News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has successfully concluded the second edition of Manar Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s premier public light art exhibition. Running from November 2025 through January 4, 2026, the event transformed Abu Dhabi’s natural archipelagos and urban landscapes into open-air galleries, welcoming more than 800,000 residents and tourists.
Operating under the Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, this year’s exhibition explored the theme ‘The Light Compass.’ Curated by an expert team led by Artistic Director Khai Hori, the event examined the ancestral relationship with light as a medium of guidance. The exhibition featured 22 site-specific sculptures and projections by 15 prominent Emirati and international artists, including KAWS, DRIFT, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, and Shaikha Al Mazrou.
A major milestone for this edition was its expansion beyond the capital. While Jubail Island served as the anchor site, the exhibition extended into Al Ain for the first time. Illuminating the Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oases—both inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List—the artworks created a profound dialogue between contemporary innovation and the emirate’s historic heritage.
Beyond the visual spectacle, Manar Abu Dhabi offered a robust public programme that bridged art, technology, and wellness. Highlights included a performance by internationally acclaimed singer EMEL and the Middle East debut of the exclusive pop-up dining experience, WE ARE ONA.
By integrating art into the fabric of locations like Souq Al Mina and the mangroves, Manar Abu Dhabi has reaffirmed the capital’s status as a vibrant cultural hub, successfully binding the community to the emirate’s rich environment through the transformative power of light.
