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Abu Dhabi’s Most Popular Traditional and Local Heritage Events and Spots
15th Dec, 2015 - 9:42
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1. Abu Dhabi Traditional Markets (Souks)
a. In Abu Dhabi Island:
i. Mina Markets:
Location: Mina Street – Al Mina – Abu Dhabi
The Fish Souk at Mina Zayed offers quite a contrast to the professional, modern way of business in Abu Dhabi. Sharpen your bargaining skills by haggling with vendors who scale, clean, and fillet your fresh fish with master cutting and negotiating skills.
Walk across the road to the Al Mina Fruit & Vegetable Soukwhichisfilled with an array of colorful produceneatly arranged outside stalls. With options to buy by the kilo or box, this is a great place to ‘get your money’s worth’ and experience a traditional souk experience.
The Carpet Souk near Mina Road has a selection of shops that sell Yemeni mattresses, machine and handmade carpets, as well as Arabic majlis-style cushions.
ii. Souk Qaryat al Beri
Location: Al Maqta Area (Between the two Bridges) – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Although a modern venue equipped with franchise restaurants and cafes, Qaryat Al Beri does offer visitors a modern “Souk” feel, with galleries and shops displaying traditional Emaratihandicrafts and perfumes, cosmetics, bakhoor, clothes, and other objects d’art.
b. In Al Ain:
Souk Al Bawadi and Souk Al Qaws
Location: Near Bawadi Mall – Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
Both are attached to the Bawadi Mall in Al Ain; Souk Al Qawsis set inuniquely, beautifullydesigned architecture,and offers quite a contrast to the Souk Al Bawadi’s heritage style. While Souk Al Qaws houses banks, travel agents, and over 40 service outlets, Souk Al Bawadi is known for its traditional items and souvenir shops.
Souk Al Zafarana
Location: Zayed Al Awwal Street, Al Jimi – Al Ain – Abu Dhabi
The souk is the new home of Al Ain’s old souk and has become the one stop venue fortraditional shopping in Al Ain. This could just be the best place in Abu Dhabi to explore true Emirati culture and tradition. The Souk also features the famous Mubdia Village which is completely staffed by female shopkeepers.
2. The Heritage Village
Website: www.torath.ae
Location: near Marina Mall, Breakwater, Abu Dhabi
Opening Times: Saturday to Thursday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm, and Friday 3.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Located nearto the Marina Mall on Abu Dhabi’s Breakwater, the Heritage village is a living museum that offers a glimpse into the capital’s past. Traditional elements of Bedouin lifestyle, as well as those of other cultures employed in agriculture, fishing, and trading are explained here in great detail.The site features tents, courtyard houses, and workshops where craftsmen demonstrate their skills, where visitors are welcome to learn and try out these skills. In addition, there are souvenir shops where authentic pottery and exotic spices can be purchased.
3. Al Gharbia Water Sports Festivals
Website: http://www.algharbiafestivals.com/watersports/
Location: Mirfa Beach, Mirfa, Western Region, Abu Dhabi
When: April 24–May 03
Approximately 70 minutes by car from Abu Dhabi, Al Ghariba is the home to an exceptional annualwatersport event.With options for all age groups, the Al GharbiaWaterSports Festival is an opportunity to watch high-paced watersport events, or try out any one of the activities available, such as kiteboarding, kayaking,or sailingfor an adrenaline rush!The festival also features traditional and modern rowing/boat races as well as a Kids Villagewhich includes heritage activities, competitions, and workshops to entertain the young ones.The traditional souk on site is quite a contrast to the high paced event by generating a sense of culture in a calm setup.You can view local artisans creating traditional handicrafts and perhaps pick up some unique items and/or souvenirs.
4. Liwa Date Festival
Website: http://www.algharbiafestivals.ae/
When: July 17–July 26
Where: Liwa, Al Gharbia, Abu Dhabi
In celebration of the UAE’s favorite fruit, hundreds of local farmers gather annually at the Liwa Date Festival to showcase the prized fruits of their labor—freshly cut dates from local palm trees. 220 prizes worth AED6 million are awarded in competitions for a variety of dates each day of the event. Judges score the dates based on color, size, shape, texture, and ultimately, taste.
