Most art exhibitions come with a “please do not touch” sign. The Children’s Biennale at Umm Al Emarat Park asks kids to do the opposite. From 6 November to 6 December, Abu Dhabi Festival turns the park into the Middle East’s first outdoor children’s biennale, with eight interactive installations designed to be touched, listened to and wandered through. Here is how to make the most of it.
What is the Children’s Biennale in Abu Dhabi?
The Children’s Biennale is a free outdoor art exhibition for families at Umm Al Emarat Park, running from 6 November to 6 December 2026. Themed “How the World Feels”, it features seven new interactive works by UAE artists plus an immersive lantern installation by Indonesian artist Eko Nugroho, with free evening workshops for parents and children.
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | 6 November to 6 December 2026 |
| Where | Umm Al Emarat Park, 15th Street, Al Mushrif |
| Hours | 8am to midnight, last park entry 11pm |
| Biennale entry | Free |
| Park entry | AED 10 per person |
| Workshops | 6.30pm to 9.30pm, registration online |
| Best for | Primary-age kids and curious toddlers |
What your kids will actually do
The installations are spread among the trees and lawns, so this works best as a slow wander rather than a gallery tour. Each piece is built around a sense: touch, sound, movement or light. Themes run from ecology and biodiversity to stories from Emirati culture and heritage, and the curator, Dana Almazrouei, asked each artist to think about what a child should come away understanding, not just what they would see.
The UAE artists behind the new works are Alia AlShamsi, Aya Afaneh, Hana El-Sagini, Moza Almatrooshi, Moza Almazrouei and Meera Almazrooei, Nada Almosa with UT-R Studio, and Sarah Afaneh.
The headline piece is Kenangan Kunang-Kunang (Memories of Fireflies) by Eko Nugroho, a lantern installation inspired by traditional East Javanese lanterns. It was first made for National Gallery Singapore’s Children’s Biennale in 2019 and this is its first outing in the region. It is best seen after dark.
WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: Arrive around 5pm. You get the installations in daylight, the lanterns as the sun goes down and a workshop slot from 6.30pm, all before bedtime negotiations start.
Workshop dates
The artist-led family workshops only run on four evenings, all from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. They include weaving, lantern making, clay and sound exploration. Register through the Abu Dhabi Festival website.
| Workshop | Artist | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Weaving | Sarah Afaneh | 6 and 7 Nov |
| The Memory Garden | Nada Almosa | 6 and 7 Nov |
| Listening to Nature | Moza Al Mazrouei and Meera Almazrooei | 6 and 7 Nov |
| A Bee’s Journey | Moza Almatroushi | 6 and 7 Nov |
| Memories of Fireflies | Eko Nugroho | 6, 13 and 14 Nov |
| Common Thread Common Ground | Hana El Saghini | 13 and 14 Nov |
| Making with Nature | Alia AlShamsi | 13 and 14 Nov |
| Mix and Match Clay Creatures | Aya Afaneh | 13 and 14 Nov |
Schools can book morning guided tours throughout the run, and grown-ups who want the theory can join the panel From Place to Belonging: How Art Shapes the Way We Feel the World on Friday 20 November at AGORA, the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial hub in Mina Zayed.
Getting there and parking
Umm Al Emarat Park – public park, 15th Street, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi. Contact: info@ummalemaratpark.ae. There are more than 500 paid parking spaces run by Mawaqif, though they fill up on weekend evenings.
WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: Workshop evenings fall on Fridays and Saturdays, so parking goes fast. A taxi or a weekday visit for the installations alone saves a lot of circling.
More ideas for the same weekend
If the Biennale gets your crew hooked on art, our cultural things to do in Abu Dhabi guide has the museums worth a visit next, and Frieze Abu Dhabi brings the grown-up version to the capital this season. For more weekend plans, try our family activities guide, sorted by age, the toddler-friendly picks or the free things to do in Abu Dhabi.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Children’s Biennale in Abu Dhabi free?
Yes, the Biennale itself is free. Standard Umm Al Emarat Park entry of AED 10 per person applies to get into the park.
When is the Children’s Biennale at Umm Al Emarat Park?
It runs from 6 November to 6 December 2026. The park is open from 8am to midnight, with last entry at 11pm.
Do I need to book the workshops?
Yes, register through the Abu Dhabi Festival website. Workshops run from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on 6, 7, 13 and 14 November.
What age is the Children’s Biennale for?
The organisers describe it as suitable for all ages. The interactive pieces suit primary-age children best, but toddlers enjoy the sound and light works.
Where is Umm Al Emarat Park?
Umm Al Emarat Park is on 15th Street in Al Mushrif, central Abu Dhabi. Paid Mawaqif parking is available on site.
