Sikka Art and Design Festival 2025 guide: Workshops, shows and unmissable exhibits

The National

29-01-2025

The annual Sikka Art and Design Festival is set to start Friday and run until February 9, for its second year in Al Shindagha. Since its inception in 2011, the festival has been synonymous with Al Fahidi. Sikka means 'alleys' and the event is named after the passageways between low-rise structures in the historical neighbourhood close to Dubai Creek where the festival was held. Last year, the event moved to Al Shindagha, an area once home to Dubai's ruling family. The 13th festival will be spread across 19 houses in the neighbourhood as well as its courtyards and also along Dubai Creek. Part of Dubai Art Season, the festival will feature installations, sculptures and interactive spaces. More than 450 workshops, talks and panel discussions will be held across eight days, and there will also be 100 live performances, 13 theatrical shows and six orchestral performances. Here are some of the festival highlights as well as some useful information. Multiple art spaces will feature, among others, 40 public art pieces made by 15 artists from around the world. Art fans can also visit The Urban House and The Design House to see works by local and international artists. Additionally, 13 murals created by renowned artists will adorn the walls around the festival, as part of Dubai Culture's Public Art Strategy that aims to turn the city into an open and accessible art gallery. Khaleeji House will host artists from the GCC and display their work together for the first time. Wind Canvases, organised by sailing community Wind Rises, is a collaborative art project in which six artists will transform sailing boats into moving canvases that showcase the UAE's culture and heritage. Among the workshops not to miss is one hosted by vocational training institute Sxill. Attendees will get to learn latte art, lunch box cake decoration, lipstick-making, cheeseboard woodworking and more. The Sxill workshops will be hosted at House 314 and will start daily at 5pm from Friday until February 3. Meanwhile, Dubai Police will also host workshops for children which will include clay works, bookmark-making and tote bag colouring. The workshops will take place daily at House 326 and Courtyard E, starting at 4pm. Both workshops are free entry but registration is required. More than 50 home-grown food and beverage businesses will take part in the festival. One highlight is House 416, which will host House of Saffron, a supper club series hosted by some of Dubai's most talented chefs. With cuisines ranging from Emirati to Laotian, through the Levant and France, visitors will be able to experience beautiful and delicious creations. Tickets for House of Saffron are Dh280 per person with limited seats for every supper. Among the 100 live performances, do not miss shows by the all-female group Firdaus Orchestra, Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Dubai City Sound ensemble. The World Stage Design House will offer daily specialised workshops and theatre performances. Meanwhile, a concept called Creatives on Wheels will showcase theatre that combines mobile shadow play and music.