UAE summer 2026: How Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman are attracting visitors
Record 2025 performance sets a strong foundation
DUBAI – The UAE's tourism sector is gaining momentum during summer 2026, with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman offering a mix of heritage, culture, entertainment and family-focused experiences.
Seasonal festivals, shopping events and attractions are drawing visitors from within the UAE and abroad, while supporting activity across hospitality, retail, transport and other sectors.
The summer programme builds on the UAE's strong tourism performance in 2025, when hotel establishments welcomed 32.34 million guests. Hotel nights exceeded 110.62 million, while hotel revenues reached Dh49.21 billion and the hotel occupancy rate stood at 79.3 percent.
With summer increasingly becoming an important part of the annual tourism calendar, each emirate is contributing through its own mix of experiences.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is combining heritage, culture, education and entertainment to attract visitors during the summer season.
Liwa Date Festival: The 22nd edition attracted around 80,000 visitors, highlighting the emirate's heritage and date-growing traditions.
Al Ain Date Festival: The inaugural event welcomed 74,599 visitors over seven days, offering competitions and activities linked to local agriculture.
Al Wathba Date Festival: The event features competitions for dates and palm products alongside heritage activities, supporting farm owners and local production.
Saadiyat Island: Louvre Abu Dhabi is offering exhibitions, guided tours, art workshops and interactive family activities.
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi: Educational activities introduce visitors to the history of the Earth and its environmental diversity.
Zayed National Museum: Collections and educational programmes explore the UAE's history, cultural heritage and development.
Yas Island: Ferrari World Yas Island, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Yas Island and CLYMB Abu Dhabi provide major entertainment attractions.
Family recreation: Umm Al Emarat Park and Hudayriyat Island offer sporting, recreational and environmental activities.
Dubai
Dubai is focusing heavily on shopping, entertainment and indoor activities to maintain its summer appeal.
Dubai Summer Surprises: The seasonal programme combines shopping offers with entertainment and cultural events across the city.
Mall of the Emirates: Visitors can attend performing arts activities featuring circus performances, dance shows and interactive entertainment.
Dubai Festival Plaza: The mall is hosting a dance competition aimed at young people and families.
Ibn Battuta Mall: Indoor running races are being held over different distances for various ages and fitness levels.
Family activities: The combination of shopping, entertainment and indoor experiences provides options for visitors during the summer heat.
Sharjah
Sharjah is bringing together commercial activity, community programmes, agriculture and heritage as part of its summer offering.
Sharjah Summer Promotions: The programme features commercial and community events involving government and private-sector participants.
Tourism and retail: Seasonal activities are supporting visitor numbers and commercial activity across the emirate.
Al Dhaid Date Festival: The 10th edition attracted more than 35,000 visitors.
Local produce: Competitions featuring dates and locally grown fruit give farmers an opportunity to showcase their products.
Agricultural support: The festival encourages farmers to develop production while strengthening the role of agriculture in the emirate's tourism offering.
Ajman
Ajman is highlighting local products, agriculture and heritage through a dedicated summer festival.
Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival: The event brings together farmers, honey producers and productive families.
National products: Exhibitions provide a platform for showcasing locally produced goods.
Competitions: Visitors can experience competitions linked to dates, honey and local production.
Heritage activities: Traditional experiences add a cultural dimension to the summer programme.
Local economy: The festival helps connect tourism with farmers, producers and productive families.