Manar Abu Dhabi 2025

Manar Abu Dhabi returns for its second edition with the theme The Light Compass, presenting 19 newly commissioned light-based artworks by Emirati and international artists – including some very big names:

Abdulla Almulla (UAE)
Ammar Al Attar (UAE)
Christian Brinkmann (Germany)
DRIFT (Netherlands)
Encor Studio (Switzerland)
Ezequiel Pini (Argentina)
Iregular (Canada)
KAWS (USA)
Khalid Shafar (UAE)
Kirsten Berg (USA)
Lachlan Turczan (USA)
Maitha Hamdan (UAE)
Pamela Poh (Malaysia)
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer (Mexico)
Shaikha Al Mazrou (UAE)

The locations include Jubail Island and Souq Al Mina in Abu Dhabi (gone is the experiment of scattering installations around the city: they are all concentrated in those two locations) and, for the first time, Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oases in Al Ain. Jubail Island, Al Qattara Oasis and Al Jimi Oasis will all have F&B pop-ups and “experiences”. The website has a map indicating locations; there are guided buggy tours of the artworks on Jubail Island at AED 50 per person or AED 150 for a group of four, with tours at 6pm, 8pm and 10pm. There’s also an Al Ain tour through the Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oases at 7pm; prices are the same. Tours run daily until 4 January.

Manar Abu Dhabi isn’t just the roster of light installations – check the website for details and see our summary below, but there’s a programme of artist led workshops; talks that explore the intersections of art, technology, and public space; performances including the Syrian-Lebanese duo Bedouin Burger, Korean electronic duo Haepaary, Napoli percussion trio Ars Nova Napoli, and Tarek Yamani Trio; and set of partner programmes exploring “climate, wellness, and connection”. We’ve listed the principal elements below

The main location for talks and workshops is the Manar Abu Dhabi hub on Jubail Island, with one talk at Manarat al Saadiyat (with Abu Dhabi Art). . Performances are at Souq Al Mina; all are free. Workshops are on Jubail, and several of them are paid-for.

Co-curated by Alia Zaal Lootah, Munira Al Sayegh and Mariam Alshehhi with Khai Hori as Artistic Director,  the project forms part of Public Art Abu Dhabi, a DCT Abu Dhabi initiative that champions art in public spaces and sustained engagement with the city’s environment.

Manar Abu Dhabi runs to 4 January.

Above: Maitha Hamdan, Breath of the Same Place (2025: installation in Al Ain)

TALKS
Unless noted these are all at Manar Abu Dhabi Stage, Jubail Island; free and no pre-registration required

16 Nov 6pm LETS TALK ABOUT MANAR ABU DHABI 2025
Speakers: Khai Hori, Alia Lootah, Mariam Al Shehhi, Munira Al Sayegh
Meet the curators …

16 Nov 7pm THE FUTURE OF ART WITHOUT AI: IS IT POSSIBLE?
Speakers: Dr Elizabeth Churchill, Khai Hori, Dr Giulia Bini
The evolving relationship between art and AI.

17 Nov 6pm ART, TECH, AND HUMAN CONNECTION
Speakers: Ralph Nauta (DRIFT), Prof. Hao Li, Stephanie Rosenthal
How immersive experiences, AI, and creative technologies are reshaping the ways we see, feel, and connect with the world.

19 Nov 6pm ART AT THE INTERSECTION OF NATURE AND TECHNOLOGY
Speakers: Ulrich Schrauth, Christian Brinkmann, Dr Brigitte Howarth
How artists and institutions are reimagining the relationship between the natural world, innovation, and public engagement.

19 Nov 7pm LIGHT, MOTION, AND PERCEPTION
Speakers: Lachlan Turczan, Ezequiel Pini, Munira Al Sayegh
How physical and digital worlds can converge to reshape perception and inspire a sense of wonder in public spaces.

20 Nov 2pm REIMAGINING SPACE THROUGH SCULPTURE
Speakers: Shaikha Al Mazrou, Kirsten Berg, Sara Bin Safwan
Berg, known for large-scale reflective installations, creates immersive forms that fuse geometry and environmental sensitivity; Al Mazrou, one of the UAE’s leading contemporary artists, takes a distinct approach through minimal forms and conceptual rigour, reflecting both personal narrative and wider sociocultural contexts. Registration required here.

