Manar Abu Dhabi ‘The Light Compass’ features 15 Emirati and international artists from 10 countries, alongside a vibrant public programme of talks, performances, workshops and immersive experiences.

Showcasing 15 Emirati and international artists and collectives from 10 countries, the exhibition features 22 site-specific light sculptures, projections, and immersive installations that foster creativity while celebrating Abu Dhabi’s diverse natural and urban landscapes.

Curated by Khai Hori, Artistic Director, and co-curated by Alia Zaal Lootah (Curator), Munira Al Sayegh (Curator), and Mariam Alshehhi (Assistant Curator), this edition of Manar Abu Dhabi unfolds under the theme ‘The Light Compass’, bringing together a constellation of artworks inspired by the Gulf’s ancestral relationship with light. Serving as the anchor location for Manar Abu Dhabi, Jubail Island showcases 15 large-scale installations and performances by artists Shaikha Al Mazrou, Iregular, Ezequiel Pini (a.k.a. Six N. Five), Encor Studio, DRIFT, Pamela Tan, Lachlan Turczan, Christian Brinkmann and Kirsten Berg, who collectively introduce bold perspectives and innovative approaches to light-based art.

For the first time, the exhibition has extended to the cultural sites of Al Ain, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, where visitors can explore seven site-specific works along the Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oasis Trails, with contributions from Maitha Hamdan, Ammar Al Attar, Christian Brinkmann, Khalid Shafar, Abdalla Almulla and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

At Souq Al Mina, a work by KAWS, in collaboration with long-time partner AllRightsReserved, will take centrestage. KAWS:HOLIDAY Abu Dhabi, a luminous COMPANION reclining on its back while lifting a glowing moon, highlights the exhibition’s exploration of light, scale, and imagination. Alongside the exhibited artworks, Manar Abu Dhabi features a dynamic public programme that brings art, technology, and community together.

Manar Abu Dhabi is now open to public till 4 January 2026, entry is free of charge.