Sheikh Zayed Festival opens in Abu Dhabi with epic night sky drone show

Fireworks, fairground rides and flowers galore greet crowds at cultural event in Al Wathba

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.

The drone show was part of the opening entertainment at the festival.

Crowds watch the drone show

A light display at the cultural event at Al Wathba

The event, which runs until March 18, is expected to attract two million visitors

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

Spectacular illuminations at the festival

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

The glow garden features with more than 400,000 flowers imported from Holland

All the fun of the fair at the festival

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

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

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

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

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

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

Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Festival has opened in Al Wathba, bringing desert festivities and cultural traditions to the emirate.

Running from November 18 to March 18, the cultural event began with an epic drone show over the desert.

Hundreds of drones formed moving images in the night sky — depicting President Sheikh Mohamed, UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the late President, Sheikh Khalifa.

The drones also depicted falcons and Arabic messages.

Fireworks on the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visitors attending the opening night also enjoyed a firework display and plenty of festive fun, including fairground rides and a glow-in the dark garden.

A military heritage music performance and traditional song and dance spectacle were also part of the opening night.

Guests also enjoyed the first of several Emirates Fountain shows — with the towering fountain coming to life with music, lights and more than 600 water jets.

Under the theme Hayakum, which means welcome in Arabic, this year’s Sheikh Zayed Festival continues the event’s tradition of honouring local customs and showcasing UAE heritage.

Running for four months, the family-friendly event features light shows, a horror house, horse riding, camels and go-karting.

There is also a Children's District specifically for families. A colourful flower garden comprises 400,000 flowers imported from the Netherlands.

Indian dancers on the opening day of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

New this year is the Art District, where visitors can take part in acrylic pouring workshops. The Emirati Civilization Pavilions showcase the role of Sheikh Zayed in building the nation.

This year's festival will also show all the action from the World Cup in Qatar, with large viewing screens showing the matches. Major celebrations are also scheduled for National Day and the new year.

The festival features more than 15 theatres that will show several cultural and entertainment events on a regular basis.

It has more than 25 pavilions from countries around the world, each showcasing traditions, goods, crafts and food.