Tanweer Festival 2024: Get ready for UAE’s first cultural desert fest
Three unforgettable days of celebration in Sharjah’s Mleiha Desert
SHARJAH: Time to dive into a world of music, art, and adventure like never before, as Tanweer Festival is lighting up the UAE's Mleiha Desert this November with a three-day celebration that promises unforgettable experiences!
This first-of-its-kind event will bring together over 100 artists, immersive workshops, and dazzling art installations, all set against the stunning landscape of Sharjah’s ancient desert.
Whether you're here for the soul-stirring performances, mouth-watering global flavours, or simply the chance to camp under the stars, Tanweer Festival is where culture meets magic in the heart of the UAE.
Under the theme of “Timeless Echoes of Love and Light,” inspired by the timeless wisdom of Jalal al-Din Al Rumi, the Tanweer Festival invites visitors from across the globe to embark on a profound journey through music, art, poetry, and human connection.
With the call, “Your journey begins here,” the festival extends a unique opportunity to experience deep cultural exchange through workshops, performances, and installations that resonate deeply with audiences.
A first for the UAE
The debut Tanweer Festival, a first-of-its-kind in the UAE, seeks to redefine cultural gatherings with its blend of sustainability, heritage, and artistic innovation. Hosted in a purpose-built, eco-conscious location within Mleiha National Park—a site boasting over 200,000 years of human history—Tanweer Festival merges ancient traditions with a modern voice, offering an experience that celebrates both past and future.
Music, Art, and Poetry
The festival features over 100 musicians and poets from 15 nations, who will showcase their talents through 29 immersive performances. The lineup includes renowned artists like Sami Yusuf, Dhafer Youssef, Kamal Musallam, Senny Camara, Ziyad Sahhab, Abi Sampa, and Constantinople with Ghalia Benali.
Each performance offers a unique blend of cultural expression, creating a rich tapestry of global voices that will leave a lasting impact on attendees.
Themed Performance Stages
Tanweer Festival will bring the Mleiha Desert alive with four specially designed performance areas—the Main Stage, the Tree of Life, the Dome, and the Marketplace—each evoking distinct sensory experiences. These venues, crafted with artistic and natural elements, aim to provide intimate, evocative, and unforgettable settings where art, nature, and community intersect.
Workshops
For those looking to engage their creative side, the festival offers 10 hands-on workshops. Led by world-renowned experts, these sessions will delve into various artistic disciplines, such as the Anas Handpan Orchestra, Sufi Whirling, sacred geometry, and Calligraphy Lighting. Each workshop invites participants to learn from masters and to connect through shared cultural practices.
Art Installations
The festival will also feature 10 thought-provoking art installations by artists such as Karim + Elias, Ahmad Kattan, Nedaa Elias, and Omar Al Gurg. These installations are designed to inspire introspection and stimulate conversation, adding layers of meaning and atmosphere to the festival experience.
Culinary Delights
Food and drink will be integral to Tanweer Festival, with the Nourish culinary space featuring 12 diverse food vendors. This area will offer a blend of local and global flavours, with each dish crafted to reflect the festival’s ethos of cultural fusion.
Experiential Marketplace
The marketplace will showcase handcrafted products, sustainable apparel, musical instruments, and unique crafts from 14 local and international artisans, connecting visitors with the rich heritage of global craftsmanship.
How to Get Tickets
To join the Tanweer Festival’s celebration of art, music, and culture, tickets can be secured through the official festival website.
The ticketing options allow visitors to customise their experience, offering both day passes and full three-day packages that include access to performances, workshops, and installations.
Add-on Activities
Tanweer Festival offers six unique activities for those seeking a closer connection to Mleiha’s natural and historical landscape. Options include tours of the Valley of the Caves, the Mleiha Archaeological Site, stargazing sessions with experts, horseback riding, and tandem paragliding. These activities add another layer of depth to the festival experience, blending cultural immersion with outdoor adventure.
Accommodation Options
For visitors looking to extend their experience, the festival offers a range of accommodation options, including luxury glamping, camping, and nearby retreats such as Al Badayer, Al Faya, and Moon Retreat. These options allow festival-goers to fully embrace the stunning desert setting, adding comfort to their cultural journey.
Zero-Waste Commitment
In line with a commitment to sustainability, the Tanweer Festival has pledged to maintain a zero-waste environment. Guided by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder of the festival, this initiative demonstrates the possibility of hosting a large-scale event with environmental consciousness at its core.