What Is Liwa International Festival?
Sporting and Tourism
Liwa Oasis, located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has undergone a significant transformation since 2003, emerging as a prominent center for sports and tourism.
The oasis, characterized by its stunning sand dunes and expansive land, initially attracted motorsport enthusiasts who engaged in activities such as car drifting and racing. Additionally, Liwa has a rich history of traditional camel and horse sports that have been cherished by Arab communities for thousands of years.
In 2003, the inhabitants of Liwa recognized the potential of organizing these events in a professional and safe manner. As a result, the Liwa Sports Club (LSC) was established, and later gained recognition for organizing Liwa’s annual international festival. The festival traditionally takes place every December to January of the following year.
As the event gained popularity, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi collaborated with LSC in organizing the festival.
By January 2023, the Liwa 2023 festival had attracted 283,988 participants, including both local residents and international tourists and 114,442 cars in addition to 271.5 million views on different social media platforms. Source: LSC Media Report Jan 2023
While by January 2024, the Liwa 2024 festival had attracted 640,222 visitors and 182,339 vehicles. Source: LSC Media Report Jan 2024
Liwa International Festival Dec 22 – Jan 23
Location
The Liwa Oasis (Arabic: Wahhet Liwa) is located in Al Dhafra Region, which is the western region of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
The landscape of the oasis presents a striking contrast between lush green date palm groves and towering orange-red sand dunes due to its shallow water table that has sustained agricultural practices and animal husbandry for countless generations.
Stretching over a distance of more than 100 kilometers in an east-west direction, the Liwa Oasis boasts some of the largest sand dunes on Earth. Many of these dunes reach heights exceeding 150 meters, adding to the grandeur and magnificence of the scenery. According to Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism the oasis has one of the world
