Liwa Date Festival Returns This July With Palm Tree Art Competition

The Liwa Date Festival is back for its 21st edition, running from July 14th to 27th in the Al Dhafra Region—and this year, it’s adding a creative new twist.

In collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival is launching a brand-new competition: ‘Artistry from the Palm Trunk’, blending sustainability with traditional craftsmanship.

The challenge? Transform discarded palm trunks into hand-carved sculptures using only basic tools. Artists are invited to depict anything from ancient forts and castles to modern Abu Dhabi landmarks—but representations of living beings or people are strictly prohibited.

Each participant can submit one sculpture, with the final deadline for on-site entries set for July 13th, one day before the festival officially opens.