On 8 October, the Al Dhaid Date Festival 2026 kicked off at Expo Al Dhaid in Sharjah, uniting date growers, producers, traders and agribusinesses from all over the UAE. The event is a four-day affair that includes auctions of high-quality dates, a special date market, agricultural seminars and workshops, and cultural celebrations of the country’s date-palm heritage. The festival will remain on until October 11.
The sixth edition is hosted by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) with the goal of helping the local date producers, encouraging Emirati dates and improving the scope of farmers and businesses for direct contact with buyers.
Premium Date Auctions Take Centre Stage
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is premium date auctions. The farmers and producers are showcasing some of the dates produced in UAE, enabling buyers and visitors to learn about various local varieties.
It was the opening auction after the opening ceremony on October 8, according to organizers. Other auctions will be held after the Maghrib prayers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The dates are being auctioned in two categories: dates grown on farms and household-grown dates. Entries must be of a quality standard which conforms to those of the festival, that is, produced locally during the 2026 season, and free from any visible defects, pests or abnormal taste/odour.
The participants are required to register and provide the dates for classification and weighing prior to participating in the bidding process. The measures are designed to ensure adherence to the quality criteria and equal opportunities.
Farmers and Businesses from Across the UAE Participate
The festival gathers a lot of stakeholders such as date-palm growers, agricultural specialists, merchants, farming firms, governmental bodies, families that produce dates and home businesses.
It allows the local farmers to exhibit their products, connect with new customers and interact directly with traders and consumers. Visitors can see the best and commercial dates, in addition to other products related to date palm production.
The festival also provides a platform for sharing knowledge among farmers and agricultural experts, according to organisers. This is especially vital for producers desiring to enhance the quality of their crop, implement modern agricultural practices, and bolster the market value of locally-grown dates.
Date Market, Agricultural Workshops and Cultural Activities
The festival is also accompanied by an auction segment and a special market for sale of various varieties of Emirati dates and related goods.
Another component of the programme consists of agricultural workshops. These sessions address the modern farming techniques, date-palm care and production quality improvement techniques. The activities aim at sharing practical knowledge with the growers and help to develop the agriculture sector in UAE.
Culture and art are also part of the activities that visitors can enjoy, including traditional folkloric performances on the significance of date palms in Emirati culture.
The festival programme includes both commercial elements and agricultural education and cultural elements, which appeal to the farmers, families, traders and visitors interested in local produce.
Al Dhaid Date Festival 2026: Dates and Timings
The festival is scheduled to be held at EXPO Al Dhaid in Sharjah from 8th to 11th October 2026.
- Event: Dubai Shopping Festival 2018
- Festival dates: October 8–11, 2026
- Marketing days: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day.
- The auction will be held after the ceremony and again after Maghrib prayers on 9th, 10th and 11th of October.
The organisers say the auctions take place in the afternoon and consignment items are accepted during specific time periods. All participants in the auctions should check with the festival organisers for the most up to date registration requirements and rules prior to arrival.
Supporting Local Agriculture and UAE Date Production
The date palm has been a significant part of the UAE’s agricultural heritage, its food culture and its history for a long time. Farmers can present their harvests at events like the Al Dhaid Date Festival, and the consumers can get to know locally produced dates.
Additionally, the festival provides a platform for small enterprises and household manufacturers to connect with customers. The event fosters commercial activity by connecting growers, traders, agricultural professionals, and visitors, promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration within the date-production industry.
This emphasis is continued in the sixth edition, which features auctions, exhibits, workshops and heritage activities.
Conclusion
Premium date auctions kicked off and growers and producers from the UAE participated in the Al Dhaid Date Festival 2026 on 8 October. It will continue till October 11 at Expo Al Dhaid and includes a date market, agricultural workshops and cultural activities highlighting Emirati date-palm heritage.
Those interested in local dates, farming and traditional culture can browse the market of the festival as it opens daily, and farmers and traders can find more information about the auction programme and requirements from the organisers.
Disclaimer: Festival schedules and activities may change. Check official announcements from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry before visiting.
