Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region, the 11th Traditional Handicrafts Festival will take place from 1–20 November 2025 at Souq Al Qattara, hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
Held under the theme “A Journey through Community Traditional Craftsmanship”, the 2025 edition aligns with the UAE’s Year of Community, celebrating the nation’s living heritage through artisanal mastery, creativity, and cultural exchange.
Honouring Heritage and Empowering Artisans
The festival serves as a vibrant platform for Emirati artisans and families in the handicrafts sector, supporting them in adapting traditional practices to modern markets. Through demonstrations, interactive workshops, and storytelling, visitors can experience firsthand the techniques and traditions that have shaped the UAE’s cultural identity.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said:
“As we mark more than a decade of the Traditional Handicrafts Festival, our commitment to preserving and celebrating Emirati heritage has never been stronger. This event connects the rich tapestry of our past with the living heritage of our present, inspiring pride and ensuring our identity thrives for generations to come.”
Heritage Pavilions and Experiences
This year’s edition features four dedicated craft pavilions:
- Emirati Gahwa Pavilion: Celebrating the art of traditional Arabic coffee making and hospitality through live demonstrations, storytelling, and children’s workshops.
- Traditional Weaving Pavilion: Showcasing age-old techniques such as Al-Sadu and Khous, offering hands-on weaving experiences and artisan-led stories.
- Traditional Fashion Pavilion: Exploring Emirati beauty and adornment through live perfume blending, incense making, tailoring, and jewellery crafting.
- Metal and Leather Crafts Pavilion: Highlighting traditional forging and leatherworking with demonstrations of sword and dagger making, reflecting the craftsmanship rooted in UAE heritage.
Youth, Creativity, and Community
The 2025 festival places a strong focus on training and knowledge transfer, encouraging intergenerational learning through workshops and educational programs. The Mawhibaty initiative will spotlight young Emirati talents, while Sounds of the UAE celebrates the nation’s musical traditions through live performances.
In the Marketplace, visitors can explore locally handmade products and traditional foods, supporting productive families from Al Ain and ensuring the sustainability of their crafts.
New Oasis Trails and Manar Abu Dhabi Light Installations
For the first time, the festival expands into the UNESCO-listed Al Jimi and Al Qattara Oasis Trails, offering a 1,400-metre immersive heritage experience that highlights Al Ain’s designation as the Gulf Tourism Capital 2025. The trail guides visitors through themed zones celebrating Gulf craftsmanship, ancient irrigation systems, and sustainable architecture rooted in the region’s history.
Within the trails, the Manar Abu Dhabi light art exhibition returns under the theme “The Light Compass.” The show features installations that reimagine light as memory and orientation, drawing inspiration from ancestral navigation traditions across the Gulf.
Inclusive Cultural Celebration
Other highlights include traditional performances, games, and the festival’s first-ever traditional games tournament for People of Determination, reinforcing the event’s inclusive spirit.
The festival’s partners include the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi, Zayed Authority for People of Determination, Abu Dhabi Police, Tadweer Group, Abu Dhabi Mobility, and others, reflecting the collaborative effort to promote cultural sustainability.
A Living Heritage for All
The Traditional Handicrafts Festival remains a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s cultural calendar, embodying the emirate’s mission to safeguard heritage, empower artisans, and share authentic Emirati traditions with the world.
The festival will be open 8am–1pm for students, 4pm–11pm for the general public, and until midnight on weekends. Entry is free.