Suwaihan:The 20th Al Dhafra Festival is set to begin tomorrow in the Suwaihan area of the Al Ain Region, hosting the Suwaihan Mazayna from October 27 to November 3, 2026. The event is organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and marks the opening stage of the festival with 82 camel beauty competition rounds and 775 prizes totaling AED9.955 million.
According to Wam, the competitions are categorized into four main divisions Local Asayel with 38 rounds, Majaheem with 32 rounds, Asayel Hybrids with nine rounds, and Wadh with three rounds. This year's festival introduces six new rounds, including three in the Asayel Hybrids category and three in the Wadh category.
The festival will also feature a traditional market with numerous shops showcasing products that reflect Emirati heritage and promote traditional crafts. Visitors can explore a variety of food trucks and innovative entrepreneurial ventures, emphasizing the role of these crafts in preserving cultural heritage and reinforcing national identity.
The festival will proceed to its second stage, the Razeen Mazayna, from November 15 to 22, 2026, maintaining the same number of competition rounds and prize amounts as the first stage. The third stage will occur in Madinat Zayed from December 3 to 10, 2026, offering 88 rounds and a prize pool of AED10.735 million.
The fourth stage will include cash-prize rounds from December 12 to 19, 2026, as part of the concluding Al Dhafra Festival, featuring 66 rounds with prizes worth AED20.56 million. The fifth and final stage, dedicated to the Al Ramooz rounds, will take place from January 3 to 12, 2027, with 65 rounds and prizes amounting to AED46.772 million. In total, the festival encompasses 383 camel beauty competition rounds, with a cumulative prize pool of AED97.248 million.
As part of Abu Dhabi's annual Mazayna competitions season, the Al Dhafra Festival is committed to preserving purebred camel bloodlines, safeguarding cultural and folk heritage, and supporting camel owners and enthusiasts of falconry, purebred Arabian horses, and traditional competitions. These efforts aim to preserve national identity and promote authentic Emirati heritage.
Participants can use the Falak Al Namoos application to register for competition rounds, access the latest news and announcements, and consult the festival guide, which includes participation rules and prize information. The app also allows users to update their details and access various services related to the festival's camel beauty contests and heritage competitions.