Pity the poor traveler who finds herself in Abu Dhabi in the scorching heat of July, when high temperatures top 100 degrees Fahrenheit every day. But don’t despair—if this happens to be your fate, the Liwa Date Festival promises to lift your spirits, if not lower the temperature. The annual 10-day event takes place in Liwa, a desert region outside the city of Abu Dhabi in the Western District, , part of the Arabian Peninsula’s famous Empty Quarter. Why trek to the hot desert in Liwa in the middle of the summer? Why, to enjoy the fresh harvest of half-ripe dates, a rare and beloved delicacy in the UAE.The festival features a photography contest, poetry readings, a traditional market, and workshops just for children.
