The Hatta Winter Festival is back for its second edition, this time extending from two weeks to nearly a month. Running from December 13 to January 12, the festival will provide a wider array of activities and experiences for visitors. The upcoming season will include 120 workshops for children and families, 15 events at Leem Lake, and five community-based activities, according to Amina Tahir, the project manager of the Hatta Winter Festival.
The festival will once again feature the popular mountain light displays at Leem Lake, a highlight from the first edition, along with the illumination of Hatta Fort and enhanced lighting across the area to welcome visitors. "This year, we have invited around 30 participants from Dubai and Hatta-based projects, providing a platform for local entrepreneurs," Amina said.
Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice-President and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Director General of the Dubai Government Media Office, had previously announced the festival's return, noting that the first edition attracted over 500,000 visitors from both the UAE and abroad. "Hatta offers a unique experience for visitors, allowing them to enjoy a variety of events and engage in thrilling mountain adventures and sports," Al Marri stated.
Hussein Al Banna, Executive CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at the RTA in Dubai, also emphasized the significant infrastructure improvements in the region to accommodate the increasing number of visitors. "We have developed over 17km of roads, created six tourist areas, and introduced the 'Hatta Express' service to ease the movement of tourists across six key locations in Hatta," Al Banna explained. The authority has also made scooters and bicycles available for rent in Hatta, in addition to providing over 1,000 public parking spaces. "We have witnessed a substantial influx of visitors, with over 500,000 people arriving in just two weeks," Al Banna added.
The diverse lineup of activities at the Hatta Winter Festival caters to both thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts, offering options such as horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking on the 52-km 'Hatta Bicycle Track'.
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