Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
A wide range of cultural events, heritage experiences, and community gatherings will take place across Abu Dhabi during Ramadan 2026.
From large-scale festivals and museum programmes to sporting competitions and community markets, the holy month's offerings are aligned with the UAE's Year of Family.
Ramadan Festival 2026
The Ramadan Festival 2026, launched by Experience Abu Dhabi, promises a family-focused programme throughout Ramadan.
The event will span three locations across the emirate, creating themed "Ramadan neighbourhoods" that feature cultural performances, workshops and entertainment.
The festival opens on February 20 in Al Ain and Al Dhafra before moving to the Abu Dhabi Corniche on February 27, where Lammat Ramadan will run until March 8.
Highlights include traditional folk dances such as Al Ayala, Arabic calligraphy sessions, storytelling, theatrical performances and live music. Children's activities, including puppet shows and creative workshops, will also feature, alongside food trucks offering a variety of dining options.
The programme will run daily from 8pm to 2am, with ticketed entry across the three locations.
Sports Tournament and Prizes
The annual Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba will host the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Ramadan Tournament.
Organised in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the tournament will run from February 23 to March 17, covering 23 consecutive days of competition across 15 sporting disciplines.
Competitions include football, 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, cycling, chess, jiu-jitsu, judo, padel and traditional Emirati wrestling, Al Mataraha.
Both visitors and participants will have the chance to win from a Dh10 million prize pool, including luxury vehicles, international travel tickets and cash rewards.
Zayed National Museum
The Zayed National Museum will host its first public Ramadan programme, Ramadan Nights, beginning on the first day of the holy month.
It will feature heritage-inspired activities including live performances, storytelling sessions, curated film screenings and cooking workshops led by Emirati talents.
Highlights include the "Shadow Show: When the Moon Appears," storytelling inspired by the Blue Qur'an, and moon-sighting and stargazing experiences in Al Masar Garden.
It will run nightly from 8:30pm to midnight until the 20th day of Ramadan. Entry is free for ticket holders, though some select activations require a paid ticket.
For full programme details and timings, visit zayednationalmuseum.ae.
Community Gatherings at Umm Al Emarat Park
Umm Al Emarat Park will host the return of "Ramadan Nights at the Park," a month-long programme focused on community connection and reflection.
An iftar cannon will mark the daily breaking of the fast at the park's main gate, while a dedicated Ramadan Garden will offer outdoor iftar gatherings accompanied by live oud music.
A Ramadan pop-up market will operate every Friday and Saturday, showcasing local businesses, food vendors, and themed entertainment.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will continue its annual Ramadan initiatives promoting cultural exchange and community engagement.
Programmes typically include iftar and suhoor meal distribution, lectures by specialists and the "Jusoor" initiative, which invites people from diverse backgrounds to experience Ramadan traditions at the mosque.
Visitors can also access the mosque's jogging track, while taking in views of its architecture and surrounding landscape.
The mosque welcomed nearly 1.9 million worshippers and visitors during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr in 2025. These included 594,236 worshippers for prayers and 391,011 visitors during the holy month.
Cultural Talks and Concerts at Louvre Abu Dhabi
At Louvre Abu Dhabi, Ramadan programming will include lectures and musical performances exploring Islamic heritage and spirituality.
A talk on February 24 will examine Farid al-Din Attar's classical Persian work "The Conference of the Birds," while a March 1 concert titled "Echoes of Fez" will feature Moroccan vocalist Noureddine Tahiri performing Andalusian devotional music in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation.
