Abu dhabi: Building on the success of its inaugural edition, Manar Abu Dhabi will once again illuminate the archipelagos, mangroves, and oases of the emirate of Abu Dhabi from 1st November 2025 to 4th January 2026 in Al Ain and from 15th November 2025 to 4th January 2026 in Abu Dhabi. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Manar Abu Dhabi is a public light art exhibition that aims to foster creativity and celebrate the emirate’s landscapes.
According to Emirates News Agency, under the theme ‘The Light Compass’, this edition will feature over 19 newly commissioned works and site-specific light sculptures, projections, and immersive installations by Emirati and international artists. Manar Abu Dhabi 2025 is curated by Khai Hori, Artistic Director, who has held prominent curatorial roles at institutions such as Palais de Tokyo in Paris and the Singapore Art Museum. The exhibition is co-curated by Alia Zaal Lootah, Munira Al Sayegh, and Mariam Alshehhi.
Drawing on the Gulf’s ancestral relationship with light, this edition of Manar Abu Dhabi brings together contemporary artworks that respond to its presence, behaviour, and resonance across both natural and technological forms. The theme ‘The Light Compass’ situates light as both guide and medium, contextualising its traditions of navigation in orienting seafarers and desert nomads.
Set across Abu Dhabi’s diverse landscapes, Manar Abu Dhabi will unfold across mangroves, sandbanks, gardens, and urban edges, forming a living map shaped by reflection and relation. Jubail Island will serve as the centerstage for the 2025 edition, marking its expansion to Al Ain, which reflects the exhibition’s growing cultural footprint in the region.
Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides a backdrop of lush oases and ancient archaeological sites, contrasting with the coastal archipelagos and mangroves of the capital. Light-based installations will engage with the unique terrains of Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oases, offering insights into the connections between water, land, and life. These installations will coincide with the ongoing Traditional Handicrafts Festival.
Khai Hori, Artistic Director, stated that Manar Abu Dhabi offers imaginative encounters shaped by Emirati traditional knowledge and contemporary experiences. Alia Zaal Lootah, Curator, highlighted the exhibition’s aim to showcase Abu Dhabi’s natural landscapes and leave a lasting impression on both residents and visitors through various technologies and immersive experiences.
As part of Public Art Abu Dhabi’s commitment to enhancing public spaces, a dynamic public programme of talks, workshops, and performances will accompany the exhibition, offering visitors meaningful opportunities to engage with the artworks.