After a year brimming with cultural vibrancy, Dubai closes 2025 firmly established as a world-class platform for art, innovation, and creativity. Through a diverse calendar of festivals, exhibitions, and community events, the city showcased a rich blend of local heritage and global influences, reinforcing its cultural footprint on the world map.
Cinema in the Desert
The year began with the 4th edition of the Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert festival, held under the theme “Where Imagination Meets Reality.” Organized by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority at the Al Marmoom Desert Reserve, the festival spotlighted emerging filmmakers, screening 80 films and hosting around 30 workshops led by industry professionals. The event also featured unique art installations that enriched the experience for thousands of visitors.
Sikka Art and Design Festival: A Community of Creativity
The historic Al Shindagha neighborhood transformed into a living canvas during the 13th Sikka Art and Design Festival, which featured contributions from over 500 artists. This edition, the largest to date, included nearly 100 live performances, 13 theater shows, and multiple large-scale murals, celebrating artistic diversity as part of the “Quality of Life in Dubai” strategy.
Dubai Collectors’ Evenings
In its third edition, Dubai Collectors’ Evenings captivated art lovers and collectors with exhibitions celebrating the architectural beauty of the UAE—from traditional structures to contemporary designs. The evenings featured studio visits with renowned Emirati artists, children’s workshops, and meet-and-greets with art patrons whose collections help enrich Dubai’s cultural landscape.
Art Dubai: Regional Depth, Global Reach
Art Dubai 2025, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, brought together 120 galleries—half from the region—highlighting the maturity of Dubai’s art scene. The 19th edition showcased contemporary, modern, and rapidly expanding digital art forms, further establishing Dubai as a major global art hub.
Design Week: A Thousand Creative Voices
The 11th Dubai Design Week presented an explosion of creativity through more than 1000 designers and brands. Key features included innovative installations, limited-edition collections in “Editions,” and cutting-edge furniture and lighting design at “Downtown Design.” This year’s “Urban Commissions” competition focused on reimagining outdoor courtyards, blending form and function in public spaces.
A Future for Publishing
Mohammed bin Rashid Library played a pivotal role in shaping literary and publishing conversations by hosting the second Dubai International Publishing and Libraries Conference under the theme “Shaping the Future of Publishing.” The event featured over 45 sessions and 80+ speakers from 14 countries, covering key topics like innovation, technology, translation, and sustainable publishing practices.
Pop Culture Takes Center Stage
This year marked the debut of Fandom, a pop culture festival that thrilled anime and comic book fans of all ages. With cosplay competitions, exclusive appearances by Japanese voice legends Issen Chiba and Makoto Tamura, and interactive workshops, the festival celebrated global fantasy and pop culture with a vibrant, inclusive spirit.
Dubai Lights Up with “Diwa Dubai”
The second edition of Diwa Dubai at Expo City lit up the city with awe-inspiring light installations inspired by memory, geography, and Emirati heritage. Seven pioneering Emirati artists pushed creative boundaries with works that merged light and form, turning urban spaces into dynamic, glowing sculptures.
Performing Arts United
In a new format, Dubai Culture merged the Dubai Youth Theater Festival and Dubai Youth Music & Folk Arts Festival under a single umbrella to deliver a rich performing arts experience in Al Shindagha. Over several days, audiences enjoyed eight plays, daily folk performances, live music, and interactive experiences that provided a nurturing platform for young local talent.
World-Class Theater and Music
Dubai Opera continued to host international masterpieces throughout the year, with shows like Sweeney Todd, La Bayadère, and The Pulse. The city also welcomed top-tier musical talent, culminating in unforgettable New Year’s Eve performances by Arab stars such as Wael Kfoury, Najwa Karam, George Wassouf, and Assi El Hallani.
ICOM 2025: Museums of the Future
A highlight of the year was Dubai’s hosting of the 27th ICOM General Conference, held for the first time in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. The event was organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him. The conference explored three major themes: intangible heritage, the power of youth, and modern technology in museums, fostering rich global dialogue around the future of museum practices.
