First-ever Abu Dhabi Maritime Heritage Festival to Thrill Visitors with Incredible Immersive Experiences

14 Mar, 2022

The very first Abu Dhabi Maritime Heritage Festival will ‘set sail’ from 18 - 27 March in the UAE capital, showcasing fascinating elements of maritime heritage such as sailing, ship building, fishing, salting and pearl diving, reflecting the environment and context of the coastal history of the capital.

Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and taking place at Al Bahar on the emirate’s Corniche, the 10-day festival will feature a wide variety of engaging activities for guests of all ages.

Visitors will be immersed in maritime culture through a diverse programme including workshops, performances, craft demonstrations and heritage trails, and can enjoy stories delivered by heritage experts, who will share their deep knowledge of the crafts and skills that were part of traditional coastal life. A traditional souq, with a wide selection of F&B vendors providing a curated culinary experience will also be a feature of the festival.

Maritime traditions are deeply embedded in Abu Dhabi’s culture. With the first-ever Maritime Heritage Festival, this vital element of the emirate’s history will be shared with residents and visitors to raise awareness of local maritime practices, celebrate the UAE capital’s coastal history, and showcase how they shaped Abu Dhabi as we know it today.

In addition to immersing visitors in the traditions and lifestyle of Abu Dhabi’s community of sailors and maritime craftspeople, the Festival will recognise the sea’s still-vital economic and cultural role, and will seek to develop partnerships and promote unifying efforts to achieve sustainable fishing practices and conservation of marine resources.

The Maritime Heritage Festival has been organised by DCT Abu Dhabi in close partnership with a flotilla of key partners, including the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Emirates Heritage Club, Abu Dhabi Fishermen Cooperative Society, Abu Dhabi Police, Maan, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Sports Club, Abu Dhabi Falconers' Club, Abu Dhabi Ports, Abu Dhabi Maritime, Abu Dhabi Marine, Qasr Al Hosn - House of Artisans, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, The National Aquarium, Zayed University and NYU Abu Dhabi.

Entry to the Maritime Heritage Festival will be AED 30 for adults and AED 15 for children aged 5 - 12. Opening hours will be 4pm to 11pm daily. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit admaritimefest.ae.