Liwa International Festival 2026 Opens with Spectacular Burj Khalifa Light Show, Drones and Fireworks

The much-anticipated Liwa International Festival 2026 kicked off in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region on Friday with a breathtaking opening ceremony that combined culture, technology, and high-octane entertainment.

To mark the launch, Burj Khalifa lit up in the festival’s signature red, displaying the Liwa Festival logo in a dazzling light show. Messages flashed across the world’s tallest tower announcing that the festival “is back with more thrilling action, cultural highlights, electrifying entertainment, and family-friendly fun.”

In Liwa, the opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region. Guests enjoyed a spectacular display of sound, laser effects, and a drone show forming striking images, including 4x4 vehicles, a falcon, and a helm, symbolising adventure and Emirati heritage. Earlier, Al Fursan delivered an acrobatic aerial performance that left the crowd in awe.

As night fell, motorsport enthusiasts lined up in their four-wheel-drive vehicles to tackle the iconic Tal Moreeb dune, one of the festival’s most adrenaline-filled attractions. At the same time, Liwa Village came alive with cultural celebrations, offering family-friendly rides, creative workshops, and live performances that highlighted the richness of Emirati traditions.

Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT), the festival presents a diverse programme blending family fun, cultural experiences, and extreme motorsports. The sporting calendar includes speed races, dune driving challenges, freestyle shows, sand racing, drift and burnout competitions, drag races, and UTV circuit challenges. Making its debut this year is the Extreme Mud Fest driving challenge.

Other highlights include falconry championships, electronic freestyle competitions, sand wrestling, and boxing matches. Visitors can also enjoy hot air balloon rides, drone flights, immersive light shows, and weekend fireworks, alongside a vibrant food scene featuring authentic Emirati cuisine and international flavours.

As the UAE prepares to welcome the New Year, Liwa Festival 2026 promises to be the ultimate destination for adventure and celebration. A special New Year’s Eve concert will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display, while the Moreeb Dune Car Championship will deliver adrenaline-packed thrills as 2025 comes to a close.