Liwa Rutab Festival returns with Dh8 million in prizes for UAE farmers

More than 200 farmers are expected to compete across several categories, with a top cash prize for the best half-ripe rutab dates. The competition is open to UAE nationals only, and entries must come from farms inside the country.

More than 200 farmers are expected to compete across several categories, with the top prize awarded for the best half-ripe rutab dates. The competition is open to UAE nationals only, and entries must come from farms inside the country.

The Dh8 million prize pool is split across multiple categories. The headline contest is for half-ripe rutab dates — the stage between khalal and tamr, prized for their texture and sweetness. Other categories cover ripe dates, date packaging, and a dedicated women’s section.

Farmers can submit entries daily throughout the festival. A panel of judges evaluates each batch on size, colour, taste, and overall quality. Winners are announced at the end of the 12-day event.

For context, the rutab stage is a narrow harvest window when the date has ripened enough to soften but still holds its shape. Farmers across the UAE time their harvest carefully to catch this moment, which is why a dedicated festival exists to celebrate it. The Liwa event is one of the largest date competitions in the country, drawing growers from across the emirates.

Traffic points reduction at the festival

For the first time, Abu Dhabi Police are running a traffic points reduction service at the festival site. Drivers with black points on their licence can attend a short awareness session and have points removed, Khaleej Times reported.

The service is available to all UAE driving licence holders. Visitors need to bring their Emirates ID and driving licence, register at the police tent, and complete a 15-minute traffic safety briefing. Points are deducted on the spot once the session is finished.

What this means: if you have accumulated black points and are close to the 24-point licence suspension threshold, this is a chance to reduce your total without waiting for the standard one-year expiry period. The police run similar pop-up reduction services at major community events across the emirate, but this is the first time the programme has appeared at the Liwa Rutab Festival.

Getting there and what to expect

According to organisers, the festival is held at the Liwa Oasis, roughly a two-hour drive south of Abu Dhabi city. Entry is free for visitors. Beyond the competition tents, the site includes a traditional souk, date-tasting stalls, live cooking demonstrations, and a children’s play area.

Opening hours run from 4 pm to 10 pm daily. Organisers recommend arriving early on weekends, when the souk and food stalls are busiest. The late-afternoon start time is deliberate — July temperatures in Al Dhafra regularly exceed 45 degrees Celsius during the day, so the festival comes alive once the heat begins to ease.

For anyone driving from Dubai, the trip takes roughly three and a half hours via the E11 and E65. There is ample free parking at the site, and the route is well signposted.