Liwa Festival 2025 concludes on a high note
Moreeb Dune steals the limelight
The Liwa International Festival (Moreeb Dune 2025), held near the famed Moreeb Dune in Abu Dhabi, showcased an exciting blend of outdoor adventure, Emirati culture and heritage, and unique motorsport.
The festival, which was held from December 13, 2024, to January 4, 2025, was organised by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region.
It featured an action-packed itinerary encompassing a variety of activities, from high-octane motorsports to cultural exhibitions and family-friendly fun. Liwa’s desert, known for its towering dunes and serene landscapes, set the stage for a diverse festival experience.
Among the major attractions of the annual festival was the Moreeb Dune Hill Climbing Championship, which drew adrenaline junkies and off-road enthusiasts from across the GCC region. The championship occurred from January 2-4, 2025, and involved daring drivers attempting to scale the mega dune – a feat requiring skill and precision in navigating the treacherous terrain.
Moreeb Dune is approximately 304 metres high, with a 50-degree slip face and stretches over 1,300 metres in length, making it one of the highest dunes in the world.
In addition to the motorsports events, visitors could look forward to thrilling 4×4 racing, camel races, and traditional performances highlighting the UAE’s rich cultural heritage. The festival was not just about entertainment but also about preserving Emirati traditions. It was an excellent platform for keeping these customs alive while embracing modernity through high-energy activities and entertainment.
Cultural exchange
A must-see event in the UAE’s winter calendar, the festival also served as a vital cultural exchange, bringing together people worldwide. Attendees immersed themselves in the UAE’s proud Bedouin traditions with live performances of traditional music and dance. These cultural showcases not only entertained but also educated visitors about the customs and history of the Al Dhafra region, which lies at the heart of Liwa.
For those looking for a more relaxing experience, the festival included a heritage village where artisans demonstrated skills such as pottery, weaving, and the crafting of traditional items. These spaces offered a glimpse into the life of the Emirati people, giving visitors an authentic experience of the UAE’s cultural past and present. The village also hosted food stalls offering a variety of local delicacies, from camel meat dishes to sweets, providing an authentic taste of the desert.
The UAE off-road community was in full force at the festival, with thousands of stock and modified 4x4s taking on the challenging Moreeb Dune and diverse surrounding dunes.
Camping enthusiasts from across the UAE and neighbouring countries also used the cool weather to set up tents on dunes surrounding the mighty Moreeb Dune. From there, they could enjoy watching super-charged 4x4s race up and down the Moreeb Dune and the daily fireworks display over the iconic dune.
‘Weekends with Albert’
One of the UAE’s most popular and oldest off-road groups, Dubai-based ‘Weekends with Albert,’ drove from Dubai to participate in the Liwa International Festival 2025. Over three days and nights, the group members engaged in wild camping and off-road driving.
According to group founder Albert Mahesh, a well-respected off-road specialist popularly known as ‘Desert Fox’, the Liwa festival is significant to attend as it allows diehard off-roaders to meet fellow off-roaders from across the UAE while enjoying drives in the Liwa dunes and camping under the stars, made all the more memorable with BBQ, camaraderie, and campfire experiences during the cold winter nights.
One of the key aspects of the Liwa International Festival 2025 was its celebration of desert sports, a vital part of Emirati culture. In addition to the aforementioned car racing and camel events, the festival featured other extreme sports, such as quad biking, sand surfing, and motorbike racing, allowing visitors to experience the power and beauty of the desert in thrilling ways.
The festival offered various activities for families of all ages. Children could enjoy the amusement park, which featured rides and games designed to entertain while providing a break from the action-packed events.
Interactive zones where children could interact with animals, such as camels and falcons, added an educational component to the fun. The festival’s focus on family-friendly activities was ideal for attendees.
Sustainability focus
The Liwa International Festival 2025 placed significant emphasis on sustainability. With the natural desert landscape as a backdrop, efforts were made to minimise the festival’s environmental impact, from waste management to eco-friendly practices.
The event included educational workshops on conservation and environmental protection, ensuring visitors were entertained and informed about the importance of preserving the desert ecosystem.
The Liwa International Festival in 2025 was not just a festival but a celebration of the UAE’s unique position at the intersection of tradition and modernity. Set in the captivating dunes of the Liwa Oasis, it offered a rare opportunity to explore the country’s rich cultural heritage while experiencing the thrills of modern desert sports.
Whether the powerful engines of the 4x4s roared through the sand or the quiet grace of camel races at sunset, Liwa provided an experience like no other.
Hero image: The iconic Moreeb Dune frames hundreds of campers from across the GCC region. Credit: Arnold Pinto
