Ready for a nighttime treasure hunt where the treasure is—wait for it—light? Good. Because Manar Abu Dhabi is back, and it’s brought an actual compass. Well, metaphorically speaking. From 1 November 2025 through early January 2026 (with Al Ain lighting up from 1 Nov 2025–4 Jan 2026 and Abu Dhabi’s city and islands from 15 Nov 2025–4 Jan 2026), the emirate will sparkle, shimmer, and gently nudge you toward reconsidering how landscapes, tradition and modern art flirt under the stars.
Think of Manar Abu Dhabi as a public art festival that grew out of a love affair with light. Its inaugural edition winked at audiences; this one winks back with full-on neon charisma. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the show stitches together over 19 newly commissioned site-specific sculptures, projections and immersive installations by Emirati and international artists. Translation: more reasons to head out after sunset and pretend you’re on a cinematic map of the emirate.
The theme: The Light Compass — poetic GPS for the senses
If you’ve ever used a compass and thought, “This is fine, but where are the lasers?” — this edition has you covered. The Light Compass looks at light as both guide and medium: from ancient waayfinding methods used by seafarers and desert nomads to contemporary experiments that make light act like language. It’s an exhibition about direction, memory and moments that blink and fade—only to become unforgettable.
Khai Hori, the exhibition’s Artistic Director (yes, the same Khai who’s done stints at Palais de Tokyo and the Singapore Art Museum), curates with a team spirit: Alia Zaal Lootah (Curator), Munira Al Sayegh (Curator) and Mariam Alshehhi (Assistant Curator) co-curate alongside him. Together they’ve plotted a route where the artworks act like a breathing constellation—each piece a star, path, or accidental GPS ping in the sand and mangrove.
“Manar Abu Dhabi brings audiences and artists into imaginative encounters shaped by Emirati traditional knowledge and contemporary experience. With The Light Compass, this edition becomes a journey of navigation and discovery, inviting us to see, sense, and connect with the landscapes and stories that light reveals.” — Khai Hori
Poetic? Absolutely. Accurate? Definitely. Instagrammable? Also yes—plan accordingly.
Where to point your flashlight (and your heart)
The festival’s centerstage this year is Jubail Island—expect a fuller, expanded edition there. But this isn’t island-exclusive theater: artworks will bloom across mangroves, sandbanks, gardens and urban edges, so whether you’re the “walk-by-the-water” type or the “get-lost-in-a-garden” type, there’s something calling your name.
And for the history-and-oasis lovers: Al Ain joins the party for the first time. With lush oases, ancient archaeological sites and the serene Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oases as backdrops, the installations will have a very different, very gorgeous vibe—water, palm shade, ancient aflaj irrigation channels and light. Al Ain’s run also intentionally lines up with the Traditional Handicrafts Festival, giving a lovely crosspollination of craft, culture and contemporary art.
“Manar Abu Dhabi will highlight the unique nature of Abu Dhabi’s islands and oases… By bringing together artworks that reflect history, wayfinding, and guidance through light, the exhibition offers an experience that is both meaningful and unforgettable.” — Alia Zaal Lootah
Meaningful, unforgettable, and — if you ask nicely — slightly mysterious. Perfect triple threat.
What to expect (besides goosebumps)
- A mix of site-specific sculptures, projections and immersive works that respond to both technology and tradition.
- Artworks that play with reflection, shadow, movement and the particular personality of Gulf light (which, frankly, has an attitude).
- A public programme of talks, workshops and performances so you can go beyond being a spectator and actually nerd out with artists, curators and fellow glow-chasers.
Public Art Abu Dhabi continues its commitment to activating public spaces with this dynamic programme—so the lights aren’t just pretty; they’re active, social and intentionally placed within the community.
TL;DR — Why you should care (and go)
- It’s a free-ish celebration of art that anchors itself in local landscapes and stories.
- New commissions mean fresh, original works you can’t catch anywhere else.
- The dual-city format (Abu Dhabi + Al Ain) offers two distinct moods: coastal archipelagos vs. oasis serenity.
- Workshops and talks give you reason to show up smart and curious, not just for selfies.
More details on participating artists and the full public programme will be revealed later in 2025 (check the Annex-ish bits for the official fine print). Until then, clear your evenings, charge your camera, wear shoes you’ll actually want to walk in, and prepare to get gently re-oriented by some brilliant lights.
Manar Abu Dhabi is less an exhibition and more a gentle conspiracy between nature, tradition, and contemporary art—one that invites you to roam, reflect, and maybe get lost on purpose. See you under the glow.
