What to see and do at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2021 - in pictures

The family friendly event has plenty to offer culture lovers

'Aunty' from Yadooh Products sells milks, cheeses and butter direct from her farm at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. Victor Besa/The National

The annual Zayed Heritage Festival lights up the suburb of Al Wathba, located on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. This is the Emirates Fountain, home to dazzling light shows each night. All photos by Victor Besa / The National

Mariam Al Shehi displays a hand-stitched cloth in one of the many market stalls at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival.

Mariam Al Shehi displays a Sheikh Zayed medallion for sale at her stall at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival.

Cultural performances are held numerous times each evening.

A picture frame for sale at the Arabic market area at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival.

Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival is both fun and educational for children.

Hand-made and designed plates Uzbekistani plates are available in the country's impressive pavilion.

Balloons are one of many child-friendly items for sale at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival.

Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival is home to vendors selling the finest saffron.

For a sweet and hearty snack try the luqaimat with honey from Haris & Marquqa, one of the many food stalls at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival.

Stuffed grape leaves are one of many regional dishes available in the food stalls of the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival.

A small Jordanian stall home to a colourful array of goods.

Fresh honey is available to purchase from the Jordanian pavilion of the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival.

A shoe maker plying his trade at the Moroccan pavilion of the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival.

The UAE pavilion of the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival is home to henna stands.

Emirati Ayala dancers at the UAE pavilion commanded a crowd at the Sheikh Zayed Festival.

The Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival has plenty for families and culture lovers this year.

The popular annual event, which runs until Saturday, February 20, is home to pavilions spanning mostly regional countries, from the UAE to Morocco.

These entertain and educate visitors by hosting arts and crafts, performances and cuisine.

To make the most of your trip, it is best to arrive at the vast site, which resembles a fort, in the late afternoon.

After sunset, make your way to Emirates Fountain. Within a lagoon at the centre of the site, the tower is home to a dazzling light and laser show which runs frequently throughout the evening.

After seeing the show, go for a leisurely stroll and wander among the traditional market of Al Wathba Souq, see traditional Emirati dances at the Heritage Village or watch how Moroccan leather slippers are made at the kingdom’s pavilion.

And when all that adventure makes you peckish, make your way over to one of the many food stands selling everything from Emirati bites, such as stuffed vines leaves and luqaimat (sweet fried dumplings), to burgers and pizzas.

Better yet, grab your grub and wander to one of the many performance stages situated around the site and vibe along to the thumping sounds of Levantine dance troupes or Sudanese folk bands.

The Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival runs until Saturday, February 20; Saturday to Wednesday, 1pm to 11pm; Thursday and Friday, 4pm to 12am; tickets are Dh5. For more details, visit zayedfestival.com