12th Traditional Handicrafts Festival

The festival is one of Al Ain’s largest celebrations of living Emirati heritage, bringing together more than 900 artisans, designers and heritage practitioners. Beyond demonstrations of traditional crafts, visitors can meet local makers and productive families, explore traditional fashion and food, and experience performances including Al Taghrooda, Al Ayyala Barri, Al Razfa, Al Wannah and Al Rababa.

This 12th edition also puts strong emphasis on transmission: 55 productive family businesses and 25 youth projects participate, showing how traditional knowledge continues to evolve through younger generations and contemporary practice. The historic setting of Souq Al Qattara makes the experience particularly relevant, reconnecting the crafts with one of the places where trade, storytelling and community life once naturally came together.