Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival Fosters Youth Development and Community Spirit

The inaugural Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival 2026 is currently underway in the Al Wathba area of Abu Dhabi, running until August 23. The festival is designed to engage youth aged 6 to 18, along with their families and the wider community, by offering a variety of educational, cultural, entertainment, and sports activities.

Built on four core pillars — education, community, heritage, and health and sports, the festival aims to cultivate skills among students, reinforce national identity, and promote a culture of innovation, including artificial intelligence concepts. Organisers have established a secure environment for learning and recreation, enabling young participants to acquire new talents during the summer break while strengthening national and social values.

Several entities are contributing to the festival's diverse offerings. Saeed Al Mheiri, Director of the Community Sports Department at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, highlighted the festival's role as an integrated platform for sports, health, heritage, innovation, and community security awareness. The Abu Dhabi Chess Club's participation, noted by Executive Director Saeed Ahmed Al Khouri, underscores inter-institutional collaboration in youth development. Meanwhile, Eman Al Hammadi, Project Manager at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, detailed initiatives connecting younger generations with authentic Emirati heritage through interactive displays. Visitors have praised activities like cooking workshops, digital innovation programmes, and participation in the Cybersecurity Council platform focusing on online safety.