Dubai's Art Scene: Must-Visit Galleries & Exhibitions in 2025

Hi Dubai

15-04-2025

Dubai's art scene in 2025 continues to mature with purpose. New exhibitions, thoughtfully curated collections, and innovative gallery spaces are shaping the city into a true hub for regional and international creativity. Art in Dubai is no longer confined to traditional spaces. It now finds expression through interactive formats, community-led projects, and collaborations that bridge heritage with contemporary ideas.
This guide brings together current and upcoming exhibitions along with essential galleries that are open year-round. Whether exploring as a visitor or following the scene as an invested local, these spaces offer more than inspiration. They offer perspective, conversation, and a growing sense of cultural depth that reflects Dubai's unique creative identity. Major Exhibitions and Art Events in 2025
Art Dubai 2025 @ Madinat Jumeirah
April 18–20, 2025
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The 18th edition of Art Dubai, the Middle East's premier international art fair, is recognised as one of the region's most prestigious art events. It showcases an exceptional range of artworks spanning the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and beyond​. The fair is organised into curated sections (Contemporary, Modern, Bawwaba, and Digital), alongside an immersive programme of commissions, performances, and talks. Over 120 exhibitors (galleries from around the globe) are participating, offering a strong mix of global talent​.
Why visit:
Art Dubai is the flagship art event on Dubai's calendar. It's an unparalleled chance to see museum-quality art and cutting-edge contemporary pieces under one roof. You can engage with artists and attend panel discussions that provide insight into regional art trends. Whether you're a serious collector or a casual enthusiast, Art Dubai offers a snapshot of the region's rich artistic landscape​. World Art Dubai 2025 @ Dubai World Trade Centre
April 17–20, 2025
A four-day art fair known for its accessible and diverse offerings, World Art Dubai returns for its 10th edition in 2025. It features 4,000+ artworks from over 300 artists and galleries across 60+ countries​.
Unlike high-end art fairs, World Art Dubai emphasises affordable art and emerging artists, making it a welcoming entry point for new collectors. The event also includes live art performances, workshops, and talks with creatives.
Why visit:
This fair is ideal for art buyers on a budget or anyone looking to discover new talent. With such a vast array of artworks, paintings, sculptures, photography and more, there's something for all tastes. The atmosphere is casual and inclusive, and you might find a unique piece to take home without breaking the bank. World Art Dubai celebrates art as something for everyone, lowering barriers between the public and the art world​. Alserkal Art Week 2025 @ Alserkal Avenue
April 13–19, 2025
An annual week-long celebration in Dubai's contemporary arts district, Alserkal Art Week transforms the Alserkal Avenue complex into a buzzing hub of exhibitions and events​. The 2025 edition, themed 'A Wild Stitch,' brings together narratives that challenge singular perspectives and embrace multiplicity.
Throughout the week, galleries in Alserkal unveil new shows and collaborations. Beyond exhibitions, the program features panel discussions, film screenings, workshops and live performances, fostering dialogue within the arts community​.
A highlight this year is 'Vanishing Points' by Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi, an immersive installation curated by Nada Raza, which invites viewers into a reimagined miniature world of fluid perspectives.
Why visit:
Alserkal Art Week offers an immersive dive into Dubai's contemporary art scene. It's an opportunity to gallery-hop through Alserkal's many spaces and discover cutting-edge works by local and international artists in a more informal, community-centric setting. Many events are free, and the atmosphere is creative and festive. If you want to experience the city's homegrown art energy and perhaps meet artists and curators, this week is a must. Bluewaters Art Festival @ Bluewaters Island
April 12–20, 2025
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A brand-new outdoor art festival making its debut in 2025. The Bluewaters Art Festival is a nine-day open-air art celebration set against the backdrop of the Bluewaters Island waterfront​.
Centered on the theme 'Reconnect,' the festival features over 20 large-scale murals, interactive installations, live performances, and hands-on art workshops​. Each evening from 4 pm to midnight, Bluewaters' promenades transform into a vibrant gallery under the stars​.
