Today's Edition
The activities of the Sheikh Zayed Festival kicked off on Friday amid a large public turnout and a dazzling display of fireworks.
The festival is held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and the supervision of Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the Sheikh Zayed Festival.
The first day of the festival witnessed a remarkable presence of visitors and tourists who toured the festival’s sections and squares and watched the performances, folk art groups, and participated in various events across all the regions of the festival.
The festival is one of the largest cultural events in the region that showcase the national heritage of the UAE, affirming the values of tolerance, cultural dialogue and the blending of civilisations. The festival will run from November 17, 2023, to March 9, 2024.
This year's edition will see substantial participation from other countries, offering many activities, arts, and programmes throughout the festival's 114 days. In addition to popular folk artists who will attend the event, various governmental and non-governmental sectors will participate through dedicated pavilions and exhibitions.
The festival will feature many special events, surprises, fireworks, and spectacular performances from participating countries’ pavilions and other sections, setting the tone for the days and nights of the celebration.
Among the must-see activities this year are national celebrations, with ‘Union Parade’, which reflects the UAE people’s sense of belonging and loyalty to the leadership, and the unity that brings the nation closer together.
Meanwhile, the National Day Celebrations will span across the entire festival site, featuring official and popular festivities marking the UAE National Day. These include special shows and performances at the Heritage Village and international pavilions, including folk art shows, military musical performances, spectacular firework and drone displays, and the Emirates Fountain activities.
The activities of the #SheikhZayedFestival kicked off on Friday amid a large public turnout and a dazzling display of fireworks
— Aletihad English (@AletihadEn) November 18, 2023
The festival is held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Mansour… pic.twitter.com/mOWDHRAgVd
The festival includes an integrated Heritage Village to highlight aspects of popular heritage, represented by traditional industries and crafts, as well as to emphasise its keenness to provide a family-friendly, entertaining, and educational environment through its recreational, social and cultural activities.
Other highlights include the Heritage Village; an agricultural excellence award; a rare species reserve; Al Wathba Custom Show; the Children’s City; the Fun Fair City; the Glow Flower Garden; the House of Fear; an art district; various competitions and draws, as well as many other surprises and activations.
The Sheikh Zayed Festival is a major cultural event celebrating Emirati heritage and fostering cross-cultural dialogue and exchange, gathering citizens, residents and visitors from all over the world in a fun, entertaining and educational environment.
More than 2.5 million visitors and 7 million followers and viewers enjoyed the activities of the 2022 edition of the festival.
