May 2026 | Issue 01.

Inside Issue 01 (May 2026)

The first edition of The Next Dubai puts Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the cover under the headline "The Man Who Imagined Dubai". The cover story follows how his idea of the city took shape, from Jebel Ali Port to Downtown Dubai, DIFC and Palm Jumeirah. The rest of the issue looks at art, places to eat and stay, the property market, government support for business, apps, wellness and fashion.

In this issue

• The Cultural Core: Alserkal Art Month in Al Quoz (18 April to 18 May), including Shilpa Gupta's public artwork Still A Sky We Hold, and the 20th-anniversary edition of Art Dubai at Madinat Jumeirah.
• Living Dubai: "Island Soul", Bali-inspired spots such as BOHOX (Downtown), The Farm (Al Barari), Seva Table (Jumeirah 1) and Koko Bay (Pearl Jumeirah).
• Staycation of the Month: the Address Hotels + Resorts "Unlock Downtown Dubai" offer.
• Heritage Icon: the AED 1 abra crossing on Dubai Creek between Deira and Bur Dubai.
• The Next Economy: a Q1 2026 property report on prices, luxury deals and off-plan sales, plus the AED 1 billion support package approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
• Market Spotlight: Dubai Islands, Nakheel's five-island waterfront masterplan.
• The Knowledge Economy: the 10th edition of Gulf News Edufair Dubai at The H Dubai.
• Smart Dubai: the DubaiNow app for utility bills, traffic fines and residency information.
• Modern Living: Flash Facial's 15-minute skincare treatment and the WHOOP performance wearable.
• Society & Style: the FAME Fashion Show on 16 May 2026, with its afterparty at Del Mar Club, Palm Jumeirah.

You can download the full issue as a PDF above.