Abu Dhabi: The fifth edition of the Al Sila Marine Festival will take place from November 7 to 16 at Al Sila Waterfront in Al Dhafra Region.
The event will be held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region. The Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club.
Held with the continuous support of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, the festival celebrates the nation’s rich maritime heritage and reinforces its cultural identity by connecting generations through traditions and shared values.
The event aims to showcase Emirati heritage, highlight traditional etiquette (Al Sana’), and promote the cultural and economic value of traditional marine sports. It also seeks to encourage tourism and economic growth in the coastal cities and islands of the Al Dhafra Region.
Running over two weekends, the festival’s programs, held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, are designed to attract families and visitors, creating an engaging social and cultural atmosphere. In line with the UAE Year of Community, the event emphasizes youth engagement, national identity, and the transmission of authentic Emirati values across generations.
The festival features 64 competitions across marine, heritage, beach, and sports categories, with total prizes exceeding AED 6.4 million ($1,740,800). The highlights include:
- Al Sila Dhow Sailing Race (43-ft) with prizes worth over AED 3 million ($816,000).
- Barakah Bawanish Sailing Race, offering more than AED 400,000 ($108,900) in prizes.
- Al Sila Traditional Rowing Race (40-ft), with total prizes of AED 2.4 million ($652,800).
Other competitions include domino and carrom tournaments, running and cycling races, traditional games, beach football and volleyball, the Al Sila Sheri Fishing Championship, and the Falconry Championship. A vibrant traditional market (souq) will accompany the festival, featuring stalls run by productive families and small businesses, offering heritage crafts, local products, and traditional Emirati cuisine.
Open on weekends, the souq will also host children’s activities, folk art performances, stage shows, and daily prize competitions. Additionally, pavilions from participating entities and heritage showcases will enrich the cultural experience for all visitors.
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