The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the return of Manar Abu Dhabi, the city’s immersive light art exhibition, this November. Part of the broader Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, Manar—meaning “lighthouse” in Arabic—will again illuminate the capital’s coasts, islands, and skyline with site-specific light artworks by local and international artists.
Following a successful debut in 2023, the second edition will feature more than 35 artworks across key locations including Saadiyat, Jubail and Fahid Islands, the Corniche, and the Eastern Mangroves. Visitors can expect large-scale light sculptures, projections, interactive installations, and performances that respond to the city’s natural landscapes.
Among the confirmed artists for 2024 are teamLab, Carsten Höller, Shezad Dawood, Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, and Nujoom Alghanem, with contributors representing regions from Japan to Mexico.
The installations will be viewable from multiple vantage points—whether walking the coastline, cruising by dhow, or observing from the mainland. The exhibition is designed to encourage reflection on themes of nature, connection, and creativity.
A detailed programme schedule will be announced in the coming months. Manar Abu Dhabi is scheduled to take place throughout November 2025.
