The organising committee of the Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival 2026 has announced details of the inaugural edition, to be held from 6 July to 23 August at Al Wathba, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, and under the follow-up and supervision of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
The announcement was made at a press conference held today at the Sheikh Zayed Festival venue in Al Wathba, attended by strategic partners. The conference reviewed the comprehensive vision and detailed objectives of the festival, which represents the first and largest summer platform in the region combining education, entertainment, sport, innovation and future industries, with the participation of 30 governmental, academic and sporting entities and 3,000 programmes and workshops.
The conference was attended by Abdullah Bati Al Muhairi, member of the organising committee; Colonel Mohammed Bukhait Al Manhaali, representing the Abu Dhabi Police General Command; Dr Amniat Mohammed Al Hajeri, Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fatima bint Mubarak Academy for Women's Sports; Mubarak Ali Al Qusaili, representing the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority; Suhail Al Arifi, representing the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Dr Thuraya Al Salmi, representing the Ministry of Education; Mona Al Dhaheri, representing the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge; Dr Khadija Ahmed Mohammed, Director of the Skills Department representing the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET); Aisha Markhan, representing the Higher Colleges of Technology; Mohammed Al Shehhi, representing the Cyber Security Council; Rawdha Al Muraykhi, representing Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence; Colonel Issa Al Marzouqi, representing the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority; and Ghanem Ahmed, Director of Events Management at the festival.
Speakers and partners at the conference reviewed the strategic targets and dimensions of the festival, which directs its programmes and activities at male and female students aged 6 to 18, with the aim of reinforcing national identity, Emirati craftsmanship and a sense of belonging, preserving resources and raising environmental awareness, and delivering interactive educational experiences that bring participants together in a single knowledge space. The festival also aims to develop leadership, technical and physical skills through four main pillars: the educational and knowledge pillar, the creative and entertainment pillar, the community values pillar, and the health and sports pillar.
Abdullah Bati Al Muhairi affirmed that the high patronage is a source of inspiration and a motivation to deliver national work befitting the standing of the United Arab Emirates, embodying the wise leadership's vision of investing in people as the true goal, instrument and wealth of the nation. He said the festival is more than an entertainment or seasonal programme — it is a comprehensive national platform where knowledge meets identity, creativity meets values, and heritage meets technology.
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence will present the "World of Artificial Intelligence and Innovation" pavilion, comprising nine programmes and practical competitions covering artificial intelligence in daily life, AI tools and applications, game development using AI technologies, creative text and design generation, entrepreneurship, practical challenge simulations, a World Economic Forum simulation, the Grand AI Challenge, and smart solutions development competitions.
The Cyber Security Council will present the "Cybersecurity Workshop", featuring awareness and interactive programmes to build digitally conscious generations capable of protecting data. These include awareness sessions on debunking electronic rumours and modern media risks, the "Young Media Presenter" programme in collaboration with Majid Channel, the Creative Media Authority and Abu Dhabi Media Network, as well as specialised workshops on awareness of electronic fraud and information security.
The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority will participate through "The World of Safety and Emergency Response", with practical workshops covering prevention of domestic accidents, awareness of injuries and their prevention, and basic first aid. The Abu Dhabi Police General Command will present "The Community Safety Journey", encompassing security and traffic awareness programmes, cybersecurity programmes, security awareness development, and the "Future Police Officer" programme.
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council will oversee "Sports and Vitality City", offering programmes in electronic shooting, table tennis, football, judo and jiu-jitsu, basketball, archery, chess, women's yoga, and Muay Thai. The Emirates Foundation will launch a series of community and values programmes, including Emirati craftsmanship and majlis etiquette, national identity activities under the title "Masrah", the "Takatuf" voluntary work programme, horse and camel riding workshops, and healthy lifestyle programmes.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority will participate through the "World of Safe Food" pavilion, presenting the "Young Farmer" workshops, food safety sessions, and food waste reduction activities. The Department of Education and Knowledge will organise a "Talent Discovery Week" comprising workshops in handicrafts, theatre, drawing, musical performance, sports activities, innovation, photography, and digital content creation.
The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works will offer workshops in glass painting, laser engraving, traditional Emirati crafts, and 3D printing. The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre's participation will include the "Health Awareness Platform", covering programmes on public health ambassadors, emergency readiness, first aid, healthy sleep, physical activity, oral and dental health, and preparation of healthy food boxes.
The National Archives and Library will participate with programmes on digital memory, arts and cultural creativity, reading and knowledge, archival sciences, and the "A Writer Leaves a Mark" programme. The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism's Heritage Authority will present the "Heritage Corner", comprising workshops on Emirati craftsmanship, traditional crafts, Emirati culinary arts, and folk games.