The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism has launched an outdoor market in Al Ain which is expected to run every Saturday from 28 January until 25 March.
Located in Al Ain Oasis, the market will support small businesses, offering products ranging from jewellery and accessories to home-grown fashion. The market will also host a farmer’s market which will be stocked with locally sourced fruits and vegetables. Visitors can also expect a variety of activities and entertainment.
The market will be open from 3pm to midnight, and the entry ticket is AED 20 for adults and AED 10 for children under 10. Children aged two and under, as well as people of determination can enter free of charge.
Vendors are expected to change on a weekly basis, so visitors will be able to explore new local finds every week.
The Al Ain Saturday Market is housed in Al Ain Oasis, which is the largest of the six oases in the country. It is spread over 1,200 hectares and contains more than 147,000 date palms. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011, and consists of a delicate oasis ecosystem and an irrigation system. Some of its permanent attractions include the Eco-Centre, Oasis Garden, Falaj Exhibition, and Miniature Oasis.
The Al Ain Oasis is well-known for its underground irrigation system called falaj or qanat in Arabic, which transports water from boreholes to irrigate palm trees and other farmland. The falaj irrigation method is a conventional one that dates back to thousands of years, and is commonly utilised in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iran, and other nations.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism is looking to expand tourism in the emirate and as such, has promoted local heritage along by showcasing historical aspects of the UAE. It expects to fuel economic progress and help achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions.
