The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is once again transforming its ancient landscapes, tranquil archipelagos, and modern urban centers into a mesmerizing outdoor gallery. The return of Manar Abu Dhabi, the massive public light art exhibition, promises a transformative journey of discovery that blends cultural heritage with cutting-edge contemporary art.

This second edition is not just an exhibition—it’s a living map guided by the theme: ‘The Light Compass.’ Read on to discover why this event is a cornerstone of UAE culture and how to best experience its luminous magic.

Quick Guide: Essential Visitor Facts

To help you plan your visit quickly and efficiently, here are the key details regarding Manar Abu Dhabi 2025:

Manar Abu Dhabi 2025 Dates

The festival is scheduled to run for approximately seven weeks, beginning on November 15, 2025, and concluding on January 4, 2026. This period covers the main winter tourist season in the UAE, providing ample time to explore all the stunning installations.

Manar Abu Dhabi Locations

The light art exhibition spans multiple geographically and culturally significantly locations across the Emirate. The primary sites include Jubail Island (the main anchor location), the Souq Al Mina (Mina Zayed) area in Abu Dhabi city, and, for the first time, the historic oases of Al Ain (including Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oases).

Manar Abu Dhabi Timings

The installations are typically illuminated nightly from 5:30 PM until midnight. Note that certain high-traffic, urban installations, such as those at Souq Al Mina, may run 24 hours. Always check the official website for any site-specific timing variations before your visit.

What is Manar Abu Dhabi? The Lighthouse of Public Art

The name Manar means “lighthouse” in Arabic, perfectly capturing the spirit of this groundbreaking initiative by Public Art Abu Dhabi. Launched by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Manar is a long-term commitment to embedding contemporary art directly into the public realm, moving beyond traditional gallery walls.

Following the critically acclaimed inaugural edition, which successfully illuminated locations like Saadiyat and Lulu Islands, the 2025 show builds on this legacy. It offers residents and international visitors a free, multi-sensory experience that encourages dialogue between the artist, the environment, and the audience, establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading global cultural capital.

Navigating by Light: The 'Light Compass' Theme

The ‘Light Compass’ is more than a theme; it is a curatorial vision deeply rooted in the UAE’s ancestral heritage. The exhibition draws inspiration from the traditional knowledge of the Gulf’s seafarers and desert nomads who relied on celestial light for wayfinding and survival.

Artistic Director Khai Hori, alongside curators Alia Zaal Lootah and Munira Al Sayegh, have shaped this edition to explore light as both a navigational guide and a poetic medium. The result is a constellation of over 23 newly commissioned works that use advanced technology—sensors, AI, and responsive systems—to translate natural rhythms and human connection into luminous, unforgettable experiences.

The Luminous Map: Key Locations and Must-See Installations

Manar Abu Dhabi 2025 features an expanded footprint, ensuring that the spectacle reaches both the coastal beauty of the capital and the ancient history of its inland city, Al Ain.

1. Jubail Island: The Anchor Location (Abu Dhabi)

Serving as the center stage, Jubail Island offers a stunning canvas of protected mangroves, elevated boardwalks, and pristine coastal views. This eco-friendly environment allows the art to interact directly with nature.

  • DRIFT’s Immersive Works: The Dutch multidisciplinary studio DRIFT presents several major pieces, including the captivating drone performance WIND OF CHANGE, and the biometric, generative installation UNFOLD, which responds to its environment in real-time.

  • Land Art Meets Light: Emirati sculptor Shaikha Al Mazrou showcases CONTINGENT OBJECT (2025), a monumental 30-meter circular land-art piece that slowly crystallizes into a glowing salt disc—a powerful statement on nature and time.

  • Interactive Experiences: Montreal-based digital art studio Iregular deploys four interactive works, turning visitors' movements and data into dazzling light patterns, fostering a true sense of participation.

2. Al Ain: Light in the Oasis (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

For the first time, Manar Abu Dhabi extends to the UNESCO-listed cultural sites of Al Ain, creating a powerful contrast between desert greenery and light art. The installations illuminate the enduring connection between water, land, and life within the ancient aflaj irrigation systems of the oases.

  • Al Qattara Oasis Trail: Here, visitors can discover works like Khalid Shafar's SADU RED CARPET, which reinterprets traditional Sadu weaving patterns as a massive, pixelated, glowing corridor, paying homage to the UAE's rich textile heritage.

  • Al Jimi Oasis Trail: The dense canopy of palm trees hosts new works by Emirati artists, including Maitha Hamdan’s BREATH OF THE SAME PLACE, designed to respond to the natural rhythms of the palm groves and desert wind.

3. Souq Al Mina: The Urban Counterpoint

Against the backdrop of the city skyline at Mina Zayed (Zayed Port), the exhibition includes a major global pop-culture moment: KAWS, with his long-time partner AllRightsReserved, presents KAWS: HOLIDAY Abu Dhabi. The artist’s signature illuminated COMPANION reclines, lifting a glowing moon into the sky—an ode to maritime history and the city’s vibrant urban edge.

Explore Beyond the Light: Connect Your Visit with the Best of the UAE

Manar Abu Dhabi 2025 is geographically dispersed, with installations across multiple distinct locations—from the coastal capital to the distant Al Ain Oases. While the exhibition is free to attend, navigating these sites efficiently requires a reliable travel plan.

Important Clarification: Our city tours are entirely separate experiences and do not include admission or transport to the Manar exhibition sites. They do, however, offer a perfect, comfortable way to explore the entire UAE during your stay, perfectly complementing your nighttime visits to the light art festival.

Explore our expert-led, full-service tour options designed to showcase the region's main attractions by day:

Booking one of our acclaimed City Tours is the smartest way to experience the geographical diversity of the UAE, ensuring comfortable transportation and maximum exploration time during the Manar Abu Dhabi festival period.

Plan Your Visit

Manar Abu Dhabi 2025 is a free exhibition that welcomes everyone. It offers a rare opportunity to connect with nature, technology, and heritage under the spectacular blanket of the Arabian night sky.

  • Quick Summary for Planning: This exhibition is a key public art initiative by DCT Abu Dhabi, designed to be a landmark cultural event across Jubail Island, Al Ain’s Oases, and Souq Al Mina, transforming the emirate into a nighttime gallery guided by the theme ‘The Light Compass.’

Don't just visit the UAE; let your journey be guided by the Light Compass. Plan your ultimate cultural escape today!