
DIFC Arts Night returns to transform the financial hub into an open air art gallery
You only have four days to see it…
It's that time of year when Dubai becomes a canvas of colour with back-to-back art festivals and events taking place across the city. Culture vultures, we know that you're probably really busy already with the line-up, but we're here to add another to your list: DIFC Arts Night. 3 of 12
That's right, the DIFC-based art festival is back this year celebrating all things arts and culture. Now in its 19th edition, DIFC Arts Night is a key event in Dubai's art and culture calendar, which means you can't skip it. Visitors can come together from April 10 to 13, and celebrate art, culture and creativity under the stars.
In case you're wondering, no ticket required, so you can check it all out for free. The festival runs daily from 5pm to 10pm at Gate Village, DIFC. PS – There's also free parking available at Gate District 2.
During this time, the bustling (and quite confusing) lanes of DIFC will showcase art pieces created by local and international artists and installations. Explore the entire space to discover over 300 captivating works by more than 150 local and international artists (representing over 100 nationalities).
*A new arts festival is gracing Bluewaters Island this April*
There will also be live performances and entertainment to keep the vibes cool throughout the night. You can enjoy this all with the vibrant DIFC skyline as the backdrop and the cool Dubai breeze in your hair.
Want to learn from the pros? Catch some of the thought-provoking panel discussions. Coming up on April 11, Christie's and Dubai Culture will take the stage from 6pm taking a deep dive on the works and inspirations of Piet Mondrian and public art and community
Want to show off your own creativity? There are workshops you can partake it, but do note there are limited spaces, so arrive early if you want to secure your spot.
For more details, visit difc.com
Images: Supplied by DIFC
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Gulf Today
Etihad Airways, STARLUX Airlines sign codeshare partnership deal
Staff Reporter, Gulf Today Etihad Airways has signed a strategic codeshare agreement with Taipei-based STARLUX Airlines, expanding customer access to Northeast Asia and strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as a gateway between East and West. The partnership, announced at the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, enables Etihad customers to connect seamlessly to key Japanese cities including Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka via Taipei, whilst offering STARLUX passengers direct access to Etihad's European network through Abu Dhabi. Etihad will launch daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Taipei on 7 September 2025, operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The new route creates the foundation for the codeshare partnership, positioning Taipei as a gateway for Etihad's expansion into Northeast Asia. Etihad customers booking through and the airline's mobile app will benefit from streamlined travel with single-ticket bookings, coordinated check-in processes, and automatic baggage transfers to final destinations across STARLUX's Asia-Pacific network. The agreement also opens new pathways for STARLUX passengers to reach European destinations including Prague, Madrid, and Barcelona via Abu Dhabi, positioning the emirate as an attractive transit hub for Asian travellers bound for Europe. Both airlines will launch joint marketing initiatives in Taiwan and establish a reciprocal frequent flyer programme by year-end, allowing Etihad Guest members to earn and redeem miles across both networks. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: 'This partnership with STARLUX Airlines opens new market opportunities in Northeast Asia, giving our customers access to Japan's key business and leisure destinations through Taipei. STARLUX Airlines' reputation for premium service aligns perfectly with our standards, and together we're offering travellers more choice and convenience when connecting across three continents.' Simon Liu, Chief Strategy Officer of STARLUX Airlines, said: 'Our partnership with Etihad Airways marks a significant milestone in STARLUX Airlines' global expansion, laying the foundation for future European routes. As one of the Middle East's leading carriers, Etihad is globally recognised for its innovation and premium service—values that strongly align with the STARLUX brand. By leveraging Abu Dhabi's role as a major hub, this codeshare allows us to rapidly extend our network into Europe, offering passengers a wider range of travel options. We also look forward to deepening collaboration on mileage accrual and premium services to ensure an exceptional experience for customers.' The codeshare agreement builds on Etihad's strategic network expansion, which has seen the airline grow to serve over 90 destinations worldwide. The partnership with STARLUX further demonstrates Abu Dhabi's appeal as a premium transit destination, offering travellers world-class facilities at Zayed International Airport alongside the option to extend layovers with Etihad's complimentary Abu Dhabi Stopover programme. Codeshare flights will be available for booking through the Etihad app, and travel partners, with services expected to commence following regulatory approvals. The partnership, announced at the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, enables Etihad customers to connect seamlessly to key Japanese cities including Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka via Taipei, whilst offering STARLUX passengers direct access to Etihad's European