Dubai Art Season 2026: A three-month city-wide arts festival returns

Dubai's celebration of arts and culture, Dubai Art Season 2026, is set to return from 21 January to 26 April 2026. According to an announcement from Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the three-month season will feature a packed schedule of festivals, exhibitions, and creative events across the emirate under the theme ‘Take a walk on the art side’.

Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, the season aims to make art accessible to everyone and cement Dubai's position as a global creative hub. The launch is part of Dubai Culture's wider commitment to the arts, which includes initiatives like its Dubai Digital Library.

What to expect from Dubai Art Season 2026

Dubai Art Season brings together the city's biggest cultural events under one umbrella. It's a period where you can find major international art fairs, local design festivals, literary talks, and live performances happening across Dubai. The goal is to provide a platform that supports local and regional talent while also bringing global art to the city.

"Through its diverse programmes and activities, the season reflects Dubai’s vision to be a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent," said Saleh Shukri AlBreiki, Director of the Marketing and Corporate Communication Department at Dubai Culture.

Main events and dates

The season is anchored by several major festivals, each with its own unique focus. Here are the key events to mark on your calendar.

Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

The season kicks off with the 18th edition of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, running from 21 to 27 January at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. It brings together writers and thinkers from around the world for talks, workshops, and panel discussions.

Al Quoz Arts Fest

On 24 and 25 January, Alserkal Avenue will host the Al Quoz Arts Fest. Expect a weekend of live music, art exhibitions, creative showcases, and family-friendly activities. The venue is known for its year-round programme of events at Alserkal Avenue.

Sikka Art & Design Festival

From 23 January to 1 February, the 14th edition of the Sikka Art & Design Festival takes over the Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood. This festival focuses on showcasing works by Emirati, UAE resident, and GCC artists, alongside workshops and musical performances.

Art Dubai

One of the region's leading art fairs, the 20th edition of Art Dubai, will be held from 18 to 20 April at Madinat Jumeirah. The event will feature over 100 contemporary and digital galleries from 35 countries.

World Art Dubai

For those looking to buy art, World Art Dubai runs from 22 to 26 April at the Dubai World Trade Centre. It offers a platform for art enthusiasts to acquire pieces at accessible prices from emerging and established artists.

Other exhibitions and performances

Beyond the main festivals, the season includes a wide range of other cultural experiences. Dubai Opera will host a series of musical and theatrical performances throughout January and March.

Art lovers can also visit two long-running exhibitions. 'Observers of Change' at the Etihad Museum runs until 30 June, showcasing artworks from the Barjeel Art Foundation collection. At L’ÉCOLE Middle East, the 'Birds of Verse' exhibition explores the link between Islamic art and Western jewelry, and is open until 25 April.

Tickets and access

Access and ticketing details vary for each event within Dubai Art Season. Some events, like Al Quoz Arts Fest, are typically free to enter, while others like Art Dubai and the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature require tickets for entry or specific sessions. Tickets are usually sold through the individual event organisers' websites. For a full schedule and links to booking pages, it's best to check the official Dubai Art Season calendar.

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