Abu dhabi: Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the 19th edition of the Al Dhafra Festival will be inaugurated by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority as a part of the Camel Mazayna Season in Abu Dhabi. The festival is scheduled to occur from 27th October 2025 until 22nd January 2026.
According to Emirates News Agency, this year’s festival will feature camel mazayna competitions alongside 17 heritage contests, with more than 4,800 prizes amounting to over AED94.4 million. The programme will also include various cultural activities and traditional markets that run concurrently with the competitions.
The camel mazayna contests are set to span four stations and include 355 rounds, offering a total of 3,370 prizes valued at over AED88.7 million. These prizes will be awarded across the Majahim, Asayel, Asayel hybrids, and Wadh categories. The season will commence with the Suweihan Mazayna from 27th October to 3rd November 2025. Following this, the Razeen Mazayna will be held from 15-22 November, succeeded by the Madinat Zayed Mazayna from 13-20 December. The grand finale will be the Al Dhafra Festival Mazayna, scheduled from 3rd-22nd January 2026.
The heritage competitions, which will start in conjunction with the final Al Dhafra Festival, will offer approximately 1,520 prizes valued at over AED5.6 million. These events will include camel milking, falconry, falcon beauty, Arabian Saluki beauty and racing, Arabian horse racing, and the Al Dhafra Arabian Horse Beauty Competition. Additional contests will feature Naeem sheep beauty, dates and their packaging, shooting, cooking, sour milk, Ansif al-Qaoud (camel sitting), best traditional dress, children’s competitions, Shilat Al Dhafra (heritage poetry chants), and a tea preparation contest. A host of additional cultural and heritage activities will also take place at the Al Dhafra Heritage Market.
The festival aims to enhance community cohesion, aligning with the principles of the UAE Year of the Community by fostering unity and social bonds, preserving heritage, and promoting intergenerational interaction. It also seeks to instill values of cooperation, belonging, and shared experiences through its activities. Moreover, the event is dedicated to sustaining camel breeding and care, supporting enthusiasts of falconry, purebred Arabian horses, and heritage competitions, while promoting the preservation of these authentic breeds.
Additionally, the festival is committed to unifying standards and intensifying efforts to ensure the success of the mazayna competitions, increase participation, preserve authentic camel breeds, and stimulate trade activity. It also aims to boost the camel trade, contribute to the growth of domestic and Gulf tourism, and stimulate local economic activity, ultimately solidifying Abu Dhabi’s status as a premier destination for camel mazayna events.
The cultural and heritage festivals organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority underscore the emirate’s dedication to preserving and promoting local and Arab heritage globally. By highlighting Emirati values and traditions and instilling principles of national identity, these initiatives document traditional practices, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to safeguard and protect its cultural heritage.