network through Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world's leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. Together with Etihad's codeshare partners, Etihad's network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more. To learn more, visit STARLUX Airlines: Founded on the philosophy that luxury should be available to everyone, not just the elite, Taiwan-based STARLUX is a boutique international airline serving a total of 32 routes from Taiwan to the US, Japan, Macau, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. STARLUX passengers traveling between Asia and North America are able to enjoy an easy transfer in Taipei with its four US routes: Taipei-Los Angeles, Taipei-San Francisco, Taipei-Seattle and Taipei-Ontario. In February 2026, STARLUX will launch its fifth U.S. destination—Phoenix, further strengthening its transpacific network. STARLUX prioritizes safety and offers unparalleled service with the goal of making flying a truly luxurious and unforgettable experience.


Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Gulf Today
Philippines, a top wellness haven for Mideast travellers
Medical and wellness tourism, anchored on the provision and delivery of holistic approaches against chronic diseases, have improved in the Philippines, according to a Florida-based non-profit research organisation. According to the Philippines' Department of Tourism (DoT), in a consequent email interview, initiatives such as overseas presence of the tropical country as a prime medical and wellness tourism destination shall continue. For the first time, it was in April 2024, when the DoT led a public-private delegation, consisting of hospital-dental-wellness facilities and health tourism facilitator for the 'health sales mission' to the UAE (Abu Dhabi and Dubai) and Saudi Arabia (Riyadh). DoT-Office of Product and Market Development director Dr Paulo Benito Tugbang, physician/nurse/midwife, who used to be responsible for the Department of Health-Medical Travel and Wellness Tourism Programme as well as former Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases member, then said that the purpose was to encourage Middle East travel trade professionals consider the medical and wellness offerings of the Philippines, inasmuch as Filipino healthcare workers have been admired for their dedication and commitment. Again, with the purpose of capturing the Arab Market, known for their 'culture of medical travel,' DoT partnered with the Dubai-based Agora Group management firm for the Philippine participation at the June 2023 '1st International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress in Dusseldorf, Germany. This was followed by the October 2024 Philippine-hosting of the second edition of the international event in Taguig City, Metro Manila. Moreover, DoT signed a five-year deal with Thailand, internationally recognised for its medical tourism portfolio in January 2025, covering the areas of tourism cooperation, exchange of best practices, and human resources development. It participated in the May 2024 International Wellness Tourism Expo in Tokyo, Japan. It also had embarked on other 'strategic activities' in Singapore and Malaysia 'with potential industry partners' so that the Philippines would be in 'the radar of regional and international community.' These, as encapsulated in the National Tourism Development Plan 2022-2028 of the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Administration, shall be the continuous enhancement of healthcare accessibility, promotion of sustainable tourism practices, and delivery of world-class experiences, for the locals and foreign visitors alike. It was a fortnight back when Gulf Today received a press release concerning 'The Global Wellness Economy: The Philippines.' The assessment revealed that 'the country's wellness market' with 11 sectors responsible for the delivery of products and services for one's health and wellness had expanded 21 per cent from $35.8 billion to $43.3 billion between 2019 and 2023. The press release quoted chairperson and chief executive officer Susie Ellis, of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), into the awareness and education campaign for the necessary lifestyle changes against non-communicable diseases prevalent worldwide: 'The Philippines has a thriving wellness economy, and we are thrilled that its DoT has continued their partnership with us for this deep dive into the data that really showcase where the growth and potential lies.' 'Blessed with natural wonders, the Philippines is an ideal destination for nature-based wellness and relaxation, and the authentic Filipino wellness offerings mean that the country has something truly unique to share with the world,' Ellis also said. In the country assessment and compared with 217 countries and territories, GWI had quantified, that from 2022 to 2023 alone, six of 11 health and wellness economy sectors in the Philippines posted double digit annual growth rates relative to the global market size served. From 10.2 % in the mental wellness: services, therapies, resources to 61.4 % in wellness tourism: enriching travel for personal well-being. In between were the sectors of public health, prevention and preventive medicine (13.3 %), wellness real estate/health and wellness living spaces (14.0 %), thermal/mineral springs (15.3 %) and spas (19.2 %). Overall, GWI concluded that in terms of health and wellness tourism in 2023, the Philippines ranked eighth among 45 in the Asia-Pacific Region, and 23rd of 218 worldwide: 'The wellness industry is a major contributor to the Philippines' overall economy contributing 9.9 % to the gross domestic product in 2023; 12th worldwide.'


