Liwa Village 2027

Liwa Village 2027 returns to Moreeb Dune in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi from 11 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, bringing 23 days of rides, family attractions and Emirati heritage. Run as part of the Liwa International Festival by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, it turns the dunes of Liwa into a winter festival ground every evening.

Six zones to explore

The village is divided into themed areas, each with its own pace:

• Shams Liwa, home to the Ferris Wheel with panoramic views over the village and the desert
• Wanasa, the family zone, with Pixel Run, Slime Splash, a Carousel, Traffic Jam, Animal Jet, Circus Swinger, Space Tower, a Zipline and Climb Quest, plus games such as Hook a Duck, Basketball and Tooth Smash
• Meydan, with the Desert Heist team mission, a House of Horror and Turbo Kart
• Souk, the heritage heart, with traditional crafts, local artisans, live cooking demonstrations and Arabic coffee
• Adrenaline, with a 4×4 Track, Bumper Cars, Booster, Sling Shot and Tagada
• Tahadi, a new zone for this edition, with a Maze Adventure, Ninja Challenge, Play Strike and Target Shooting

Beyond the zones, there is Go Water Kart in a dedicated pool, a classic car display, Mini Tank Paintball, Bungee Jumping and outdoor BBQ dining in the desert.

Nitro Circus lands in Liwa

The headline addition for 2027 is Nitro Circus 2.0, with live freestyle motocross and BMX shows on 19 and 20 December. It is the first time Nitro Circus has come to Liwa Village. Nitro tickets include Liwa Village admission, and an optional upgrade adds early entry, priority merchandise access, an on-field track walk and the chance to meet the athletes. If you are planning a single visit, those two nights are the ones to aim for.

Emirati heritage in the Souk

For all the rides, the Souk is what gives Liwa Village its sense of place. Here you can watch artisans at work on traditional crafts, browse the stalls, sit down for Arabic coffee and catch live cooking demonstrations. It is a gentler counterpoint to the Adrenaline and Tahadi zones and a good place to start before the evening crowds build.

Opening hours and tickets

Liwa Village opens at 4pm daily. From Sunday to Thursday it closes at midnight, while on Fridays and Saturdays it stays open until 2am. Entry tickets give access to the village itself, while selected rides, attractions and activities are charged separately, and individual rides may have their own age, height or participation limits. Ticket categories cover adults aged 11 and over, children aged 4 to 10, seniors aged 60 and over, and a family pass for two adults and two children, with free entry for children up to three and for People of Determination. Tickets are sold online and at the entrance.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The organisers ask visitors to dress modestly in line with local culture and to bring a light jacket, as desert temperatures drop sharply after dark.

Getting to Moreeb Dune

Liwa Village sits at Moreeb Dune, deep in the Al Dhafra Region, and no public transport is listed. Use a navigation app to reach Moreeb Dune and follow event signs on arrival. If you are taking a taxi, arrange your transport in advance and plan the return journey before you set off, as the site is a long way from the city.

Who it suits

Liwa Village works for families with children of all ages thanks to Wanasa, for thrill seekers drawn to the Adrenaline zone and Nitro Circus, and for anyone wanting an authentic slice of Emirati heritage during the winter break. Late opening on weekends makes it a natural fit for a road trip from Abu Dhabi city or even Dubai.

Find more ideas in our things to do in Abu Dhabi guide, browse attractions across the UAE, or see the December and January event calendars.