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Arts & Culture
A guide to Dubai for cultural explorers
Mon 25 November 2024
Dubai has developed a rich and varied cultural landscape; dig under the surface and you’ll find a thriving cultural scene, from art and theatre to history.
Dubai has developed a rich and varied cultural landscape; dig under the surface and you’ll find a thriving cultural scene, from art and theatre to history.
Learn about local culture
A great place to start your cultural journey in Dubai is Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, where you can get a feel for how the city used to be. Most of the buildings date back to the late 19th century, and now house museums, galleries and traditional cafes, as well as studio spaces for artists.
The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding is located here, and offers visitors an introduction to the Emirati way of life, along with local food and coffee – a delicious and enriching experience. Also worth looking out for is the Arabian Tea House, where you can sample inspired dishes, including their signature date syrup pancakes.
One of Dubai’s most recently opened cultural attractions is the Mohammed bin Rashid Library on the banks of Dubai Creek. A landmark unique to Dubai, the library, which is shaped like a traditional Islamic lectern, is the largest in the region and representative of its collective cultural wisdom, educational milestones and continued forays in research and academia.
For a more spiritual journey, head to Jumeirah Mosque, which offers tours to people of all faiths. Learn about Emirati culture, Islam and the mosque's elegant architecture, which is constructed in beautiful white stone.
And no exploration of Emirati culture would be complete without a trip to the desert. Tour operator OceanAir Travels offers the Al Marmoom Bedouin Experience, providing insight into UAE’s traditional Bedouin culture so visitors can learn how these nomadic people lived in harmony with the desert. It’s also worth stopping by Dubai Royal Camel Racing Club which caters to the heritage sport of camel racing – a drawcard for both locals and visitors. Drop in early, and you’ll have the opportunity to pet the camels and take photos with them before they compete.
Check out Dubai’s art scene
Dubai has seen its homegrown arts landscape blossom in recent years with new galleries, studios and initiatives. One of the most prominent is Jameel Arts Centre, on the banks of Dubai Creek – a custom-built institution that showcases the best of contemporary art from the Middle East and around the world. The arts centre features a varied programme of exhibitions and events, and is worth a visit at any time of year, thanks to its serene atmosphere and extensive grounds, which includes an impressive sculpture park.
Another key arts institution in Dubai is Alserkal Avenue, located in the industrial Al Quoz neighbourhood. Made up of former warehouses, it's now home to some of Dubai’s most innovative artists and curators, along with homegrown cafes and independent picture-house Cinema Akil. The district has become a centre for the city's cultural scene, and plays host to an eclectic series of events, where you could rub shoulders with leading creatives.
Venture out to Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Design District, where you'll find plenty of galleries and design-focused shops focusing on commercial art. Both these precincts host regular events and exhibitions that attract the city's connoisseurs.
For more futuristic interpretations, check out ARTE Museum and the Theatre of Digital Art (ToDA). Spread across 2,800 sqm in Dubai Mall, ARTE Museum uses cutting-edge digital design to create a unique experience. The venue houses works across 14 zones under the theme of 'Eternal Nature', using production-mapping, multi-image control, sensor-based interaction systems and even distinctive scents to truly dazzle visitors. ToDA, meanwhile, features digital art including multimedia exhibitions, contemporary immersive installations and art in virtual reality.
Catch Dubai’s must-see events
Dubai has several landmark events in its cultural calendar, and the biggest is Art Dubai, one of the world’s leading commercial art fairs. The fair is held at Madinat Jumeirah in March, serving as a platform for artists from across the region and around the world. Beyond the fair, March is also regarded as a creative month in Dubai, and a collection of art-centric events and festivals make it a great time to visit.
For visitors of a literary persuasion, the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is the event to catch. The Lit Fest, as it’s commonly known, attracts some of the biggest authors in the world, with stars such as Booker Prize winner Paul Lynch and UAE astronauts Hazza Al Mansoori and Sultan Al Neyadi being recent attendees. Don't miss your chance to hear your favourite authors speak, discover new talent and participate in creative workshops.
Dubai also caters to fans of performing arts, from annual events such as the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival, to large-scale productions at Dubai Opera. Complementing those are smaller events at venues in Alserkal Avenue, including poetry reading to community theatre. There’s always something wonderful to watch, so check Dubai Calendar to see what's on during your visit.
Expand your mind at a museum
Deep in Dubai’s desert, undisturbed for centuries, lay an archaeological treasure trove packed with Iron Age artefacts, from pottery to fine gold jewellery. Discovered by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, while flying overhead in 2002, the contents of the Saruq Al-Hadid site are now on display at a dedicated museum near Dubai Creek.
Nearby is the Al Shindagha Museum, which gives visitors a glimpse at Dubai’s more recent history, specifically focused on how the city developed around its historic creek. Alternatively, you can get a closer look at the founding of the nation and pre-union heritage at the Etihad Museum.
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House and Museum of the Poet al Oqaili are both nestled in heritage houses and are architectural marvels in their own right. Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House served as the family residence of Sheikh Saeed, the grandfather of Dubai's ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, from 1912 until 1958, and is a fascinating glimpse into the private lives of the royal family. Museum of the Poet al Oqaili, meanwhile, is snuggled in a narrow lane behind the Spice Souk and dates back to 1923.
For something a bit different, head to the Museum of Illusions in Al Seef and let your eyes deceive you. Filled with optical illusions, holograms and mirrors, the museum is great fun, and also a fantastic way to learn more about how the mind works. Science fans, meanwhile, should make a beeline for the Museum of the Future for next-generation technology and innovation
Learn more about the history of Dubai, traditional Emirati adventures, and set off on a walking tour of the city's cultural heart.
