Head out to Abu Dhabi for a fun-filled and educational experience as ADTA and ADNEC unveil a new concept in family entertainment.
Summer in Abu Dhabi, an eight-week entertainment and educational festival, jointly organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), opened its doors for the first time on June 26 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
Spread over 13,000 square metres of fully air-conditioned space, the event consists of seven themed islands — Discovery, Imagination, Adventure, Fun, Creativity, Action and Heritage and Culture.
Summer in Abu Dhabi features various attractions such as a ultraviolet puppet show, award-winning Robot Zoo animatronic exhibition, an optical illusion gallery, a circus show and a 1,000-square metre Science of Spying interactive educational exhibition sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Police.
Festival for one and all
Commenting on the launch of the festival, Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of ADTA and ADNEC, said, "The event marks the culmination of 12 months of preparation in which the world's premier family attractions have been reviewed and a brand new concept in family entertainment has been designed especially for Abu Dhabi. We invite everybody to visit the festival and enjoy a wide range of attractions, many of which are making their debut in the UAE. I look forward to Summer in Abu Dhabi becoming a much-anticipated event in the ever-growing calendar of events in the UAE capital."
Summer in Abu Dhabi, sponsored by etisalat, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, Capital Centre and the Abu Dhabi Police, has seen many of the capital's most prestigious organisations working together with a single goal of creating a fantastic festival for everybody.
Ahmad Humaid Al Mazrouie, Managing Director of ADNEC, said, "Both ADNEC and the ADTA have been conscious of the fact that this event is for everybody, UAE nationals and expatriates, Abu Dhabi residents and non-residents. We have taken special measures to include all members of the community regardless of their background.
"This is one of the reasons such prestigious organisations have been so keen to get involved with the event."
Special guests
ADNEC and ADTA have donated 1,200 tickets to the Al Ain-based Private Centre for Care and Rehabilitation for the inaugural Summer in Abu Dhabi family festival. The special guests will have unlimited access to the festival's various edutainment offerings from its opening until it closes on August 18.
The festival marks the capital city's entrance into the major summer festival market.
Right time
Faisal Al Shaikh, ADTA Events Section Head, explains why now's the right time for this event to be launched. "Abu Dhabi is considered one of the most suitable destinations for organising this type of event. The ADTA is keen to increase the range of tourism products in the emirate so that the tourist season lasts for a full 12 months, and we are lucky to have the world's most modern facilities and capabilities to stage such an event.
"More importantly the people of Abu Dhabi are ready for this show, more and more families are spending their summer in the UAE and it is imperative that these families are given high-quality educational entertainment.
"While other emirates may stage shows that provide a certain level of entertainment for families, when Abu Dhabi enters a market, its aim is always the same — to be the best. We believe that Summer in Abu Dhabi is the best family festival in the Middle East."
Tickets are priced at Dh30 for an adult and Dh20 for a child between four and 16. Children under four get in free. Tickets can be purchased at the door and visitors are advised to park at Shaikh Zayed Sports City, where ADNEC will provide a constant free shuttle
bus service.
- For more information visit www.summerinabudhabi.com
