If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to let your inner child, outer child and that wild cousin who acts like a child off the leash – this is it. After stops in Al Ain and Al Dhafra, one of the UAE’s best-loved family festivals, MOTN, is rolling its carnival of colour straight to the Abu Dhabi Corniche. And not just for a weekend – oh no. We’re talking 26 full days of rides, music, food, meet-and-greets and “OMG did you just see that?” moments from 10 December 2025 to 4 January 2026.
And yes, this year you’ll want to keep your eyes on the sky – because a nightly drone show is ready to outshine your phone’s entire gallery.
A Festival Where Boredom Goes to Die
Step into MOTN Abu Dhabi and tell your excitement levels to buckle up. This year’s edition is basically the Avengers of family fun, bringing together rides, shows, food, celebrities and surprises in one giant, gloriously chaotic party.
Big Bounce Arabia
Billed as the world’s biggest bounce house, it’s back to make adults question their fitness levels and kids question why grown-ups move so slowly. Think obstacle courses, mega slides, ball pits, hoops – basically a hyperactive dream you can’t escape (nor will you want to).
The Carnival of Whispers
If you’re the kind of person who laughs during horror movies to hide your fear… good luck. This chilling walkthrough is packed with creepy rooms, immersive effects and live scare actors who pop out just as you finally unclench your shoulders.
Ninja Kidz Action Park
Calling all future superheroes: this galaxy-themed trampoline park lets kids bounce through cosmic landscapes, defy gravity and fling ninja moves that probably aren’t allowed at home.
- Meet & Greets: Dec 11, 12, 13 at 5:45 PM
- Live Shows: Dec 12, 13 at 7:15 PM
Spoiler: adults will also want to try this. And pretend they “just went inside to check on the kids.”
Bring Your Appetite (You’ll Need It)
MOTN is basically a global food festival disguised as a family event. This year’s lineup? Dangerous. The kind of dangerous that requires stretchy pants and zero guilt.
Here’s a tiny taste of the madness:
- Blondies Kitchen – London’s viral cookie queens are landing in Abu Dhabi with their famous cookie & cookie-dough bar. Yes, the founders are coming too. Try not to cry with joy.
- Chris N Eddy’s – Smashburgers born in a parking lot, now a cult favourite. Expect bold flavours and juicy regret-proof bites.
- Cello’s Pizzeria – New York slices that slap. Hand-stretched dough, authentic vibes and that “I could eat another one” feeling.
- Boston Drink & Dessert – Fresh, premium treats featuring Belgian chocolate, rich coffees and silky fruit purées.
- Roll Boys Cinnamon Rolls – UK-born sticky goodness with flavours so good you’ll accidentally buy a second box.
- Charles Pan Fried Chicken – Harlem soul food done properly: golden, crispy and cooked in cast iron.
- Bun and Sum – The London smashburger that refuses to be humble.
- Glace – New York’s cult dessert stop, known for artisanal hot chocolates and creative sweets that make cheat days feel holy.
If food could flirt, this lineup would be doing the most.
Concerts, Fireworks & A New Year’s Eve That Slaps
MOTN Abu Dhabi isn’t just serving vibes – it’s dropping shows. Weekly concerts will keep the Corniche buzzing from opening day right through to the final weekend.
Live Arena Highlights
- Ninja Kidz Meet & Greet: Dec 11-13
- Ninja Kidz Live Show: Dec 12-13
- Mahmoud Al Turky: Dec 14
- Mohamed Fadel Chaker: Dec 20
- Akhras: Dec 27
- NYE 31 December: A special concert + festive performances + fireworks
- Like Nastya (Global YouTube Star): Meet & Greet + Live Show on Jan 4
The best part?
All concerts are free to watch with your general admission ticket.
Want stage-front seats? They’re limited – so move faster than a kid who heard “free ice cream.”
So Much To Do, You’ll Need a Game Plan
From nostalgia-filled Carnival rides to cutting-edge gaming zones, the festival feels like someone stuffed every fun idea into one giant celebration:
- Arcade & Bowling
- Arts & Crafts
- Crazy Bus, Bumper Cars, Sky Drop & Drifti Cars
- Carnival of Whispers Haunted Maze
- Immersive Games by Moment Factory
- Amuse Busker Stage Performances
- Movies in the Park
- Out of This World Museum
- The Maze of Maybe
- Basketball Tournaments
- Laser Tag
- Ferris Wheel with Corniche views for days
Basically, MOTN is the “group project” that actually worked.
Plan Your Visit: Dates, Hours and Where to Find It
Whether you’re bouncing like a maniac, screaming your lungs out in the haunted maze, meeting Ninja Kidz, eating your way through the world or staring at the sky during the nightly drone shows, MOTN Abu Dhabi 2025-2026 packs a lot of winter fun into one stretch of the Corniche. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Where: Abu Dhabi Corniche
Date: 10 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM daily
Extended to 1:00 AM on Dec 31
WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: Weekday evenings, once the sun has gone down, are the calmest time to go – weekends and New Year’s Eve get packed. Parking along the Corniche fills up fast on busy nights, so a taxi or ride-hail drop-off will save you a lot of circling.
Tell your family. Tell your friends. Tell that coworker who always asks, “Anything fun happening this weekend?” Because yes – something VERY fun is happening. And it’s happening for 26 whole days. Filling the rest of your calendar? Our guide to what’s on in Abu Dhabi covers the other big days out, and if the Live Arena line-up has you in a gig mood, browse our pick of concerts in Abu Dhabi.
Location
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