The Summer Blessings Dubai festival is returning to Al Shindagha Museum this July, inviting visitors to celebrate the UAE’s date harvest traditions through hands-on workshops, cultural experiences, and Emirati culinary activities. Organised by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the third edition will take place from July 24 to 26, 2026, alongside the Dubai Dates Festival, highlighting the cultural importance of the palm tree and its deep connection to Emirati heritage.
The three-day event will run from 4 pm to 8 pm daily, with additional cultural activities taking place across the museum from July 18 to 26. Hosted at locations including the Visitor Centre, Culture of the Sea House, Traditional Food House, and Qalaat Al Remaal Hall, the festival offers visitors an opportunity to explore traditional practices through interactive experiences. Workshops are included with standard museum entry.
Discover Emirati crafts, flavours and traditions
Visitors can take part in a variety of heritage-inspired workshops that showcase the many uses of the date palm in Emirati culture. The Karb Decorating activity allows guests to create artwork using palm fronds, while the Sefafah workshop introduces traditional palm weaving techniques passed down through generations.
The festival also features natural soap-making sessions using local ingredients and the Finyan Al-Ezz booth, where visitors can decorate Arabic coffee cups with unique designs inspired by Emirati traditions.
Food lovers can explore the dedicated date-tasting corner, sampling different Emirati date varieties while learning about traditional date syrup production. Guests can also try making batheetha, a classic Emirati dessert prepared using dates and other local ingredients.
Alongside these activities, knowledge-sharing sessions will explore the importance of the palm tree, often known as the “Tree of Life”, and its role in shaping the UAE’s history, daily life, and traditions.
A summer cultural experience for families
Summer Blessings Dubai also offers activities for younger visitors through Al Shindagha Museum’s summer camp programmes. The “Young Merchants of Dubai Creek” Summer Camp, taking place from July 20 to 24, is designed for children aged 6 to 12 and introduces them to Dubai’s history of trade, pearl diving, bartering, and maritime traditions through interactive challenges.
As part of the wider Dubai Dates Festival celebrations, Al Shindagha Museum is also sponsoring the “Biggest Date Bunch – Dubai” category in the festival competition, further celebrating the significance of the UAE’s date harvest season.
With traditional crafts, local flavours, and family-friendly activities, Summer Blessings Dubai offers visitors a chance to experience Emirati heritage more interactively and engagingly.
