The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the return of Manar Abu Dhabi, the city’s large-scale light art exhibition, set to illuminate new locations across the capital and Al Ain this winter.
Part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, Manar — meaning “lighthouse” in Arabic — will run from November 1, 2025, to January 4, 2026, bringing an expanded programme of installations and experiences to the city’s coasts and islands.
Under the theme “The Light Compass,” this year’s edition will feature over 35 artworks by international and local artists including teamLab, Carsten Höller, Shezad Dawood, Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, and Nujoom Alghanem. The exhibition will showcase large-scale sculptures, light projections, interactive pieces, and live performances integrated into the natural surroundings of Abu Dhabi’s waterfronts.
For the first time, Manar Abu Dhabi will extend to Al Ain, where installations will open to the public on November 1, ahead of the Abu Dhabi programme launching on November 15. The exhibition’s main site remains Jubail Island, serving as the central hub of activity.
In addition to the art installations, the programme will include talks, workshops, and performances that engage audiences in exploring light, nature, and creative expression.
