The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the return of Manar Abu Dhabi, the city’s light art exhibition, this November. Part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi programme, Manar (meaning ‘lighthouse’ in Arabic) will feature a series of light-based artworks, installations, and performances across multiple locations in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
This year, the festival will run in Al Ain from Saturday, 1 November to Sunday, 4 January, and in Abu Dhabi from Saturday, 15 November to Sunday, 4 January. The exhibition will include large-scale light sculptures, projections, interactive installations, and live performances designed to complement the natural beauty of the city’s waterfronts.
Under the theme “The Light Compass”, Manar Abu Dhabi 2025 will feature over 35 artworks by both international and Emirati artists, including teamLab, Carsten Höller, Shezad Dawood, Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, and Nujoom Alghanem. The exhibition in Al Ain will open earlier on 1 November, while the main venue remains at Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi.
Visitors can experience the installations along the coastline, from boats, or on land. In addition to the visual displays, the exhibition will also include talks, workshops, and performances throughout the festival.
