News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – Liwa International Festival ushered in the New Year with a breathtaking multi-location celebration across the Al Dhafra Region, as thousands of visitors gathered in the heart of the desert to welcome 2026.
The Grand Arena formed the centrepiece of the festivities, hosting a live concert featuring four of the Arab world’s most popular artists — Hamad Al Ameri, Khalid Abdulrahman, Aseel Hameem and Fouad Abdulwahed — drawing huge crowds who sang along to their favourite hits in a vibrant atmosphere.
As the clock struck midnight, the night sky above Liwa came alive with a panoramic fireworks display launched simultaneously from Tal Moreeb, Liwa Village and the iconic LIWA sign, creating a sweeping spectacle visible across the festival grounds and surrounding dunes.
Public spaces along Liwa Walk were filled with music throughout the evening, building anticipation towards the midnight countdown. From 11pm, the celebrations were also broadcast live on 87.7 FM, enabling visitors across the vast festival area to tune in and experience the synchronised New Year moment together.
Adding to the immersive experience, large-scale projections illuminated the surrounding sand dunes, transforming the desert landscape into a canvas of light and colour and enhancing the festive atmosphere.
The expansive New Year’s Eve programme reinforced Liwa International Festival’s reputation as one of the UAE’s most distinctive desert celebrations, bringing thousands together to welcome 2026 in a truly memorable setting.
