Hospitality
LIWA VILLAGE RETURNS WITH NEW ACTIVATIONS AND EXPERIENCES AT LIWA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2026
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced programming details and the impressive lineup of partners for this year’s Liwa Village at Liwa International Festival 2026, which continues until 3 January 2026. Set within Al Dhafra Region’s iconic desert landscape, the festival is one of Abu Dhabi’s most anticipated winter celebrations, presenting thrilling motorsports challenges and honouring the UAE’s heritage through culture, entertainment, and family experiences.
Liwa Village: The Festival’s Cultural & Entertainment Heartbeat
Located at the heart of the Liwa International Festival, cultural and entertainment destination Liwa Village is an expansive space where heritage, creativity, adventure, and family experiences come together in one seamlessly curated journey. Built around six immersive zones – Shams Liwa, Wanasa, Meydan, Souk, Adrenaline, and Auto – the Village offers a rich lineup of activities designed to engage every age group and interest, inviting visitors to explore a world that celebrates the UAE’s traditions while embracing the energy of modern entertainment.
Shams Liwa, crowned by its iconic Ferris Wheel, provides sweeping views of the Village and the golden dunes surrounding it, setting the tone for a memorable visit. The cultural heart of the Village is the Souk, inspired by traditional Emirati markets, bringing heritage to life through pottery workshops, weaving, henna, live cooking sessions, artisan showcases, and sensory cultural experiences that resonate with both residents and tourists.
For younger visitors, Wanasa delivers a vibrant mix of creative workshops, carnival rides, maze adventures, and play parks crafted to spark imagination and connection. Meydan, the dynamic teen zone, enhances this year’s programme with immersive challenges including smash rooms, horror escape rooms, strategic games, and interactive stage moments tailored to bold, expressive youth.
Adventure-seekers will enjoy the Adrenaline Zone, home to high-energy rides, carnival attractions, and thrilling games that add momentum to the Village’s lively atmosphere. Meanwhile, motoring fans will find a dedicated haven in the Auto Zone, featuring a rotating exhibition of classic cars, RC racing tracks, jeep experiences, and hands-on motoring-themed activations that celebrate the UAE’s strong automotive culture.
Beyond its core zones, this year’s Liwa Village expands with signature attractions including the Monster Jam Arena, the family-friendly Petting Zoo & Pony Grove, and the adrenaline-fuelled Desert Rally and Water Karting experiences, ensuring every visitor can navigate their own adventure across the Village’s extended footprint.
Across the festival’s 23 days, the Village will host live shows, hands-on workshops, interactive installations, cultural showcases, and exclusive partner activations, creating a deeply engaging, accessible, and family-friendly environment. With its diversity, scale, and heritage-driven design, Liwa Village promises an unmissable experience that brings culture, entertainment, and community together on The Desert’s Grand Stage.
A destination brought to life through partnerships
As Liwa Village expands its offering for the 2026 edition, this year’s partners will introduce a selection of dedicated activities, displays, and guest experiences. Emirates NBD joins as Zone Presenting Partner, alongside Official Partners Noon, CFI Financial Group, Al Masaood Equipment Rental, Ma Hawa, Yango Group, and Al Ain Zoo, each contributing engaging touchpoints designed to amplify the Village atmosphere. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi returns as Medical Partner, ensuring the wellbeing and safety of all visitors across the Village grounds.
A focus on sustainability
LIWA Village is setting a new benchmark in sustainability this year, powering the venue with clean mobile energy. DCT Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with event organiser LINKVIVA and their energy partner Kilo Energy, set up a large temporary solar farm at the festival grounds, proving not only that renewable energy can powering entire events, but also that such solutions are more convenient for event guests, as they are free of noise and emissions.
The system, developed by Kilo Energy, combines a large-scale portable solar farm with high-end Huawei energy storage systems, ensuring a steady supply of clean energy day and night.The deployed clean mobile energy system is optimised for use at events of any size, and reflects DCT Abu Dhabi’s leadership in adopting innovative, future-ready energy infrastructure to redefine how events can be powered.
A Beloved Tradition for Over Two Decades
For more than 20 years, the Liwa International Festival has been a cherished annual event, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from the UAE, region and around the world. Each year the event continues to grow and evolve, offering an experience that blends tradition with modern-day appeal, ensuring it remains the ultimate winter destination in Abu Dhabi.
Whether visiting for a day or staying for an extended desert escape, Liwa International Festival 2026 provides a unique opportunity to connect with the UAE’s heritage, create unforgettable memories with loved ones, and enjoy an authentic celebration of Emirati culture.
Hospitality
99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant Is Moving to Dubai Creek Harbour This Q4

99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant is set to enter a new chapter this Q4, with the award-winning Japanese dining destination relocating to Dubai Creek Harbour. Opening in Q4 2026, the new venue will bring a premium fine-dining offering to the growing waterfront community, with a larger bar and lounge, a lifestyle-led terrace and views that will form part of the experience. While the new destination will introduce a fresh energy and more elevated approach, it will remain rooted in the contemporary Japanese cuisine and signature dishes that have defined 99 Sushi.
Founded in Madrid in 2005, 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant is renowned for its precision-led Japanese craftsmanship, ultra-premium ingredients and refined dining experience, with its Abu Dhabi flagship awarded a MICHELIN Star for three consecutive years. The brand has grown into an international dining name across Spain, the UAE, Monaco, Rabat and Budapest, with further global expansion underway. In Dubai, 99 Sushi was previously located in Downtown before embarking on this next chapter at Dubai Creek Harbour, alongside the launch of its highly anticipated London restaurant.
Hospitality
Turn Saudi National Day into a Private Island Escape with Sun Siyam



This year’s Saudi National Day offers more than a long weekend. With direct flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with the Maldives, Saudi travellers can exchange city life for spacious private villas, world-class dining and some of the Indian Ocean’s most memorable experiences in under a day. Across its Maldivian resorts, Sun Siyam brings together many of the things Saudi travellers look for in an island holiday – space, privacy, family-friendly experiences, premium all-inclusive halal dining and plenty to experience without leaving the island.
Across the Maldives, Sun Siyam’s three collections offer a different experience for every kind of National Day escape. The Luxury Collection, includes Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, focuses on elevated island living, privacy and spacious accommodation; the Lifestyle Collection, featuring Siyam World and Sun Siyam Olhuveli, brings together entertainment, experiences and family fun; while the Privé Collection’s Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef and Sun Siyam Pasikudah (in Sri Lanka) offers a more intimate barefoot island escape.


