The 12th Traditional Handicrafts Festival opens at Souq Al Qattara in Al Ain on October 23 and runs for 20 days, closing on November 11. Entry is free, and the programme covers live craft demonstrations, falconry, music, food and children’s activities built around Emirati heritage.
Crafts sit at the centre of the event. Artisans will work in front of visitors, and a Craft of the Week programme will focus on a different traditional skill each week, explaining the materials and history behind it. At the Designers’ Space, local designers will show how heritage motifs can be reworked for contemporary products. The Traditional Souq brings together Emirati artisans, productive families and young business owners in a Youth Retail Zone selling locally made goods.
Performance forms the second strand. A Music Pavilion pairs crafts with music, and the live programme includes a session called Sounds of the UAE. Visitors can join the Al Ayyala Workshop to learn the basic movements of the Emirati performance, which is known for its coordinated steps and the use of canes. Falconry has its own section, and the Al Maqith Exhibition follows the country’s traditions from the Al Ain oasis to the coastline, showing how different landscapes shaped ways of life.
Families have several dedicated areas. Carnival Games and an Emirati Traditional Games zone offer heritage-themed activities and friendly contests for different age groups, while a Puppet Theatre will stage Emirati stories for younger audiences. Food is part of the offer too. At Bkhar Al Bait, visitors can prepare their own achar, a type of pickle, and take it home, and the wider festival pairs traditional Emirati flavours with newer local food concepts.
Opening hours are split by audience. School and university groups can visit from 8.30am to 1pm, and general visitors are welcome from 4pm to midnight. The festival adds to a busy cultural season in the emirate: the 23rd Abu Dhabi Festival opened this month at Etihad Arena and continues until December 19.
