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Heritage · Festival & competitions
Al Dhafra Festival 2026–27 (20th edition)
27 October 2026 – 13 January 2027 · Sweihan, Razeen and Madinat Zayed. Everything you need to know about Al Dhafra Festival 2026–27 (20th edition) — and how to turn your presence there into weeks of content.
In short
The 20th Al Dhafra Festival runs in five stages from 27 October 2026 to 13 January 2027 at Sweihan, Razeen and Madinat Zayed. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority under the patronage of the UAE President, it centres on camel beauty contests and heritage sports. A2Z Digital offers photo, video and social coverage for sponsors and heritage partners across the festival stages.
Details checked against official sources · Updated- Dates
- 27 October 2026 – 13 January 2027
- Venue
- Sweihan, Razeen and Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions
- Organiser
- Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority
- Category
- Heritage · Festival & competitions
- Official website
- www.mediaoffice.abudhabi
AED 97m+Total prize money (2026–27)
383Competition rounds (2026–27)
5Stages
20thEdition
About the event
What is Al Dhafra Festival?
Al Dhafra Festival is one of the UAE's largest heritage events, known for its Mazayna camel beauty contests. The 2026–27 season moves across five stages: Sweihan (27 October–3 November), Razeen (15–22 November), Madinat Zayed (3–10 December), the cash prize rounds (12–19 December) and the elite Al Romooz rounds (3–12 January 2027) at the Al Dhafra Traditional Market.
This edition has 383 rounds, including 22 new ones, and total prize money of more than AED 97 million. It also features falconry, camel milking, rifle shooting, purebred Arabian horse racing and saluki racing. Sponsors and government partners need respectful, authentic heritage content, often shot outdoors in desert light across several weeks.
Who takes part
Who you'll meet there
Exhibiting, sponsoring or hosting?01 02 03 04 05 06
We can cover Al Dhafra Festival for you
A2Z Digital's event photography & videography team covers stands, activations, speakers and side events at Al Dhafra Festival in Abu Dhabi — with same-day content for your social channels and PR.
Night & show video
Low-light video during shows, fireworks and performances.
Content days across the season
Scheduled shoots so your feed stays fresh for weeks.
Seasonal campaigns
Content planned around national days, holidays and peak weekends.
F&B & retail reels
Food, product and crowd reels for vendors and brands.
Influencer visits
Creator invitations and coverage to bring footfall.
Your content plan
Before, during & after
Before
Shot list, VIP and speaker schedule, crew passes and a teaser post announcing your presence at Al Dhafra Festival.
During
Photos and short clips delivered the same day, posted in English and Arabic while the event is trending.
After
Full edited gallery within 48 hours, a highlight film and cut-downs for ads, newsletters and your website.
All year
Reuse the footage in social media and lead generation campaigns until next year's edition.
Practical tips
Get more from Al Dhafra Festival
Advice from our event crews for making your presence count online.
- Plan by peak dates. Book coverage for the busiest nights and weekends, not just opening day.
- Shoot at golden hour. Outdoor events look best at sunset and after dark.
- Show the people. Families, performers and craftspeople make more engaging content.
- Respect etiquette. We follow local guidelines when filming visitors and heritage areas.
FAQ
Al Dhafra Festival questions
When is Al Dhafra Festival 2026–27 (20th edition)?
Al Dhafra Festival 2026–27 (20th edition) takes place on 27 October 2026 – 13 January 2027.
Where is Al Dhafra Festival held?
Al Dhafra Festival is held at Sweihan, Razeen and Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions.
Who organises Al Dhafra Festival?
Al Dhafra Festival 2026–27 (20th edition) is organised by Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. Check the official website for tickets, registration and exhibitor information.
What competitions are held at Al Dhafra Festival?
The main events are camel beauty (Mazayna) contests, with falconry, camel milking, rifle shooting, purebred Arabian horse racing and saluki racing alongside.
Where are the Al Dhafra Festival stages held?
Stages run in Sweihan, Razeen and Madinat Zayed, ending with the elite rounds at the Al Dhafra Traditional Market.
Can A2Z Digital cover our brand at Al Dhafra Festival?
Yes. A2Z Digital provides stall & pavilion photography, night & show video, content days across the season and same-day social content for brands, exhibitors and sponsors at Al Dhafra Festival.
More Abu Dhabi events
Also see: Dubai events · Saudi Arabia events · Egypt events.
A2Z Digital is an independent agency and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the organisers of Al Dhafra Festival 2026–27 (20th edition). Event names belong to their owners. Details are taken from official and published sources and may change — always confirm on the official website.
Taking part in Al Dhafra Festival?
Tell us your dates and stand or venue. We reply within one working day with a coverage plan.