Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, and with the follow-up and supervision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy President of the State, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the organising committee of the Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival 2026 has announced that registration is open for male and female students aged 6 to 18 to participate in the event, which will be held from 6 July to 23 August at the Al Wathba area in Abu Dhabi.
The festival, which runs for seven weeks, offers a comprehensive educational and entertainment summer programme comprising more than 80 programmes and practical workshops delivered by 14 national, academic and sports institutions, in a modern educational environment within fully air-conditioned halls, providing a safe and comfortable experience for participants and their families, combining education, technology, sport, entertainment and skills development.
The technology and innovation sector occupies a central part of the festival's programmes, with students taking part in applied experiences in the fields of artificial intelligence, prompt engineering, game development, AI-powered content creation, digital entrepreneurship and real-world challenge simulations, as well as gaining insight into university study in this field through specialised programmes offered by Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.
The programmes also cover applied engineering and modern technologies, including website design and development, cybersecurity, laboratory analysis, robotics manufacturing and assembly, 3D printing, digital arts, electronics for children, and drone design, manufacturing and development, giving participants the opportunity to acquire practical skills linked to the requirements of future jobs, while developing creative thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills through programmes that simulate real-world challenges.
The festival dedicates a broad space to sports activities under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, through training programmes and competitions in 8 sports including football, judo, jiu-jitsu, basketball, table tennis, archery, e-shooting and chess, in addition to yoga sessions for women, reinforcing a culture of physical activity across all age groups.
The Abu Dhabi Winter Sports Club offers specialised programmes for teaching skiing, ice hockey and figure skating inside a covered ice rink, allowing participants to experience winter sports during the summer season.
On the theme of national identity, the festival continues to entrench Emirati values through programmes in Emirati craftsmanship, majlis etiquette, hospitality traditions, Arabic coffee preparation, and horse and camel riding workshops, alongside programmes from the National Archives and Library focused on national memory, reading and creative writing, as well as interactive heritage activities that introduce new generations to the Emirati cultural legacy.
The events include specialised programmes in public health, first aid, mental health, healthy nutrition and food safety, alongside workshops by the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority on safety and accident prevention, and programmes by Abu Dhabi Police on community security, cybersecurity and the 'Future Police Officer' initiative, contributing to a culture of responsibility and safety among participants.
For those interested in media and content creation, the festival provides the 'Young Media Professional' programme, Majid Channel workshops and media awareness programmes, in addition to a variety of other workshops.
The festival is built on an integrated partnership with 14 national, academic and community institutions that contribute quality content. Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence offers programmes in artificial intelligence, innovation and entrepreneurship; the Higher Colleges of Technology delivers specialised workshops in engineering, robotics, drones, cybersecurity and health applications; and the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training participates with programmes in electronics, digital manufacturing and digital arts.
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council oversees the sports programmes, while the Abu Dhabi Winter Sports Club provides teaching programmes in skiing, ice hockey and figure skating.
The Emirates Foundation contributes programmes in Emirati craftsmanship, volunteering and national identity, and the National Archives and Library participates with national memory, reading and creative writing programmes.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority provides agriculture and food safety workshops, while the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre organises programmes in public health, first aid and healthy lifestyles, in addition to programmes by the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority and Abu Dhabi Police, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works, and the Abu Dhabi Creative Authority.