Experience Dhai Dubai 2026 – The Festival of Lights in Dubai Expo City

Experience Dhai Dubai 2026 – The Festival of Lights in Dubai Expo City

Dhai Dubai 2026 is here. Learn everything about this Light Art Festival.

Calendar27 Aug 2025Clock5 min read

Experience Dhai Dubai 2026 – The Festival of Lights in Dubai Expo City

Suit yourself. Dubai’s second edition of Dhai Dubai Light Art Festival is going to take place in Expo City Dubai. Your perspective on ‘light’ itself may change after attending this festival. Scheduled to occur in November, Dhai Dubai 2026 will focus on highlighting the Emirati heritage through the means of contemporary art.  

If this sounds like something you would be interested in attending, then this blog is for you. Each and every detail, from what this event is about to its price, will be shared below. And if you are someone who would even take a flight to Dubai to attend this festival, then the best way to travel is to get a tour package from the leading travel agency, Next Holidays. Habibi, welcome to Dubai!  

What is Dhai Dubai? 

What is Dhai Dubai?

‘Dhai’ means light. Hence, the intersection of illumination and art is what this cultural festival aims to showcase. In fact, it is an opportunity, a platform for local artists to demonstrate their creativity and share stories through light. Doesn’t this light you up?  

During the event, the Al Wasl Plaza will be lit with the creativity of these artists. And let us tell you, this event is a celebration of illumination, creativity, and culture. Wait, how exactly is this possible? Well, the artists use their creativity to convert light into storytelling. And these stories are for the community, my friend.  

The second edition of the light art exhibition was recently announced by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Dubai Expo City, confirming its dates.  

Festival of Lights Details: When and Where 

Festival of Lights Details: When and Where

Dhai Dubai, also popularly known as the Festival of Lights, will be held from the 12th of November to the 18th of November 2025. The information on timings is yet to be released. Nonetheless, you can expect it to start around 5 PM and end at 1 AM daily.  

The event will be held at Al Wasl Plaza in Expo City Dubai. As stated previously, Al Wasl Plaza will be lit by local artists. Also, it’s not just about these displays—the event is much more than the representation of artists’ creativity.    

The 7 Emirati Artists: Who Are They? 

Contemporary light installations of seven artists will be showcased at the second edition of the Light Show in Dubai. The art aims to bridge modern creativity and tradition. Let’s find out who these artists are. 

  • Fatma Lootah from Dubai 
  • Khalid AlBanna from Sharjah 
  • Mohammed Kazem from Dubai 
  • Alia Bin Omair from Dubai 
  • Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri from Abu Dhabi 
  • AlZaina Lootah from Dubai 
  • Hessa Alghandi Dubai 

Get ready to get your mind blown by the contemporary art of these amazing artists.   

The Guiding Voices 

Now that you know everything about Dhai Dubai, let’s find out about the vision of the leaders. That too, in their words.  

“This partnership is a celebration of shared purpose, a deep-rooted belief in the power of culture to elevate, connect, and transform. Dhai Dubai is the spirit of Dubai made visible: a place where past and future interwind together in brilliance, where art becomes a bridge, and where artistic dreams are given space and light to grow.”— Amna Abulhoul, Co-Curator of Dhai Dubai and Executive Creative Director of Entertainment and Experiences at Expo City Dubai 

“Dhai Dubai, through its varied experiences and interactive programming, reflects the depth of our partnership with Expo City Dubai. It also highlights our ongoing efforts to boost cultural tourism and support the cultural and creative industries by encouraging artists to present works that embody the values and spirit of the emirate.”— Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture  

What to Experience at Dhai Dubai 

Dhai Dubai is not just about demonstrating artists’ creativity through light. Rather, it is also about the illumination of minds, spaces, and ideas. At Dhai Dubai 2026, the magical cultural events will leave you awestruck.  

7 New Art Installations  

Here are the Dhai Dubai exhibition highlights: the seven new art installations. Mark our words: Each installation will challenge your perception. Excited to find out what these installations are? Well, the details haven’t been revealed yet. But we are sure they’re going to be thought-provoking.  

What we do know is that the themes that these art installations at Dubai Expo City will touch are technology, nature, belonging, and identity. Whatever your age is, this light-based art will turn out to be provocative for you.    

Illuminating Public Dialogue 

When you visit Dhai Dubai, you will find out that it’s not just about showcasing and watching art. Instead, it’s about the experience—an experience that would change every visitor’s perspective. This brings us to our next key highlight of the exhibition. The artist talks and public dialogues hosted by the House of Arts will leave you intrigued, making them the best things to do at Dhai Dubai. These are focused on enhancing engagement in the community.  

These discussions will focus on various topics connecting art and community. Some of these are: 

  • The significance of cultural exchange in the present day 
  • The ways in which creativity can shape the future of cities 
  • How art contributes to building community 

Expect open conversations, where everyone can share their opinions and ideas. 

Why Visit Dhai Dubai 2026? 

By now, we expect you to know everything about Dhai Dubai, which is why we also hope you understand why you should plan visit to Dhai Dubai 2026. Nonetheless, we have ample reasons to share with you, each explaining in detail why the exhibition is a must-visit. Let’s get started, shall we?  

Dhai Dubai Is for One and All  

Yes, Dhai Dubai is for everyone. Most events, such as exhibitions and art festivals, tend to be exclusive, aiming towards a specific target audience. This is not the case with this event. If you’re an art professional, you can indulge in deep conversations related to society and art. If you are a student, this is the perfect place for some inspiration. Finally, if you’re visiting with your family, each member can enjoy these installations.  

Experience Over Anything 

The Dubai Light Festival plays a crucial role today, especially in a world where everything is continuously changing. It’s not just about a routine life, or a business, or technology. We have to focus on the need for reflecting and imagining. This is where the exhibition comes in. Dhai Dubai reminds us to create, express, and come together as a community. After all, art is capable of uniting, questioning, and even healing.  

When you enter the building, you will realize that you’re not just visiting an art exhibition; rather, you’re becoming a part of something bigger, and you get to witness it as well. The shared experiences, connections, and conversations—this is what the event is really about.  

Things to Know Before Visiting Dhai Dubai 

From entry tickets to age limit, there is so much you must know before planning your visit to Dhai Dubai.  

  • The last event was free of cost, and we expect this one to have a free entry for all as well.  
  • Visitors of all ages are welcome at the festival.  
  • The information regarding the artworks and artists will be available in Arabic and English. The talks will most likely be organized in English and Arabic on separate days.  
  • Free parking will be available to visitors.  
  • Want to bring your pets? Expo City Dubai has Dog Stations. Some sections, however, are restricted to dogs, where only service dogs are allowed.  

Planning Your Visit to Dhai Dubai with Next Holidays 

Do you not have any trip plans in place? Don’t worry. Next Holidays offers a wide variety of Dubai tour packages that you can pick from.  

Package Name DurationPrice
Dazzling Dubai 4 Nights 5 DaysAED 879
Dubai City Break 3 Nights 4 Days AED 669 
Panoramic Dubai6 Nights 7 DaysAED 1349
Treasures of Dubai 7 Nights 8 DaysAED 1705
Staycation Dubai Package2 Nights 3 DaysAED 579 
Wonderland Dubai (Budget)5 Nights 6 Days AED 955

If you are looking for a customized package, we’ve got your back. Get in touch with our team, and they will help you with the best personalized package for your Dhai Dubai Light Art Festival visit. Bon voyage! 

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