All Day

Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival 

Al Jazeera Al Hamra Ras Al Khaimah

In the last few years the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival has grown into a solid contributor to the UAE’s arts and culture scene, with a community-oriented twist to the mix of exhibitions, performances, workshops and film screenings. There’s always [ ... ]

Free

Sharjah Light Festival

[various Sharjah locations]

magpie has long been a fan of the Sharjah Light Festival, the 14th edition of which runs 3 to 15 February. By contrast with the newer Manar Abu Dhabi and Dhai Dubai light art festivals, SLF generally takes a more [ ... ]

Free

Art Basel Qatar

Msheireb Downtown Doha Doha

The Middle East's newest art fair opens with a core presentation of 87 galleries and 84 artists (more than half of whom come from the region) plus a Special Projects programme of nine large-scale, site-specific sculptures, installations, and performances in [ ... ]

QAR150

LAST CHANCE Hybrid Vistas

NIKA Project Space Unit 11 Al Khayat Avenue, 19th Street Road — Al Quoz 1, Dubai

A group show with Adel Abidin, Daniele Genadry, Ali Kaeini, Katya Muromtseva, and Melissa Rios that explores "how landscape is transformed in an age of post-human thought, climate disruption, and hybrid perception ... This is a space where nature is [ ... ]

Free

Huma Shoaib: Fractal

XVA Gallery Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Bur Dubai, Dubai

Huma Shoaib has always been an interesting, thoughtful artist, creating patterns from sacred geometry and looking for analogies in life and nature. She often uses paper cut silhouettes layered with detailed graphite drawings that typically adds three-dimensional depth to otherwise [ ... ]

Free

Abdelwahab Hawam: Solo Exhibition

Fann à Porter The Workshop, Villa 45, St. 23b, off Al Wasl Road (opposite Box Park), Jumeirah 2, Dubai

The debut exhibition in the UAE by the emerging Egyptian artist draws inspiration from Hawam's hometown of El Mahalla El Kubra in Gharbeya Governorate – its countryside, colours, and the faces of people who shaped his early life. Working in [ ... ]

Free

Creative Career Days: day one

Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

The Jameel's introduction to careers in the creative sector, aimed primarily at school and college students, is back. Past editions were given to somewhat unwieldy titles, and this one continues the trend with Art as a Voice: How do you [ ... ]

Free

Writers’ Mixer

Kutubna Cultural Center Madina Avenues 17, Nadd Al Hamar, Dubai

An opportunity for writers – novelists, poets, journalists, bloggers, and more – to meet, exchange ideas, and network: "connect with fellow book lovers, spark new collaborations, and feel part of a shared creative space ... An evening of conversation, inspiration, [ ... ]

AED 25

Rabbit Hole

The Junction Unit H72, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

A second performance for H72's production of David Lindsay-Abaire's play about a family navigating love, loss, and the possibility of finding light in unexpected places. The final show is on 8 February.

AED 120

Vivaldi: A Journey East

The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

This UAE National Orchestra concert looks like a really interesting (and challenging) option – music by the baroque master composer rescored for the instruments, modes and sounds of the Arab world: "a musical dialogue emerges, as harpsichord converses with qanun and [ ... ]

From AED 250

Le Prénom

Zayed Theatre, SUAD Campus Hazza Bin Zayed St, Abu Dhabi

Culture Emulsion’s production (in French, of course) of the popular comedy by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière that premiered in 2010 and went on to become a successful film adaptation. It’s a story about names and family relationships; [ ... ]

AED 75

The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

Studio One Hotel Dubai Studio City, Dubai

The February Laughter Factory tour has another good collection of standups: Paul Tonkinson Terrific live performer with an effervescent style and some great caricatures in his repertoire. A former (double winner) Time Out Comedian of the Year Pierre Hollins Another [ ... ]

AED 175

MASQUERAVE3

Waterfront Park, Louvre Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

"An avant-garde concept, electrifying soundscapes, and themed masks, bringing together art, architecture, and nightlife for a truly unique after-hours experience ..." Third time out for the Louvre's club night, featuring a DJ set from the Blaze at 10pm with techno [ ... ]

From AED 495

Ben&Ben

Global Village Wadi Al Safa 4, Dubai

Filipino indie folk-pop band known for soulful melodies and rich harmonies come to the Main Stage at Global Village. The gig is free with general admission.

General admission AED 25

Maria Laura

Dubai Opera Studio Downtown Dubai, Dubai

Maria Laura may be well established in Dubai, but she's originally from Cuba; and it shows in her passion for music – which covers multiple genres, including pop, RnB, and soul. She's a good jazz singer, too, especially of course [ ... ]

AED 200