Abu Dhabi is set to host the 19th edition of the Al Dhafra Festival under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marking a spectacular start to the Camel Mazayna Season. Running from 27th October 2025 to 22nd January 2026, the festival promises an unmatched celebration of Emirati culture, heritage, and traditional sports.
This year, the festival is expected to attract thousands of participants and visitors with its extensive programme featuring camel mazayna competitions alongside 17 heritage contests. A total of more than 4,800 prizes worth over AED94.4 million will be awarded, making it one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the region.
The camel mazayna contests alone are staggering in scale, spanning four stations with 355 rounds and offering 3,370 prizes valued at over AED88.7 million. Categories include Majahim, Asayel, Asayel hybrids, and Wadh, ensuring a diverse showcase of prized camel breeds. The season will kick off with the Suweihan Mazayna from 27th October to 3rd November, followed by Razeen Mazayna (15–22 November) and Madinat Zayed Mazayna (13–20 December). The festival will reach its climax with the grand finale, the Al Dhafra Festival Mazayna, scheduled for 3rd–22nd January 2026.
Beyond camel contests, the festival will host approximately 1,520 heritage competition prizes valued at over AED5.6 million. Events include camel milking, falconry and falcon beauty competitions, Arabian Saluki beauty and racing, Arabian horse racing, and the Al Dhafra Arabian Horse Beauty Competition. Visitors can also experience contests on Naeem sheep beauty, dates and their packaging, traditional cooking, sour milk preparation, shooting, Ansif al-Qaoud (camel sitting), traditional dress, children’s competitions, Shilat Al Dhafra (heritage poetry chants), and tea preparation. These activities will run alongside the vibrant Al Dhafra Heritage Market, creating a full cultural immersion for attendees.
The festival emphasizes community values, reflecting the UAE’s Year of the Community initiative. By bringing families and communities together, it strengthens social bonds while preserving heritage and encouraging intergenerational knowledge sharing. It also supports camel breeding, purebred Arabian horses, and falconry, ensuring the continuity of these traditions.
Additionally, the event stimulates economic activity by boosting camel trade, attracting domestic and Gulf tourism, and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a premier destination for heritage sports and cultural tourism.
With its combination of traditional competitions, cultural activities, and substantial prizes, the Al Dhafra Festival continues to be a symbol of Emirati pride, heritage preservation, and community engagement. The 2025 edition is expected to set new records in participation, economic impact, and celebration of the UAE’s cultural legacy.
