Recharge in the outdoors with the ‘Farm Meets Safari’ themed edition of DAZ from 12 to 21 April, and go on a wild adventure with adrenaline-filled activities, obstacles courses and skill games for the entire family
Indulge in the tranquil oasis of Al Ain for an ideal Eid escape close to home, and delight in vibrant street food, endless fun with carnival rides for kids, interactive workshops, and outdoor movies surrounded by nature
Enjoy live performances by favourite local stars including Fouad Abdel Wahed, Yara, Nassif Zeitoun, Mohamed Al Shehhi and Ninja Kidz, and entertainment every day
Tickets start at AED 35 on Ticketmaster.ae
Abu Dhabi, UAE –-: Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with nature during this year’s edition of the DAZ Festival starting just in time for Eid. Get ready for a roaring good time with a jam-packed schedule of exciting activities, live entertainment, interactive workshops, exhilarating carnival rides and games, wholesome movies and mouth-watering street food delights, all in the lush surroundings of Al Ain Zoo from 12 to 21 April.
The 10-day festival is conceptualised and produced by Brag. Visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in the heart of Al Ain’s natural beauty as the DAZ Festival transforms the wildlife park into a lively ‘Farm Meets Safari’ experience. Families can escape the urban rush during the Eid break and revel in the wonders of nature and the wild, all just a short 90 minutes away from the capital.
THE BARN BONANZA
Come experience the rustic charm of ‘The Barn’, where a farm ambiance awaits with plenty of interactive sessions and opportunities to explore nature and gain an awareness about the culture and heritage of the UAE.
Engaging children’s workshops focused on sustainability, planting, and upcycling will be organised daily during the festival. Parents can pre-register their children for sessions for age groups 4- to 12-years-old, including ‘The World of Worms,’ ‘Soil Painting,’ ‘Seed Bombs,’ ‘Artistic Planting,’ and ‘Upcycled T-shirts”. Artistic planting workshops will be on daily, allowing kids to participate at their leisure.
The DAZ Market returns this year, showcasing sustainable brands and local favourites. Visitors can immerse in the Emirati culture at the Heritage Pods, which will feature Safafa, Talli, Al Leekh, Al Khoos, calligraphy, and henna demonstrations daily from 4 pm to 10 pm.
SAVOUR & DEVOUR
Enter a food lover’s paradise with a selection of culinary delights, including everything from sustainably sourced burgers to irresistible ice cream treats at the festival.
Black Bear Burger will bring their exceptional flavours and quality British produce all the way from the UK to the UAE to whip up delicious burgers at the DAZ Festival. Joining them from across the pond exclusively for the festival will be Boolay Crepes, curating a unique menu starring their famous animal-themed crème brûlée crepes. These limited-time treats will give foodies the perfect Instagram moment.
Several homegrown F&B concepts will also be popping up at the festival to excite your taste buds. From Dubai’s sauciest sliders at Hot Bun to French street food delights at Petit Comptoir, there’s something for every palate. Ricepe will bring the love of rice to life, while Emm Daniel will showcase their homemade, gluten-free, and dairy-free treats. Let Sausage Saloon’s gourmet hotdogs bring a big smile to your face or head to Kaak w Somsom for a traditional kaaké to fill you up. You can also take a tasty trip to Italy with a scrumptious pizza from ORO Pizzeria at the festival.
PLAYFUL ADVENTURE
Step into a world of adventure and excitement in the PLAY area at the DAZ Festival. Children and adults can have endless adrenaline-pumping fun and a day filled with laughter and unforgettable memories in the outdoors.
INTO THE WILD
For a whimsical time with loved ones, try the Hay Maze, a first-of-its-kind maze in Al Ain crafted entirely from hay, with plenty of Instagrammable moments at every corner. For even more excitement, children can bounce around in the Zorb Balls: four massive inflatable spheres featuring a thrilling 15-meter green slope inside.
