Abu Dhabi, 11 March 2019: The highly anticipated Mother of the Nation Festival 2019 is set to start at 4 pm on Tuesday, 12 March, offering visitors an exciting line-up of fun-filled activities and family-friendly entertainment. On Sunday, 10 March, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), which is organising the Festival, gave invited media representatives an exclusive preview of this years spectacular new attractions with a behind-the-scenes tour of the site.

The Festival, which will run until Saturday, 23 March at Al Bahar on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, is an inspiring celebration of the living legacy of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, President of the General Women's Union, and Chairwoman of Motherhood and Childhood Supreme Council. This year, the Festival will highlight the UAEs growth as a progressive and forward-thinking nation in line with the national Year of Tolerance initiative.

Day one of the Festival will feature musical performances from the Fayha Choir on the Main Stage, as well as Jamie Wrecs and Aman Sheriff on the GASTROBEATS stage. For younger visitors, the Festivals storytelling sessions commence with the ever-popular tale of Sinbad the Sailor, which will be brought to life by talented performers in the Happiness Zone, presented by Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA).

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a traditional yoga session, as well as two creative workshops on Recycling Craft and Clay Sculpting. Meanwhile, the innovative performance act Walid Show The Laser Man will combine technology, dance, and interactive light shows to dazzle audiences with an amazing spectacle. Attendees can also take part in a packed schedule of workshops and events designed to uplift the community and celebrate the UAEs spirit of tolerance and cultural diversity.

As part of the Souq and F&B Zone, more than 80 dining experiences await the visitors, who can choose from an exceptional variety of high-quality global cuisines with dining options spanning traditional culinary experiences to international dishes and street food to gourmet, as well as refreshing beverages and a range of sweet treats, in addition to more than 35 retail outlets.

Visitors can enjoy easy access to the Festival site, with free parking available across the street from the Corniche in front of Nation Towers on a first-come-first-served basis. Additional spaces will be available at the nearby Marina Mall, where a regular shuttle bus service will provide free transport for visitors to Entrance C (Progress Zone and Special Olympics Zone). Buses will run every 20 minutes until 12:30 am, starting from 3:45 pm (Sunday Wednesday) and 1:45 pm (Thursday Saturday). Discounted Uber rides are also available for those travelling to and from the Festival using code MOTN2019, which offers a 30 percent discount on six rides per user until March 23 (up to AED 30 off per ride).

Visitors to Abu Dhabi can benefit from a series of packages from local hotels designed to deliver additional value for Festival attendees. The special Mother of the Nation Festival Escape accommodation package at Centro by Rotana hotels includes entry tickets to the Festival for each adult, with tickets for children also available at special rates at the hotels. The package also includes buffet breakfast, 15 percent off dining and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Meanwhile, guests staying at Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi or Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown can avail a 20 percent discount on F&B and a 50 percent discount on laundry, in addition to a complimentary entry ticket for the Festival for each room night booked.

The Mother of the Nation Festival will take place at Abu Dhabi Corniche from 12 - 23 March 2019, and is open from 4 pm - 12 am (Sunday to Wednesday) and 2 pm - 12 am (Thursday to Saturday).

Tickets can be purchased online by visiting 800tickets.com or motn.ae. Entry tickets are priced at AED 25 per adult and AED 20 for children between 6 and 12 years of age. A Festival Family Pass is also available (2 adults + 2 children + 2 fast-track passes) for AED 290. Entry is free of charge for senior citizens and visitors (60 years and above), children below 6 years of age, people of determination, and Cirque du Soleil Bazaar ticket holders.

Cirque du Soleil is performing for the very first time in Abu Dhabi with its new show, Cirque du Soleil Bazzar. Presented by Alchemy Project in association with the Mother of the Nation Festival, the show will take place at Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island until 16 March 2019. Tickets are available now from tixbox.com, and all ticketholders can enjoy free entry to the Mother of the Nation Festival.