On the evening of August 9, 2026, the inaugural edition of the “Al Wathba Date Festival” concluded with much celebration, having brought together thousands of participants and visitors in Abu Dhabi. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the festival was part of the Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival and marked the final phase of the “Date Season 2026.”
Celebrating Success in Date Competitions
During the closing ceremony, the results of the competitions for “Al-Farid” and “Al-Zamli” were announced. Abdullah Khalfan Al Mazrouei, acting Director General of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, along with Mohammed Saif Al Neyadi, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival, crowned the winners on stage.
The “Al-Farid” competition saw Sultan Saeed Mohammed Al Aryani take the first prize, followed by Ali Saeed Hamooda Al Aryani in second place, and Saeed Hamooda Khamees Al Aryani securing third. In the “Al-Zamli” competition, the top spot was won by Zayed Issa Mubarak Al Mansoori, with Obaid Saeed Naseeb Khamees Al Mazrouei and Rashid Abdullah Hazza Abdullah Al Marrar placing second and third, respectively.
Prize Money and Participation
The organising committee awarded 15 prizes for each competition, with a total prize pool of 397,000 dirhams. The first-place winners received 100,000 dirhams, while second and third place received 75,000 and 40,000 dirhams respectively.
Rashed Khadim Al Rumaithi, the festival manager, expressed that the “Al Wathba Date Festival” achieved its goals of supporting farmers, fostering quality improvements in production, and expanding marketing opportunities for dates and agricultural products. Additionally, the festival aimed to promote the heritage associated with date palms and pass on knowledge and practices to younger generations.
Impressive Attendance and Additions to the Festival
The first edition of the festival featured participation from 448 competitors across 18 contests, culminating in a total of 240 prizes amounting to 5.677 million dirhams. Estimates indicated over 4.385 tonnes of dates and fruits were showcased, alongside a marketplace comprising 60 stalls dedicated to dates and agricultural products. The event attracted an impressive attendance of 25,108 visitors over its seven days, averaging more than 3,000 visitors daily.
Acknowledging Contributions
In recognition of the contributions to the success of the first festival, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi honoured several partners. This included the Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival as the supporting entity, along with Agthia Group (Al Foah), Abu Dhabi Media Network as the media partner, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Al Fares, the Khalifa International Date Palm Award and Agricultural Innovation, and the Presidential Guards.
As the festival wrapped up, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of accomplishment and cultural celebration, setting the stage for future editions.