The works of 23 international and UAE-based artists are on display, with pieces ranging from striking wall murals to inflatable art sculptures​. You can also explore indoor digital exhibits like the Kanvas Room with dynamic light installations​.
Why visit:
This festival is free to attend and family-friendly, making art accessible to all. It's a great way to enjoy Dubai's pleasant spring evenings while experiencing art in an informal setting. The mix of street art, sculpture and interactive pieces creates a lively atmosphere where you can literally walk through art.
Bluewaters Art Festival aims to bridge cultures and generations, showcasing art as a universal language in one of Dubai's iconic leisure destinations​. It's perfect for those looking to be surprised and inspired by art in public spaces and perhaps try a workshop like tote-bag painting or fluid art while you're there. Theatre of Digital Art (ToDA)
Year-Round Immersive Exhibitions
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The Theatre of Digital Art (ToDA) in Souk Madinat Jumeirah is an innovative art space dedicated to immersive digital exhibitions. Open year-round, ToDA uses cutting-edge technology (VR, AR, AI and massive 360° projection) to reinterpret art in multi-sensory ways​. Throughout 2025, ToDA will host a rotation of exhibitions that blend classic art masterpieces with futuristic digital techniques​. For example, you might step into a 360° projection of a Van Gogh painting or experience an AI-generated art installation synchronized with music​. You can expect features like interactive VR zones, floor-to-ceiling animated artworks, and even live performance elements combining music and visuals.
Why visit:
ToDA offers an entirely new way to experience art, ideal for tech enthusiasts and families alike. It transforms static images into living experiences – you don't just look at art, you step inside it. The blend of technology and creativity is mind-blowing and makes art approachable for those who may not frequent traditional galleries. If you've ever wanted to feel like part of a painting or travel through a digital fantasy, ToDA is a must-visit. Immersive Masterpieces: Van Gogh, Monet & More
Various Venues (2025)
Building on a global trend, Dubai in 2025 is hosting multiple immersive art experiences dedicated to iconic artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Gustav Klimt. These traveling digital exhibitions, some staged at Dubai Opera and others at ToDA or similar venues, use floor-to-ceiling projections and surround sound to bring famous paintings to life​.
For example, 'Van Gogh Alive' (a popular multi-sensory show) allows you to walk through moving projections of Starry Night and Sunflowers , set to music. Monet's water lily gardens are similarly animated in an immersive format. Many of these experiences incorporate virtual reality or interactive elements, letting guests engage with the art (such as coloring in drawings that then appear on the walls).
Why visit:
These immersive shows are a feast for the senses and great for all ages. They offer a different kind of art appreciation – instead of quietly observing a painting on a wall, you are surrounded by art and music. It's an excellent way to introduce classical art to new audiences or to simply enjoy beloved masterpieces in a fresh format.
These experiences are completely free to join in some cases (check for special promotions), making high culture accessible​. Whether you're a longtime fan of Van Gogh/Monet or just looking for an Instagram-worthy outing, these exhibitions are worth checking out for their wow-factor and educational value​. Eltiqa: How to Work Together? @ Jameel Arts Centre
Feb 6 – Jul 20, 2025
A powerful and culturally significant exhibition at Jameel Arts Centre, 'Eltiqa: How to Work Together?' is a retrospective showcasing two decades of work by the Eltiqa art collective from Gaza​. The collective's gallery in Gaza was destroyed in late 2023, and this exhibition in Dubai serves as both an homage and a new beginning.
On view are more than 180 artworks by six founding members of Eltiqa Group, spanning painting, photography, and mixed media​. These works, many saved from conflict or created in exile, reflect on themes of home, resilience, and the role of art in the face of adversity. The show is guest-curated by a Palestinian collective, ensuring authenticity in how these stories are told​.
