| Quick Answer: Hatta Festival, or Hatta Winter, is Dubai’s seasonal outdoor celebration in the Hajar Mountains, offering visitors a mix of adventure activities, cultural nights, and local markets. The festival grounds will be open to everyone free of charge, although the times for the 2026-27 festival are not yet confirmed. |
Hatta Festival, dubbed Hatta Winter, is Dubai’s winter mountain festival, featuring adventure activities, cultural nights, and local markets throughout the Hatta region. Admission to the festival is free; individual activities will be charged.
The dates for Hatta Festival 2026-27 are not officially announced yet. The previous editions ran from early December to late January, with an emphasis on Hatta Wadi Hub, Hatta Heritage Village, and Hatta Leem Lake. This guide will tell you what to expect, how to plan your visit, and where to see the latest updates.
- Ziplining, mountain biking, kayaking, and other adventures are at Hatta Wadi Hub.
- Sub-festivals include Hatta Cultural Nights, Hatta Farming Festival, and Hatta Honey Festival
- 2026-27 festival dates are yet to be officially confirmed by Dubai Municipality
- Individual events will be separate from general festival entry tickets
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival Name | Hatta Festival / Hatta Winter |
| Location | Hatta, Dubai (Hajar Mountains) |
| Distance from Dubai | ~90 minutes, 96-134 km depending on route |
| Typical Dates | Early December to end of January (2026-27 dates not yet announced) |
| Entry Fee | Free (activities charged separately) |
| Organizer | Dubai Municipality, Brand Dubai, Dubai Culture |
| Best For | Families, adventure seekers, culture lovers |
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Hatta Festival 2026-27 Dates and Timings
The dates of Hatta Festival 2026-27 have not been officially announced yet. Any particular date appearing on the internet should be considered provisional until confirmed by the Dubai Municipality or Brand Dubai.
The last time Hatta Winter was hosted was from December 5, 2025, to January 31, 2026, which is a span of almost two months with multiple sub-festivals. The next edition will probably be in late November or early December, and will be running through January (but it is not yet certain).
Times are subject to change according to activity, zone, day of the week, and seasons. For exact timing, please refer to the official listing nearer to your visit date, before planning around a specific time.
What Is Hatta Festival?
The Dubai festival’s brand, Hatta Festival, also known as Hatta Winter, is a regional celebration. It is a combination of Hatta Cultural Nights, Hatta Farming Festival, annual honey festival, and adventure activities at Hatta Wadi Hub, with overlapping but separate timings.
The program is part of the Dubai Destinations campaign and Dubai Municipality, Brand Dubai, and Dubai Culture’s development plan for Dubai’s Hatta area. It seeks to make Hatta a year-round destination and make each of the sub-festivals have its own identity but come together to maintain the umbrella of the season.
Hatta Festival is not a single-venue event, but is spread across several venues such as Hatta Heritage Village, Hatta Park, Hatta Leem Lake, and Hatta Wadi Hub. This is why it has a much more authentic feel than a fair and seems more like an entire region opening up for the winter.
Where Is Hatta and How Far Is It From Dubai?
An exclave of Dubai, Hatta is nestled along the Omani border in the Hajar Mountains. Its location is so far from the rest of the emirate, surrounded by the Omani border and Sharjah, that it is a country on its own.
The distance between Dubai & Hatta is approximately 96 Km to 134 Km with normal traffic, which equates to about 90 minutes by car. This varies depending on the road taken, either the direct E44 or a slightly longer route that does not cross into Oman.
From Abu Dhabi, it will take approximately 2.5 hours to reach the destination. Hatta is around a 90-minute drive from Dubai International Airport, and is therefore a practical half-day or full-day trip even for short layovers in the UAE.
How to Reach Hatta From Dubai
The most convenient transport is by car. The E44 Dubai–Hatta Road is the shortest, but some sections run into Omani territory, so be sure to take your passports along just in case. Fill up before leaving the city as petrol stations are rare when in the mountains.
