Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), inaugurated the 12th edition of Dubai Design Week 2026, one of the region’s leading design festivals, held in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group, and supported by Dubai Culture.
Bringing together designers, architects, and creative professionals from more than 50 countries, the event provides a platform for exchanging ideas, developing professional partnerships, and strengthening connections between local, regional, and international creative communities and audiences around the world.
Running until November 8, Dubai Design Week presents a multidisciplinary program featuring more than 40 installations, exhibitions, creative projects, and interactive events, alongside talks, workshops, and experiences exploring the relationship between design, cultural heritage, and contemporary creative practices. The festival also provides opportunities for emerging designers to develop new work and present their creations to the public.
Latifa bint Mohammed Highlights Design’s Role in Supporting Dubai’s Creative Economy
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum emphasized the importance of Dubai Design Week in supporting the emirate’s cultural and creative industries, nurturing talent, and strengthening connections between local and international creative communities. She also highlighted its role in encouraging innovation and developing practical solutions that respond to the community’s evolving needs and aspirations.
Her Highness said: “Dubai Design Week has contributed to the growth of Dubai’s design sector by bringing together creative talents, industry leaders, and those with new visions under one umbrella, providing opportunities to exchange expertise, refine ideas, and transform them into promising projects. Its impact is reflected in the successes achieved by emerging designers, the partnerships it has helped launch, the creative projects that have gained recognition, and the opportunities that have enabled them to grow through its successive editions.”
Her Highness added: “As Dubai’s creative economy continues to grow, we remain committed to building on these achievements, supporting new generations of designers, and empowering them to develop innovative ideas and practical solutions that enrich people’s lives, create added economic value, and contribute to shaping the future of our city.”
Dubai Design Week 2026 Presents More Than 40 Creative Projects and Events
The 2026 edition of Dubai Design Week offers an extensive program of exhibitions, projects, and activities covering architecture, interior design, furniture, product design, and contemporary crafts, reflecting the diversity of the design sector and its applications in everyday life.
The program gives local and regional designers an opportunity to showcase their work in a creative environment that brings together different experiences and approaches. It also provides emerging talents with a space to present their ideas and develop new projects while benefiting from the expertise available throughout the festival.
Several activities explore the connection between traditional craftsmanship and modern design, with particular attention to how inherited cultural knowledge can be applied through contemporary creative practices. The projects demonstrate different approaches to developing work that brings cultural identity and innovation together.
Downtown Design Brings Together More Than 300 Brands and Designers
Downtown Design is among the main highlights of Dubai Design Week, serving as one of the Middle East’s leading exhibitions dedicated to high-quality contemporary design.
The exhibition showcases the work of more than 300 brands and designers from over 35 countries, presenting new collections from international design studios, works by regional designers, and special presentations highlighting developments across different design disciplines.
Downtown Design also hosts its dedicated talks program, The Forum, bringing together more than 30 experts and specialists from the region and around the world.
The discussions address craftsmanship, innovation in materials, and the future of design, offering participants an opportunity to exchange professional knowledge and perspectives on developments shaping the industry.
UAE Designer Exhibition Features 30 Talents Under the Theme “Inherited Futures”
Supported by Dubai Culture, the UAE Designer Exhibition presents the work of 30 designers and creative practitioners based in the United Arab Emirates, following a creative vision developed by Emirati architect and designer AlZaina Lootah.
Held under the theme “Inherited Futures,” the exhibition explores how a new generation of designers is reinterpreting the materials, rituals, and traditional crafts that have contributed to the UAE’s creative identity.
The featured works draw connections between inherited knowledge and contemporary design practices, showing how traditional cultural elements can be approached through new creative perspectives while retaining their connection to local heritage.
Abwab Celebrates Language, Memory, and Culture Through Design
Abwab, one of Dubai Design Week’s flagship initiatives supporting creative professionals from across Asia and Africa, returns this year with a new exhibition format under the theme “In Other Words.”
The program presents five newly commissioned creative works by designers exploring different ways of expressing language, memory, and cultural knowledge, as well as how these elements can be communicated and interpreted through design.
The projects reflect the diversity of the participating designers’ cultural backgrounds and creative experiences, highlighting the role of design in conveying ideas, stories, and human memory through different forms, materials, and artistic approaches.
Three Gardens and a Room Offers a New Approach to Public Spaces
Dubai Design Week’s annual Urban Commissions competition, which focuses on developing public spaces, presents this year’s winning project, “Three Gardens and a Room,” created by NAO Architects, a Dubai-based architectural practice founded by Reem Nassour.
The installation combines plants, shade, filtered natural light, and different materials to create three interconnected gardens surrounding a shared space. Its design brings natural and architectural elements together in a setting intended for visitors to gather and spend time.
The project invites people to meet, rest, and connect in a comfortable environment, offering an example of how design can contribute to public spaces that encourage community interaction and respond to people’s needs.
More Than 50 Workshops and Interactive Experiences for All Ages
More than 20 installations are displayed throughout Dubai Design District, created by design institutions and organizations from the UAE, the wider region, and around the world. The works explore themes related to architecture, sustainability, and public spaces.
The festival also offers a program of exhibitions, panel discussions, and more than 50 hands-on workshops, giving visitors of different age groups opportunities to participate in creative activities and learn about design methods and processes.
Among these activities are workshops held at the Maker Space by MillerKnoll, where participants can explore design through practical experiences, experimentation, and direct engagement with materials and creative ideas.
Clay Vocabulary Celebrates Children’s Creativity and Emirati Ceramic Artists
Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children is taking part in Dubai Design Week through the “Clay Vocabulary” exhibition, which combines workshops, a market for pottery products, and an art exhibition dedicated to children.
The exhibition features work produced by participants in the Young Emirati Ceramicists Program, giving young artists an opportunity to present their creations to the public and discover different artistic practices in ceramics.
It also celebrates local artists specializing in pottery and provides children with an environment where they can experiment, learn, and develop their artistic and practical skills while exploring clay modeling and ceramic production techniques.
Dubai Design Week Marketplace Brings Together More Than 80 Makers and Artisans
The Dubai Design Week Marketplace will take place on November 7 and 8, bringing together more than 80 makers, artisans, and independent creative businesses from the UAE and across the region.
Visitors will find a wide selection of handcrafted products, including ceramics, jewelry, fashion, homeware, and lifestyle items, showcasing the skills and creative approaches of participating makers and designers.
The marketplace also gives independent businesses and creative entrepreneurs an opportunity to connect directly with visitors, introduce their craftsmanship, and explain the techniques and production stages behind their work while reaching new audiences interested in design and handmade products.
