Al Ain Zoo Festival: A Fusion of Music, Wildlife, and Fun

A unique festival at Al Ain Zoo offers an urban escape with live music, fun-filled activities, street food delights, rides, movies, animal safari, and more. The DAZ Festival, celebrating life’s natural beauty, is organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi in partnership with Brag. The 10-day festival promises a grand finale this weekend.

Key Takeaways

Event Name: DAZ Festival
Location: Al Ain Zoo
Duration: 10 days
Organizers: Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Brag
Highlights: Concerts, animal safari, street food, dances, movies, rides
Special Features: Farm-themed space, heritage pods, adventure park, animal shows
Operating Hours: 2 pm to 10 pm
Ticket Prices: Starting at Dh35

A Warm Welcome to Nature

Visitors are greeted by Arabian oryx and gazelles as they enter the DAZ Festival arena, which has a separate entrance from Al Ain Zoo. The festival transforms the wildlife park into a lively ‘Farm Meets Safari’ experience, allowing visitors to revel in nature’s wonders and deepen their understanding of the environment and ecosystems.

Major Highlights

The festival features a curated farm-themed space named ‘The Barn’ with sustainability and upcycling workshops for children. The ‘DAZ Market’ offers sustainable kids’ retail brands, and heritage pods showcase vibrant Emirati culture with Safafa, Talli, Al Leekh, Al Khoos, calligraphy, and henna demonstrations. Friendly toon characters roam around, adding to the fun.

Fun Activities for All Ages

Play Area: Includes the first-of-its-kind ‘Hay Maze’ in Al Ain, inflatable bouncy Zorb balls, carnival rides, and skills games.
Adventure Park: Features zip lines, an obstacle course, a climbing wall, and laser tag games.
Archaeology Zone: Offers hands-on kids workshops on geology.
Animal Shows and Safaris: Unique activities like giraffe feeding, lemur walks, pony rides, and zookeeper talks. Visitors can also interact with reptiles and chameleons.

Evening Entertainment

Every evening from 8 pm, visitors can enjoy family-favorite movies such as ‘The Jungle Book,’ ‘Jumanji,’ and ‘Zootopia,’ matching the wild theme of the festival.

Food and Performances

The festival boasts 17 food and beverage outlets, including sustainably sourced international street food delights and homegrown concepts. Dance performances, other entertainment, and interactive activities are also part of the festival. The event will conclude with performances by Emirati singer Mohamed Al Shehhi and Syrian star Nassif Zeytoun, along with back-to-back shows by the Ninja Kidz.