Civilizations in the desert: why RAK Art should be on your Middle East art calendar

The Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival returns in 2026 with one of its most ambitious editions yet. Under the theme “Civilizations – A Journey Through Time and Culture”, the festival turns the historic Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village into the largest outdoor art experience in the UAE, bringing together visual art, film, music, performance and heritage in one month of programming.

If you are planning an art trip to the UAE here is everything you need to know about the RAK Art Festival 2026.

Key facts at a glance

• Event: Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival 2026 (RAK Art 2026)

• Theme: Civilizations – A Journey Through Time and Culture

• Dates:

  • Festival dates for visitors: 16 January to 8 February 2026

  • Some calls for entries reference programming through 15 February 2026; exact final schedule will be confirmed closer to the opening.

• Location: Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE – the country’s last intact traditional pearling village and historic home of the Zaab tribe.

• Organiser: Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research

• Expected visitors: over 45,000 for 2026, after welcoming around 40,000 visitors in 2025.

• Disciplines: Visual arts, photography, sculpture and installation, student art, video, film, performance and workshops.

• Admission: Past editions have offered free general admission; always check the official website for updated 2026 ticketing details.

• Official site: rakart.ae

Theme 2026: Civilizations – a journey through time and culture

For 2026, RAK Art invites artists and visitors to explore “Civilizations – A Journey Through Time and Culture”. The curatorial concept looks at civilizations both as relics of the past and as living frameworks that still shape identity, politics, architecture and daily life today.

From the ancient trade routes that once connected Ras Al Khaimah with the wider world to contemporary digital networks, the festival asks questions such as:

• What survives when civilizations meet and merge?

• What disappears as cultures transform?

• How do artists translate myths, rituals and memories into current visual language?

Expect installations and artworks that reference archaeology, trade, migration, language, technology, religion and future imaginaries, all filtered through the unique setting of a historic village on the Arabian Gulf.

How big is the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival?

RAK Art has grown from a small festival with 30 local artists in 2013 into what is now widely described as the largest outdoor arts festival in the UAE.

Recent editions give a good indication of what to expect in 2026:

• 2023: festival under the theme Nature ran until the end of March and cemented its reputation as the country’s major outdoor art event.

• 2024: theme In Motion, with a month of exhibitions, talks and performances and a clear focus on the relationship between art, technology and change.

• 2025: 13th edition under the theme Memory, featuring works by over 100 artists, interactive workshops, heritage tours, film screenings and cultural dining experiences, and attracting about 40,000 visitors.

For 2026, the organisers expect more than 45,000 visitors, along with a strong mix of local, regional and international artists across visual arts, sculpture, photography and student art.

How to get there

Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village is about 70 kilometres from Dubai International Airport Terminal 3. The drive takes roughly one hour on the E311 or E611 highways, depending on traffic.

Practical tips:

• By car: Renting a car or using ride hailing from Dubai or other emirates is the most flexible option, especially if you want to explore Ras Al Khaimah further.

• Combine with a weekend stay: Many visitors use the festival as a reason to book a beach or desert resort in Ras Al Khaimah and spend a full weekend combining art, hiking and relaxation.

• Plan for evenings: In past editions, many events, performances and tours happen in the late afternoon and evening when the village is beautifully lit and temperatures are more comfortable. Check the programme for specific timings.

How 2026 builds on previous editions

Looking back at recent themes gives a clear idea of the festival’s trajectory:

• 2023 – Nature: focused on environmental perspectives and helped define RAK Art as a platform for sustainability and heritage.

• 2024 – In Motion: explored change after the global pause of the pandemic, from environmental movements to generative AI and space travel.

• 2025 – Memory: invited artists to work with nostalgia, archives and personal and collective memory, while reinforcing the idea of “Art for Everyone” through an expanded public programme.

2026 – Civilizations continues this arc. It brings together:

• Heritage and archaeology

• Contemporary art and new media

• Education, diplomacy and community engagement

The result is a festival that is both deeply rooted in its local context and open to global artistic dialogue.

Who should put RAK Art 2026 on their calendar?

• Art travellers planning a cultural trip across Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates

• Photographers and visual artists who want to experience and possibly participate in the largest outdoor arts festival in the UAE

• Families looking for a free or low cost cultural outing with workshops and child friendly activities

• Schools and universities seeking field trips that combine art, history and civic education

• Galleries and curators scouting emerging voices from the Gulf, wider Middle East and beyond

What to expect at RAK Art Festival 2026

1. Open air exhibitions in a heritage setting

The entire Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village becomes an expansive open air museum, with artworks installed between coral stone houses, courtyards and wind towers.

Typical elements from previous editions that are likely to return:

• Outdoor photography, painting and sculpture trails

• Large scale installations integrated into ruined houses and courtyards

• Themed sections highlighting UAE heritage, diplomatic missions and partner institutions

The setting is particularly atmospheric at night, when projections, light installations and performances transform the historic architecture.

2. Ras Al Khaimah Art Biennale

Alongside the festival, RAK Art is building a Biennale format as a curated contemporary art exhibition within the heritage village. The Biennale takes place as part of the festival and shares the Civilizations theme, focusing on ambitious projects and site specific works.

Accepted media for the Biennale include:

• Outdoor sculptures and installations

• Video and moving image

• Photography

• Experimental and mixed media

• Drawing and painting that engages with the history and architecture of Al Jazeera Al Hamra

3. Workshops and masterclasses

Education is at the core of the event. The festival regularly hosts hands on workshops for adults and children, from traditional crafts to contemporary practices.

For 2026, the workshop open call encourages proposals that connect the Civilizations theme to techniques such as calligraphy, ceramics, photography, textile art or digital media.

Based on the 2025 programme, visitors can expect:

• Creative workshops for families and children

• Photography masterclasses and photo walks

• Craft and design sessions that highlight local materials and patterns

4. Films, music and live performances

RAK Art has evolved far beyond a static art exhibition. Recent years included:

• Indoor film screenings in partnership with VOX Cinemas at Al Hamra Mall

• Outdoor films under the stars inside the heritage village

• Concerts, DJ sets and live performances that reflect different weekend themes

For 2026, the theme Civilizations is expected to inspire:

• Film programmes exploring histories, migration and cultural exchange

• Performances that mix traditional music with contemporary sound and movement

• Spoken word, storytelling and cross cultural collaborations

5. Guided tours, heritage experiences and food

One of the strengths of RAK Art is how it links contemporary art to local heritage and daily life. Guided tours typically include:

• Heritage walks through Al Jazeera Al Hamra, explaining its pearling history and architecture

• Art tours that introduce the key works and installations

• A food and heritage tour through Ras Al Khaimah Old Town, highlighting local merchants and culinary traditions

Add to that a small marketplace of local designers, crafts and fragrances, and the festival easily fills an afternoon or evening.

6. Student art and education programme

The festival invests heavily in education and youth outreach. In 2025, more than 2,600 students from 80 schools participated in workshops and tours during the festival period.

For 2026, expect:

• A dedicated Student Art category with its own awards

• School visits, teacher resources and art exploration programmes

• Content that connects curriculum topics to the Civilizations theme