Zayed National Museum Announces Emirati Women’s Day Long Weekend Programme

Emirati Women’s Day is being celebrated in the Zayed National Museum in the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, with a special three-day programme to celebrate Emirati women’s heritage, achievements and their rich contributions to culture in the UAE.

The “Weekends at Zayed National Museum: Emirati Women’s Day” is scheduled for August 28 to August 30, 2026 and features traditional crafts, culinary workshops, workshops on fragrances, live music and historical narration for people of all ages.

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Celebrating Emirati Heritage Through Craft

The “Between the Past and Present” workshop is one of the highlights of the programme. Guests can immerse themselves in the authentic craftsmanship of the Emirati people by taking part in interactive workshops on two of their most renowned art forms: Talli embroidery and Khous palm weaving.

The programme will also allow guests to discover the importance of the perfume in the culture and participate in “Create Your Own Personalised Scent”. The event includes the opportunity for participants to mix variants of the Emirati and international perfumes before assembling their own personalised bottles to allow a new and interactive approach to the Emirati’s tradition of perfumes.

Culinary Traditions Take Centre Stage

Another key component of the long-weekend programme is food. In Chef Abeer Allouz’s “Mix and Make” class, participants will learn how to create date-sticks inspired by the culinary heritage of the UAE.

The experience is not only a chance for visitors to taste indigenous ingredients but also allows them to witness the ongoing evolution of traditional Emirati cuisine. It also brings a practical aspect to the museum’s broader National Heritage festivities.

Female Musicians Bring the Programme to Life

Throughout the celebration, music will be a key aspect, and the Emirati female musicians will be performing at Al Liwan and the Performance Area. Members of the programme are Elham Al Marzooqi – cello, Mariam Al Shaloubi – qanun, Alya Alshalomi – oud and Noura AlShaer – piano.

Both their art performances provide a touch of modern art to the celebration, representing the contribution Emirati women made to the UAE’s changing dynamics in the cultural and creative field.

Exploring the “Women of the Nation” Story

A walking tour that offers travellers an insightful 45-minute glimpse of the UAE’s women’s contribution from prehistoric times, through Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, is one of its major highlights.

The programme information says that the tour will go beyond the weekend and run on beyond Saturday, 30 August 2026.

Why Does the Programme Matters?

The programme aims to integrate the historical interpretation, crafts, instruction in food, music and interactive experiences to demonstrate Emirati women’s heritage as part of UAE’s rich cultural heritage, history and present.

The long weekend offers residents and Abu Dhabi visitors a chance to celebrate Abu Dhabi’s national heritage, in a variety of avenues, and to honor the accomplishments and legacy of Emirati women.

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