Abu Dhabi launches inaugural Al Wathba Dates Festival with AED5.7 million in prizes

The inaugural Al Wathba Dates Festival will run from Aug. 3 to 9 in Al Wathba as part of the Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival, offering a total prize pool of AED5.677 million across 18 competitions designed to support date palm cultivation and Emirati farmers. The event is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice president, deputy prime minister and chairman of the Presidential Court, and is organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority.

"The festival reflects the UAE leadership’s commitment to supporting date palm cultivation and preserving the country’s agricultural heritage," said Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, executive director of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority’s Festivals and Events Sector, at a press conference announcing the programme.

Details released at the Al Ain Dates Festival by Abdullah Mubarak Al Muhairi, acting director-general of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, outlined a competition schedule that will award 240 prizes worth a combined AED5.677 million. The lineup includes 18 distinct competitions aimed at promoting higher-quality local date production, encouraging best agricultural practices and preserving the cultural significance of the date palm for future generations.

Festival components and prize structure

• Dates: Aug. 3–9, held in Al Wathba as part of the Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival.
• Organiser: Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority; patronage by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
• Competitions: 18 events with 240 prizes distributed.
• Total prize pool: AED5.677 million (noted in event materials as more than AED5.6 million).
• Special categories: 10 rutab (fresh dates) beauty competitions among the contest roster.

Officials say the festival is designed to elevate the quality of locally produced dates and to promote agricultural best practices among Emirati farmers. The inclusion of rutab beauty contests — judged on the appearance and quality of fresh dates — highlights an emphasis on both production standards and cultural celebration. Organisers framed the event as a platform to pass on knowledge about date cultivation and to keep the fruit’s cultural role prominent for younger generations.

Abdullah Mubarak Al Muhairi and Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei presented the festival plan during the press conference at the Al Ain Dates Festival, signalling coordination across Abu Dhabi’s heritage and agricultural stakeholders. The event’s significant prize pool is intended as direct financial support for growers while raising visibility for the emirate’s date industry during the summer festival season.

Outlook

With patronage from a senior member of the UAE leadership and a major prize fund, organisers expect the Al Wathba Dates Festival to attract growers, traders and cultural participants from across the region. Beyond immediate prize incentives, the festival aims to set benchmarks for date quality and farming practices, and to create networks that could benefit Emirati farmers beyond the week-long event. The 2026 edition’s early success in drawing attention and entries will likely influence whether the programme expands in scope or prize value in future years.