• The Daz Festival returns for 10 days at Al Jahili Park in Al Ain. All photos: Daz Festival
    The Daz Festival returns for 10 days at Al Jahili Park in Al Ain. All photos: Daz Festival
  • There are plenty of things to do, including getting up and close with falcons
    There are plenty of things to do, including getting up and close with falcons
  • Bouncing castles for younger children
    Bouncing castles for younger children
  • Shooting some hoops.
    Shooting some hoops.
  • There are also food trucks on site
    There are also food trucks on site
  • The Daz Arcade also has foosball and pinball machines
    The Daz Arcade also has foosball and pinball machines
  • Visitors can also check out Pyramid Sphere by visual artist Cyril Lancelin
    Visitors can also check out Pyramid Sphere by visual artist Cyril Lancelin
  • London cafe Saint Aymes has a pop-up at the festival
    London cafe Saint Aymes has a pop-up at the festival
  • There are plenty of food options at the event
    There are plenty of food options at the event
  • There are also art installations throughout the park
    There are also art installations throughout the park
  • Youngsters can enjoy a ballpit
    Youngsters can enjoy a ballpit
  • Live music shows will be held throughout the 10 days of the festival
    Live music shows will be held throughout the 10 days of the festival
  • The Into the Wild escape room
    The Into the Wild escape room
  • One of the carnival rides at Daz Festival
    One of the carnival rides at Daz Festival
  • A musician performs
    A musician performs
  • There is family-friendly entertainment for children of all ages
    There is family-friendly entertainment for children of all ages
  • Another of the carnival rides
    Another of the carnival rides
  • Daz Festival ends on February 19
    Daz Festival ends on February 19

Daz Festival returns to Al Ain with art, music, games and more


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

Nature is the inspiration and theme for this year's Daz Festival, which has returned to Al Ain.

The 10-day event, which is taking place at Al Jahili Park until February 19, features a programme of entertainment such as live music, art installations and interactive games. There are also food trucks on-site, as well as a pop-up from Saint Aymes, a London cafe.

An art installation titled Pyramid Sphere by visual artist Cyril Lancelin makes its UAE debut at the festival. It features geometric shapes that expand to form pyramids. Visitors can go inside the sphere through a tunnel to view the outside world through it, but has no clear entrance or exit and is meant to engage visitors by questioning their built environment.

Cyril Lancelin's Pyramid Sphere at the Daz Festival. Photo: Daz Festival
Cyril Lancelin's Pyramid Sphere at the Daz Festival. Photo: Daz Festival

There’s also Dazzle Haus, meant for those who are looking to take an Instagrammable photo or two. It has five rooms that features differing backdrops such as caves, sea plants, creatures and an underwater world — all tied to the event’s theme of nature. Organisers say that “each room in this space is inspired by the earth, setting the mood and vibe of your colourful, unexpected journey.”

There is also a jungle-themed escape room, as well as Versus, a collaborative virtual reality game that has players dive into the ancient Egyptian underworld and use archery skills to win. There is also the Daz Arcade that has pinball, foosball and pool tables.

Meanwhile, youngsters can visit the children’s wooden play park that has slides and swings. The Oasis Play Park is another artistic playground with interactive and colourful animal sculptures that double as slides, carousels and see-saws.

Tickets start at Dh25 online or Dh30 at the door. More information at www.dazfestival.ae

Updated: February 11, 2023, 4:01 PM