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Ramadan Festival to kick off across Abu Dhabi with performances, food and night markets
The festival organised by Experience Abu Dhabi will start on February 20 across Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, marking the first multi-location celebration by the destination brand
- PUBLISHED: Mon 9 Feb 2026, 5:42 PM
A new Ramadan-focused public festival will kick off across Abu Dhabi this year, with a month-long programme of cultural performances, food and night markets taking place across three regions of the emirate.
Running throughout the holy month from February 20, the Ramadan Festival 2026 is organised by Experience Abu Dhabi and will take place in Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, marking the first time the destination brand has organised a unified Ramadan event spanning multiple locations.
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The initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader push to activate public spaces during Ramadan while creating inclusive, family-orientated experiences open to residents and visitors alike.
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The festival will operate daily from 8pm to 2am, aligning with post-iftar social hours, and will feature purpose-built “Ramadan neighbourhoods” at each site, designed to recreate the communal atmosphere traditionally associated with the holy month.
According to Experience Abu Dhabi, the festival aims to highlight Emirati heritage alongside contemporary Ramadan traditions, with programming that blends culture, entertainment, dining and retail in an outdoor setting.
Heritage, markets and family programming
Cultural elements form a central part of the programme, with scheduled performances including traditional folk dances such as Al Ayala and Al Harbiyah, poetry evenings, Arabic calligraphy demonstrations and storytelling sessions for children. Musical performances and theatrical shows are also planned across the venues.
A dedicated Ramadan souq will feature throughout the festival, with lantern-lit walkways and stalls showcasing local handicrafts, handmade goods and Ramadan-themed gifts. Organisers say the focus is on small retailers and distinctive products rather than large-scale commercial vendors.
Food offerings will be presented through a curated selection of food and beverage trucks, serving traditional Ramadan drinks, suhoor options and casual bites, catering to late-night visitors and families.
Children and families are a key target audience, with interactive workshops, puppet shows, creative activities and games scheduled across all three locations, reflecting a growing demand for Ramadan events that are both cultural and family-friendly.
Three regions, staggered dates
The festival will open simultaneously in Al Ain and Al Dhafra from February 20 to March 1, before moving to Abu Dhabi Corniche from February 27 to March 8, allowing residents across the emirate to access the programme without travelling to a single central venue.
Locations include:
ADNEC Al Ain (Outdoor Area) – Al Ain Region
Madinat Zayed Park – Al Dhafra Region
Abu Dhabi Corniche – Abu Dhabi City
Tickets will be required for entry and will be available via Platinumlist, though pricing details have not yet been announced.
Part of a wider Ramadan events push
The launch comes as Abu Dhabi continues to expand its Ramadan and winter-season event calendar, building on a growing appetite for open-air cultural festivals and night markets during the cooler months.
In recent years, the emirate has increasingly positioned Ramadan as a period for community gathering, arts programming and domestic tourism, alongside its religious significance.
Experience Abu Dhabi said the festival is intended to complement existing mosque, majlis and neighbourhood traditions rather than replace them, offering an additional option for families and visitors seeking structured evening activities during the holy month.