Why visit:
This exhibition is a rare glimpse into contemporary art from Gaza, presented in safety after unimaginable hardship. It's a deeply moving example of art as witness and legacy, demonstrating how creativity survives even through war and displacement.
Engage with powerful personal narratives and gain insight into the cultural fabric of Palestine beyond the headlines. As The Art Newspaper reports, Art Jameel worked with the displaced artists to bring this show to life, offering a perspective on 'the war-torn region' through the eyes of its artists​. Eltiqa is a statement of hope, collaboration, and the importance of cultural dialogue. ARTE Museum Dubai – Eternal Nature
Ongoing in 2025
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Opened in late 2024, ARTE Museum Dubai is a permanent immersive art museum in Downtown Dubai (Dubai Mall area) that has quickly become a must-visit attraction. It is the first of its kind in the Middle East, created by the Korean art-tech collective d'strict​. ARTE Museum's theme is 'Eternal Nature,' and inside its 30,000 sq ft space are 14 distinct digital art zones​.
These range from towering interactive waterfalls to a glow-in-the-dark mystical forest and an animated ocean teeming with digital sea life. High-end projection mapping, motion sensors, and spatial audio blur the lines between reality and fantasy, transporting to dreamlike environments​. Even scent is employed – the museum features custom aromas and an 'ARTE Tea Bar' where you sip mocktails amid virtual clouds​.
Why visit:
ARTE Museum is where art meets cutting-edge technology on a grand scale. It's an all-ages experience that is as entertaining as it is inspiring. You can literally step into art: imagine standing at the base of a thundering digital waterfall or drawing a fish that comes alive on a digital reef.
The level of immersion – with sound, visuals, and even smell – is unmatched in the region​. For those interested in the future of art exhibitions, ARTE Museum is a showcase of how museums are evolving. It's also a perfect option if the weather is too hot, as you can spend a couple of hours exploring its otherworldly environments indoors. Notable Art Galleries in Dubai (2025)
Dubai's cultural vibrancy is anchored by a number of permanent galleries and art institutions known for their quality programming and contributions to the arts. These are not one-time events but ongoing destinations where you can experience art year-round.
Below is a selection of notable art galleries and art spaces to visit in 2025, each renowned for its curatorial excellence or unique cultural value: Alserkal Avenue @ Al Quoz
Not a single gallery but a whole arts district, Alserkal Avenue is the epicenter of Dubai's contemporary art scene. This former warehouse complex is now a vibrant community of contemporary art galleries, visual and performing arts organisations, designers, and artisanal spaces.
Strolling through Alserkal, you'll find leading galleries like The Third Line, Carbon 12, Green Art Gallery, Lawrie Shabibi, Custot Gallery and many more, plus cafes and creative studios. It's a great place to spend an afternoon gallery-hopping; there's always a new exhibition opening or an artist talk happening.
Visit during Alserkal Lates or weekends to catch multiple galleries open and special events. Jameel Arts Centre @ Jaddaf Waterfront
Opened in 2018, Jameel Arts Centre is Dubai's first contemporary arts museum and an independent institution dedicated to exhibiting cutting-edge art from the UAE, Middle East, and South Asia. The sleek, waterfront venue hosts rotating exhibitions (such as the aforementioned Eltiqa show) and features a beautiful sculpture garden.
Jameel Arts Centre is known for thoughtful curation, educational programs, and a research library. It's a must-visit for those interested in the intellectual side of the art scene, as well as for its stunning architecture and views.
Free to enter; check their calendar for current exhibitions and workshops. XVA Gallery @ Al Fahidi Historic District
Tucked in the atmospheric Al Fahidi neighborhood (Old Dubai), XVA Gallery is part of the XVA Art Hotel, a boutique hotel and café that doubles as an art space. XVA is acclaimed for showcasing contemporary art from the Arab world, Iran, and the Indian subcontinent​.