20 Nov 3pm DESIGNING PUBLIC ART FOR PRESENCE AND SPACE
Speakers: Abdalla Almulla, Pamela Tan, Alia Zaal Lootah
How does public art respond to its site, and shape how people feel within it? Abdalla Almulla and Pamela Tan discuss how public artworks can transform passive environments into active, contemplative spaces. Location: Abu Dhabi Art, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island. Registration required here.

PERFORMANCES
Unless noted these are all at Manar Abu Dhabi’s Souq Al Mina location; free and no pre-registration required. Additional performances will be announced “in due course”.

21 Nov 8.15pm FOURMANOS
An Emirati band made up of six friends whose performances blend Latin and mariachi-style music with flamenco, traditional Khaleeji rhythms, and modern influences.

22 Nov 8.15pm BEDOUIN BURGER
Formed by Syrian vocalist Lynn Adib and Lebanese producer Zeid Hamdan, Bedouin Burger harmonises classical and Arabic folk music with modern compositions, blending jazz and minimalist electronica.

23 Nov 8.15pm TAREK YAMANI TRIO: AFRO-TARAB JAZZ CONCEPTIONS
Tarek Yamani’s Afro-Tarab jazz journeys from early 1900s Egypt to contemporary New York, including reinterpretations of classical Arabic muwashahat, as well as original compositions based on edgy traditional Arabic rhythms and melodic modes.

29 Nov 8.15pm HAEPAARY
South Korean duo who merge traditional Korean music with experimental electronic soundscapes.

10 Dec 8.15pm LOVE AND REVENGE: TRIBUTE TO OUM KALTHOUM​
Agmal Layali reimagines the legendary repertoire of Oum Kalthoum through a contemporary lens, blending her iconic recordings with live performance and cinematic visuals.

13 Dec 8.15pm ARS NOVA NAPOLI
Ars Nova Napoli revives the spirit of southern Italian tradition through dynamic live performances of Neapolitan Nu Folk, a fusion of Mediterranean rhythms and modern arrangements .

19 Dec 8.15pm AMJAD SHAKIR
Amjad Shakir is a contemporary Sudanese singer known for his soulful voice and vibrant stage presence. His performances offer a rich musical journey across cultures.

26 Dec 8.15pm SHILPA ANANTH & BEATBOX RAY
UAE born and based, the duo’s genre-blending live set fuses soulful melodies, intricate vocal loops, and masterful beatboxing in an electrifying mix of South Indian influences, jazz, electronic soul, and percussive vocal artistry.

WORKSHOPS
All workshops take place at Manar Abu Dhabi, Jubail Island, most require registration, and some are charged-for.

22 Nov 4.30pm SERENITY OF MANAR WITH ALTAMASH JAVED
A fine art photography workshop with Fujifilm Creator Javed. Majoring on the art of stillness through light and composition. Register here.

22 Nov 5.30pm-midnight THE SLIME LAB: NEON SLIME DROP-IN WORKSHOP
Kids make their very own slime using safe, non-toxic materials with glow-in-the-dark pigments that come alive under UV or blacklight. AED 35 per person; no registration required.

22 Nov 9pm GRACIA FARMS PAINT AND PLANT
In this interactive workshop, children will decorate and personalise their own plant pots before planting a small seedling inside. AED 50 per person; register here.

23 Nov 9pm GRACIA FARMS PAINT AND PLANT
In this interactive workshop, children will decorate and personalise their own plant pots before planting a small seedling inside. AED 50 per person; register here.

23 Nov 6pm THE KNOT: TALLI MEDAL CHARMS WORKSHOP
Workshop for youth and adults: create personalised Talli-inspired medal charms using a selection of accessories and LED balloon lights. AED 80 per person; no registration required.

24 Nov 6pm THE KNOT: TALLI MEDAL CHARMS WORKSHOP
Workshop for youth and adults: create personalised Talli-inspired medal charms using a selection of accessories and LED balloon lights. AED 80 per person; no registration required.

