Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival Kicks Off Tomorrow with AED 1 Million in Prizes

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Humai d bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, the 11th Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival will commence on Thursday, 30 July 2026. Organised by the Ajman Department of Tourism, Culture and Media, the festival will run from 30 July to 3 August 2026 at Emirates Hospitality Hall.

The 2026 edition will bring together several farmers, beekeepers, government entities and private-sector organisations, alongside a diverse programme of competitions and heritage and entertainment activities designed for members of the community.

Year after year, the festival continues to strengthen its position as one of Ajman’s leading heritage and agricultural events. It provides a platform to celebrate the UAE’s rich cultural legacy while showcasing the quality of locally produced dates, honey and fruit.

The festival also supports farm and apiary owners and local producers, encouraging them to enhance the quality and competitiveness of their products.  It seeks to raise public awareness of sustainable agricultural practices and the importance of preserving the UAE’s agricultural resources and the heritage associated with them.

Across five days, the festival will offer an integrated community experience that combine education, entertainment and shopping. Its dates, honey and fruit competitions will showcase the finest local produce, complemented by retail and exhibition stands featuring agricultural, food and heritage products.

The programme will also feature interactive workshops, educational activities, heritage performances and audience competitions designed for visitors of all ages.

The Department has allocated AED 1 million in prizes for the dates, honey and citrus competitions, as well as audience prizes. The prize fund is intended to inspire farmers, beekeepers and exhibitors to present their finest products while encouraging visitors to engage with and participate in the festival’s activities.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn first-hand from farmers and beekeepers, explore the methods used to produce dates and honey, and discover modern practices that help enhance the quality and sustainability of agricultural production. The festival will also create a space for producers, consumers and agricultural stakeholders to connect, exchange expertise and open new opportunities for UAE-made products.

His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of the Ajman Department of Tourism, Culture and Media, said the 11th Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival marks a new chapter in the event’s continued success. He noted that it reflects the Department’s commitment to developing events that preserve heritage, stimulate tourism and support local agricultural and production sectors.

His Excellency added: “The festival provides a national platform to celebrate the UAE’s agricultural heritage and introduce younger generations to the enduring place of the date palm and its produce in our identity and history. Through this edition, we continue to support farmers, beekeepers and local producers, encouraging them to improve product quality and competitiveness in line with the UAE’s priorities for sustainability, food security and local economic growth.”

He added: “At the festival’s 11th edition, we aim to offer an integrated experience that brings together Emirati heritage, public engagement and specialist knowledge through competitions, workshops and diverse activities. The strong participation of our sponsors and supporting partners embodies the spirit of partnership and collaboration that is fundamental to the festival’s success, strengthening its role in promoting national identity and reinforcing Ajman’s position as a destination for distinctive heritage and cultural events”.

The 11th edition is supported by a wide range of national institutions and government and private-sector organisations. Etihad Water and Electricity is the Official Sponsor; Al Rasikhoon Real Estate is the Diamond Sponsor; Agthia Group (Al Foah Dates) is the Gold Sponsor; and the Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the Silver Sponsor.

A number of supporting entities will also participate through informative and interactive stands. These include the Ministry of Community Empowerment; Ministry of Family; Emirates Autism Society; The UAE Council for Fatwa; the Municipality and Planning Department of Ajman; Ajman Business Women Council; Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Foundation; Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Endowment for Dates; Sharjah Department of Agriculture and Livestock; Abu Dhabi Police – Police Heritage; Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority; and Jamiat Alnakheel. Supporting partners also include Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, Dusit Ajman Resort & Villas and Wyndham Hotels Ajman.

The festival is expected to attract visitors from across Ajman and beyond with a rich programme that blends authenticity, knowledge and entertainment. Families and enthusiasts of heritage and agriculture will be able to enjoy an engaging experience that reflects the UAE’s identity and longstanding agricultural traditions.