The Abu Dhabi Art Winter Program 2025 extends the spirit of the annual fair by activating the city through thoughtfully curated artistic interventions. The winter season provides ideal conditions for outdoor cultural exploration, allowing visitors to encounter large-scale sculptures, light-based installations, and site-specific works presented across islands, waterfront promenades, and urban plazas.
Major institutions—including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Cultural Foundation, Manarat Al Saadiyat, and Warehouse421—participate with expanded programming that highlights both regional perspectives and international conversations in contemporary art. The Winter Program encourages visitors to move through the city as a cultural landscape, experiencing each district through its artistic and architectural character.

A significant focus of the 2025 edition is the interplay between tradition and innovation. Many works explore the UAE’s rapidly evolving identity, touching on themes such as migration, shifting urban environments, intangible heritage, sustainability, and the intersection of culture and technology.
Large-scale commissions invite artists to engage with Abu Dhabi’s coastline, desert edges, and cultural districts, while collaborative exhibitions bring together leading voices from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond. The Winter Program provides a platform for experimental practices, educational programs, guided tours, and performances that deepen public engagement with contemporary art in the region.

Event Overview

A citywide cultural initiative transforming Abu Dhabi into an open-air museum during the winter season.

Abu Dhabi Art – Winter Program 2025

The Abu Dhabi Art Winter Program 2025 brings together a curated selection of public installations, contemporary art commissions, museum exhibitions, and cross-cultural collaborations presented throughout the capital. As an extension of the annual Abu Dhabi Art fair, the Winter Program expands artistic engagement beyond the fairgrounds, integrating art into public spaces, heritage districts, and waterfront areas. It reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to building a dynamic cultural ecosystem that connects local creativity with global perspectives.

Dates:

1 December 2025 - 31 January 2026

Location:

Multiple locations across Abu Dhabi Central hub: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Mission:

The mission of the Abu Dhabi Art Winter Program is to nurture a sustainable cultural ecosystem by integrating art into everyday urban life and promoting dialogue between global and regional artistic communities. The program aims to: • showcase site-specific works that respond to the UAE’s landscape, history, and modern development; • support artists through commissions and cross-institutional partnerships; • increase accessibility by offering free public experiences; • establish Abu Dhabi as a leading cultural destination during the winter season. By expanding beyond traditional exhibition spaces, the Winter Program invites audiences to encounter contemporary art as part of the city’s living identity.

Organizer:

Organized by Abu Dhabi Art, under the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in collaboration with local and international cultural institutions.

Why attend to Abu Dhabi Art – Winter Program 2025?

The Winter Program offers a rare opportunity to experience Abu Dhabi through a cultural lens, making it an essential seasonal event for art enthusiasts, collectors, travelers, and residents. Visitors can: • explore outdoor installations in ideal winter weather; • discover new commissions by regional and international artists; • engage with museum exhibitions and curated programs; • experience a cross-section of Abu Dhabi’s cultural institutions in one seasonal initiative; • gain insight into the evolving landscape of Middle Eastern contemporary art. The Winter Program enriches the city’s cultural rhythm and positions Abu Dhabi as a winter destination for global art tourism.

Ticket Information

General admission costs

General admission varies by venue Outdoor installations: free Museum exhibitions: AED 20–60

Online booking is recommended for major shows

Getting There:

Abu Dhabi’s cultural sites are well-connected and easy to navigate:
• By car: Saadiyat Island, Corniche, and Al Mina districts are accessible via main highways.
• By taxi: Widely available and the fastest option for reaching multiple venues.
• By public bus: Services connect the main islands and downtown areas; routes operate throughout the day.
• From Dubai: Approximately 80 minutes by car via E11; intercity buses also available.
Visitors are encouraged to plan itineraries according to district, as many nearby institutions can be explored together.

Gallery: Abu Dhabi Art – Winter Program 2025

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History of Abu Dhabi Art – Winter Program 2025

Launched as an extension of the annual Abu Dhabi Art fair, the Winter Program has grown into a defining cultural initiative for the UAE capital. Since its early iterations, the program has prioritized public engagement and the commissioning of outdoor works, contributing to Abu Dhabi’s long-term cultural vision.
By collaborating with leading institutions and inviting artists to respond to the city’s environmental and architectural context, the Winter Program has evolved into an influential platform that reflects Abu Dhabi’s rapid cultural development. The 2025 edition continues this trajectory with expanded installations, broader institutional participation, and a deeper focus on regional artistic dialogues.

Tips for Visitors of Abu Dhabi Art – Winter Program 2025

• Plan your visit during early morning or late afternoon to enjoy outdoor installations comfortably.
• Many exhibitions are free, but museum entry may require timed tickets.
• Allocate time to explore nearby cultural districts, such as Saadiyat Island’s museums and galleries.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as many outdoor artworks are spread across walking areas.
• Check institution websites for guided tours, performances, and special events linked to the Winter Program.
• Combine cultural visits with Abu Dhabi’s winter waterfront activities for a full seasonal experience.

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Current and Upcoming Exhibitions