Liwa Village, part of the Liwa International Festival, returns to Moreeb Dune in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region from Friday 12 December 2025 to Saturday 3 January 2026, opening daily from 4:00 PM and running into the late evening. The desert festival brings carnival rides, live shows, a traditional souk and family attractions together in a purpose-built village at the base of the towering Moreeb dune. Most public listings summarise the core opening hours as 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, although detailed programmes often show extended hours on busy nights. This schedule allows visitors to arrive before sunset and then enjoy the shift into a lively night-time atmosphere. Liwa Village is a ticketed outdoor event in the deep desert, suitable for families, couples and solo visitors (family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo).
Desert festival rooted in Emirati heritage
Liwa Village grew out of the long-running Liwa International Festival, which originally focused on motorsports and then expanded into a broader winter celebration of heritage, adventure and community. Today the village functions as the cultural and entertainment heart of the wider festival, combining traditional crafts, music and storytelling with modern rides and game zones. Visitors can explore corners that highlight local handicrafts, falconry-inspired decor and regional music while still finding contemporary attractions. This mix helps the event appeal both to residents who know the traditions and to first-time visitors who want a curated introduction to desert culture. Liwa Village stands at the centre of the festival as the main gathering point for culture, food and live entertainment.
Daily schedule and special festival highlights
Across the season from Friday 12 December 2025 to Saturday 3 January 2026, Liwa Village opens every day at 4:00 PM, with the main programme carrying through the evening hours. Some nights are expected to run later, especially Thursdays, Fridays and New Year’s Eve, when crowds remain strong well past 11:00 PM. The village typically hosts headline moments such as big motorsport shows, major stage performances and a New Year’s Eve celebration with fireworks within the wider festival site. Families can choose quieter midweek evenings or embrace the busy weekend buzz, depending on their tolerance for crowds. Arriving before sunset on your chosen day is the best way to enjoy the dunes in daylight and avoid the longest entrance queues.
Tickets, prices and how to book safely
Liwa Village operates as a ticketed event, with general admission usually advertised from around 10 AED per person for basic entry. Online advance tickets are most reliably sold through PLATINUMLIST, while on-the-day entry is typically available from official LIWA VILLAGE ticket counters at the gate, subject to capacity. Headline shows linked to the festival, such as motorsport spectaculars and special performances, may require separate tickets, with prices often starting from approximately 75 AED depending on seating or viewing zones. Families should also budget for ride tokens, premium activities like smash rooms or karting, and food and drinks once inside the village. Treat all listed prices as approximately correct and always double-check the latest amounts with PLATINUMLIST or official LIWA VILLAGE channels before travelling.
Zones, rides and experiences for every age
Inside the festival grounds, Liwa Village divides into several themed zones designed for different age groups and interests. A family-focused area usually offers carnival rides, soft play corners and creative workshops tailored to children, while more intense spaces feature competitive games, horror-themed experiences and adrenaline activities for teens and young adults. Other zones highlight traditional crafts, Sadu weaving, henna, local snacks and a souk-style layout that feels closer to a heritage market. The festival also tends to include automotive-focused areas and gentle animal encounters such as pony rides or small petting sections. Some high-adrenaline attractions and loud shows may not be suitable for very young children or visitors sensitive to noise.
Food, coffee stops and evening atmosphere
Food plays a central role in the Liwa Village experience, with a wide range of stalls and kiosks spread through the site. Many outlets showcase regional flavours alongside popular street food, desserts and specialty coffee, which makes it easy to stay inside the village for dinner instead of leaving to eat elsewhere. Evening lighting, music and roaming performers gradually transform the site into a festival-style night market as the sun drops behind the dunes. Families often plan their visit around an early dinner, a handful of chosen rides and one major show, while groups of friends may stay later to soak up the atmosphere. Expect standard festival-level pricing for food and drinks and allow a comfortable buffer in your budget for on-site spending.
Getting to Liwa Village from Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Liwa Village sits near Tal Moreeb, roughly 220 kilometres from Abu Dhabi city, with a typical driving time of about two and a half to three hours each way via E11 and E65. From Dubai, most visitors drive through Abu Dhabi and then continue toward the Al Dhafra region, which usually takes around three and a half to four hours depending on traffic and stops. Drivers should refuel at the last major service station before leaving the main highway, because petrol stations become less frequent closer to the dunes. Public transport is limited, but a bus from Abu Dhabi’s main station to Mezaira’a can bring visitors close to the Liwa area, with taxis or organised transfers covering the final stretch. Because of the distance, visitors from Dubai or other Emirates should avoid planning a same-night return with small children and instead treat the trip as a long afternoon and evening excursion.
Parking, shuttles and overnight stays in the desert
Festival maps usually show large parking areas near the Liwa Village and Moreeb Dune zone, yet approach roads narrow near the dunes, creating potential bottlenecks at peak arrival and departure times. Drivers should follow official signage, keep to graded tracks and avoid taking standard saloon cars deep into soft sand, as vehicles can become stuck quickly. Some visitors choose to camp in designated areas or book nearby farm stays and desert lodges within the Liwa region, which reduces late-night driving after a day of activities. An overnight stay also allows an early morning visit to the dunes or a relaxed return journey the following day. Parking capacity near the village is limited on the busiest Thursday, Friday and New Year’s Eve nights, so arriving early and allowing extra time to exit the site is strongly recommended.
Weather, clothing tips and key safety reminders
During December and early January, Liwa enjoys clear desert skies with warm afternoons and cold nights compared with coastal Abu Dhabi. Around the opening weekend from Friday 12 December 2025, daytime temperatures are likely to sit near the high twenties, dropping toward the low teens after dark, with some nights later in the month dipping close to single digits. While heavy rain is uncommon, winter showers can still appear anywhere in the region, so checking the latest forecast before departure remains important. Visitors should pack layers, including a windproof jacket, long trousers and closed shoes, plus hats and sunscreen for late-afternoon sun. Desert evenings feel much colder than city nights, so dressing in layers is essential for comfort, especially for children.
Closing warnings, transport advice and booking guidance
For a smooth Liwa Village visit, plan your journey with generous time margins, particularly on Thursdays, Fridays and holidays, when highways and festival access roads can slow down significantly. Carpooling with friends or family helps reduce congestion and makes parking easier, while drivers should rest before tackling late-night returns from the desert. Public transport remains limited, so most visitors will rely on private cars, organised tours or shared rides, and everyone should carry enough water and snacks for the road. Ticket and door prices, as well as parking fees, can change as the festival approaches, so any figures mentioned here should always be treated as approximately correct and rechecked closer to your chosen date, especially through PLATINUMLIST and official LIWA VILLAGE updates. Make your ticket bookings and travel plan early so that the focus of your Liwa Village trip stays on the desert atmosphere rather than on last-minute logistics. As some editors at platforms like www.few.ae often note in their winter coverage, visitors who prepare for distance, weather and timing in advance usually enjoy Liwa’s unique desert festival experience far more.
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