Shams Liwa
The village's glowing centerpiece — the Ferris wheel and the Liwa Village landmark, lit for the night.
Inside this zone
- Ferris wheel
- The LIWA VILLAGE landmark sign
Welcome to Liwa
A shared destination for culture, adventure, entertainment and connection.
Liwa Village is the cultural, entertainment and lifestyle heart of the Liwa International Festival, out in the Al Dhafra desert around Tal Moreeb.
The festival is known for what happens on the sand — the racing, the dunes, the competition. The village is the rest of it: the part you walk through, eat in, and stay in long after the light goes. Emirati heritage and contemporary energy, in the same place, at the same hour.
Hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
Six worlds, one village
Find your zone.
Tap a zone on the live map to see what's inside — from family fun to after-dark thrills.
Zone 02
Wanasa
Family and kids at the heart of it — attractions, an Art Hub, and mascots.
Inside this zone
- Attractions
- Art Hub
- Mascots
- Creative workshops
Zone 03
Meydan
Higher energy after dark, for young adults chasing a thrill.
Inside this zone
- Higher-energy attractions
- Horror house
Zone 04
Souk
Artisan arcades and traditional crafts, heritage-style.
Inside this zone
- Artisan arcades
- Traditional crafts
- Heritage-style architecture
Zone 05
Adrenaline
Rides and a drop tower for those who came for the rush.
Inside this zone
- Carnival rides
- Drop tower
- High-energy attractions
Beyond the six zones
The big ones.
Eight experiences that stand on their own, spread across the village.
Grand Arena
The main stage, built for large-scale entertainment and concerts.
Illustrative imageSmash Room
Thrill meets freedom. Smash, break and shatter your stress away in a safe, electrifying space.
Illustrative imageHorror Escape Room
One locked room, one way out, and the clock running.
Car Exhibition
A classic and collector car display.
Mini Tank Paintball
Paintball in and around a desert-styled tank setup.
Illustrative imageBungee Jump
Details coming soon
Illustrative imageJet Ski
Details coming soon
Zip Line and Climbing Wall
Details coming soon
After dark
The village doesn't quiet down at night.
Stage shows and live music run into the evening, and jalsat carry on under the desert sky. Traditional performance sits in the same programme as everything else — not in a separate tent.
Stage shows
Large-scale entertainment at the Grand Arena.
Live Khaleeji music
Evening sets across the village.
Jalsat evenings
Gatherings that run long, out under the sky.
Ayalla and Harbiya
Traditional Emirati performance, live.
The programme is still being confirmed — no performers announced yet.
Made by hand
Craft you can watch being made.
In the Souk, the village slows down. Weavers, potters and henna artists work in front of you, and the food follows the same logic — made the way it has always been made.
Crafts
- Sadu weaving
- Talli
- Pottery
- Henna
- Falconry
On the table
- Luqaimat
- Qahwa
- Dates
Eat and shop
Thirty places to eat. Twenty-two to browse.
Qahwa poured in front of you, luqaimat still warm, and somewhere to sit down properly when you've walked enough.
- 30
Dining spots
Across the whole village.
- 22
Shops
Retail and artisan stalls.
Elevated dining
A raised dining area above the village floor.
Majlis seating
Somewhere to sit back between zones.
Locate us
Getting to Liwa Village
Two hours from Abu Dhabi on the E11, straight into the Al Dhafra desert. Free parking sits directly in front of the entrance. Tap through for turn-by-turn directions from wherever you are.