Your guide to all the events in Al Ain this year

Written by:
Jack Rogers
30th January 2017

Need a brush up on your UAE history?

The Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA) have announced a programme of cultural events for Al Ain this year.

Al Ain is said to be one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, and is the UAE’s only UNESCO World Heritage site.

The year’s programme of cultural events, which started last week, will feature exhibitions, concerts, markets, festivals and more in each of Al Ain’s historic sites.

SO WHAT’S GOING ON IN AL AIN?

Evenings at The Oasis

Eco-Centre-007

Expect traditional Emirati performances, as well as film screenings of pop culture from the 80s and 90s, along with food and family-friendly fun.

Al Ain Oasis, Al Mutawaa, Al Ain. January 26 to 28, February 10 to 11, March 10 to 11, April 7 to 8.

Celebrating the seasons

A celebration of the different seasons and how they affect the Al Ain Oasis, as well as education as to what it would have been like to have been an oasis farmer.

Al Ain Oasis, Al Mutawaa, Al Ain. February 1 to March 15, March 30 to April 15.

Memory of the Emirati song

Young Emirati performers will play traditional melodies from the 50s, 60s and 70s, while singing the words of original Emirati poetry.

Al Jahili Fort, Al Mutawaa, Al Ain. February 16, March 2, April 13.

Al Jahili Fort

My old house

Join archeologists and conservators on a bus tour that explores the architecture of old homes and oases in Al Ain.

Multiple venues. February 22 to 23, March 8 to 9.

Collage exhibition

UAE-based artists have been invited to exhibit their art in a collective community exhibition.

Al Qattara Arts Centre, Al Ain. March 15 to 18.

al jahili fort

Falconry hunting trip

A re-enactment of the settings, events and more surrounding a traditional falconry trip.

Qasr Al Muwaiji, Al Ain. March 16 to 18.

Bartabas: An equestrian show

A unique performance by equestrians and horses from the Versailles Academy of Equestrian Arts.

Al Jahili Fort, Al Mutawaa, Al Ain. March 23 to 25, 27 to 28.

Trucial scouts exhibition

Temporary exhibition hosting a collection of items previously owned by the security force the Trucial Scouts – who originated from Al Jahili fort.

Al Jahili Fort, Al Mutawaa, Al Ain. April 12 to August 31.

Al Jahili Fort

World Museum Week

A week-long programme with a focus on the history of museums in the UAE.

Multiple venues. May 16 to 18.

Oasis afternoons

Family afternoons full of events and workshops as well as a community market of arts and crafts.

Al Ain Oasis, Al Mutawaa, Al Ain. February 3 to 4, March 3 to 4, 24 to 25, April 7 to 8.

Al Ain Oasis

My heritage my responsibility

A seasonal outdoor programme featuring talks, film, workshops and activities to do with Emirati culture.

Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain. February 9 to 10, March 30 to 31.

Literary evenings at Muwaiji

A series of evenings dedicated entirely to the literary arts. Expect narrators, storytellers, chroniclers and a poetry programme in collaboration with the UAE’s Academy of Poetry.

Qasr Al Muwaiji, Al Ain. February 18, March 18, April 1.

Emirati Melodies

Emirati concerts flaunting the UAE’s musical heritage from the Al Ain region.

Qasr Al Muwaiji, Al Ain. March 9.

Qasr Al Muwaiji

More…
*10-day local food festival coming to Abu Dhabi*
*There’s a new mall being built in Masdar*
*19 of the best places to eat outdoors in Abu Dhabi*

Travel through our traditions

Visitors will be invited to spend time with Emirati women within their homes and farms to discuss different ways of life in an effort to bridge cultures.

Multiple venues, Al Ain. March 15, 22, May 3, 10.

Multaqa Zayed National Museum

The museum will be hosting a talk panel on Arabian horses as well as on the Trucial Scouts.

Al Jahili Fort, Al Mutawaa, Al Ain. March 22, April 12.

Abu Dhabi Classics

The Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse with Tugan Sokhiev and Edgar Moreau will be playing at the UAE University in Al Ain.

UAE University, Al Ain. May 3.