The Festival to take place in Masdar City’s new Central Park

An expanded edition of The Festival will be held in Masdar City, bringing to a close Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2020 – the region’s largest event dedicated to sustainability.   

The three-day festival will be the inaugural event at Masdar City’s newest community facility, Central Park, and is taking place from Thursday, January 16, to Saturday, January 18. The fun-packed event is open to everyone, and members of the public will be able to learn more about sustainability and making more environmentally-aware decisions.

“The Festival is the highlight community event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and we are delighted to be able to host it in Central Park, which is Masdar City’s newest sustainability-focused amenity,” said Yousef Baselaib, Executive Director, Sustainable Real Estate at Masdar. 

“This year’s event will start on Thursday, allowing schools and community groups to participate in its wide range of sustainability workshops and activities. The Festival aims to educate the community to make more environmentally-friendly choices to improve sustainability and we look forward to welcoming the wider UAE community to this special event.”

During The Festival, Central Park will feature themed zones, each focused on raising awareness about sustainability through fun and educational workshops. A main stage will feature live performances, such as comedy and game shows, and educational talks about sustainability, while other zones will be dedicated to community engagement and interactive events, including science shows. 

Workshops will increase awareness on sustainability, recycling and upcycling, while local producers will sell eco-friendly goods and handcrafted gifts. There will also be a special area focused on food sustainability, including how to grow your own produce, composting and food waste. 

Visitors to Masdar City’s Observation Deck will be able to see the world’s largest mosaic made from recycled materials. Depicting the UAE’s journey of development, the artwork was made from recycled materials collected from Masdar City and plastic waste, aluminium cans and cardboard donated by the community. 

Masdar Park will welcome home Masdar’s Eco-Bus following a tour of all seven emirates to raise awareness of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and educate local communities about sustainability and climate change. The Eco-Bus will be hosting interactive workshops for children throughout The Festival and will provide information on how to help mitigate climate change at home by recycling and using more energy-efficient appliances. 

During The Festival, Masdar Park will also feature trampoline park BOUNCE and a planetarium dome, which will provide an immersive space and astronomy experience. The park is also home to food and beverage outlets housed in recycled shipping containers, a playground, basketball courts, football pitches and the 5.6 kilometre Al Mamsha running and walking trail. 

The Festival is open to the public from 10am-10pm on Thursday, January 16, and Friday, January 17, and from 10am-8pm on Saturday, January 18. Entry is free and all members of the community are welcome. 

Following The Festival, Central Park at Masdar City will be open seven days a week, from 9am-11pm.  The sustainability-focused park includes a range of features, including a storytelling stage, a children’s playground, and food and beverage outlets.