Abu Dhabi’s Dates Festivals: Preserving agricultural heritage across generations

The 2026 Rutab Season, organised by Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority across three consecutive festivals in Liwa, Al Ain Region, and Al Wathba Region from 14 July to 9 August 2026, served as an integrated platform to celebrate the UAE’s agricultural heritage and showcase the diversity of date palm varieties and locally grown fruits across Abu Dhabi. The festivals were organised in continuation of the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, who placed great importance on agriculture and the date palm and established the principles of sustainability, conservation of natural resources, and support for farmers. Abu Dhabi continues to build on this legacy through initiatives that strengthen local agricultural production and pass knowledge associated with the date palm on to future generations. The 2026 Rutab Season included the 22nd Liwa Dates Festival, the inaugural Al Ain Dates Festival (Rutab), and the inaugural Al Wathba Dates Festival (Rutab). The three festivals supported farmers and producers, enhanced the quality of local produce, and encouraged the adoption of best agricultural practices and modern farming methods. These efforts strengthen agricultural sustainability, support the UAE’s food security ecosystem, and reinforce the date palm’s place as one of the most prominent symbols of national identity and agricultural heritage in the UAE. Across the three festivals, 60 competitions were held across categories spanning rutab, fruits, model farms and traditional handicrafts, with 780 prizes worth more than AED19 million. The festivals attracted more than 1,500 farmers and around 180,000 visitors from the UAE and across the GCC. More than 18 tonnes of locally grown rutab and fruits were entered into the competitions. The Rutab Season began with the 22nd Liwa Dates Festival, which attracted around 80,000 visitors and brought together more than 465 farmers across 23 competitions, with around eight tonnes of rutab and fruits entered into the competitions. The Rutab Market featured 97 retail outlets selling fresh rutab, date palm offshoots and agricultural products, alongside 68 stalls in the Heritage Souq. The season continued in Al Ain Region with the inaugural Al Ain Dates Festival (Rutab), which brought together 621 competitors across 19 competitions and welcomed 74,599 visitors. More than five tonnes of rutab and 585kg of fruits were submitted to the competitions. The Rutab Market featured 84 stalls showcasing various locally grown rutab varieties, alongside 76 stalls in the Heritage Souq. The season concluded with the inaugural Al Wathba Dates Festival (Rutab), which brought together 448 competitors across 18 competitions and welcomed more than 25,000 visitors. More than 4.3 tonnes of rutab and fruits were entered into the competitions. The festival provided farmers with additional opportunities to showcase and market their produce through the Rutab Market, which featured 60 retail outlets selling their products. Alongside their agricultural and economic role, the dates festivals served as community platforms for passing the UAE’s date palm-related heritage on to future generations through heritage markets, traditional handicraft programmes, folk art performances, and a range of interactive activities. Supporting farmers and producers was a key focus of the Rutab Season. The festivals provided extensive opportunities to showcase local produce, exchange expertise and improve fruit quality, while also supporting small agricultural businesses and productive families. These efforts contribute to enhancing the economic value of local agricultural products and linking agricultural heritage with sustainable production practices. The festivals embody Abu Dhabi’s continued efforts to combine the preservation of agricultural heritage with the advancement of modern practices, reinforcing the date palm’s place in the community and supporting local farmers and producers. These efforts contribute to the sustainability of the agricultural sector and strengthen the food security ecosystem, while preserving the values and knowledge that have shaped the Emirati people’s deep-rooted connection to their land and date palms across generations.