DAZ Festival 2026 Opens Tomorrow, Transforming Al Jahili Park Into A Wild Escape In Al Ain

The line-up is in – and DAZ Festival 2026 is set to transform Al Jahili Park in Al Ain into a dynamic destination of adventure, discovery and wild surprises. From 3 – 12 April, families are invited to escape the city, reconnect with nature and dive into a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience featuring must-try activities, wildlife encounters, live entertainment and foodie favourites – all coming together to create the kind of memories that last long after the drive home.

This year’s programme brings together experiences designed to spark imaginations and keep curiosity leading the way. Whether it’s meeting animals up close at the Petting Zoo, taking a turn as the ‘claw’ in Prize Hunter, or pausing for a delicious pick-me-up treat and a browse at the pop-up shopping, DAZ Festival offers plenty of ways to dive into all-day fun and enjoy the great outdoors together.

Discover Highlights in Outdoor

DAZ Festival 2026 brings together hands-on play and family-friendly adventure for explorers of every age. Highlights include:

• Zip the DAZ World: Ready, set, soar. A festival favourite returns, giving thrill-seekers the chance to glide across the festival and take in DAZ from above in one fast-paced, high-energy ride.
• Adventure Towers: Climb high and test your nerve on this aerial ropes course of suspended obstacles, rope bridges and elevated pathways. Set within Zip the DAZ World, brace yourself for a sky-high challenge packed with fun.
• Sky Cycle: Hop on and pedal your way across a suspended track high above the festival. Blending balance, focus and just the right amount of thrill, it’s a feel-good challenge with a view.
• Petting Zoo with Al Ain Zoo: Step into a supervised, family-friendly animal zone where little explorers can get up close with friendly animals, make a few new furry friends and enjoy a feel-good moment that reconnects them with the natural world.
• Arcade Games: Step up, press start and see who takes the top spot. The Arcade Game zone delivers a fast-paced line-up for adventurers of every age – whether you’re a quick-fire challenger or a careful strategist, the high score is there for the taking.
• Prize Hunter: A life-sized twist on the classic crane game – and this time, your child is the claw. Safely harnessed and guided by trained operators, each little adventurer is lifted above a soft play zone for the chance to reach, grab and win. The gentle swing, the suspense, the prize – it’s an adventure all on its own.
• Pony World & Storytelling: Designed for little adventurers with big imaginations, saddle up for gentle pony rides, then settle in for interactive storytelling sessions that bring farmyard tales to life.
• Fossil Discovery Workshops: Step into the shoes of a young archaeologist and uncover the wonders of the prehistoric world. Through guided fossil excavation, children can brush, dig, and discover ancient finds while learning about history, science, and the stories hidden beneath the surface.
• Pottery & Clay Workshops: A hands-on creative experience where fun meets learning. Twist, pinch, roll, and mould clay into one-of-a-kind creations, trying simple pottery techniques while letting your imagination take the lead.

Immerse in Live Performances and Entertainment

The Community Stage returns with a rotating daily line-up of live shows, interactive entertainment and edutainment designed to keep families engaged throughout the festival. Beloved characters take centre stage with the Care Bears bringing music, dancing and heartwarming messages of kindness, Maya the Bee leading little ones into a playful birthday adventure, and Shaun the Sheep delivering high-energy fun filled with movement, music and laughter. Alongside special animal appearances and roaming characters across the grounds, the ever-changing programme ensures there is always something new to discover – making every visit feel a little different.

Food, Flavors, and Family Moments

The festival serves up a delicious mix of international and homegrown favourites, turning every pit stop into part of the adventure.

When savoury cravings hit, T’parletje brings artisan hand-cut fries, while Meokja brings Korean flavours in a bowl, Aria serves up easy pizza-and-pasta comfort, and Salt keeps it classic with crowd-favourite burgers. For street-food bites with a twist, Hottodoggu stacks up creative toppings, while The Little Fox and LSE-La sauce Entrecôte dish out hearty plates worth slowing down for.

Make sure to save room for something sweet: Brooki and Flufftopia keep things fun with cookies and cotton-candy colour, while Chocomail and La Creperie Tropezienne round it out with chocolate sips and fresh crêpes – the ideal sugar boost before the next activity.

With 16 local outlets and two international ones across the Food Yard, it’s a line-up made for refuelling between adventures – one delicious stop at a time.

Shop, Browse and Discover

The adventure doesn’t stop at the activities – DAZ Festival 2026 also brings a curated line-up of pop-up shopping to explore between thrills. Pick up sweet treats from Haribo Candy, discover contemporary skincare and cosmetics at Celaeno Beauty, stop by Cozy Cuts for a fresh trim in a relaxed, child-friendly setting, or browse Gloss Á Lévres for easy everyday fashion at accessible prices. Whether you’re picking up a little something for the kids or treating yourself, there’s plenty waiting to be discovered.

Ticketing

• Entry Pass 13+ weekday: General Admission ticket for AED 25, providing access to the festival grounds, kids’ show, community stage performances, free entertainment and selected attractions, international and local food, arcade zone, petting zoo, and football area and is valid for one (1) day, Monday to Thursday.
• Entry Pass 13+ weekend: General Admission ticket for AED 35, providing access to the festival grounds, kids’ show, community stage performances, free entertainment and selected attractions, international and local food, arcade zone, petting zoo, and football area and is valid for one (1) day, Friday to Sunday
• Child Entry Pass-Weekday (aged 0-12 years old): free General Admission ticket, providing access to the festival grounds, kids’ show, community stage performances, free entertainment and selected attractions, international and local food, arcade zone, petting zoo, and football area and is valid for one (1) day, Monday to Thursday
• Child Entry Pass-Weekend (aged 5-12 years old): General Admission ticket for AED15, providing access to the festival grounds, kids’ show, community stage performances, free entertainment and selected attractions, international and local food, arcade zone, petting zoo, and football area and is valid for one (1) day, Friday to Sunday
• Child entry (0-4 years old), Senior Citizens (60+) and People of Determination (with one caregiver): free entry all days of the week, providing access to festival grounds, kids show, community stage performances, free entertainment, and selected attractions, international and local food, arcade zone, petting zoo, and football area, valid for one (1) day. Guests must visit the Box Office to collect their physical ticket for scanning and entry.

Supporting the experience is a valued group of partners, each contributing to the overall journey at DAZ Festival 2026. Careem, Al Ain Farms and Al Ain Zoo bring a series of engaging on-ground activations that add to the festival’s dynamic and family-friendly atmosphere, from interactive moments to educational and wholesome experiences. Alongside them, Al Ain Water plays an essential role in keeping visitors refreshed throughout the day, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience across the festival grounds.

Festival tickets available now on Ticketmaster.ae

For more information, please visit  www.dazfestival.ae