Why LIWA Village might just be the ultimate entertainment destination this winter

It takes a Village

Between December 16 and 31 visitors can enjoy access to concerts, family activities, shows, rides, arcade gaming, spectacular immersive dining opportunities, engaging demonstrations of Emirati heritage and crafts, eGaming tournaments, souk shopping from top-tier local fashion brands and more. Tickets for the festival, set against one of the most spectacular ‘made-for-Instagram’ landscape backdrops imaginable, are on sale now via PlatinumList, with a starting price of Dhs15.

One aspect of the LIWA Village set up that invites thorough exploration, is its division into themed zones. There are six distinct habitats to discover between the dunes, each with their own sensorial charms.

In the zone

Souk

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This is where you’ll be able to pick up some amazing off-the-rack merch from visiting vendors including A Frnd of Mine; EBL; House of Artisans; Chitral Handicrafts; Elevenish; and Apparel Group.

You can also enjoy the on-site spice market, henna art, khoos basket weaving displays, and live Emirati cooking demonstrations, found alongside some of the most popular names on the homegrown and world casual dining scene. We’re talking High Joint, Nap Pizza, Boh’ba Bubble Tea, Space Cafe, Scoppi Ice Cream, Flurry, and Acai Republic.

Oasis

This is the festival GPS location for a crafty or relaxing respite from the rest of the festival’s frenetic pace. Experiences here include terrarium making, jewellery design, terracotta pot painting and tea excursions. You’ll find contributions from Mattar Farm, The Giving Movement, Culinary Botique, Turquoise Boutique Studio, DRVN, Nikon Kids Photo Club, Let’s Cafe and more.

Pavilion

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Another section of the Village given over to the pursuit of chill, and appreciation of aesthetic excellence. You’ll find the calming space of Pavilion right in the heart of it all, complete with a soothing botanical embrace and zen-ful architectural flourishes.

Play Zone

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There are some pretty enticing ways to spend screen time at Liwa Village too. With eSport competitions, eGaming tournaments, modern and retro arcade machines to bash buttons on, skill games to te, and opportunities to secure bags of sweet treats.

GAZE Immersive Dining

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Described as “a dining environment interwoven with digital technology under the stars” the GAZE Immersive Dining experience promises to be quite unlike any other you’ve experienced. The two lead restaurants plying their pop-ups here are the world renowned Zuma, and local legend Antika (this experience took place Dec 16 to 18). These set menus priced from Dhs1,000 per head, but spaces are sparse, so you’re advised to book up well in advance.

The meal at Zuma will include Wagyu beef tataki with truffle ponzu steamed japanese spinach; crab maki with avocado and tobiko yellowtail maki with tenkasu and tobiko; miso marinated black cod wrapped in hoba leaf; spicy beef tenderloin with sesame; special chocolate, caramel and almond praline with Tahitian vanilla ice cream. It’s available on Fri 23, Sat 24 and Sun 25 December 2022.

Stage

The concerts at Liwa Village have a deliberate Arabian flavour with live performances from such talented regional artists as Abdullah Ruwaished, Khaled Al Mulla, Abadi Al Johar, and Mutref Al Mutref.