Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra hosts fourth annual dates festival, auction

The desert-region of Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi has once again opened its gates to the world of dates, inaugurating the fourth annual edition of the Al Dhafra Dates Festival & Auction under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin  Zayed Al  Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the region. The festival, scheduled to run until October 26, 2025, is billed as a landmark event for date production, cultural heritage and agricultural innovation.

At its core the festival aims to elevate the UAE’s profile in premium date varieties, support national food security strategies, raise quality‐standards in cultivation and provide a learning platform for growers and enthusiasts alike.

Read: Dry fruit prices skyrocket in Pakistan

This year’s edition promises an expanded competitive programme. A total of 21 distinct competitions will be staged, offering 173 prizes valued at more than AED 5.5 million. Entrants will vie in categories ranging from date beauty contests, honey competitions, cooking, date packaging, painting and photography.

The much-anticipated daily Date Auction is central to the festival’s appeal. Visitors will have the opportunity to bid on top-grade Emirati dates, arranged by type and grade on dedicated display tables, adding a commercial and celebratory dimension to the event.

Beyond auctioneering, the festival offers a rich array of cultural and educational activities. These include traditional folk performances, exhibitions of photography and paintings, heritage craft demonstrations, awareness lectures, and creative workshops designed for all age-groups. Retail outlets featuring dates and date-products, farming equipment and a dedicated Honey Village further expand the experience.

Read More: Cold weather drives up dry fruits demand

Government and private-sector entities also participate via pavilions showcasing interactive programmes, farmers’ awareness platforms and displays of their latest services and innovations in the agricultural sector.

A notable highlight this year is the presence of the Kingdom of Morocco as the guest of honour, underscoring deepening agricultural and cultural cooperation between Morocco and the UAE, particularly in palm-cultivation and date production.