Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi - in pictures

  • Fireworks light up the sky on the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Fireworks light up the sky on the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A spectacular drone show unfolded on the opening day of the festival.
    A spectacular drone show unfolded on the opening day of the festival.
  • The drone show was part of the opening entertainment at the festival.
    The drone show was part of the opening entertainment at the festival.
  • Crowds watch the drone show
    Crowds watch the drone show
  • A light display at the cultural event at Al Wathba
    A light display at the cultural event at Al Wathba
  • The event, which runs until March 18, is expected to attract two million visitors
    The event, which runs until March 18, is expected to attract two million visitors
  • Fireworks on the opening day of the festival
    Fireworks on the opening day of the festival
  • A young visitor enjoys a carnival ride at the event. Al Wathba is a 50-minute drive from Abu Dhabi city
    A young visitor enjoys a carnival ride at the event. Al Wathba is a 50-minute drive from Abu Dhabi city
  • Spectacular illuminations at the festival
    Spectacular illuminations at the festival
  • The festival is named in honour of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
    The festival is named in honour of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
  • A visitor makes a friend at the festival
    A visitor makes a friend at the festival
  • The glow garden features with more than 400,000 flowers imported from Holland
    The glow garden features with more than 400,000 flowers imported from Holland
  • All the fun of the fair at the festival
    All the fun of the fair at the festival
  • Indian dancers at the Sheikh Zayed Festival. The event celebrates the UAE's diverse community
    Indian dancers at the Sheikh Zayed Festival. The event celebrates the UAE's diverse community
  • The festival educates visitors about the legacy of the nation’s founder and the UAE’s arts, crafts, customs and food
    The festival educates visitors about the legacy of the nation’s founder and the UAE’s arts, crafts, customs and food
  • A member of the General Women's Union demonstrates traditional Emirati crafts to visitors
    A member of the General Women's Union demonstrates traditional Emirati crafts to visitors
  • Jewellery for sale at the Yemen pavilion. There are more than 25 country pavilions at the festival
    Jewellery for sale at the Yemen pavilion. There are more than 25 country pavilions at the festival
  • Musicians perform at the Yemen pavilion. The festival showcases cultures from the region and further afield
    Musicians perform at the Yemen pavilion. The festival showcases cultures from the region and further afield
  • Visitors can sample nuts and spices at the Yemen pavilion
    Visitors can sample nuts and spices at the Yemen pavilion
  • Young visitor Marzog, aged 3, meets a camel on the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba
    Young visitor Marzog, aged 3, meets a camel on the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba
  • A visitors admires the Emirates Fountain lightshow, which features water spurting from 600 nozzles
    A visitors admires the Emirates Fountain lightshow, which features water spurting from 600 nozzles
  • Visitors stroll beneath a spectacular canopy of light. The festival's theme is hayakum ― which means welcome
    Visitors stroll beneath a spectacular canopy of light. The festival's theme is hayakum ― which means welcome
  • Craftsman Abdullah demonstrates how to make a fishing net, a vital skill among locals in the past
    Craftsman Abdullah demonstrates how to make a fishing net, a vital skill among locals in the past
  • The Emirates Fountain, illuminated with a portrait of Sheikh Zayed and the colours of the national flag
    The Emirates Fountain, illuminated with a portrait of Sheikh Zayed and the colours of the national flag
  • Traditional Emirati singing and dancing on the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi
    Traditional Emirati singing and dancing on the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi