×4 Track, Skyline, Pony Grove, and more ensuring there’s excitement for every age.

Evenings of Fire and Celebration-

As the sun disappears behind the dunes, Liwa transforms once again.
Nightfall brings the festival’s iconic fireworks, a spectacle that lights up the vast desert sky. The glow reflects off 4x4 rooftops, children gasp in delight, and the dunes become a natural amphitheatre of color.

It’s a contrast only Liwa can deliver the raw silence of the Empty Quarter against a skyline that bursts into blues, golds, and greens.

A Magnet for Global Thrill-Seekers-

Liwa has evolved into an international hotspot.
Drivers ship their modified machines across continents. Photographers scale dunes searching for the perfect shot. Automotive brands debut innovations. Travel vloggers arrive curious and leave spellbound.

There’s magic in watching first-time visitors realise the desert is not empty it is alive, powerful, and unforgettable.

The Heartbeat: Emirati Men and Desert Tradition-

At the centre of Liwa are Emirati men, whose skills, courage, and deep bond with the desert have shaped the festival’s legacy.

Desert navigation once required instinct and resilience. Today’s competitions drifting, hill climbs, sand racing are modern expressions of those age-old talents. Many competitors spend months tuning engines and perfecting custom builds. Winning at Moreeb is not just a trophy; it is respect, heritage, and identity.

A Festival That Evolves Without Losing Its Roots

Liwa’s magic lies in its balance.
You’ll find drones and advanced safety systems, but also elders sharing poetry, children learning falconry, and families cooking traditional dishes. It is a bridge between heritage and modernity a reminder that the UAE’s traditions can thrive alongside innovation.

Why the 2025–2026 Edition Will Be Unmissable-

This year promises:

• Expanded motorsport categories

• New camping zones

• More international competitors

• A stronger cultural programme

• Nightly fireworks that now define the festival experience

Liwa is no longer just a regional festival it is a global destination carved out of sand.

For many, it is the purest expression of the UAE’s identity: bold, warm, ambitious, and rooted in history.

If you’ve never experienced Liwa, this might be the year.
Follow the glow of campfires, the rumble of engines, and the fireworks that paint the desert sky and you’ll find a festival unlike any other on earth.