RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE – The Festival is considered a pioneering and authentic Emarati annual event in Ras Al Khaimah and is one of the defining local tourist attractions in the Emirate’s tourism calendar. It attracts visitors from all over the GCC during the 3 weeks of the event.
The spring festival celebrates the emirate’s ethnic and cultural heritage through theatre performances, cultural displays, and outdoor sports events held amongst the dramatic red sand dunes of the Awafi area in Ras Al Khaimah.
RAK Tourism said that the success of the Awafi Festival lay in the fact that it was an annual outdoor event and that its focus was on traditional local and family fun entertainment.
Hilary Mc Cormack, manager RAK Tourism, said, “The Government of Ras Al Khaimah believes cultural initiatives (such as Al Awafi Festival), reflect their commitment to promote social and family events for the people of the Emirate.”
The festival has a Heritage Village, local arts and crafts, a bazaar, children’s play zone, clinics, and police aid post apart from public amenities like food outlets, coffee shops, and games area.
Hamad Hasan Rahma Al Shamsi, from the organizing committee confirmed the car and dune bike racing competitions as the highlight of the festival, and these will be held on January 16 and January 23. The Kuwaiti Band, Miami, will entertain the weekend crowds. The festival is free to enter and doors open each day at 4:00 pm till late in the night.
Visitors wishing to travel to Ras Al Khaimah for the event can contact Al Hamra Fort and Beach Resort or Hilton Hotel for special offers available during this time.
