Today, the Shaykh Zayed Festival 2024-2025 season begins under the slogan "Welcome", which runs until February 28 in the Al-Wathba area in the city of Abu Dhabi. The festival's organizing committee has completed preparations for welcoming visitors from all over the world with wonderful and diverse presentations of fireworks, drones, and many other surprises. This marks the beginning of a new season of the festival, held under the patronage of His Eminence Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and under the supervision of His Eminence Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Affairs Department, as well as under the leadership of Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, advisor to His Eminence the President, and chairman of the festival's organizing committee.
The committee noted that this year's festival features significant changes aimed at enhancing public enjoyment through various unique events and presentations suitable for all categories, striving to make the festival a venue for the meeting of civilizations and cultures and a premier venue for entertainment. On the first day, visitors can enjoy a multitude of engaging and interactive activities, such as a grand opening parade with large mascots and the best models for global level events in the festival's pavilions, an open cirque show, gift giveaways to visitors, as well as musical performances of cultural heritage, complemented by a variety of folklore and sports entertainment events.
Visitors will have the opportunity to spend weekends in an atmosphere of culture and entertainment, enjoying performances including fireworks displays, pyrotechnic shows, live performances from Emirates Fontana, laser shows, the floating market in Al Wathba, a flying restaurant, and an antique souvenir store, as well as numerous new events and activities for the new festival season. The pavilions of the Emirati civilization are prepared to welcome visitors—citizens and residents, as well as tourists from all corners of the globe, showcasing authentic customs and traditions of the UAE people and the role of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the establishment and consolidation of the nation and state through various pavilions and sections, including a traditional museum presenting diverse cultural and traditional events, folk markets, artisanal crafting, and various live traditional performances, to provide visitors with a journey into the past, steeped in the spirit of enduring heritage.
International pavilions participating in the festival will introduce visitors to various programs and shows from different countries to familiarize them with the cultures, customs, and specificities of each nation, including numerous activities reflecting the diverse aspects of its heritage and culture, as well as local products to enrich the festival's atmosphere. Many government institutions pay great attention to participation in the Sheikh Zayed Festival, thanks to its high status. This season, new attractions and entertainment have been introduced, including a "family entertainment zone", offering a variety of new engaging games for all ages, virtual reality technologies, and unique experiences for premium guests. The presentations aim to emphasize national identity, social interaction, and diversity, organizing various events, interactive masterclasses, and cultural exhibitions, reinforcing their commitment to strengthening Emirati values and ensuring opportunities for everyone to enjoy the prosperous history and authentic traditions.
