Dubai Culture and Arts announced the fifth edition of the 'Hatta Cultural Nights' festival, set to take place from December 20, 2025, to January 1, 2026, in Hatta Heritage Village. The festival, organized by Dubai's Culture and Arts Department under the 'Winter in Hatta' initiative, aims to support local communities, producer families, and creators by providing a platform to develop economic, commercial, and cultural projects and showcase their products to the public. The festival's program includes a series of heritage activities and artistic performances reflecting the region's authentic culture, featuring folkloric troupes, Rabab and Oud music sessions, circus shows, soap bubble and balloon displays, and interactive workshops such as 'Heritage Coffee' and 'Star Observatory'. It will also host an artisans' market for traditional crafts and a folk market to showcase the creations of producer families connected to local heritage. This event is designed to support Dubai's creative and cultural industries, enhancing the region's status as a tourist destination. Concurrently, the Abu Dhabi Culture and Arts Authority announced the main program for the 23rd Abu Dhabi Festival, scheduled to launch on April 12, 2026. The festival, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the theme 'Wisdom of Culture', will feature over 1,000 artists from 19 countries. It will honor the United States as the 'Country of Honor', celebrating over 50 years of diplomatic relations and friendship between the UAE and the USA. The festival's program includes performances by 10 of the world's leading orchestras, ballet and opera productions, and solo concerts by award-winning international artists. The festival will open on April 12 at Emirates Palace with a performance by pianist, composer, and conductor, Grammy winner Jon Batiste. Throughout April and May, the festival will continue with a series of evenings at Emirates Palace and NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center, featuring over 350 artists from around the globe.