5. International Festival of Falconry
Website: http://www.falconryfestival.ae/
When: TBA
Location: Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Abu Dhabi
Event Synopsis: 800 Falconers – 80 Countries – 50 Conference Speakers – 51 Exhibitors and Performers – 19 Falcon Trainers – 45 Painters – 47 Photographers – 30 International Journalists – All colors and cultures of the world united in their love of falconry.
Check out the unique and well preserved UAE tradition of falconry in the next International Festival of Falconry hosted by Abu Dhabi.
6. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX)
Website: http://www.adihex.com
Location:Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
When: Sep 10 – Sep 13
This annual Abu Dhabi event is a key International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. With an expected footfall of 100,000, the exhibition will showcase camel auctions,falcon saluki beauty contests, as well as variouscultural and traditional performances.
The event is also an opportunity for visitors to view the latest products from Falconry, Equestrian, Outdoor Sports, Firearms and Firearm Components, Ammunition and Reloading, Fishing, Archery, Shooting Sports and Hunting Gear, Surveillance Devices, Safety Accessories, Clothing and Accessories, Knives and Tools, Hunting Tourism, Industry Information and Other Services, Artistic Items etc. from the Sporting Goods and Toys and Games industries.
7. Falcon Beauty Contest
Website: http://www.adihex.com/en/competitions/
Location: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
When: Sep 10 – Sep 13
The previous ADIHEX eventshave enjoyed resounding success, with the Falcon Beauty Contest drawing Emiratis in large numbers.An inspiration for traditionalmusic, poetry, dance,and culture in The UAE and 80 other countries, falconry has been named a Living Human Heritage by the UN Heritage body.
A distinctiveworld event, it is dedicated to the Arabian tradition that was once a significant part of hunting for food. Falcons are judged by breed as well as other criteria.
8. Saluki Beauty Contest
Website: http://www.adihex.net/en/competitions/SalukiCompetition/
Location: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
When: Sep 10 – Sep 13
Saluki hounds are an important part of the Emirati lifestyle; in combination with falcons, salukis were also a valuable part of everyday life in Arabian history. The saluki beauty contest is an opportunity for all proud owners to put their hounds on displayat this international show.
In addition to beauty, the salukis are also judged for their predominant purpose and mental condition.
9. The Al Ain Traditional Handicrafts Festival
Website: http://tcaabudhabi.ae/en/events/Pages/event-detail/national-traditional-handicrafts-festival.aspx
Location:Souq al Qattara, Al Ain
When: Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from October to May,
UAE arts and craftsaredisplayed at the annual Al Ain Traditional Handicrafts Festival organized by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. A traditional crafts souk will also be at the center stage of the event.
In addition to displaying the tradition and culture, the festival also aims to preserve, revive, and transfer the skills to the next generation. The festival will hold a kids Al Yola dance, traditional dishes, and craftsmanship competitions along withAl Harbiyah, Al Ayyalah, Rebaba music, Al Shillah, and Al Yola performances for the attendees.
10. Qasr al Hosn Festival
Website: http://www.qasralhosnfestival.ae
Location:Qasr Al Hosn Fort
When: Feb – March
Interactive activities, various events, demonstrations, workshops, exhibitions, and live entertainment shows bring the oldest building in Abu Dhabi to life during the event.
The festival offers an opportunity for visitors to walk through Abu Dhabi’s history and understand the key dynamics in the lifestyle of Abu Dhabi.
11. The Al Dhafra Festival
Website: http://www.aldhafrafestival.ae/
Location:MadinatZayed, Al Ghariba
When: Dec 20– Jan 1
The Al Dhafra Festival is dedicated to the ship of the desert. Traditionally camels have played an important part in the Arab culture; and this is the only camel beauty contest in the world.
The festival features Asayel and Majahim camel shows, a traditional souk,a camel auction,and contests for traditional handicrafts, poetry, and photography.
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