ME Construction
5 days ago
- ME Construction
MAG Group Holding launches Riviera Heights in Marsa Zayed
Property MAG Group Holding launches Riviera Heights in Marsa Zayed By The development will serve as a southern gateway to Jordan's most renowned attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Petra and the Wadi Rum Protected Area MAG Group Holding has unveiled Riviera Heights, its first luxury residential development in Marsa Zayed, Jordan's largest mixed-use beachfront community. The project marks the beginning of a larger plan to transform a 320ha section of Jordan's Red Sea coast into an international tourism and residential destination. In February, the landowner AD Ports Group appointed Dubai-based MAG Group Holding to develop Marsa Zayed. The development will serve as a southern gateway to Jordan's most renowned attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Petra and the Wadi Rum Protected Area. Riviera Heights, a vibrant and contemporary waterfront community, serves as the foundation for Marsa Zayed's vision. It blends homes, cultural offerings, and a lively social scene, making it a significant milestone for Aqaba. Riviera Heights will be built on the southern edge of the Marsa Zayed development area. It will comprise four 35-storey buildings with over 1,250 seafront apartments. Site work is currently underway and the construction of Riviera Heights is expected to be completed by Q1 2028. MAG Group Holding is committed to delivering quality, design, and lifestyle focused experiences to its investors, the statement noted. Moafaq A. Al Gaddah, Founder and Chairman of MAG Group Holding said, 'Riviera Heights captures the true essence of Jordan its warmth, heritage, and culture. We are breathing new life and economic vitality into Aqaba by creating vibrant spaces that foster genuine connection to its extraordinary Red Sea coastline. Together with AD Ports Group, our vision is to cultivate a destination with wide appeal to a wide range of discriminating travellers, where everyone feels a true sense of belonging.' Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group added, 'We welcome the launch of Riviera Heights, which marks the official beginning of construction in Marsa Zayed, the Red Sea's newest and most exciting tourism and residential development. Under the wise guidance of our leadership in the UAE, AD Ports Group and MAG Group Holding are making a strategic investment in Jordan's economy that will bring long-term jobs and economic growth to a region defined by its unique natural coastal beauty.' Marsa Zayed, Jordan's flagship tourism venture stands as one of the Middle East's most ambitious real estate development projects. Located next to the Phase 1 development of Marsa Zayed, Riviera Heights will extend 1.2km along the Red Sea beachfront. This development will feature a marina, a hotel, hotel apartments with a beach club, an Old Souq marketplace with 50 retail shops, a yacht club, and a visitor's centre. Marsa Zayed will also showcase the restored minaret of the Al-Sharif Al-Hussein Bin Ali Mosque, an architectural feature in Aqaba, aims to attract regional and international homeowners and investors.