Food festivals in Abu Dhabi worth planning a trip around, by month.
Food festivals in Abu Dhabi worth planning a trip around, by month.
Global Food Week brings food producers, farmers and hospitality suppliers to ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi each October; the 2026 edition, its third and largest, runs 6 to 8 October.
TipIt is a trade show built for buyers and producers, so register as a visitor on the organiser's site before going; it is not a tasting festival.
Al Dhafra Dates Festival and Auction fills Madinat Zayed, in Abu Dhabi's western region, each October with date auctions, honey and cooking contests; the 2025 edition offered 173 prizes.
TipMadinat Zayed is a long drive west of the city. The 2025 edition was the fourth, run by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority; 2026 dates are not yet published.
Sheikh Zayed Festival runs nightly in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, from late October to mid March; its 2025 to 2026 season included a Heritage Village, national pavilions, an Emirati cuisine contest and boulevard restaurants.
TipThe 2026-27 season is announced for 30 October 2026 to 14 March 2027; entry was AED 10 a person in 2025-26. Check the festival site for this season's tickets.
Taste of Abu Dhabi fills Gateway Park North on Yas Island for three November days with 16 pop-up restaurants, chef-led workshops and live music from AED 60.
TipChildren under 12 enter free, and the Taster package at AED 175 bundles two food and two drink vouchers with entry.
MICHELIN Guide Food Festival Abu Dhabi gathers chefs from about 20 Michelin Guide restaurants on the Emirates Palace grounds for a November weekend of tasting dishes, masterclasses and live music.
TipThe 2025 edition was the third, with general admission at AED 100 and children under 12 free. Dates for 2026 were not published at the time of writing.
Ramadan Festival on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, run by Experience Abu Dhabi, opened Ramadan neighbourhoods with food trucks, suhoor dishes and a souq nightly from 20:00 to 02:00 in 2026.
TipThe 2026 run was the first in Abu Dhabi city, after editions in Al Ain and Al Dhafra; dates for the next Ramadan had not been announced at the time of writing.
Liwa Dates Festival brings Emirati date farmers to Liwa City, in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra Region, each July for ten days of rutab-harvest competitions; 2026 drew about 80,000 visitors.
TipLiwa City is in the Al Dhafra Region, a long drive from the city, so plan a full day; the 2026 edition had over 465 Emirati farmers in 23 categories.
Subscribe once and every festival lands in your own calendar, with its dates kept current and a link back to the guide. Run a website? Show these festivals on it.
3 hours
Experience an unforgettable New Year's Eve on the water, This 3-hour cruise aboard a traditional Arabian Dhow features a luxurious festive buffet dinner with unlimited...
4 - 4.5 hours
Sunrise desert safari with pickup from your location and drive into the desert for a special Camel ride, Dune bashing, sandboarding, scenic photo stop, continental bre...
Private tour · 3 hours
Escape to a private island at night for a beach BBQ, bonfire, music, stargazing, and swimming under the moonlight with a relaxing tropical atmosphere.
