Dubai’s creative landscape is reaching new heights in 2026. From the industrial galleries of Al Quoz to the international stages of Madinat Jumeirah, the Art Shows Dubai 2026 season offers a deep exploration of regional identity, abstraction, and global contemporary art.
Whether you are a collector, curator, or casual gallery-hopper, these exhibitions and festivals define Dubai’s artistic pulse in early 2026.
Ali Kaaf: At The Fire’s Edge (Ayyam Gallery)
The year opens with a reflective and emotionally charged solo exhibition by Ali Kaaf. At The Fire’s Edge examines destruction, memory, and renewal, positioned between ancestral rituals and modern erasure.
- Dates: Until 10 January 2026
- Location: Ayyam Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
- Timings: Mon–Fri 10 AM–6 PM | Sat 12 PM–6 PM
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Kais Salman: Remnants (Ayyam Gallery)
Syrian expressionist Kais Salman follows with Remnants, a body of work that deconstructs the human form to critique power structures and materialism.
- Dates: 17 January – 18 March 2026
- Location: Ayyam Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
- Timings: Mon–Fri 10 AM–6 PM | Sat 12 PM–6 PM
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Alia Hussain Lootah: In the Space of Becoming
Emirati artist Alia Hussain Lootah presents a major solo exhibition at Aisha Alabbar Gallery. Her recent work marks a transition from figuration to abstraction, exploring themes of domesticity, kinship, and emotional space.
- Dates: 17 January – 10 March 2026
- Location: Aisha Alabbar Gallery, Al Quoz
- Timings: Mon–Sat 10 AM–6 PM
Art Dubai 2026: 20th Anniversary Edition
The highlight of the Art Shows Dubai 2026 calendar is the 20th anniversary of Art Dubai. As the region’s leading international art fair, this milestone edition will host more than 110 galleries from 35 countries.
- Dates: 17 – 19 April 2026
- Location: Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim
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Don’t Miss: Quoz Arts Fest 2026
If you are visiting Al Quoz in January, plan around Quoz Arts Fest 2026. This two-day celebration at Alserkal Avenue brings together live music, outdoor installations, talks, and community workshops.
- Dates: 24 – 25 January 2026
- Location: Alserkal Avenue
The festival serves as a cultural bridge between solo gallery exhibitions and Dubai’s larger international art events.
