The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Abu Dhabi’s Liwa International Festival

Every winter, the Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region turns into a glowing arena of roar, sand and starlight. The Liwa International Festival, set around the towering Tal Moreeb dune, brings together drifting engines, heritage tents, family funfairs and late-night skies you simply cannot see from the city. For three weeks, this remote corner of Abu Dhabi becomes the UAE’s ultimate winter escape for petrolheads, culture seekers and camping lovers.

If you have ever wanted to watch drag races and dune climbs by day, then grill dinner over the sand before falling asleep under the Milky Way, this is where to do it. Here is how to plan Liwa like an insider.

When, where and how to get there

The Liwa International Festival takes over the desert around Moreeb Dune in Liwa, Al Dhafra, around a three-hour drive from Abu Dhabi city. The 2025–2026 edition runs across roughly 23 days in December and early January, turning the Empty Quarter into a temporary desert city of tracks, stages and campgrounds.

The drive from Abu Dhabi is straightforward on paved roads almost all the way to Liwa. A regular car will get you to festival parking and Liwa Village, but a 4x4 is strongly recommended if you plan to explore dunes or camp away from the main road. Fill your tank before leaving the city, and stock up on essentials in Madinat Zayed or Liwa town, as options thin out closer to Tal Moreeb.

General admission to the festival grounds and Liwa Village is usually free, with separate tickets for certain motorsport events, VIP areas, rides and concerts. Pricing is released closer to the dates via the Liwa Sports Club app and official festival channels, so it is worth checking before you go.

Liwa Village: the festival’s social heart

Liwa Village is the cultural and entertainment hub at the core of the Liwa International Festival. Designed as a modern desert village, it blends Emirati heritage with polished, city-grade entertainment in the middle of the dunes.

Expect themed zones, a bustling souk, art installations and family attractions running into the evening. There are food trucks and coffee bars from well-known Abu Dhabi brands, pop-up restaurants serving everything from Emirati dishes to gourmet burgers, plus dessert counters dishing out kunafa, churros and hot chocolate as the night cools.

This is also where you will find live music, performances and fireworks on selected nights. For families, Liwa Village is the easiest base: there are carnival-style rides, games and kid zones, with operating hours typically from late afternoon into the night. It is walkable, well lit and designed so you can dip into the adrenaline of the motorsport arena, then retreat to a café or craft stall.

Motorsports, night drifts and dune spectacles

The Liwa International Festival is synonymous with high-octane desert motorsport. Around Moreeb Dune, you will find a packed calendar of dune hill climbs, drag races, drift shows and stunt competitions that run late into the night under floodlights.

Highlights include the legendary Moreeb Dune car championship, where modified vehicles attempt to charge up one of the tallest dunes in the UAE, plus freestyle drifting and stunt events that showcase just how precise drivers can be on sand. On selected days, there are monster truck shows and arena-style spectacles that feel more like a desert stadium than a remote dune.

Most viewing areas are free to access, with grandstand-style seating or sand terraces where you can sit with a camping chair. Ear protection is a smart idea, especially for children. If you want a more comfortable view, keep an eye out for ticketed VIP platforms and lounges that add shade, better sightlines and sometimes F&B service.

Desert camping and starry-sky adventures

One of the biggest lures of the Liwa International Festival is the chance to stay out in the dunes instead of driving back to the city. The wider Liwa area in Al Dhafra is known for some of the darkest, clearest skies in Abu Dhabi, and camping during the festival lets you combine motorsports and cultural events with proper desert nights.

There are three main options. Independent camping is popular with experienced residents who arrive in 4x4s, pitch tents or set up rooftop rigs in the open dunes near Moreeb Dune. You will need to be fully self-sufficient: bring water, food, firewood or a gas stove, lighting, power banks and a GPS-based navigation app. Avoid camping in low-lying basins where fog can settle, and keep clear of racing routes.

More structured desert camps and glamping-style setups also appear each season, offering pre-pitched tents or domes, shared facilities, and sometimes guided dune drives or stargazing sessions. Finally, there are hotels and resorts in the broader Liwa and Al Dhafra area that provide a softer landing, allowing you to commute into the festival by car while enjoying proper beds, showers and breakfast buffets.

Wherever you stay, nights can be surprisingly cold compared to Abu Dhabi city. Pack a warm jacket, layers, beanie and socks. The reward is worth it: once the engines fall silent, the sky opens up with sharp constellations and visible bands of the Milky Way on clear nights.

Practical tips from insiders

Plan early. Festival dates overlap with peak UAE winter holidays, so desert camps and nearby hotels can sell out weeks in advance. If you plan to camp, assemble your gear at least a few days before you travel and test key items like headlamps and gas burners.

Arrive in the afternoon. Getting there before sunset gives you time to find parking, orient yourself around Liwa Village, and choose a viewing spot for the evening’s races or fireworks. Driving on desert roads at night is doable but less forgiving for first-timers.

Dress for the desert. Comfortable closed shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential during the day; hoodies and jackets are critical once the sun drops. Sand gets everywhere, so opt for breathable, easy-to-clean fabrics.

Go cash-light but not cash-free. Many F&B outlets accept cards and digital payments, but having some cash on hand is useful for small stalls and quick snacks.

Most importantly, respect the desert. Stick to marked tracks, avoid driving on vegetation, keep a safe distance from active racing areas, and always take your rubbish out with you.

In the end, the Liwa International Festival is more than a motorsport meet-up. It is one of Abu Dhabi’s most immersive winter experiences: a rare mix of Emirati heritage, modern showmanship and raw desert wilderness. Plan it well, stay a night if you can, and you will come home with sand in your shoes, stars on your camera roll and a strong urge to book next year before you even leave Al Dhafra.