Liwa: The Desert's Grand Stage, the Liwa International Festival, is set to return from 12 December 2025 to 3 January 2026, offering 23 days filled with culture, adventure, motorsports, music, and family-oriented activities amidst the golden dunes of the Al Dhafra Region. Set against the towering 300-metre Tal Moreeb, the festival is one of the UAE's highly anticipated annual events, blending heritage, adventure, and quality time with loved ones. According to Emirates News Agency, since its inception in 2001, the Liwa International Festival has become a hallmark of Abu Dhabi's winter events, providing a diverse array of activities from racing and dune sports to cultural experiences and entertainment. The festival will commence with the Forsan Al Emarat show, featuring the official aerobatics team of the UAE Air Force, alongside fireworks, light shows, and drone displays illuminating the desert sky. The festival is a hub for motorsport enthusiasts, promising an exciting lineup of events. It begins with Freest yle Drift on 12-13 December and 22-23 December, followed by the Spartan Race Liwa on 13 December and Bike Drag Racing on 14 December. From 15 to 17 December, the Falconry event will highlight precision and tradition, leading into the Car Stunt Championship and the debut of the Extreme Mudfest on 19-20 December. Participants can engage in the Liwa Running Challenge on 20 December, with the Liwa Cycling Race and Liwa UTV following on 21 December. The high-energy Liwa Burnout Championship is scheduled for 25 December, while the event-packed days of 26 and 27 December are set to feature Liwa Drift, Monster Jam, and the Tal Moreeb Running Challenge. Concurrently, the Liwa Padel Championship and Liwa Cycling Challenge will keep sports enthusiasts engaged, with the Sand Wrestling Championship rounding off the motorsport offerings before the Car Stunt Championship resumes on 28-29 December. The festival will also include the Electronic Freestyle Championship on 30 December, and the Tal Moreeb Car Championship from 31 December to 3 January, featuring multiple racing categories. Additional weekend activities include Football, Padel, and Boxing from 15-21 December. The Jetour Travel Conference is scheduled for 19-21 December. Visitors can enjoy daily Dune Projection and Drone Shows, with Hot Air Balloons available on weekends, turning the desert skyline into a vibrant spectacle each evening. Daily Water Karting and Mini Tank Paintball from 12 December to 3 January 2026 offer thrilling experiences for action seekers. Fireworks will light up the desert sky during the opening ceremony, weekends, New Year's Eve, and the closing ceremony, creating memorable moments throughout the festival. Central to the event is Liwa Village, a bustling hub of entertainment and exploration for all ages, featuring water karting, carnival rides, skill games, pony rides, and dual ziplines. The Classic Car Museum, Auto Zone, Horror Escape Room, and Smash Room provide extra excitement, while the Pony Grove and petting zoo cater to younger visito rs. Festival attractions include the Souk Zone and Pop-Up Heritage Shops for handcrafted items and local goods, while the Performance Stage offers live music, cultural acts, and daily entertainment. Culinary enthusiasts can indulge in both Emirati dishes and international cuisines at the festival's numerous food and beverage outlets. The festival's New Year's Eve celebration will be extraordinary, with the Tal Moreeb Car Championship's commencement and a special New Year's Eve concert followed by a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the vast Liwa desert sky. This celebration offers attendees an opportunity to embrace the new year with music, adventure, and the breathtaking Al Dhafra landscape. The Liwa International Festival is a celebration of the UAE's rich heritage and traditions. It offers a connection to the desert's spirit through events like falconry, handicrafts, Souk Liwa, and the pigeon shooting championship, reinforcing the nation's enduring commitment to culture, community, and innovatio n.