Embrace art under the stars: All about Manar Abu Dhabi
Get ready for an artistic showdown at the capital’s captivating shoreline! Manar Abu Dhabi promises to transform the coastal landscape into a living canvas. This exhibition highlights the hidden gems scattered along the coast while giving local and international artists a platform to showcase their masterpieces in an open-air gallery.
Overview
Launched in 2023 by the Culture and Tourism Department in Abu Dhabi as part of Public Art Abu Dhabi, the Manar Abu Dhabi Light Exhibition is an event you can’t miss! The extravaganza will unveil original light sculptures and immersive projections crafted by local and international artists.
Manar translates to ‘Lighthouse’ in Arabic and invites locals and visitors to interact with dazzling art pieces. Additionally, it provides a platform to explore how light can dramatically alter the perception of the space and its surroundings at the famous landmarks in the capital city.
The inaugural edition of Manar Abu Dhabi is themed “Grounding Light.” The event is co-organised by Reem Fadda, the Director of Abu Dhabi Cultural Programming and Artistic Director of Public Art Abu Dhabi, along with Alia Zaal Lootah, a Curator of Public Art. The exhibition offers a multi-sensory experience highlighting the UAE’s natural beauty.
AL MANAR ABU DHABI SECOND EDITION
Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Manar Abu Dhabi 2025 is part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative. It is a continuation of the capital’s mission to connect art with nature and community.
It will run from 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 in Abu Dhabi and from 1 November to 4 January 2026 in Al Ain. The exhibition invites visitors to explore glowing trails and interactive artworks under the theme ‘The Light Compass’, a celebration of light as a guiding force and a symbol of the region’s timeless connection to illumination.
Artists Lineup
This year’s festival brings together 15 Emirati and international artists from 10 countries. The line-up includes a mix of returning and new artists, such as:
- Pamela Poh
- DRIFT
- Shaikha Al Mazrou
- Iregular
- Ezequiel Pini (Six N. Five)
- Christian Brinkmann
- Encor Studio
- Kirsten Berg
- Lachlan Turczan
- Khalid Shafar
- Abdulla Al Mulla
Together, they will transform Abu Dhabi’s coastal and desert settings into radiant outdoor galleries, reimagining the role of light in shaping space and experience.
These artists will create immersive installations, site-specific light sculptures and audio-visual performances across various key locations. immersive installations, site-specific light sculptures and audio-visual performances across four key locations.
Manar Abu Dhabi Locations
The most iconic locations across Abu Dhabi, such as Jubail Island, Al Ain and Souq Al Mina, will feature masterpieces from talented artists. Apart from the outdoor art pieces, discussions, workshops, and scintillating performances will be a part of Manar Abu Dhabi.
Jubail Island
The jewel of Manar 2nd Edition and the anchor location of the Manar light art exhibition is Jubail Island. This location promises a stunning natural setting nestled between Yas Island and the Saadiyat Islands.
Part of the wider Manar Abu Dhabi public art festival, this site will transform its mangroves and boardwalks into an illuminated landscape featuring 15 large-scale Manar Abu Dhabi installations and performances that explore the interplay of light, movement and environment.
Visitors can look forward to an immersive experience among breathtaking artworks, including:
- Eden (2025) by Pamela Poh: A luminous outdoor installation featuring suspended glass spheres that glow against the night sky.
- Unfold (2025) by DRIFT: This captivating piece is where biometric data transforms into ephemeral flowers and soundscapes, creating an evolving sensory experience.
- Whispers (2025): A sea of dancing lights that respond to the gentlest breeze
- Wind Of Change (2025): This will surely be a spectacular drone performance, choreographing hundreds of drones above the mangroves.
- Contingent Object (2025) by Emirati sculptor Shaikha Al Mazrou: This art piece is a 30-metre circular salt-disc installation that evolves, forming a striking landmark within the island’s natural landscape.
- Interactive installations by Montreal-based digital art studio Iregular, including As Water Falls, Faces, Control No Control and Fortunes, explore human connection through AI, sensors and light.
Other highlights on Jubail Island, the main Manar Abu Dhabi location, include works by Ezequiel Pini (Six N. Five), Christian Brinkmann, Kirsten Berg, Encor Studio and Lachlan Turczan, all seamlessly integrated into the island’s ecosystem to create a reflective night-time journey through art and light.
Al Ain
For the first time, Manar extends beyond the coast to Al Ain, introducing two new Manar Abu Dhabi locations, the Al Qattara Oasis Trail and Al Jimi Oasis Trail.
These trails connect visitors to the emirate’s heritage, blending art, nature and history within its iconic oases and ancient water systems.
Al Qattara Oasis Trail features:
- Translation Stream and Pulse Canopy by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer: This piece entails two works that interact with the surrounding environment through light and motion.
- Sadu Red Carpet (2025) by Khalid Shafar: A contemporary reinterpretation of traditional weaving patterns through modern light design.
Al Jimi Oasis Trail invites a meditative exploration through five immersive installations, including:
- Cycle Of Circles (2025) by Ammar Al Attar
- Breath Of The Same Place (2025) by Maitha Hamdan
- Guiding Drapes (2025) by Abdulla Al Mulla
- Floral Resonance (2024) by Christian Brinkmann
Each work creates a dialogue between light, heritage and the desert’s serene landscape, a signature experience of the Manar light art exhibition Abu Dhabi.
Souq Al Mina
In the heart of Abu Dhabi, the Souq Al Mina waterfront at Mina Zayed will be home to the stunning display KAWS: Holiday Abu Dhabi, presented in collaboration with AllRightsReserved.
The monumental installation features KAWS’s iconic COMPANION sculpture reclining and lifting a glowing moon. It will be a poetic centrepiece linking the city’s maritime heritage with its contemporary creative scene.
FAQs ABOUT MANAR ABU DHABI
WHAT ARE THE MANAR ABU DHABI DATES?
The second edition will take place from 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 in Abu Dhabi and from 1 November to 4 January 2026 in Al Ain
WHICH LOCATIONS ARE INCLUDED IN MANAR ABU DHABI?
The exhibition locations include Fahid Island, Saadiyat Island, Eastern Mangroves, Lulu Island, Abu Dhabi Corniche and Jubail Island.
As part of Public Art Abu Dhabi, Manar continues to redefine how light and space interact across the emirate. Beyond its installations, the festival features public talks, workshops and performances, encouraging visitors to engage directly with artists and ideas.
Whether exploring Jubail Island’s glowing mangroves, wandering through Al Ain’s illuminated oases, or marvelling at KAWS’s glowing moon along the waterfront, the Manar light art exhibition Abu Dhabi promises a season of creativity, reflection and wonder. There are several light shows in Dubai that residents and visitors can enjoy.
There are several events in Abu Dhabi to look forward to. There is something for everyone, from concerts to stand-up comedy to art-related activities like Abu Dhabi Art.
Another spectacular mega-event that shouldn’t be missed is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Especially popular among petrolheads, this mega-event will feature live shows, concerts and more.
Cover Image Credit: Abu Dhabi Culture official website
