8th Historic Dalma Race Festival: A Celebration of UAE Heritage

Post by : Layla Badr

Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

The 8th Historic Dalma Race Festival will be held from May 16 to June 1, 2025, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region. The event will take place on Dalma Island, located in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi. The festival is being organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

The main attraction of the festival is the Historic Dalma Dhow Sailing Race for 60ft traditional boats. This is the longest traditional sailing race in the Arabian Gulf, covering a distance of 68 nautical miles (about 125 kilometers). The race will start from Dalma Island and pass through other islands like Ghasha, Umm Al Kurkum, Al Fatayer, Al Bazm, Al Faiy, Marawah, and Jananah. It will end at Al Mugheirah City Beach. This makes it the longest and most difficult traditional sailing race in the Gulf.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel  

The festival will also have exciting activities every weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) during its run. These activities will aim to bring in many visitors, promote tourism, help the local economy of Dalma Island, and create a fun, social, and cultural atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

Some of the activities at the festival will include the Dalma Shaari Fishing Championship, the 40ft Dalma Traditional Rowing Race, stand-up paddleboarding competitions, cycling races, and tournaments for playing dominoes and carrom (for both men and women). There will also be a running race and a variety of traditional games. Visitors can also take part in recreational and educational activities throughout the festival.

A heritage market will be set up at the festival, where visitors can buy Emirati crafts and local dishes. There will be areas dedicated to children, theater performances, and daily competitions. Traditional handcraft demonstrations will showcase the rich cultural history of the UAE.

The Historic Dalma Race Festival is an event that celebrates the UAE’s maritime heritage and strengthens the national identity. It also aims to pass down the values of the past to future generations. The festival hopes to raise awareness about the historical and cultural importance of the Emirati islands, while supporting local families and boosting the economy of Dalma Island. It is also a chance for Abu Dhabi to become one of the top destinations for tourism and sports in the region.

#trending #latest #DalmaRaceFestival #UAEHeritage #AbuDhabiEvents #TraditionalSailing #DalmaIsland #CulturalCelebration #MaritimeHeritage #FamilyFun #EmiratiTraditions #AbuDhabiTourism #HistoricRace #DalmaFestival2025 #UAEEvents #MarineSports #DalmaHeritage #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn #bestnewschanneldubai #bestnewschannelUAE #bestnewschannelabudhabi #bestnewschannelajman #bestnewschannelofdubai #popularnewschanneldubai