As the year draws to a close, the Middle East is once again proving itself as a thriving hub for art, culture, and creative exchange. From the shores of Doha to the heart of Abu Dhabi and Beirut’s historic streets, major exhibitions are inviting audiences to experience the region’s growing influence in the global art world. From Qatar International Art Festival (QIAF) 2025 to We Design Beirut, Art lovers of the region have much to enjoy and look forward to.
KHAMSA brings you a selection of exhibitions that highlight the cultural momentum sweeping the region, offering visitors unmissable experiences before the year’s end.
١. Abu Dhabi Art Fair 2025
The Abu Dhabi Art Fair 2025 returns for its 17th edition from 19 to 23 November at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District. Presented by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the fair gathers over 140 leading local and international galleries, showcasing a curated mix of modern and contemporary works alongside large-scale installations, performances, and thought-provoking talks. This year, the fair also shines a spotlight on emerging Emirati talent, with a striking visual campaign by artist Shaikha Al Mazrou. More than an exhibition, it is a cultural meeting point where collectors, curators, and art lovers can discover fresh perspectives and experience Abu Dhabi’s growing role on the global art stage.
٢. The Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall Exhibition 2025
Misk Art Institute, part of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation “Misk,” hosts the third edition of the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall Exhibition: Summer 2025, running from July 27 to September 25 under the theme The Intergenerational Lens of Social Change. Showcasing 43 Saudi and Saudi-based artists, the exhibition examines how personal and collective histories shape evolving identities and inspire transformation across generations. Featuring a dynamic mix of painting, photography, multimedia works, installations, and digital art, the exhibition reflects the breadth of Saudi Arabia’s contemporary art scene and its role in narrating stories that bridge past and present. By blending traditional mediums with interactive, immersive experiences, the program invites audiences to reflect, engage, and connect with the works on a sensory level. Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the exhibition underscores Misk Art Institute’s mission to empower artists, foster intergenerational dialogue, and position Riyadh as a cultural hub where heritage and innovation meet.
To learn more, click here.
٣. We Design Beirut 2025
We Design Beirut Edition Two returns from October 22–26, 2025, transforming Beirut into a dynamic canvas where six exhibitions unfold across seven historic venues. With pillars rooted in preservation, empowerment, and sustainability, the festival revives cultural heritage while showcasing innovation. At the abandoned Abroyan Factory, the Threads of Life and Métiers d’Art exhibits spotlight Lebanon’s textile artistry and craftsmanship. Students explore architecture and identity at the brutalist Burj El Murr in the Design ‘In’ Conflict showcase, while the ancient Roman Baths host Of Water and Stone, a contemporary take on ritual and material. Villa Audi presents Totems of the Present and the Absent, reflecting on design heritage, and the modernist gem Immeuble de l’Union features a retrospective journey through architecture and light, plus a “Rising with Purpose” exhibition highlighting emerging designers under 30. Complementing these immersive exhibitions, the festival offers guided tours – from city-wide architectural highlights to the Oscar Niemeyer-designed Tripoli fairgrounds and the Saloua Raouda Choucair Foundation – all anchoring We Design Beirut as a citywide celebration of creativity and cultural renewal.
To learn more, click here.
٤. Qatar International Art Festival (QIAF) 2025
Qatar International Art Festival (QIAF) 2025 returns for its 7th edition from 7 to 12 December 2025 at Katara Cultural Village’s Hall, Doha, offering free entry to all art enthusiasts. Expect more than 1,500 artworks from over 400 artists representing 70+ countries, transforming this flagship event into a vibrant hub of creativity, cultural dialogue, and immersive engagement through exhibitions, interactive workshops, live performances, and more.
To learn more, click here.
٥. Art Here 2025 & Richard Mille Art Prize
Art Here 2025 & Richard Mille Art Prize takes place from 8 October to 28 December 2025 at Louvre Abu Dhabi, gathering some of the region’s most innovative contemporary artists under the museum’s iconic dome. The exhibition presents powerful installations and thought-provoking works competing for the prestigious Richard Mille Art Prize, turning the museum into a vibrant meeting point for creativity and dialogue. Visitors can explore immersive displays, join artist talks, and take part in engaging public programs, making this edition a key highlight of Abu Dhabi’s cultural calendar.
To learn more, click here.
٦. Dubai Design Week
Dubai Design Week will return for its 11th edition from 4 to 9 November 2025, bringing together architects, designers, and creatives from around the world. The event will feature a packed program of installations, exhibitions, workshops, talks, and activations, as well as highlights like Abwab, which showcases regional pavilions, and Urban Commissions, which explores communal design and public spaces. Visitors can also explore Downtown Design, the Middle East’s leading fair for contemporary design, and Editions, the region’s first fair dedicated to limited-edition art and design. Editions, which debuted in 2024, has quickly become a key part of the week, offering works from over 50 international and regional galleries and studios across photography, ceramics, prints, and contemporary design. Together, Dubai Design Week and its expanding platforms continue to cement the city’s place as a hub for creativity and cultural exchange.
To learn more, click here.
