Abu Dhabi’s cultural heartbeat feels a little louder this year. Maybe it’s the energy inside Manarat Al Saadiyat, or the way crowds move from one gallery booth to another with that mix of curiosity and quiet awe. Either way, Abu Dhabi Art Fair 2025 has turned the Saadiyat Cultural District into a living, breathing canvas — and people can’t seem to get enough of it.
Running from November 19 to 23, the fair is now in its 17th year, and honestly, it shows. Not in the “getting old” way — if anything, the fair feels sharper and more confident, like it finally knows exactly what story it wants to tell.
And that story? A global one.
A Fair That Feels Bigger Than Ever
You’ll hear this a lot when talking to exhibitors: “This is the biggest edition yet.” And they’re not exaggerating.
More than 140 galleries from over 35 countries have set up shop here. Step through the entrance and within minutes you’re walking past works from Lagos, Seoul, Paris, Istanbul, New York — then suddenly stumbling into a room glowing with Emirati contemporary pieces that feel deeply rooted yet refreshingly experimental.
That’s the magic this year: the mix. You never quite know what’s around the corner. A massive sculptural installation? A quiet abstract painting? A digital sound piece humming softly in a darkened room? The fair plays with contrast, and visitors seem to love it.
Spotlights That Steal the Show
One corner of the fair is drawing especially large crowds: the curated projects.
This year, the “Beyond Emerging Artists” program highlights three rising creators — Alla Abdunabi, Salmah Almansoori and Maktoum Marwan Al Maktoum. Their work, curated by artist Issam Kourbaj, doesn’t just “hang” on walls; it confronts you a bit. Not aggressively, but in that slow, thoughtful way that makes you stop mid-stride.
There’s also a noticeable emphasis on regional narratives. A special spotlight on art from Türkiye, another on the Gulf region, and a strong showing from African galleries, especially Nigeria, add layers of identity and history that make the fair feel less like a marketplace and more like a conversation.
The Atmosphere: Part Exhibition, Part Playground
If you’re imagining a quiet, museum-like setting — scratch that.
The fair buzzes. People talk, debate, point, laugh, whisper. Students move in groups scribbling notes for assignments. Collectors hover near booths, pretending they’re “just browsing” even though everyone knows what that look means.
And then there are the performances and workshops. One minute you’re watching a contemporary dancer weaving through a light installation, the next you find yourself seated at an artist-led session about rethinking material waste in modern art. It’s messy, playful, unpredictable — and that’s exactly what makes the event feel alive.
Even the soundscape is part of the experience: soft music drifting from a multimedia room, the echo of footsteps on polished floors, the hum of discussions in half a dozen languages.
Why This Fair Actually Matters
It would be easy to treat Abu Dhabi Art Fair as just another art event. But that would miss the point.
What’s happening here is part of something bigger — a cultural shift. The UAE has spent the past decade building museums, funding local artists, and connecting itself with global art capitals. This fair, especially in 2025, feels like the payoff. It’s not just bringing the world to Abu Dhabi; it’s giving the region a voice in global art conversations.
And you can feel that confidence — in the curation, the turnout, the sheer ambition of it all.
For visitors, the takeaway is simple: this isn’t a pit-stop on an art tour. It’s a destination.
