Suwaihan:The 20th Al Dhafra Festival is scheduled to commence tomorrow in Suwaihan, Al Ain Region, organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. The festival will kick off with the Suwaihan Mazayna, running from 27th October to 3rd November 2026.
According to Wam, the opening stage will feature 82 camel beauty competition rounds, offering 775 prizes with a total value of AED9.955 million. The competitions are categorized into four main groups 38 rounds for Local Asayel, 32 for Majaheem, nine for Asayel Hybrids, and three for Wadh. This year's event introduces six new rounds, with three in the Asayel Hybrids category—Mafruda, Haqqa, and Laqya—and three in the Wadh category with the same classifications.
Alongside the camel beauty contests, the festival will host a traditional market featuring various shops that showcase Emirati heritage products, emphasizing the role of traditional crafts in preserving cultural heritage. Visitors will also have access to a variety of food trucks and innovative entrepreneurial ventures.
Following the Suwaihan Mazayna, the festival will proceed to its second stage, the Razeen Mazayna, from 15th to 22nd November 2026, maintaining 82 competition rounds and offering prizes worth AED9.955 million. The third stage will occur in Madinat Zayed from 3rd to 10th December 2026, featuring 88 rounds with a prize pool of AED10.735 million.
The festival's fourth stage will run from 12th to 19th December 2026, including cash-prize rounds with 66 rounds and prizes totaling AED20.56 million. The fifth and final stage, dedicated to the Al Ramooz rounds, will take place from 3rd to 12th January 2027, consisting of 65 rounds and prizes amounting to AED46.772 million. Across these stages, the festival encompasses 383 camel beauty rounds, with a combined prize pool of AED97.248 million.
An integral part of Abu Dhabi's annual Mazayna competitions season, the Al Dhafra Festival aims to preserve purebred camel bloodlines and uphold cultural heritage. It supports camel owners and enthusiasts of traditional competitions, reinforcing national identity and promoting Emirati heritage.
The Falak Al Namoos application provides participants with the ability to register for competition rounds, access announcements, and consult the festival guide for rules, prize details, and schedules. Users can also update their information and access other services related to the festival.