RTA also runs a bus service from Dubai Mall to Hatta Main Bus Station, and a local bus runs from the bus station to the main attractions of Hatta. Payment should be made by Nol Card (Please consult the RTA app for available fare and schedule, as it is subject to change).
This trip takes about an hour and a half, and taxis are the most expensive but fastest. The cost of the fare depends on the operator, so be sure to check the price before booking, particularly for a round trip.
Hatta Wadi Hub: Adventure Activities Guide
A base-camp adventure park at the foot of the Hajar Mountains, Hatta Wadi Hub is the heart of the festival experience. It is open throughout the year and, during festivals, has a fuller program of activities.
There are height and/or weight or minimum age limitations on most activities, and children should be checked on individual activities before booking. It’s advisable to book in advance, particularly for the more popular packages.
| MUActivity | What It Involves |
|---|---|
| Twin Zipline | Dual-line zipline with panoramic mountain views |
| Aerial Adventure Park | Rope bridges, climbing nets and multiple zipline elements at height |
| Mountain Biking | One of the UAE’s larger networks of cross-country trails, for all skill levels |
| Kayaking | Paddle across Hatta Dam’s turquoise waters |
| Archery & Axe Throwing | Target sports suitable for most age groups |
| Big/Small Plunge | Water slides for adults and kids |
| Zorbing | Water zorbing and football zorbing on the lake |
| Net Walkway | Suspended net bridges above the wadi |
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Food and Dining at Hatta Festival
A large number of food stalls can be found throughout the festival offering a wide variety of hot snacks and even complete sit-down meals, so there’s hardly ever a need to plan meals around the drive back to Dubai. Previous editions have included anything from smash burgers to crepes as well as the more classic Emirati cuisine.
For a few gastronomes, some great restaurants outside the festival zones are truly worth making a stop at; just a few minutes’ drive from Wadi Hub include Al Hajarain, Al Yamm Cafe, Tanoor and Alberi Cafe.
Hatta Festival Entry Fee and Ticket Prices
There are no fees to enter the Hatta Festival grounds or the areas of heritage. Specific activities, rides, or guided tours at Wadi Hub are charged for.
| Activity / Access | Indicative Price Range |
|---|---|
| Pool Access (Drop In) | Low, per-person day pass |
| Multi-Activity Adventure Package | Mid-range, per-person |
| Guided Hiking or Biking Tour | Varies by duration and difficulty |
| Dubai-Hatta Bus (Nol Card) | Budget-friendly, one-way |
| Taxi, Dubai-Hatta | Higher, one-way |
Please check current prices of Hatta Outdoor and Hatta Wadi Hub before booking, as prices vary from season to season and operator to operator.
What to Expect: Hatta Winter’s Sub-Festivals
Hatta Cultural Nights
Cultural Nights take place at Hatta Heritage Village and are a celebration of traditional Al Harbiya and Al Yowla folk music, rababa and oud music, Nabati poetry, and craft workshops with local artisans and family businesses.
Hatta Farming Festival
It is the third edition of the Festival, in which Emirati farmers and local growers come to Hatta Leem Lake to offer their products, such as hydroponic goods, goat dairy, honey, and dates, with no entry fees.
Honey Festival
This 10th edition takes place at Hatta Park, featuring Emirati Honey Producers and local beekeepers, where Emirati honey taste testing and Emirati beekeeping workshops are offered.
Live Entertainment and Fireworks
Some of the previous years’ events have been an outdoor cinema dome, an illuminated night trail at Wadi Hub, and several fireworks displays, such as a New Year’s Eve midnight show.
Weather in Hatta During Festival Season
The mountain location will always provide cooler temperatures than Dubai city, and at night it can get into the low teens in December and January. Days are still pleasant and mild, which is why the festival continues through the winter.
Bring layers if you are going to a nighttime event. Temperatures can be warm during the afternoons in direct sun, but drop quickly after dark behind the mountains.
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Family-Friendly Highlights at Hatta Festival
Hatta Festival is great for family entertainment because nearly all the zones have age-appropriate activities. Younger children can enjoy the Kids Rope Course or Small Plunge, while adults and teenagers can opt for the zipline, mountain biking, and other more extreme challenges.
