The most complete, date checked guide for artists, galleries, and collectors planning the 2026 Gulf art calendar

Last updated: 21 Dec 2025 (only events with published 2026 dates, or clearly marked “TBA”).
This guide focuses on the Gulf and Saudi Arabia (UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait), because that is where the majority of confirmed 2026 dates are already published.

2026 calendar at a glance

If you want maximum impact with minimal travel, January and April are your power months.

January 2026 (festival season across the region)

• Muscat Nights 2026 (Oman): 1–31 Jan 2026

• Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia): 5 Jan–18 Feb 2026

• AlUla Arts Festival (Saudi Arabia): 16 Jan–14 Feb 2026

• Desert X AlUla (Saudi Arabia): 16 Jan–28 Feb 2026 (theme: Space Without Measure)

• Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival (UAE): 16 Jan–8 Feb 2026

• Sikka Art and Design Festival (Dubai, UAE): 23 Jan–1 Feb 2026

• Quoz Arts Fest (Dubai, UAE): 24–25 Jan 2026

• Xposure International Photography Festival (Sharjah, UAE): 29 Jan–4 Feb 2026

February 2026 (Qatar launch + Saudi design and art tourism)

• Art Basel Qatar (Doha, Qatar): 5–7 Feb 2026 (preview days listed 3–4 Feb)

• Downtown Design Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): 3–6 Feb 2026

April 2026 (Dubai week plus Doha design)

• Design Doha (Qatar): 12 Apr–30 Jun 2026

• ISEA 2026 (Dubai, UAE): 10–19 Apr 2026

• Art Dubai (Dubai, UAE): 17–19 Apr 2026 (dates announced via official channels)

• World Art Dubai (Dubai, UAE): 23–26 Apr 2026

Autumn 2026 (Riyadh fair season + Abu Dhabi takes over)

• ARQA Art Fair (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia): 28 Oct–1 Nov 2026

• Frieze Abu Dhabi (UAE): November 2026 (inaugural edition, Manarat Al Saadiyat)

• Sharjah Architecture Triennial (UAE): November 2026–March 2027

UAE 2026 (Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi)

Dubai is still the region’s busiest art commerce hub. Saudi leads in scale and public investment, but Dubai remains the easiest place to sell, network, and be seen quickly.

Dubai

• Sikka Art and Design Festival: 23 Jan–1 Feb 2026

• Quoz Arts Fest: 24–25 Jan 2026

• ISEA 2026 (art and technology congress): 10–19 Apr 2026

• Art Dubai: 17–19 Apr 2026

• World Art Dubai: 23–26 Apr 2026

Here you can see all of the Art Fairs and Festivals in Dubai in 2026 – Dubai Art Fairs & Festivals 2026 – Complete Guide

Sharjah

• Xposure International Photography Festival: 29 Jan–4 Feb 2026

• Sharjah Architecture Triennial: November 2026–March 2027

Ras Al Khaimah

• Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival: 16 Jan–8 Feb 2026

Abu Dhabi

• Frieze Abu Dhabi: launches in November 2026

Ajman

• Al Murabbaa Arts Festival: November/December 2026

Saudi Arabia 2026 (Riyadh, Diriyah, AlUla)

Saudi’s 2026 calendar is built around three pillars: public sculpture and city scale events, biennial level exhibitions, and cinematic art tourism.

• Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale (JAX District): 30 Jan–2 May 2026

• Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium (Riyadh): 5 Jan–18 Feb 2026

• AlUla Arts Festival: 16 Jan–14 Feb 2026

• Desert X AlUla: 16 Jan–28 Feb 2026

• Downtown Design Riyadh: 3–6 Feb 2026

• ARQA Art Fair (Riyadh): 28 Oct–1 Nov 2026

Qatar 2026 (Doha)

Qatar’s 2026 story is simple: a major new global fair launch, plus a design biennale season that stretches into early summer.

• Art Basel Qatar: 5–7 Feb 2026

• Design Doha: 12 Apr–30 Jun 2026

Oman 2026 (Muscat)

Oman is less “art fair heavy” and more city festival driven, with a strong public program approach.

• Muscat Nights 2026: 1–31 Jan 2026

Bahrain 2026 (Manama)

Bahrain’s 2026 visibility is strongest through institutional exhibitions and cultural seasons (many dates are typically announced closer to launch).

• Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition: confirmed for January 2026, exact dates not yet published

• FIAP Youth Biennial Final Exhibition: 10 Dec 2025–10 Jan 2026

Kuwait 2026 (Kuwait City)

Dedicated “art fair” dates for 2026 are not broadly published yet in reliable, official sources. Kuwait’s strongest public activity is often run through cultural institutions and seasonal programs (so announcements may come later). One cross season cultural event running into 2026 is:

• Gardenia Season 4: November 2025–February 2026 (local listing, verify with organizers before travel)

How to use this guide strategically (artists and galleries)

If you want sales and quick visibility

Prioritize Dubai April (Art Dubai + World Art Dubai) and Doha February (Art Basel Qatar). These are the moments when international collectors, advisors, and media concentrate.

If you want curatorial credibility and long term positioning

Plan Diriyah Biennale and the AlUla season (Arts Festival + Desert X). That combo is where “institutional” and “destination culture” meet.

If you work in photography

Sharjah’s Xposure is the clearest anchor event with published dates.

Work with me: turn dates into an actual exhibition plan

If you are an artist or a gallery and you want to enter the Middle East with a real strategy (not random applications), I can build you a market entry plan that includes:

• which events fit your work and price point

• what to apply to, and what to avoid

• how to position your portfolio for Gulf buyers

• introduction strategy and outreach scripts

• a timeline that matches application windows and travel costs

Book a short intro call and I will tell you what I would do in your exact situation.

Art consultancy: https://www.theartfairguy.com/art-consultancy/
Contact: https://www.theartfairguy.com/contact/