One of the UAE’s most famous cultural and entertainment festivals, the Sheikh Zayed Festival, kicked off on November 1. Under the patronage of President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the event is set to run until February 28, 2025.
In the initial hours of the festival on Friday, citizens, residents and tourists from across the globe flocked to enjoy the opening events, including traditional folk performances and gift distributions. The opening parade featured a globally inspired performance.
Sheikh Zayed Festival Details
The Sheikh Zayed Festival embraces a harmonious blend of cultural, entertainment and global ambience.
- Date: November 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025
- Timing:
Monday to Friday | 4 Pm – 12 Am
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays | 4 Pm to 1 Am - Entrance fees:
AED 10 per person
(Children under 3 yrs old, Seniors (60+ years old), People of Determination Entry Free)
Attractions and Activities at Sheikh Zayed Festival
Pavilions
Sheikh Zayed Festival has 16 pavilions representing from across the globe. The massive multi-national festival is expected to get even better this year
Emirates Fountain and Laser Shows
Positioned at the center of the festival grounds, the Emirates Fountain attracted hundreds of visitors to enjoy performances accompanied by music and laser lights on Friday. These events are one-of-a-kind experiences that add a touch of magic to the evenings.
Heritage Village
Thousands of festival goers are expected to explore the Heritage Village. This section flaunts the UAE’s traditional life, customs and values across its four environments: desert, marine, mountainous and agricultural. Take a deep dive into the country’s past here.
Flying Cup
Soar high above the Sheikh Zayed Festival and enjoy panoramic details of the bustling place and eat something delicious, all at the same time. The festival is a splendid place to attend entertaining performances and have culinary experiences.
CHINATOWN
Discover Chinese culture with authentic food, handmade crafts, and various performances.
Custom Car Show
Experience this Car competition and show featuring modifications and customizations with prizes.
Categories:
- Custom Cars (Customization Competition)
- Classic Cars (Refurbishment Competition)
- Engine Battle and weekly vehicle exhibit
Play Fountain
Kids and families who enjoy this interactive fountain, this area perfect for family fun.
Fun Fair City
Explore fun filled activities at Fun Fair City with a variety of game for all ages at the festival.
Amusement City
This 2024-2025 season, the ‘amusement city‘ section at the festival adds more fun and excitement. It features several virtual reality games suitable for all ages, alongside a thrilling haunted house experience and other fun games and adventures.
Wildlife Secrets Sanctuary
Here visitors can learn about some rare and endangered animals where you have an opportunity to interact and see with rare species of animals and birds up-close.
More festivals
Fresh festivals across the Sheikh Zayed Festival’s venues and pavilions are going to create a unique celebratory atmosphere each time attendees visit. These include Children and Cartoon Characters Festival and the Ramadan ‘Month of Giving’ Festival.
Delicacies all around
This year’s Sheikh Zayed Festival is offering a broad selection of popular and international restaurants, alongside food trucks serving thousands of daily dishes to suit all tastes. It’s time to dive into an extensive array of culinary experiences for the first time.
Sheikh Zayed Festival Events and Shows
New Year Celebration
New Year Celebration will take place at the Sheikh Zayed Festival will welcome New Year 2025 with largest fireworks display. Fireworks will be displayed in different colors and formations in a special way.
Union Parade
Union Parade is set to take place here as an honest expression of its people for the love of the country and its wise leadership. The Union Parade is one of the key important events of the festival.
National Day Celebrations
Celebrate the 53rd UAE National Day with traditional and musical shows. The festival will showcase performances of Emirati folk arts, heritage games, dances and fireworks.
Government pavilions at Sheikh Zayed Festival 2024-2025
Government entity pavilions at the festival present an extensive range of activities and events. They give the festival a unique character through interactive experiences that promote information and cultural exchange among global civilizations.
On the first day of the festival, several international pavilions noted high visitor turnout. These sections host unique performances and events for visitors to experience each participating nation’s culture, customs and products.
Public transport options to Shiekh Zayed Festival
1. From Abu Dhabi
This year, the UAE capital is operating 9 buses to provide free transport for festival visitors from multiple locations to the event site via Bus service no. 408. The schedule includes up to 48 to 54 trips on different days (frequency of every 20 minutes).
Service routes start at the main bus station and proceed through Rabdal Mall on al Ittihad Street and the area opposite Baniyas Court, before finally reaching the destination.
Outbound trips run from 3 am until 10-11 pm, and return from 4:30 pm to 12-1:10 am.
Taxi services
In order to ensure a comfortable and safe journey for all visitors, the Sheikh Zayed Festival has a designated area for passenger pick-up and drop-off.
You can also Book taxis by calling 600535353, via the mobile application or through other electronic payment options.
Road Service Patrol units have been deployed around the event site to manage traffic and to provide support to users in case of concerns like fuel delivery, tyre changes or battery changing. On-site inspectors are also available to offer assistance.
2. From Dubai
From Dubai to the Sheikh Zayed Festival, the route is fairly simple. You can start your journey from Ibn Battuta Metro Bus Station 6 and reach Ibn Battuta, Food Court 3 – next, start at the nearby Ibn Battuta Bus Station 8 to reach Central Bus Station in Abu Dhabi.
From the Central Bus Station, you need to cover a 2-minute distance on foot, and board a bus from Abu Dhabi Bus Station to reach the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. Cover another 3-minute route on foot and enter the Sheikh Zayed Festival on time.
By personal transport options
People choosing to travel from Dubai to the Sheikh Zayed Festival via private transport options can head into Sheikh Zayed Road and continue on the path represented in the above image. The journey lasts around 1-2 hours, depending on traffic conditions at the time.
1 AED