Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority will organise the inaugural Al Ain Dates Festival from 3-8 January 2025 in Al Ain City, Abu Dhabi.
The festival will showcase a variety of competitions and events celebrating the date harvest season, including seven main date competitions focusing on such categories as Al Ain Elite, Khalas, Fard, Dabbas, Bumaan, Shishi and Zamli. A total of 70 prizes, with a combined value exceeding AED1.7 million, have been allocated to these competitions. The festival will also feature a date auction, date shops, a traditional market, a heritage village, exhibitor pavilions, a children’s corner, a section for craftswomen, a photo exhibition, a performance stage, and folk art performances.
The festival highlights the role of the palm tree and its associated traditional and modern industries in supporting local products and the agricultural sector, with a particular focus on date production. It underscores the vital role of dates in economic diversification, their contribution to the national economy, and their role in supporting the country's food security.
As part of a broader series of festivals and events organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the Al Ain Dates Festival is aligned with the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, drawing inspiration from his legacy of preserving the UAE's rich heritage, particularly that of the palm tree.
The festival aims to establish a dedicated marketplace for Emirati dates, facilitate knowledge exchange and support best practices among farmers, promoting modern agricultural techniques, and safeguarding the nation’s cultural and agricultural traditions. Additionally, it seeks to encourage a deeper appreciation of agriculture within the community.