ADVENTURE PARK
Want an adventure in the forest? This year, the DAZ Festival brings you closer to nature with activities for the entire family. There will be Zip Lines for kids and adults, along with the pop-up DAZ Obstacle Course at Al Ain Zoo, featuring a challenging truss system with obstacles at a height of 3m. Daredevils can take on the two tracks with varied obstacles and prove their courage. There’s also a Climbing Wall with five different routes for climbers of all levels. Grab your friends and build a team of four for wildlife-themed Laser Tag showdowns at the festival, as well.
CARNIVAL RIDES
Kids will be eager to hop on board the carnival rides at the festival for a whirlwind of excitement this year. They can make new friends on the Panda Paradise or Loony Toons. Or join them for an exhilarating journey filled with twists and turns on the Procomella Rollercoaster. And don’t let them miss out on the Kiddie Train, a delightful ride for guaranteed giggles.
ARCHEOLOGY ZONE
For a hands-on activity, kids can delve into the fundamentals of geology in the Gemstone Mining workshop. The session covers an introduction to geology, the process of using tools like strainers and buckets, identifying minerals and rocks and documenting findings. Sessions will run for 40 minutes and are suitable for children aged seven and above.
SKILL GAMES
Challenge yourself and vie for victory in the Skill Games at the festival. Take your pick from six exciting games where you can showcase your skills and win a prize. Hoop in Basketball, score high in Rebound or aim to hook a duck in a classic fairground game; there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
ELEGANT FINDS
Discover the finest of local luxury at the festival with handpicked homegrown brands. Oud Cady will present premium fragrances sourced globally, while Odela & Co. will offer a selection of scented beauty products. Fae Oud and Perfumes will display concoctions that bridge Emirati heritage with elegance, and Limico will unveil exclusive fashion accessories. Fenec Perfumes’ collection of niche-based oils and desert-inspired scents will also be available to try and purchase at the festival.
VIEWING VIBES
From captivating movies to live entertainment and toe-tapping music shows, soak up the magical atmosphere and enjoy your favourite activities in nature this Eid.
MOVIES IN THE PARK
Get comfortable with the kids for an enchanting cinematic experience at Al Ain Zoo during the festival. Grab some food and sit under the twinkling stars for a line-up of blockbuster movies curated to match the wild ‘Farm Meets Safari’ theme of the festival this year. From beloved classics like ‘The Jungle Book’ and ‘Jumanji’ to adventures films like ‘Zootopia’, ‘The Wild’ and ‘Tarzan’, magic will fill the air every evening starting at 8 pm.
ANIMAL SHOWS
Experience the Al Ain Zoo’s captivating events from 9 am to 8 pm during the festival. Enjoy mesmerising bird shows led by skilled Emirati trainers, and unique activities like giraffe feeding and the lemur walk. Immerse yourself in African wildlife through the Al Ain Safari adventure and revel in the tales of many animals with the keeper talks. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore beloved animal enclosures like Big Cat Oasis and the Hippo & Crocodile exhibit.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
Prepare to be mesmerised as Arab music icons Fouad Abdel Wahed and Yara take the DAZ Festival stage on 13 April. The artists will treat music lovers to a memorable evening of music and entertainment with hits like ‘Hikayat Hob,’ ‘Ya Dounia,’ ‘Ana Bhebak’ and ‘Twassa Feyi’.
On 20 April, Nassif Zeitoun and Mohamed Al Shehhi will bring a musical experience like no other to the festival. Nassif Zeitoun is set to serenade the audience with hits like ‘Mesh Aam Tezbat Maae’ while Mohamed Al Shehhi, with his unique blend of Emirati and contemporary sounds, will captivate the crowd with songs like ‘Majnoon’ and ‘Ya Leil’.
NINJA KIDZ FUN
Everybody’s favourite Ninja Kidz will turn up the action for visitors on 21 April. Known for their thrilling performances and incredible stunts, families will be on the edge of their seats during their spellbinding performances. But the excitement doesn’t end there! Following their shows, visitors can join in on the fun and put their ninja skills to the test at the DAZ Obstacle Course.
Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.ae and start from AED 35 for access to both the festival and Al Ain Zoo. Visitors can purchase the DAZ Pass for AED 115, with access to all rides and activities, in addition to all paid experiences, except for the skill games and Main Arena concerts which can be purchased separately at the festival.
