Abu Dhabi’s health festival encourages residents of every age to adopt healthier habits, offering activities, guidance, and resources to address lifestyle-related issues like diet, exercise, and overall well-being.
Abu Dhabi’s wellness festival supports people of all ages in tackling lifestyle-related health challenges.
When Abu Dhabi resident Nova Lijoy joined her friends at Hudairiyat Island last weekend for a newly launched festival, she wasn’t sure what to expect. Yet, she found herself at the venue for over five hours, describing it as one of the most enjoyable health-focused events she has ever attended.
“I initially went along with a friend and her kids just to see what it was about,” she shared. “Before I knew it, we stayed until the evening because it was incredibly engaging. The event offered a wide range of activities for both children and adults. I’ve never attended a fitness event that was this much fun.”
Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi inaugurated the Festival of Health (FOH) across different locations in the capital, aiming to integrate healthy living into residents’ daily routines. Planned for weekends in various areas of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, the event is anticipated to draw up to 30,000 attendees.
“The festival offers a setting where individuals and families can explore wellness through activity, nutrition, relaxation, and social connection in a way that feels organic and enjoyable,” explained Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of Community Health at the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC). “It motivates people to pause, engage, and prioritize their wellbeing.”
The festival will be hosted across all three regions of the emirate: from December 12–16 on Al Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi, December 19–21 at Madinat Zayed Public Park in Al Dhafra, and December 26–28 at Al Jahili Park in Al Ain.
Addressing Lifestyle Health Challenges
Dr Omniyat explained that a primary aim of the Festival of Health (FOH) is to tackle prevalent lifestyle-related issues affecting communities today, such as lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, insufficient sleep, and rising stress levels.
“These lifestyle factors are strongly linked to long-term wellbeing, but small, steady improvements can make a big difference,” she said. “The festival helps participants understand these challenges practically and demonstrates how healthier routines can be incorporated into everyday life.”
The event is designed to appeal to all age groups. “It’s for everyone — kids, youth, adults, families, and seniors,” she said. “Health manifests differently at each life stage, and meaningful change happens when entire communities are involved.”
FOH offers more than 140 varied activities, presenting a cohesive, cross-sector approach to making wellness simple and accessible for all.
From Awareness to Real Change
A key strength of the festival is its ability to translate awareness into tangible behaviour change. Rather than just providing information, the event encourages attendees to actively participate — to move, experiment, and experience health first-hand.
“When people exercise together, cook together, relax together, and learn together, wellbeing becomes engaging and relatable,” Dr Omniyat noted. “This communal participation boosts confidence, lowers barriers, and makes it more likely that habits will continue long after the festival concludes.”
She added that the festival’s success isn’t measured by visitor numbers alone. Instead, the emphasis is on meaningful engagement, high-quality interactions, and sustained interest in healthier lifestyles. “The Festival of Health is part of a larger network of initiatives and policies,” she said. “Its real value lies in connecting participants to long-term community health programmes and fostering ongoing involvement.”
