Live performances, fish markets, boat races and more at the Maritime Heritage Festival.
PARTNER CONTENT: Stroll down the Abu Dhabi Corniche over the next 10 days and you will discover an ocean of activity as the Maritime Heritage Festival docks at Al Bahar Beach.
Offering visitors a chance to go back in time to explore the lives of Abu Dhabi’s seafaring ancestors, the festival promises to be one of the biggest cultural events of the year.
Supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, there are numerous activities that will educate and entertain everyone in the family as you dive into the city’s history and its relationship with the sea.
Are you ready to set sail from 18 to 27 March?
Here are some of the best things to do at the Maritime Heritage Festival.
Listen to stories at Majlis Al Nawakhtha
Gather at the modern take of a traditional majlis as Hareb Al Suwaidi speaks to maritime heritage experts and experience sailors on tales of ocean adventures every day from 8.30pm.
Haggle for catch at the Fisherman’s Market
Experience the hustle and bustle of an authentic fish market as the Abu Dhabi Fisherman Cooperative Society showcase their skills and traditions alongside live auctions and demonstrations on how to clean, salt and spice a fish. Running daily from 4pm.
Enjoy traditional games
Every day from 4pm the Emirates Heritage Club will be showcasing some of Abu Dhabi’s oldest sports and games including hand-to-hand wrestling known as Al Mutaraha to Al Tabba – like baseball but played with palm fronds and dates.
Take to the sea
Living up to its name, the Maritime Heritage Festival invites you to dip your toes in a range of water-based activities including kayaking, pontoon boating or tricycle boating and more throughout the event.
Marvel at traditional rowing races
On 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 March head to Al Bahar Beach to see who will master their waves as Emirates Heritage Club hosts the Maritime Heritage Festival Rowing Tournament. Over 10 days, five 40 feet dhow races will take place on the water as the Nawakhtha (boat owners) compete for the championship title. Races start from 5.30pm on race days.
Check out a live performance
For some performing arts, place yourself at the Festival Stage or Yazwa Dhow Stage where you can take in a daily programme of traditional and new music. Expect everything and anything from an Al-Nahma seachant to a marine Al-Ayyala performance and make sure to keep your eyes peeled for special flash mob events throughout 10 days of the Maritime Heritage Festival.
Go shopping
What would a trip to the Maritime Heritage Festival be without a souvenir? Experience a real-life souq where colours, fragrances and flavours combine for one of the most exciting and vibrant shopping trips of your life. And don’t forget, you can pick up an item of clothing designed by a local talent thanks to the retail section of the destination.
Dine in style
Checking out all those amazing activities at the Maritime Heritage Festival can build up a big appetite but you won’t be hungry for long with the festival’s food village where you can enjoy a bite of local cuisine or a dish from around the globe.
Enroll in workshops
The Maritime Heritage Festival will bring out your creative side with some fantastic workshops for you and the family to enjoy. At the family workshops, expect all things marine through arts and crafts including weaving shoals of fish, creating air-dry clay fish wall hangings and making texting seascapes.
Need something for around the house or the next time you go out fishing? The DIY workshops will allow your creative juices to flow with cool nautical-styled accessories that will be as pretty as they are useful.
Enjoy a demonstration
If sitting back and watching the professionals demonstrate their craft then the Maritime Heritage Festival has a number of must-see events. Happening every day throughout the festival, cast your eyes over Henna body painting, boat building, pearl diving, sail-making and more.
Watch a falconry show
A practice that goes back some 4,000 years, falconry is one of the proudest traditions of local Emirati culture and at the Maritime Heritage Festival, you will be able to check out the performances from the birds of prey courtesy of the Abu Dhabi Falconers Club as well as see the kookha in action – the ancient method of trapping falcons every day from 4pm.
Admire the Police Championship Heritage Games Finals
As part of the Ministry of Interior’s Jubilee celebrations, watch the finest policemen do battle for the honour to be crowned the ultimate champion on 27 March from 5.30pm.
You can get your tickets for the Maritime Heritage Festival online at Platinum List.
For more information on the Maritime Heritage Festival visit Abu Dhabi Culture
