Liwa International Festival / Moreeb Dune

Liwa Sports Festival

View on map
Sports & AdventureLiwa
DatesDates TBA · Usually DecemberCheck locally before booking
Duration23 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceMoreeb Dune's scale sets this festival
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: AED
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Liwa International Festival / Moreeb Dune in Liwa

The Liwa International Festival centres on Moreeb Dune, a more than 300-metre sand dune in Abu Dhabi's Liwa Oasis whose Arabic name translates to terrifying, hosting uphill drag racing and dune-bashing competitions where cars, trucks and bikes attempt the dune's steep face, alongside smaller-dune obstacle demonstrations, running from mid-December into early January and now in its third decade.

The Liwa International Festival, centred on Moreeb Dune in Abu Dhabi's Liwa Oasis, is one of the UAE's best-known desert motorsport gatherings, built around uphill drag racing and dune-bashing competitions staged against the region's tallest sand dune.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Moreeb Dune's scale sets this festival apart: at more than 300 metres, it is the tallest dune in the region, and the sight of cars, trucks and bikes attempting to climb its steep face is a spectacle few other desert motorsport events can replicate

02

The mystery stays covered

Running for more than two decades, since either 2003 or 2004 depending on the source, also gives it a longevity uncommon among regional desert festivals

03

The city starts moving

Its position at the turn of the calendar year, from mid-December into early January, further anchors it as a signature fixture of the UAE's winter desert season

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Liwa International Festival / Moreeb Dune is documented as a recurring sports-adventure festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to Liwa, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

Moreeb Dune's scale sets this festival apart: at more than 300 metres, it is the tallest dune in the region, and the sight of cars, trucks and bikes...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually December

Getting around

For Liwa International Festival / Moreeb Dune, plan transport around the exact Liwa venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Practical outdoor clothing suited to sand and dust is essential, with closed shoes far more suitable than sandals for desert terrain; a warm layer is worth carrying given how quickly desert...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Liwa International Festival / Moreeb Dune, stay near the part of Liwa you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

AED

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map23.66 N, 53.82 EOpen in Google Maps

Liwa, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Nearest airportAZI — Al Bateen Executive
TransportFor Liwa International Festival / Moreeb Dune, plan transport around the exact Liwa venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Liwa International Festival / Moreeb Dune, stay near the part of Liwa you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Liwa via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Liwa, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for December.Compare faresFestival gearPractical outdoor clothing suited to sand and dust is essential, with closed shoes far more suitable than sandals for desert terrain; a warm layer is worth carrying given how quickly desert temperatures drop after sunset during the festival's winter run.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United Arab Emirates and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Liwa International Festival / Moreeb Dune?

Liwa International Festival / Moreeb Dune is listed for Past edition: 12 December 2025–3 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Liwa International Festival / Moreeb Dune take place?

The festival is listed in Liwa, United Arab Emirates. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

23 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Liwa, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLliwainternationalfestival.ae
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually December
Source statusOfficial source linked
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