Liwa Date Festival 2023
The Liwa Date Festival celebrates the date harvest season in the UAE, beginning every June, with a variety of entertainment, heritage activities, and competitions. The 21st edition is taking place from 14th to 27th July in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival emphasizes its dedication to one of the UAE’s most enduring cultural and agricultural traditions.
Competitions
This year features 24 competitions, including:
- 12 date mazayna contests, covering categories such as Dabbas, Khalas, Fard, Khenaizi, Buma’an, Shishi, Zamli.
- The Largest Date Bunch, Al Dhafra and Liwa Elite Dates, Al Ain Fard, and Khalas competitions.
- Seven fruit competitions for varieties of lemons, mangoes, red and yellow figs, and the Local Fruits Basket contest.
- Three Model Farm competitions across the Western and Eastern Mahadir (agricultural farms) and Al Dhafra cities.
- Contests for the Most Beautiful Palm Frond Basket and artistic creations made from palm trunks.
Heritage and Community
Besides competitions, the festival presents a diverse programme of heritage events, daily activities, and cultural initiatives designed to preserve the legacy of the date palm as a symbol of the UAE’s heritage and prosperity.
The festival also fosters family and community ties, encourages intergenerational engagement, and reinforces values of cooperation and belonging, reflecting the spirit of the UAE’s Year of the Community.
