• Sharjah Festival of African Literature

    University City Sharjah

    The second edition of the festival brings together 20 African and nine Emirati authors for around 20 Library sessions, book talks and panel discussions – and a series of African cooking sessions. The theme is “The African Way”, which is [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • 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
  • Al Hosn Festival

    Al Hosn Abu Dhabi

    This living expression of Abu Dhabi's Culture is always worth a visit. The emphasis is on heritage, so the Al Hosn programme includes traditional souks, performances (lots of ayyalah), food, coffee, kids’ workshops and more. It runs 4pm to 11pm [ ... ]

    AED 35
  • Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

    InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City, Dubai

    LitFest is back with the usual rich brew of panel discussions and conversations, talks, workshops, family activities and the LitFest After Hours programme. It looks like the biggest and most varied yet, so that probably means it will be the [ ... ]

  • Sikka Art and Design Festival

    Al Shindagha Dubai Creek, Dubai

    The 14th edition of what has become one of Dubai Culture's flagship initiatives is back in Al Shindagha Historic District, this year with the theme ‘Imagining Dubai: Identities of the Future’. The festival promises "a diverse array of artworks" in [ ... ]

    Free
  • Quoz Arts Festival

    Alserkal Avenue Al Quoz 1, Dubai

    Quoz Arts Fest returns to Alserkal Avenue on 24 and 25 January with a mix of experimental art installations, live music, exhibitions, “food experiences”, and “encounters designed for all ages”. Basmah El Bittar, Director of Alserkal Avenue, reckons the 2026 [ ... ]

    Per day: AED 100
  • Mini Festival by Vinyl Souk

    25hours Hotel Dubai One Central Trade Center Street, Dubai

    The third Mini Festival promises to transform 25hours Hotel One Central into a vibrant hub for alternative music, creativity, and community – six rooms, live bands, DJs and vinyl selectors, workshops and talks, film screenings, a record fair, and a [ ... ]

    AED 200
  • 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
  • Animenia Abu Dhabi

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Animenia returns to Manarat Al Saadiyat with five days of cosplay, music, food, and J-pop culture – “step inside a world inspired by the hidden corners of Neo-Tokyo, where glowing signs, colourful characters, and offbeat discoveries bring anime culture to [ ... ]

    AED 95
  • Alserkal Art Month: weekend 1

    Alserkal Avenue Al Quoz 1, Dubai

    Alserkal Avenue's Art Month (18 April to 19 May) includes a raft of individual events, mostly at the weekends, alongside the usual gallery opening hours – most of those we have listed separately in the Agenda. Here’s the schedule for [ ... ]

    Free
  • Final Draft

    ERTH Khor Al Maqta Al Khaleej Al Arabi Road, Abu Dhabi

    This interesting-looking event by the Ripple Collective, a group of multidisciplinary designers and design-led retailers based in Abu Dhabi, has been running for four years now with little fanfare. It offers a day of “the things we love most: good [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Alserkal Art Month: weekend 1

    Alserkal Avenue Al Quoz 1, Dubai

    Here’s the schedule for the first Sunday of Alserkal Avenue's Art Month (18 April to 19 May): 3-4pm Project Space KIDS' WORKSHOP Animal Comic Creations Participants (aged 7+) design their own comic-style story, inspired by an animal of their choice [ ... ]

    Free