Manar Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Journey Reaches Al Ain Desert
Manar Abu Dhabi’s light festival now stretches from the coastline to the desert, marking its first expansion into Al Ain. The festival turns ancient UNESCO World Heritage sites into captivating nighttime art destinations. This renowned celebration of light now reaches beyond the capital to bring artistic brilliance to Al Jimi and Al Qattara oases, where light, heritage, and community blend in one of UAE’s most historic landscapes. The artistic vision now illuminates sites from the UNESCO World Heritage List for the first time.
“The Light Compass” theme showcases more than 35 artworks created by international and local artists. Visitors can experience stunning pieces from Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Khalid Shafar, Maitha Hamdan, and other distinguished artists. The exhibition’s 23 light installations combine shimmering sculptures with interactive projections that complement these ancient oases’ natural and historical surroundings. This expanded edition features over 19 new commissions from Emirati and international artists, creating an essential experience for art and heritage enthusiasts.
Manar Abu Dhabi expands to Al Ain with immersive experiences
Image Source: Travel And Tour World
The light art exhibition kicks off in Al Ain from November 1, 2025, to January 4, 2026, while Abu Dhabi city’s displays run from November 15, 2025, to January 4, 2026. This timing lets Al Ain’s opening match the Traditional Handicrafts Festival, which creates a beautiful mix of modern art and cultural heritage.
People can visit the exhibition from 5:30 PM to midnight each day. Entry is completely free, and visitors who want to learn more can join daily guided tours at 7 PM for Dh50 per person.
Manar Abu Dhabi now lights up UNESCO World Heritage sites for the first time, turning Al Qattara and Al Jimi oases into stunning nighttime spaces. Three artworks stand at Al Qattara Oasis, with Emirati designer Khalid Shafar’s SADU RED CARPET as the showpiece that spans 70 meters inside a historic building. Al Jimi Oasis features five light installations that blend with the oasis’s ancient towers and traditional falaj irrigation systems.
Busses run every hour from Abu Dhabi’s Al Nahyan Bus Station to Al Ain Central Bus Station, with a journey time of about 2 hours and 10 minutes. The city also runs special shuttle busses that connect all major attractions.
Artists transform Al Jimi and Al Qattara into glowing landscapes
Image Source: MSN
Six visionary artists have given new life to the ancient landscapes of Al Ain’s UNESCO-listed oases. Mexican artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer showcases two captivating works at Al Qattara. His TRANSLATION STREAM (2023) turns Emirati poetry into flowing letters, while PULSE CANOPY (2025) creates beams of light that sync with visitors’ heartbeats.
Emirati designer Khalid Shafar’s SADU RED CARPET stretches 70 meters through a historic structure. This installation reimagines traditional weaving patterns as pixelated light displays, making visitors feel like celebrities on a festival red carpet.
Ammar Al Attar’s CYCLE OF CIRCLES stands at Al Jimi Oasis with five sequential photographs in lightboxes. These images show the artist riding in circles—reflecting on life’s repetitive experiences. Next to it, Maitha Hamdan’s BREATH OF THE SAME PLACE features a six-meter Acacia tree draped with illuminated ropes. These sensor-activated ropes respond to movement and create harmony between visitors and nature.
Architect Abdalla Almulla brings GUIDING DRAPES that capture the luminous spirit of Emirati wedding celebrations. Christian Brinkmann adds FLORAL RESONANCE, a multi-sensory display where touching living plants creates dynamic digital patterns.
These works turn the oases into spaces for contemplation where modern creativity joins ancient irrigation systems and traditional architecture. They invite visitors to reflect on navigation, time, and cultural continuity.
Visitors engage through tours, talks, and workshops
Image Source: Abu Dhabi Travel Planner
Manar Abu Dhabi creates an active dialog between art, place, and people through its hands-on experiences that go way beyond just watching. Visitors can join guided tours at 7 PM for Dh50 per person to learn about the creative ideas behind each installation. The exhibition’s opening weekend featured curator Alia Zaal Lootah’s public talk “Public Art & the Al Ain Landscape” that showed how contemporary art connects with cultural heritage.
Workshops at the exhibition cater to everyone’s interests. Photography enthusiasts can join Fujifilm’s five workshops at Jubail Island and Al Ain locations to capture stunning shots of the glowing installations. Artists like Maitha Hamdan lead practical sessions where people can try their hand at contemporary light art.
The Slime Lab gets kids excited with UV-reactive, non-toxic materials to make glow-in-the-dark slime. Creative activities continue at The Knot’s craft workshops, while Gracia Farms teaches puppet-making and plant activities to promote environmental awareness.
Visitors can grab refreshments from food and beverage pop-ups tucked between palm trees as they walk through the lit pathways. These activities run throughout the exhibition alongside Al Ain’s Traditional Handicrafts Festival, a celebration of Emirati heritage and craftsmanship.
Manar Abu Dhabi has expanded its light exhibition to Al Ain, creating an amazing blend of heritage and modern art. This renowned exhibition has moved beyond the capital city, marking one of the most important milestones in its history. UNESCO World Heritage sites have been transformed into mesmerizing nighttime destinations. Visitors can now explore more than 35 artworks across two ancient oases. Traditional irrigation systems and historic architecture provide perfect backdrops for state-of-the-art light installations.
The exhibition runs alongside the Traditional Handicrafts Festival, which creates a unique dialog between past and present. Artists have woven their work beautifully into these centuries-old landscapes. Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s heartbeat-synchronized light beams catch everyone’s attention. Khalid Shafar’s 70-meter SADU RED CARPET and Maitha Hamdan’s sensor-activated illuminations add to the spectacular display.
The exhibition goes beyond just visual appeal. Visitors can join guided tours, workshops, and community activities. They can participate in photography sessions, slime-making workshops, and artist talks instead of just observing. This detailed approach makes art available to both enthusiasts and families.
Free entry makes these cultural experiences open to everyone. Convenient transportation between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain helps visitors move easily between venues. The exhibition runs until January 4, 2026, and serves as a cultural compass that guides people through an array of Emirati heritage.
This expanded version of Manar Abu Dhabi brings together light, history, and community in a thoughtful way. Ancient oases have been turned into glowing landscapes that offer a fresh perspective on Al Ain’s cultural importance. As darkness falls and installations light up these historic spaces, visitors start a journey that connects centuries of tradition with modern artistic vision.
