Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi is inviting residents of all ages to step into a celebration of health and wellbeing with its first-ever Festival of Health, a multi-week event designed to make healthy living fun, accessible, and part of daily life for people of all ages.
The festival is organised by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) in collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH).
It is set to take place across three weekends this month: December 12–16 on Hudayriyat Island; December 19–21 at Madinat Zayed Park in Al Dhafra; and December 26–28 at Al Jahili Park, Al Ain.
“Community health begins with awareness, daily routines, and the support of a strong environment,” Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said during a press conference on Thursday.
This festival is one of the first initiatives under Abu Dhabi’s Healthy Living Strategy, recently approved by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
“Through the Festival of Health, we are giving the community the confidence and opportunities they need to make their wellbeing a priority. Our goal is to empower families with practical tools and enjoyable experiences that inspire healthier choices and strengthen the foundations of a more resilient Abu Dhabi,” Dr Al Ghaithi added.
A Festival for Every Age and Lifestyle
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore movement challenges, nutrition workshops, healthy cooking experiences, wellbeing consultations, digital activations, family games, and fitness sessions.
A dedicated Health Hub will showcase innovations from government and private partners, including wearable health technology, nutrition and sleep products, and free consultations.
The festival is structured around four immersive “districts”, each reflecting a pillar of wellbeing: Movement, Nutrition, Sleep, and Mental Wellbeing.
Activities are designed to be inclusive, accessible, and family-friendly, with special areas for children, women-only sessions, and dedicated support for people of determination.
For mental wellbeing, highlights include a Gratitude Tree, mindfulness sessions, and AI-driven immersive experiences. Sleep-focused activities include VR sleep journeys, herbal tea workshops, and guided wind-down routines.
Movement is encouraged through Glow Motion workshops, obstacle courses, group fitness sessions, and interactive tech-infused games, while nutrition experiences feature healthy cooking demonstrations, Emirati women’s cooking sessions, bike-and-blend workshops, and hands-on nutrition challenges.
“The festival is designed to make wellbeing engaging, interactive, and meaningful for people of all ages,” Dr Rashed Alsuwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said during the launch event on Thursday.
“By uniting partners from across sectors, we are creating a vibrant community space where people can learn, connect, and take simple steps that improve their health. This initiative turns Abu Dhabi’s public health priorities into everyday action, helping shape long-term positive habits.”
The launch comes at a time when global and regional health trends signal the need for renewed focus on daily habits and wellbeing.
Childhood and adolescent obesity has more than doubled over the past 30 years, while non-communicable diseases remain among the leading causes of death worldwide.
In the UAE, more than half of children and adolescents do not meet recommended daily activity levels – a factor linked to lower energy, increased stress, and reduced mental wellbeing, according to a DoH statement.
Speaking with Aletihad, Dr Omniyat Mohammed Al-Hajeri, Executive Director of Community Health at ADPHC, noted that this initiative’s “magical ingredient” is making healthy living simple, fun, and part of daily routines.
“Health literacy in the UAE is big,” she said. “The key here is turning that knowledge into small, enjoyable lifestyle changes.”
A Data-Driven Approach
This event is aligned with Abu Dhabi’s ambition to create a prevention-first, community-centred health ecosystem.
Feedback gathered during the event will inform future initiatives to ensure they meet community needs. “For transformative change, you need data,” Dr Al Ghaithi told Aletihad.
Last year, DoH launched Sahatna, an integrated mobile app, allowing residents to access health records, teleconsultations, and track wellness metrics such as steps and sleep.
Dr Al Ghaithi noted that the app will also serve as a registration platform for festival activities, allowing organisers to track engagement and provide personalised health guidance based on health records, steps, and even genomic data.
In delivering the festival, ADPHC and DoH are joined by a broad network of collaborators, including PureHealth and Sakina, the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Modon and Hudayriyat Island, Al Ain Farms, Agthia, Burjeel Cancer Institute, Nestlé, and AstraZeneca.
Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi joins as the Official Community Partner, while Abu Dhabi Media Network will be the Official Media Partner.
