Mother of the Nation Festival celebrates its tenth edition in 2026.
Al Dhafra and Al Ain will host the festival from 28 November to 2 December.
Abu Dhabi Corniche will host MOTN from 9 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
The much-loved family festival will celebrate a decade with events in Al Dhafra, Al Ain and along the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
Abu Dhabi’s festival season is about to get a major boost. Mother of the Nation Festival, better known as MOTN, will return for its tenth edition this winter, spreading the celebrations across Al Dhafra, Al Ain and the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
The milestone edition begins in both Al Dhafra and Al Ain from 28 November to 2 December 2026, coinciding with the UAE’s National Day period. The festival will then move to Abu Dhabi Corniche from 9 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, giving residents and visitors plenty of time to join the beachfront celebrations.
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Mother of the Nation Festival has become one of the capital’s biggest annual family events. The festival was created in honour of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, widely known as the Mother of the Nation, and has grown into a large-scale celebration of entertainment, culture, creativity, food and community.
For its tenth edition, MOTN 2026 will feature more than 50 immersive experiences across its three destinations. While the theme and full programme have yet to be revealed, previous editions give a good indication of the scale involved. Visitors can look forward to everything from carnival rides and live performances to interactive attractions, art installations, retail concepts and plenty of places to eat.
Last year’s festival was divided into themed areas including Amuse, Thrill, Indulge and Entertain. Activities ranged from amusement rides, creative workshops and arcade games to escape rooms, basketball challenges, a skatepark and roller rink. Other additions have included immersive gaming hubs, laser tag, mazes, an outdoor cinema, inflatable attractions and the Ninja Kidz Action Park.
Food is also a major part of the MOTN experience. Previous editions have featured more than 40 regional and international dining concepts, covering everything from street food and viral desserts to burgers, speciality dishes and sweet treats. Retail spaces will showcase a mix of homegrown and international brands, giving visitors plenty to browse between attractions.
Each destination will offer a slightly different backdrop for the festivities. Al Dhafra will take the celebrations to Al Mugheirah Bay, while Al Ain will host MOTN during National Day. The longest leg of the festival will unfold along Abu Dhabi Corniche, where the waterfront will once again transform into a sprawling entertainment destination for families and friends.
Now entering its tenth year, Mother of the Nation Festival has established itself as one of Abu Dhabi’s signature winter events. With more details on entertainment, attractions, dining concepts and ticketing still to be announced, the 2026 edition looks set to mark the anniversary on a suitably large scale.
We’ll see you there.
Where: Various locations across Abu Dhabi
When: 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Contact: www.motn.ae