Al Wathba Dates Festival draws 25,000 visitors in Abu Dhabi

The inaugural Al Wathba Dates Festival, held as part of the Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival in Abu Dhabi, concluded on August 9, 2026. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the seven-day event celebrated the United Arab Emirates’ date harvest and the cultural significance of the date palm.

The festival featured 18 competitions with 240 prizes totaling AED 5.677 million. According to Festival Director Rashid Al Rumaithi, the event saw 448 contestants participate, with entries of fresh dates (rutab) and fruit exceeding 4,385 tonnes. The festival attracted 25,108 visitors, averaging over 3,000 attendees per day.

The initiative aims to support local date palm growers, encourage high-quality production, promote advanced agricultural practices, and preserve regional heritage for future generations.