Our guide to art and culture in the UAE
Art and culture in the UAE has grown remarkably fast, and today you can spend a week moving between world-class museums, independent galleries, restored heritage districts and a biennial that draws artists from around the globe. We visit exhibitions across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah all year, and this is our practical guide to where to start, when to go and how to make the most of each emirate’s cultural scene.
The listings at the top of this page bring together performances, festivals, talks and exhibitions from our events calendar. Use the filters (When, Type, Emirate and Price) to narrow them down, for example to free talks this weekend or exhibitions in Sharjah. Finished events drop off automatically, so everything you see is still to come. The galleries and museums below are open all year and are always worth a visit, whatever is on the calendar.
Dubai: galleries, design and contemporary art
Dubai’s contemporary art scene is centred on Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz, a cluster of converted warehouses that houses commercial galleries, project spaces, a cinema, cafés and studios. Most galleries are free to enter, and the best way to visit is to give yourself an afternoon and wander. Names to look for include Green Art Gallery and Lawrie Shabibi, both known for artists from the Arab world and Iran, the conceptual programme at Grey Noise and Ishara Art Foundation, which focuses on contemporary South Asian art.
On Dubai Creek, Jameel Arts Centre on the Jaddaf Waterfront is an independent contemporary art institution with changing exhibitions, a library and sculpture gardens, and entry is free. In Al Mamzar, Bayt Al Mamzar is an independent space in a converted villa that mixes exhibitions with art and food programmes. DIFC has a handful of established galleries in its Gate Village, and Dubai Design District hosts design shows and talks, including Dubai Design Week, which is usually held in the autumn.
For the performing arts, Dubai Opera in Downtown stages ballet, opera, musicals and concerts, and our shows and theatre guide lists what’s coming up.
Old Dubai and the story of the city
To understand where Dubai came from, head to the creek. Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood keeps the old wind-tower houses and narrow lanes, with small museums, galleries and cafés tucked inside, including XVA Gallery, which shares a courtyard house with a boutique hotel and café. A short walk away, Al Shindagha Museum tells the history of Dubai and its people through a series of restored houses along the water, including the Perfume House. On Jumeirah Street, Etihad Museum sits beside Union House, where the agreement to form the UAE was signed in December 1971, and explains the story of the federation and its founding fathers.
Pair these with an abra ride across the creek and a walk through the souks for a full day. Al Fahidi is easy to reach on the Dubai Metro Green Line, and the lanes are best explored in the cooler hours of the morning or late afternoon. Our things to do in Dubai guide has more ideas nearby.
Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat Cultural District and beyond
Saadiyat Island is home to one of the most ambitious cultural districts in the world. Louvre Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2017, is known for Jean Nouvel’s vast latticed dome and a collection that tells a story of human creativity across civilisations rather than by region. Zayed National Museum, which opened in December 2025, is the national museum dedicated to the history and culture of the UAE and the legacy of Sheikh Zayed. The district also includes the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, an immersive digital art space.
In the city, Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest stone building in Abu Dhabi and a good introduction to the capital’s past, and the neighbouring Cultural Foundation hosts exhibitions, performances and a library. For something more independent, 421 in Mina Zayed supports artists from the UAE and the wider Gulf with exhibitions and public programmes. Saadiyat is roughly 90 minutes’ drive from central Dubai, so it makes a good day trip; see our Abu Dhabi guide for planning one.
Sharjah: heritage, Islamic art and the biennial
Sharjah has long positioned itself as the UAE’s cultural capital, and it shows. Sharjah Art Foundation runs exhibitions, performances and film programmes across a network of spaces in the old city, many of them restored historic buildings, and organises the Sharjah Biennial, one of the most respected contemporary art events in the region. Its spaces in the Arts Area are free to visit, as is The Flying Saucer, a striking 1970s landmark in Al Mareija that now hosts exhibitions, screenings and events.
The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, the Heart of Sharjah heritage area and a cluster of smaller museums make it easy to fill a day. Sharjah is quieter and more conservative than Dubai, so dress modestly and remember that the emirate is alcohol-free. Our Sharjah guide has more.
Performances, festivals and talks
Culture here is not only about galleries. Throughout the cooler months you’ll find classical and world music concerts, touring ballet and theatre, poetry evenings, film screenings, and talks and symposia hosted by museums and foundations. Many communities celebrate their own festivals too, so the calendar often includes Diwali celebrations, Arabic music nights, South Asian dance and literature events in several languages.
Booking is usually simple: ticketed performances are sold through the venue or an official ticketing partner, while talks, openings and many festival days are free, sometimes with online registration to manage numbers. If an event says registration is required, it’s worth signing up early, as popular talks fill quickly.
When to go: the cultural calendar
The cooler months are the busiest time for art in the UAE. Gallery seasons usually open in the autumn, with new shows across Alserkal and DIFC. Sharjah International Book Fair is traditionally held in November, and Abu Dhabi Art, the capital’s art fair, is usually held in November too. Dubai’s art season builds through the early months of the year, traditionally anchored by Art Dubai in spring, alongside talks, open studios and late openings across the city. The Sharjah Biennial takes place in the first half of the year in its biennial years.
Summer is quieter, with some galleries running reduced hours or closing for a few weeks, but museums stay open and air-conditioned, which makes them a good escape from the heat. During Ramadan, opening hours often shift later and some venues host special evening programmes. Dates and formats can change from year to year, so we only list events once they’re confirmed in our calendar above and on what’s on.
Tickets, families and accessibility
Most contemporary galleries and foundations are free, while the major museums and immersive spaces charge an entry fee, with concessions commonly offered for children, students and people of determination. Buying online in advance often saves queuing and lets you pick a time slot at busy weekends.
Families are well catered for. The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena and Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Children’s Museum are natural favourites, and many museums run weekend workshops for young visitors. The large museums are generally step-free with lifts and accessible toilets, and some lend wheelchairs on site; the older lanes of the heritage districts can be uneven, so check ahead if access matters to you.
Tips for a better visit
- Check opening days and times before you go, as many galleries and museums close one day a week and hours can change during Ramadan and public holidays.
- Book ahead for the big museums and immersive spaces, especially at weekends and in the winter season.
- Dress respectfully, particularly at heritage sites and mosques, where shoulders and knees should be covered.
- Look for talks and tours, which are often free and a great way to understand an exhibition in depth.
- Ask before photographing people or artworks where signs suggest restrictions, and avoid flash.
If you enjoy making as much as looking, our workshops and classes page lists pottery, painting and craft studios where you can try it yourself.
Opening an exhibition, festival or cultural talk? Submit an event and we’ll share it with people looking for art and culture in the UAE.