25 Nov 6pm THE KNOT: TALLI MEDAL CHARMS WORKSHOP
Workshop for youth and adults: create personalised Talli-inspired medal charms using a selection of accessories and LED balloon lights. AED 80 per person; no registration required.

29 Nov 4.30pm MOTIONS OF MANAR WITH JARED MARTINEZ
A Fujifilm workshop focused on cinematic video storytelling, led by visual artist Jared Martinez, exploring the art of motion, light, and storytelling. Register here.

29 Nov 5.30pm-midnight THE SLIME LAB: NEON SLIME DROP-IN WORKSHOP
Kids make their very own slime using safe, non-toxic materials with glow-in-the-dark pigments that come alive under UV or blacklight. AED 35 per person; no registration required.

29 Nov 9pm GRACIA FARMS PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOP
A hands on puppet-making working for children, is a fun and creative way to express emotions, build confidence, and communicate ideas. AED 75 per person; register here.

6 Dec 5.30pm FUTURE OF MANAR WITH MARK ANTHONY AGTAY
Designed for young creatives, this Fujifilm workshop for young people introduces the fundamentals of photography. It encourages participants to see the world through a creative lens, frame their perspectives, tell visual stories, and explore their surroundings with curiosity and imagination. Register here.

6 Dec 5.30pm-midnight THE SLIME LAB: NEON SLIME DROP-IN WORKSHOP
Kids make their very own slime using safe, non-toxic materials with glow-in-the-dark pigments that come alive under UV or blacklight. AED 35 per person; no registration required.

6 Dec 9pm GRACIA FARMS PAINT AND PLANT
In this interactive workshop, children will decorate and personalise their own plant pots before planting a small seedling inside. AED 50 per person; register here.

13 Dec 4.30pm VISUALS OF MANAR WITH PREET UDAY
A Fujifilm workshop that encourages participants to interpret Abu Dhabi through their own artistic lens and develop a strong visual narrative. Register here.

13 Dec 5.30pm-midnight THE SLIME LAB: NEON SLIME DROP-IN WORKSHOP
Kids make their very own slime using safe, non-toxic materials with glow-in-the-dark pigments that come alive under UV or blacklight. AED 35 per person; no registration required.

13 Dec 6pm GRACIA FARMS PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOP
A hands on puppet-making working for children, is a fun and creative way to express emotions, build confidence, and communicate ideas. AED 75 per person; register here.

14 Dec 6pm REFLECTIONS OF LIGHT: ARTIST-LED WORKSHOP WITH MAITHA HAMDAN
How does light make you feel? What memories do trees and nature bring to you? Art-making with Manar artist Maitha Hamdan. Registration will open soon

20 Dec 4.30pm FACADES OF MANAR WITH HUSSEIN AL MOOSAWI
A Fujifilm workshop exploring Abu Dhabi’s architectural identity through the lens of fine art photography. This session focuses on capturing form, structure, and light. Register here.

20 Dec 5.30pm-midnight THE SLIME LAB: NEON SLIME DROP-IN WORKSHOP
Kids make their very own slime using safe, non-toxic materials with glow-in-the-dark pigments that come alive under UV or blacklight. AED 35 per person; no registration required.

20 Dec 9pm GRACIA FARMS PAINT AND PLANT
In this interactive workshop, children will decorate and personalise their own plant pots before planting a small seedling inside. AED 50 per person; register here.

27 Dec 5.30pm-midnight THE SLIME LAB: NEON SLIME DROP-IN WORKSHOP
Kids make their very own slime using safe, non-toxic materials with glow-in-the-dark pigments that come alive under UV or blacklight. AED 35 per person; no registration required.

27 Dec 9pm GRACIA FARMS PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOP
A hands on puppet-making working for children, is a fun and creative way to express emotions, build confidence, and communicate ideas. AED 75 per person; register here.

3 Jan 5.30pm-midnight THE SLIME LAB: NEON SLIME DROP-IN WORKSHOP
Kids make their very own slime using safe, non-toxic materials with glow-in-the-dark pigments that come alive under UV or blacklight. AED 35 per person; no registration required.

3 Jan 9pm GRACIA FARMS PAINT AND PLANT
In this interactive workshop, children will decorate and personalise their own plant pots before planting a small seedling inside. AED 50 per person; register here.