Seven Days to Go: Why Mansour Festival Is the Unmissable Family Event of the Season
A celebration of Emirati identity, imagination and family connection
From inflatables to creative labs: where play meets culture, curiosity and discovery
Each night ends with a spectacular drone show and dazzling fireworks display
Abu Dhabi(News Desk) 13 November 2025:Â With just a week to go until the return of the Mansour Festival, anticipation is building across the UAE as families count down to four days of culture, creativity, and community spirit on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Running from 20 to 23 November 2025Â at Yas Gateway Park North, the festival returns for its second edition, bigger, brighter, and more imaginative than ever.
Created by Bidaya, the studio behind the much-loved Mansour animated series, the festival is dedicated to nurturing Emirati identity, storytelling, curiosity, and family connection. Last year’s debut edition drew extraordinary attendance and engagement from families across the Emirates.
This year, organisers are expanding the experience with new themed zones, workshops, parades, attractions, and nightly celebrations designed to bring Mansour’s world – and its Emirati values – to life on an even grander scale.
“At its heart, Mansour Festival is about bringing families together to celebrate creativity, culture, and the spirit of discovery,” said Imane Alsalem Tlamid, Chief Executive Officer of Bidaya.
“The inaugural festival exceeded all expectations, both in turnout and in the way it resonated with children and their families. This year, we are building on that success with even more diverse and immersive experiences that reflect the UAE’s values, heritage, and future aspirations. We are confident that this edition will continue to strengthen community bonds and inspire the next generation.”
The festival is expected to welcome around 12,000 visitors per day, reaffirming its status as one of Abu Dhabi’s landmark family events. Tickets are available through Platinumlist, and early booking is strongly advised.
What Awaits at Mansour Festival: A World to Explore
Across Yas Gateway Park North, visitors will step directly into Mansour’s universe, filled with interactive zones that blend imagination, culture, science, and play. Children can embark on adventures with Mansour & Sara: World of Discovery, explore the warmth and heritage of Dhabia’s World, or experience future-facing creativity inside the Age of AI Inflatable Park, featuring up to 12 custom-designed inflatables packed with challenges and surprises.
Curiosity and creativity are at the heart of the festival, and this year’s hands-on workshops offer new opportunities for children to learn and express themselves:
- Bear Pouring in Mansour’s House: A colourful workshop where children pour and swirl paints over bear sculptures to create their own keepsake art piece.
- Tote Bag Painting in the Space Station:Â A fun design-and-decorate session where children customise their own Mansour-themed tote bags.
- String Art in the School:Â Children map patterns using string and pins to create bright, tactile artworks they can take home.
- Popcorn Making in South Field: An interactive experience in which families can learn the art of fresh popcorn making, offered three times daily at 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 9:30 PM.
- Slime Art in the Research Lab:Â A playful, sensory workshop where children mix, stretch, colour, and personalise their own slime creations.
These activities sit within a festival atmosphere filled with live performances, roaming characters, parade moments, and interactive meet-and-greets that bring familiar faces from the Mansour universe to life.
The Science Stage will return with educational shows that turn learning into spectacle, while the Main Stage will host live entertainment throughout the evening. Families can also expect camel and horse riding at Desert Riders, new food experiences at Obaid’s Food Corner, and plenty of shaded rest areas and family-friendly relaxation spaces. New additions this year also include the Kids Spa, offering another fun and relaxing space for young visitors.
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Evenings to Remember: Drone Shows, Fireworks, and Special Guests
Each evening concludes with a drone show and a fireworks display lighting up the Yas Island sky. These nightly finales are set to be one of the most memorable highlights of the festival – moments shared, captured, and remembered.
Adding to the excitement, the festival will welcome astronaut Hazza Al Mansoori, from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, whose story continues to inspire pride, curiosity, and ambition in young people across the UAE. Families will be able to attend his talk during the festival, offering children a chance to connect directly with one of the country’s most iconic explorers and the first from the UAE in space in 2019.
Visitors can also look forward to appearances from the Abu Dhabi Police K9 unit and mounted horse patrol, as well as a falconry showcase, celebrating heritage and community in a dynamic, interactive way.
A Celebration Rooted in Emirati Identity
At a time when families are seeking meaningful shared experiences, Mansour Festival stands apart. Beyond entertainment, it reflects the values of tolerance, creativity, curiosity, heritage, and aspiration, delivered through environments where children feel inspired, confident, and connected.
“Mansour is more than a character. He is a symbol of identity and imagination,” said Alsalem Tlamid. “By creating spaces where children can learn, discover, and express themselves freely, we aim to inspire a generation that is proud of its culture and excited for the future.”
Event Details
Dates:Â 20-23 November 2025
Time:Â 4:00-11:00 PM daily
Location:Â Yas Gateway Park North, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Tickets: Available at Platinumlist.com
