News
From large-scale art fairs to intimate installations and kinetic sculptures in motion, Dubai is buzzing with creative energy this week. Here’s your curated roundup of what to catch around town, from Alserkal to Madinat Jumeirah and beyond.
1. Alserkal Art Week | April 13–20 | Alserkal Avenue
Alserkal Art Week returns with full force, transforming the city’s most beloved arts district into a vibrant celebration of contemporary culture. Under the theme A Wild Stitch, the programme weaves together exhibitions, talks, open studios, performances, and screenings into one sensory experience.
Expect more than 15 new gallery shows featuring artists from South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, all exploring questions of identity, displacement, and resilience. Don’t miss Vanishing Points by Imran Qureshi, curated by Nada Raza—a layered, meditative exhibition on perception and miniature storytelling.
And in the public realm, new commissions by Nujoom Alghanem and Shilpa Gupta challenge how we occupy space, both physically and psychologically. Come for the art, stay for the Majlis Talks—intellectually charged conversations designed to ask the unanswerable.
Free admission. alserkal.online
2. Francofilm Week | April 11–17 | Cinema Akil
Francophiles and film lovers unite. The 15th edition of Francofilm brings eight eclectic Francophone features to the screens of Cinema Akil, complete with subtitles and soul. From biographical gems like Monsieur Aznavour to crowd-pleasers like The Marching Band, the programme balances gravitas with charm.
AED 150 for a full festival pass. cinemaakil.com
3. Art Dubai 2025 | April 18–20 | Madinat Jumeirah
The region’s flagship art fair needs no introduction. This year, Art Dubai brings together over 120 galleries across its signature sections: Contemporary, Modern, Bawwaba (dedicated to new work), and Digital.
Beyond the commercial booths, there’s an entire ecosystem of curated programmes: live performances by Héctor Zamora, digital installations by Mohammed Kazem, and a fresh curatorial eye from Alia Zaal Lootah through Encounters, part of the Dubai Collection.
Add to that the always-ahead-of-the-curve Global Art Forum, back with a new edition themed The New New Normal, and Art Dubai After Dark—your nightly fix of music, dancing, and art-world mingling.
AED 100 (day pass), AED 200 (3-day pass). artdubai.ae
4. Vinyl Souk Mini Festival | April 13 | 25hours hotel
A grassroots festival with heart and rhythm. This day-long celebration of sound and culture features regional bands, DJs, vinyl vendors, audio gear enthusiasts, and art activations galore. Curated by Vinyl Souk and Nightjar, it’s a wholesome mash-up of local flair, creative hustle, and good vibes.
Bonus points: kid-friendly programming and plenty of tasty street food.
AED 180 at the door (discounts available). vinylsouk.com
5. Calder / Hiquily: Balancing Act | April 15 – May 4 | Opera Gallery Dubai
Two titans of kinetic sculpture in one space. Balancing Act places Alexander Calder and Philippe Hiquily in dialogue, tracing their mutual fascination with movement, machinery, and playful abstraction.
Featuring over 20 sculptural works alongside Calder’s works on paper, the show invites viewers into a delicate choreography of balance and whimsy. Expect to be moved—visually and emotionally.
Free entry. operagallery.com
6. Miles Greenberg’s Le Miroir | April 15–May 18 | ICD Brookfield Place
Performance meets poetry in Le Miroir, a multi-channel film and durational performance by New York-based artist Miles Greenberg. The work explores emotional transformation through movement, endurance, and repetition. Filmed in the UAE desert and premiering in Dubai, this is art at its most visceral—unfolding in real time.
Free to attend. icdbrookfieldplace.com
