Al Yasat Festival: UAE Tourism Gears Up For A Coastal Revival In Al Dhafra’s Vibrant Waterfront Celebration!

Published on December 8, 2025

The beautiful Al Sila waterfront in Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi is ready to turn into a center of culture, sport and community when the third edition of the Al Yasat Festival takes place from 12 to 21 December 2025. Besides its one-of-a-kind combination of maritime tradition, sporting activities and heritage celebration, the festival also enchants the local tourism. It attracts the travelers and families to uncover the coastal beauty, cultural and historical roots and seaside fun the region offers.

What’s in store: A colourful programme blending heritage, sports and fun

This year’s festival organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, with strategic partnership from the Emirates Council for Balanced Development will be spread across two weekends (12–14 and 19–21 December), offering ample opportunity for wide community and visitor participation.

The festival’s diverse offerings reflect an ambitious plan to marry tradition with contemporary entertainment:

• Maritime races & regattas: The highlight will be the Al Yasat 60ft Dhow Sailing Race and Gaffai 22ft Dhow Sailing Race, together carrying a prize purse of AED 600,000. Other nautical events include the Al Yasat Regatta and a fishing championship.
• Sporting and beach events: Visitors can expect beach volleyball and football, swimming, cycling and running races catering to both adults and youth.
• Heritage and cultural engagements: From traditional costume contests and cooking competitions to carrom and domino games for both men and women, the festival’s cultural dimension emphasises Emirati customs and social traditions.
• Family-oriented fun & crafts: A traditional market will showcase heritage products, crafts and Emirati cuisine, while children’s zones offer games, entertainment and cultural immersion. Folk-art performances and live demonstrations of handicrafts will add to the festive atmosphere.

Tourism boost: What Al Yasat Festival means for Al Dhafra

The 2025 Al Yasat Festival is more than just a celebration, it’s a catalyst for tourism and economic activity in Al Sila City and the wider Al Dhafra Region. According to organisers, the festival aims to strengthen Al Dhafra’s position as a prominent destination for culture, marine heritage, sports and leisure.

By showcasing coastal living, traditional Emirati customs and engaging experiences for all ages, the event provides travellers a compelling reason to explore a part of the UAE often bypassed in favour of the more urban destinations. For tourists, this offers a chance to:

• Experience authentic maritime heritage from dhow sailing races to coastal cultural traditions.
• Enjoy beach sport adventures and seaside recreation in a festive, family-friendly setting.
• Shop for heritage crafts, taste Emirati cuisine and bring back a slice of local culture.
• Explore Al Dhafra’s coastal landscapes, islands and waterfront ambience adding a unique dimension to their UAE itinerary beyond cities like Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

For local businesses, artisans and small vendors, the festival’s traditional market and fairground create fresh opportunities for visibility and economic benefit, reinforcing grassroots engagement in tourism and heritage industries.

A travel-writer’s view: Why Al Yasat Festival is worth adding to your UAE itinerary

For travellers seeking more than just luxury hotels and modern architecture, the Al Yasat Festival offers a window into a different more grounded, heartfelt side of the UAE. From the rhythmic clang of dhow masts to the laughter of children on the beach, the festival invites you to live the coastal traditions of Al Dhafra.

Imagine arriving in Al Sila at dawn, watching traditional sailing dhows glide across the turquoise Gulf waters; then, switching to a sun-drenched afternoon of beach volleyball, local food stalls offering Emirati delicacies, and at dusk, folk-dance performances under starlit skies. For families, couples or solo travellers, this blend of culture, sport and community warmth is a refreshing counterpoint to the usual urban glitz.

Moreover, because the festival spans two weekends, visitors have flexibility, they can plan a relaxed coastal stay, perhaps combining it with a visit to Abu Dhabi city or desert tours, turning a short getaway into a richer, multi-layered trip.

What new opportunities the festival offers tourists & what to keep in mind

• Deeper cultural immersion: Through heritage games, traditional markets, handicrafts and Emirati cuisine, tourists can experience authentic Gulf coastal culture not just as spectators, but participants in traditions.
• Accessible marine sports & beach fun: The variety of beach sports, sailing events and family-oriented entertainment makes the festival ideal for sports lovers, adventure seekers as well as leisure travellers.
• Off-beat, less crowded destination: Compared to mainstream tourist hubs, Al Dhafra offers a quieter, more intimate setting, perfect for travellers who prefer slow-paced, culturally rich experiences over crowded city tours.
• Opportunity to support local communities: By attending, shopping in heritage markets and engaging with local artisans, visitors contribute directly to sustaining traditional crafts, small businesses and community livelihoods aligning travel with cultural preservation.

Tourists should ideally check accommodation availability early, because the festival may draw regional and international visitors. Planning ahead for transport to Al Sila (within Al Dhafra) and aligning with festival dates will make the experience smooth and enjoyable.

Bottom Line

To wrap it up, the third Al Yasat Festival will attract not only the culturally minded but also families and sports-loving tourists who are seeking the coastal heritage of the UAE beyond the glitz. For Al Dhafra, it will be the largest promotion of the region as a vibrant destination, one that offers a unique mix of tradition, sport and community to draw visitors in and make their experience unforgettable.