Festivals and celebrationsMiddle EastSecular and civic
Abu Dhabi Science Festival
An annual science festival in the United Arab Emirates with hands-on workshops and shows
The Abu Dhabi Science Festival is an annual gathering held in the United Arab Emirates. Organised to engage children and families through interactive workshops, live shows and science exhibitions, it began in 2011 and features events across the country.
When is Abu Dhabi Science Festival kept?
Abu Dhabi Science Festival is kept on annually.
The Abu Dhabi Science Festival is a yearly public event held in the United Arab Emirates to celebrate scientific exploration and learning. Established in 2011, it brings together students, families and educators through practical experiments, demonstrations and interactive showcases. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Technology Committee alongside international partners, the festival offers young learners an opportunity to engage directly with technology and modern science.
Origins and development
The festival was inaugurated in 2011 under the guidance of the Abu Dhabi Technology Committee, collaborating with the Edinburgh Science Festival and production agency Flash Entertainment. A wide variety of civic bodies, educational authorities, media outlets and energy organisations joined as partners. Within two years, growing interest led the event to relocate to larger grounds along the city waterfront plaza and entertainment arenas. The organisers also arranged travelling presentations to share activities with communities across neighbouring emirates.
Festival activities
Each edition of the gathering includes interactive workshops, live stage demonstrations, educational displays and guided excursions arranged specifically for school groups. Children take part in practical experiments and discover scientific principles through hands-on activities. Along with its primary gatherings in the capital, the programme has sent touring events to other parts of the country, ensuring that pupils in different regions can experience the exhibitions and experimental workshops.
Community and partners
The event relies on collaboration among government bodies, media outlets, municipal agencies and cultural attractions. Partners such as Masdar, ADNOC, Total, Dolphin Energy, Tawazun and Etihad Airways have supported the initiative over time. Local schools participate widely, sending groups of students to explore the exhibits during term time. The festival serves as an accessible educational bridge, connecting curious young people with scientists, engineers and technical experts in an open, welcoming setting.
How Abu Dhabi Science Festival is kept
Visitors attend scheduled stage shows, explore interactive scientific exhibits and join guided workshops led by presenters. School classes take structured trips through the venues to participate in experiments. Travelling roadshows bring demonstrations and activities to towns outside the main city centres, allowing children and families across different regions to take part in the festivities.
When and where
The festival takes place on an annual schedule, with exact dates determined each year by the organising authorities to accommodate school visits and public participation across various participating venues.
The gathering is hosted primarily in Abu Dhabi, using major entertainment and waterfront areas. It also conducts travelling tours through other emirates such as Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.
Questions people ask about Abu Dhabi Science Festival
When is Abu Dhabi Science Festival kept?
Abu Dhabi Science Festival is kept on annually.
What is the Abu Dhabi Science Festival?
It is an annual public celebration in the United Arab Emirates featuring interactive workshops, science exhibitions, live stage shows and guided school tours.
Where do festival events take place?
The primary gatherings take place at major public venues in Abu Dhabi, supplemented by touring programmes that visit northern emirates including Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain.
Who can attend the festival?
The festival is open to children, families and school classes, welcoming students on organised educational visits as well as the broader public to explore science.
See also
YowlahA traditional stick and sword dance of the UAE and Oman, performed at weddings and celebrations.Fann at-TanburaA Gulf song and dance of drums and tanbura, born in healing, now staged
MajlisA traditional sitting room and community assembly for hospitality and civic counselGood reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Abu Dhabi Science Festival", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.
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