The setting itself is charming – wind your way through heritage wind-tower houses to find it. The gallery often features exhibitions by regional artists and has been a platform for Middle Eastern art since 2003. It's a cultural oasis where you can enjoy art in an intimate, historic setting. Ayyam Gallery @ Alserkal Avenue
Founded in 2006 and originally from Damascus, Ayyam Gallery has become one of the Middle East's leading arts galleries​. After expanding to cities like London and Beirut, Ayyam established its flagship in Dubai and has built a reputation for supporting influential Middle Eastern artists. It represents prominent names such as Safwan Dahoul and Samia Halaby.
Ayyam is known for museum-quality shows and a robust publication program that documents underrepresented narratives in global art​. Visiting Ayyam, you'll encounter high-caliber contemporary art with a focus on Arab identity, social issues, and cultural dialogue.
Its longevity and global collaborations – including with institutions like LACMA and the British Museum – speak to its credibility​. The Third Line @ Alserkal Avenue
Established in 2005, The Third Line is a pioneer of Dubai's gallery scene, dedicated to contemporary Middle Eastern art​. Over two decades, it has launched and nurtured the careers of many regional artists who are now internationally known (e.g. Farah Al Qasimi, Hassan Hajjaj, and Youssef Nabil)​.
The gallery's exhibitions often push boundaries in theme and form, and it also contributes to art publishing and not-for-profit cultural programming​. The Third Line's space in Alserkal is a bellwether for current art trends – if you want to see what leading Gulf and diaspora artists are up to, this is a place to go. Its longstanding reputation and artist roster make it a cornerstone of Dubai's art community. Green Art Gallery @ Alserkal Avenue
One of Dubai's oldest galleries, Green Art Gallery, began as a small Jumeirah villa art salon in 1995 and is celebrating 30 years of influencing the local art scene​. Notably women-led since its inception, Green Art has reinvented itself over the decades and remains ahead of the game​ in showcasing Emirati and international artists.
Today, housed in Alserkal Avenue, it presents a program blending regional art with global contemporary practices. Recent exhibitions have featured artists like Seher Shah and Maryam Hoseini (whose show 'Swells' runs April–May 2025) – indicating the gallery's commitment to intellectually engaging art. Green Art's legacy and continuous reinvention make it a culturally significant space to experience. Opera Gallery @ DIFC & Palm Jumeirah
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Opera Gallery is the Dubai outpost of an international gallery network (founded in Paris in 1994) that deals in blue-chip art​. The main branch is in DIFC's Gate Village, with a second space recently opened in the luxury Atlantis the Royal resort​. Here you will find works by modern and contemporary masters: past exhibitions have included pieces by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, as well as renowned Asian and European contemporary artists​.
Opera Gallery adds a cosmopolitan flair to Dubai's art offerings, attracting high-end collectors. Even if you're not buying, it's worth visiting to see museum-level artworks and occasional blockbuster shows that you might only otherwise find in London or New York.
The gallery also participates in events like DIFC Art Nights, further cementing its role in Dubai's art scene​. Custot Gallery Dubai @ Alserkal Avenue
Founded by French dealer Stéphane Custot, this gallery brings Western contemporary art to Dubai. Custot Gallery showcases a dynamic selection of European and American artists, featuring painting, sculpture, and mixed-media works by prominent names​.
The space is one of the largest in Alserkal Avenue, often displaying monumental sculptures or installations. For instance, Custot has exhibited legendary artists like Fernando Botero and Ian Davenport in the past. The gallery's presence highlights Dubai's status as a crossroads for East-West artistic exchange. Those interested in international contemporary art will find Custot's exhibitions world-class.
It's also a quiet respite on weekdays – a great place to contemplate art in a serene setting.
As Dubai's creative identity continues to unfold, its art spaces reflect more than aesthetics. They offer insight into a city in dialogue with its past, its people, and its possibilities. For anyone looking to explore culture with depth and intention, these galleries and showcases provide an open door.
Now is a good time to step inside. Also Read:
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