Al Dhafra Festival is Giving AED 92 Million to Beautiful Camels

Somewhere in Abu Dhabi right now, a camel is being groomed for the biggest pageant of its life. The 20th edition of the Al Dhafra Festival, held under the patronage of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, will run as part of the Camel Mazayna Season from October 27th 2026 to January 13th, 2027. It is spread across five stages in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, with total prize money exceeding AED 97 million, AED 92.6 million of it reserved for the camel beauty contests alone.

This milestone edition introduces 22 new competition rounds, bringing the total to 383, with additions across the Asayel crossbreds, Wadh and Al Jamal categories. The season opens with the Sweihan Camel Mazayna from October 27th to November 3rd, followed by Razeen from November 15th to 22nd, and Madinat Zayed from December 3rd to 10th. The Al Dhafra Festival Finale then takes over, with the Cash Prize Rounds running from December 12th to 19th and the Elite Rounds - known as Al Romooz, carrying over AED 43 million in prizes - closing the season from January 3rd to 12th, 2027.

Beauty is not the only discipline on the card. The finale hosts falconry competitions, camel milking contests, Saktoun rifle shooting, the Insaf Al Qa'oud young camel tackling challenge, Purebred Arabian horse racing, Arabian Saluki racing and Mazayna, a sheep Mazayna, poetry through the Shillat Al Dhafra contest, and even tea competitions, all held at the Al Dhafra Traditional Market. Each Mazayna is overseen by age, sorting, judging and veterinary committees, with participants directed to the Falak Al Namoos app for announcements throughout the season.