For Families Who Want Space, Privacy and More Choice
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi combines luxurious beach and overwater villas, including private-pool options, with plenty for every generation to enjoy. Families can spend their days between the beach, pools, water sports and kids’ activities, while parents can retreat to the award-winning Spa by Thalgo for a quieter side of island life.
Dining is also a major part of the experience, with 15 dining and drink venues offering plenty of choice throughout the stay. Premium all-inclusive options, halal food and in-villa dining and floating breakfasts make it easy to dine on your own schedule, while multilingual butler service, including Arabic-speaking assistance, adds another layer of convenience for Saudi guests. With kids staying free on selected offers, Iru Fushi is particularly suited to larger families looking to spend the their holiday together without compromising on privacy.
For Adventure from Morning to Night
Few resorts in the Maldives can promise horse riding in the morning, shipwreck diving in the afternoon and an evening of go-kart racing. Siyam World was designed for travellers who believe one holiday should contain many adventures, bringing an unexpected sense of energy to the traditional Maldives experience.
Families and groups can move from the island’s horse ranch and go-kart track to its floating water park, dive beneath the surface to discover its shipwreck, or simply spend the day enjoying the beach and their private pool. Spacious villas and multi-bedroom residences give larger families and groups room to stay together, while an extensive choice of restaurants and bars means there is always somwhere different to dine.
The resort’s 24-hour WOW! Premium All-Inclusive concept brings dining, drinks and a wide range of experiences together, making Siyam World particularly well suited to Saudi families and groups looking for a holiday where almost everything is taken care of from the moment they arrive.

For Couples Who Want the Island to Themselves
For couples looking to turn the National Day break into a romantic escape, Sun Siyam Iru Veli, offers a more intimate side of the Maldives. Spacious beach and overwater suites, private pools and a strong sense of seclusion give couples the space and privacy to enjoy the island at their own pace.
With its honeymoon appeal, romantic dining experiences and premium all-inclusive offering, Iru Veli is particularly suited to couples looking for a few uninterrupted days together, combining privacy and understated island luxury in an intimate Maldivian setting.
With the Maldives within easy reach of Saudi Arabia, National Day is a chance to make the long weekend feel considerably longer. So why wait? Pack your bags and turn this year’s celebration into an island escape with Sun Siyam. For the latest Sun Siyam packages, benefits and offers, visit sunsiyam.com/offers or book@sunsiyam.com
Hospitality
Sana Dubai Launches “Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch,” a Sunday Ritual Rooted in Uzbek Comfort Food
Sana Dubai, the Uzbek dining destination at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, announced the launch of its new weekly Sunday Brunch, “Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch,” beginning September 13, 2026. Running every Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the brunch reimagines the day after Saturday night as a ritual of recovery, “the Uzbek way.”
Guests will gather around a table designed for sharing, opening with fresh Uzbek vegetables before moving into Sana’s signature Hash: a steaming bowl finished with baked bone marrow and garlic, a dish generations swear by the morning after. From there, diners choose their “cure” — slow-cooked wagyu beef cheek with silky potato purée, carved tableside by the chef, or a whole river-caught Sazan fish in garlic ajika sauce. The feast closes with a plate of traditional Uzbek sweets.

“Hash has always held a special place in Uzbek cuisine — a dish generations have gathered around, made slowly and with care. We wanted to give it the spotlight it deserves, so we built our Sunday Brunch around it: a truly authentic Uzbek feast, unhurried and generous, the way it’s meant to be shared.” — Leonid Litvin, General Manager, Sana Dubai
Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch is offered across three packages to suit every table:
- Non-Alcoholic — AED 350 per person
- House — AED 450 per person
- Premium — AED 650 per person
The brunch is unhurried and indulgent by design, built for guests who want to slow down, gather with family and friends, and let a proper feast do the recovering.
Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch Every Sunday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, starting September 13, 2026 Sana Restaurant, Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Dubai Reservations:https://www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/sanarestaurant/sunday-brunch-5109127899627520?tracking=marketing
- Location: SANA Restaurant – Jumeirah Mina Al Salam – Dubai
-
News11 years ago
SENDQUICK (TALARIAX) INTRODUCES SQOOPE – THE BREAKTHROUGH IN MOBILE MESSAGING
-
Trending11 months agoOPPO A6 Pro 5G Review: Reliable Daily Driver
-
Tech News2 years agoDenodo Bolsters Executive Team by Hiring Christophe Culine as its Chief Revenue Officer
-
VAR1 year agoMicrosoft Launches New Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business
-
Automotive2 years agoAGMC Launches the RIDDARA RD6 High Performance Fully Electric 4×4 Pickup
-
Tech Interviews2 years ago
Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape in Hybrid Work Environments
-
Tech News1 year agoNothing Launches flagship Nothing Phone (3) and Headphone (1) in theme with the Iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai
-
VAR2 years agoSamsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Clash Of The Folding Phenoms


