Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Manar Abu Dhabi, the Emirate’s landmark public exhibition of light art, will return from November 15, 2025 to January 4, 2026, with select installations in Al Ain on view from November 1. Curated under the theme The Light Compass, this edition will feature over 19 newly commissioned works, alongside site-specific light sculptures, projections and immersive installations by a diverse group of Emirati and international artists.
Drawing upon the Gulf’s ancestral relationship with light, this year’s edition brings together contemporary artworks that respond to its presence, behaviour, and resonance across both natural and technological forms. As The Light Compass suggests, light is explored as both guide and medium—from orienting seafarers and desert travellers through the night to inspiring poetic modes of knowledge and expression.
Set across Abu Dhabi’s varied landscapes, Manar Abu Dhabi unfolds across mangroves, sandbanks, gardens, and urban edges, where artworks form a breathing constellation and a living map shaped by reflection, relation, and environmental context.
Leading this edition is Khai Hori, Artistic Director, who brings international curatorial expertise from institutions including Palais de Tokyo in Paris and the Singapore Art Museum. Reflecting on the curatorial vision, Hori said: “Manar Abu Dhabi brings audiences and artists into imaginative encounters shaped by Emirati traditional knowledge and contemporary experience. With The Light Compass, this edition becomes a journey of navigation and discovery, inviting us to see, sense, and connect with the landscapes and stories that light reveals.”
He is joined by co-curators Alia Zaal Lootah and Munira Al Sayegh, with Mariam Alshehhi serving as Assistant Curator. Lootah emphasised the exhibition’s deep ties to place and identity, noting: “Manar Abu Dhabi will highlight the unique nature of Abu Dhabi’s islands and oases, and will leave a lasting impression on residents and visitors alike through installations employing various technologies and immersive experiences. By bringing together artworks that reflect history, wayfinding, and guidance through light, the exhibition offers an experience that is both meaningful and unforgettable, reflecting the emirate’s identity as a vibrant cultural capital.”
Anchoring this expanded edition, Jubail Island will serve as the centre stage for the exhibition. For the first time, Manar Abu Dhabi will also extend its presence to Al Ain, further reinforcing its growing cultural footprint across the region. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Al Ain’s rich setting of verdant oases and ancient archaeological sites offers a stark yet compelling contrast to the coastal and mangrove environments of the capital.
Light-based installations will engage with the distinct terrains of Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oases—green sanctuaries within Al Ain’s desert topography, sustained by traditional aflaj irrigation systems. These works will illuminate the deep interconnection between water, land, and life, resonating with the exhibition’s exploration of light as a vital element of orientation and existence.
Coinciding with the city’s Traditional Handicrafts Festival, installations in Al Ain will be on view from November 1, offering early access to a portion of the exhibition in one of the UAE’s most historically significant locations. A vibrant public programme of talks, workshops and performances will accompany the exhibition, providing meaningful opportunities for audiences to engage with the artworks and the wider themes they explore.
What is Manar Abu Dhabi?
A public light art exhibition organised by DCT Abu Dhabi, featuring large-scale installations and immersive works by Emirati and international artists across natural and urban landscapes.
When and where is it happening?
From November 15, 2025 to January 4, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, with select installations in Al Ain opening from 1 November.
What’s this year’s theme?
The Light Compass — exploring light as a guide and medium, from traditional navigation to modern artistic expression.
Who are the curators?
Led by Artistic Director Khai Hori, with Alia Zaal Lootah and Munira Al Sayegh as Curators, and Mariam Alshehhi as Assistant Curator.
What’s new in 2025?
The exhibition expands to Al Ain for the first time, with installations in historic oases like Al Qattara and Al Jimi. Jubail Island anchors the main Abu Dhabi programme.
Are there public events?
Yes — a full programme of talks, workshops, and performances will run alongside the exhibition to engage visitors.