Coffee workshop and craft stalls in the Heritage Village provide something quieter for younger visitors to do between adventurous moments, while most food stalls throughout the festival offer a variety of foods and price points.
Best Time to Visit Hatta Festival
Wadi Hub sees a very different scene at night on the weekends versus weekday evenings, as families and tour groups fill this area. As early as possible, hikes and biking are best done before the heat of the day in winter as well.
Weekend nights are the time to see fireworks or live shows if that’s what you want to see. If you want to avoid the lines at the more popular rides, it’s better to visit mid-week.
Where to Stay in Hatta
For those who are looking for more than a day trip, Hatta has developed a full resort-style community. From a mountain-view retreat to a fire-pit glamping to a secluded farmhouse stay in the wadi.
Hatta Guest House, JA Hatta Fort Hotel and Sedr Trailers Resort by Dubai Holding are popular options close to Wadi Hub and the Hatta Heritage Village.
Festivals are busy weekends, and it is important to book in advance. An overnight stay also allows you to enjoy the night side of the festival, without worrying about the drive back to Dubai in the dark.
Hatta Festival vs Hatta Wadi Hub: What’s the Difference?
It’s easy to mix these two up. The permanent adventure park, Hatta Wadi Hub, is open all year round and features ziplines, biking trails, and water sports year-round.
Hatta Festival, also known as Hatta Winter, is a seasonal event that includes cultural nights, farming markets, honey markets, fireworks shows, and additional entertainment in addition to the Wadi Hub entertainment. To sum up, Wadi Hub is a destination; the festival is a temporary overlay.
Tips for Visiting Hatta Festival
- Use the online booking system for Hatta Wadi activities in advance, particularly on weekends.
- If you are driving theE44 route4, close to the Oman border, carry your passport with you.
- Comfortable shoes and sun cream, water, light jacket for evenings
- Park early on weekends to avoid activity and parking queues
Nearby Attractions Around Hatta
Beyond the festival dates, Hatta Dam and Hatta Heritage Village are also worth a visit; both are free to enter. One of the most popular places to take pictures around here is the dam’s turquoise waters with the mountains behind it.
Hatta Hill Park and the Hatta Sign are two other free visits which can be combined with a festival day trip, particularly when traveling with children for a quick break from the adventure.
Final Thoughts
Hatta Festival is successful because it is not trying to be something else. In one day, you can zipline, visit a farmers’ market, and watch folk performances under the mountains. Dates for 2026-27 have not been confirmed yet, so please refer to Dubai Municipality and Brand Dubai’s official channels for the latest dates in November.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hatta Festival?
Hatta Festival (Hatta Winter) is Dubai’s annual mountain festival and celebration of adventure sports, cultural nights, and markets.
When does Hatta Festival take place?
Generally, it is held from early December to late January, although the dates for 2026-27 have yet to be confirmed.
Is entry to Hatta Festival free?
Yes, it is generally free, but individual activities and rides are priced separately.
How far is Hatta from Dubai?
It takes about 90 minutes and 96-134 km to reach Hatta from central Dubai, depending on the route.
How do I get to Hatta without a car?
Get on an RTA Bus from Dubai Mall to Hatta (Nol Card Payment).
What activities are available at Hatta Wadi Hub?
Ziplining, mountain biking, kayaking, archery, wall climbing, and water slides, to name a few.
How much does the Hatta High 5 package cost?
A mid-range multi-activity package; inquire about the price from Hatta Wadi Hub.
Is Hatta Wadi Hub open in summer?
Yes, it is open all year with a scaled-down activity schedule.
Do I need a passport to drive to Hatta?
Bring it as a precaution, as part of the E44 briefly enters Omani territory.
What is Hatta Cultural Nights?
A folk performance at Hatta Heritage Village, oud sessions, and Nabati poetry are part of the heritage event.
Where can I stay near Hatta Festival?
Hatta Guest House, JA Hatta Fort Hotel, and Sedr Trailers Resort are options.
What is the best day to visit Hatta Festival?
Weekdays are quieter; weekends are more fun but with bigger crowds.
