Dubai’s creative calendar is about to reach a new high as Quoz Arts Fest returns for its 14th edition, promising its most ambitious, inclusive, and vibrant celebration yet. For two full days, the industrial lanes of Alserkal Avenue will transform into an open-air playground of contemporary art, live music, film, food, and community-led experiences.
Taking place on Saturday January 24 and Sunday January 25, the festival runs from 10am until 11.30pm, inviting visitors to spend the entire day wandering, discovering, and connecting. Whether you are an art collector, a music lover, a family looking for a cultural day out, or simply curious about Dubai’s creative pulse, Quoz Arts Fest offers something that feels both expansive and deeply personal.
A Festival Rooted In Community And Creativity
Since its launch in 2012, Quoz Arts Fest has grown from a local initiative into one of the region’s most respected cultural gatherings. What sets it apart is not just its scale, but its spirit. The festival has always placed community at its heart, creating a space where artists, performers, residents, and visitors intersect naturally.
The al fresco format allows the avenue’s warehouses, courtyards, and walkways to become part of the experience. Stalls spill into the lanes, murals appear around corners, and live performances echo across the district. It feels less like a traditional festival and more like a living, breathing neighbourhood celebration.
This year’s edition builds on that legacy with an expanded programme that highlights cultural exchange, accessibility, and creative expression across disciplines.
Live Music That Moves And Inspires
Music remains one of the most powerful draws of Quoz Arts Fest, and the 2026 lineup delivers both emotional depth and infectious energy. Headlining the weekend is DAM, the pioneering Palestinian hip-hop collective known for blending sharp lyricism with social commentary. Their performances are expected to be among the most talked-about moments of the festival.
Sharing the spotlight is Yasmine Hamdan, whose genre-defying sound fuses electronic, pop, and Arabic influences. Her live set promises an atmospheric experience that resonates long after the final note.
Beyond the main stage, audiences can catch performances by TootArd and Gayathri Krishnan, while Stage 2.0 will spotlight emerging local talent. This secondary stage is where discovery happens, offering a platform for new voices and experimental sounds that reflect the city’s evolving music scene.
Art Installations You Can Walk Through
For visitors who prefer immersive visual experiences, the festival’s public art programme is a major highlight. This year welcomes the Dubai debut of Numen/For Use’s acclaimed TAPE project. Known globally for their architectural-scale installations, the collective transforms space using layers of elastic tape, creating structures that visitors can move through, climb, and explore.
Each installation begins as a web of stretched trajectories before being wrapped into dramatic, cocoon-like forms. The result is an artwork that feels alive, shifting perception and encouraging physical interaction.
Families should also make time for the sensory environment at Jossa Warehouse 45 in Lane 3. Designed to engage younger audiences and curious minds, this space invites playful exploration through texture, light, and sound.
Adding another meaningful layer, Mawaheb will present artworks by adults of determination from across the city, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to inclusion and creative opportunity for all.
Cinema And Storytelling Take Centre Stage
Film lovers will find their place at the Reel Palestine Film Festival, hosted by Cinema Akil. The programme celebrates Palestinian cinema through a curated selection of screenings that explore identity, memory, and resilience.
Complementing the films is a dedicated souk featuring more than 50 vendors. Visitors can browse crafts, artwork, and culinary offerings inspired by Palestinian culture, making this area both a cultural and sensory experience that goes beyond the screen.
Food, Coffee, And Late-Night Bites
No festival experience is complete without great food, and Quoz Arts Fest delivers on every level. Throughout the lanes, food trucks and pop-up stalls serve everything from specialty coffee and artisanal pastries to comfort food and late-night snacks.
The relaxed layout encourages lingering. You might grab a coffee between installations, sit down for a proper meal after a concert, or sample something new while wandering between venues. The variety reflects the diversity of the city itself, making food an integral part of the festival’s social fabric.
Family-Friendly, Pet-Friendly, And Welcoming To All
One of the defining qualities of Quoz Arts Fest is how welcoming it feels. The festival is family-friendly, with activities and environments designed for visitors of all ages. Children can engage with art in hands-on ways, while adults enjoy a full cultural programme without feeling rushed.
Pets are also welcome, meaning your dog can join you as you explore the avenue. This openness contributes to the relaxed, communal atmosphere that keeps people coming back year after year.
Tickets, Timing, And Entry Details
Tickets are available through the Alserkal Avenue website. Day passes are priced at Dhs60, while a weekend pass costs Dhs100. Entry is free for seniors aged 60 and above and for children under 18, ensuring accessibility for families and long-time community members.
With its expanded programme and growing popularity, arriving early and planning your must-see moments is highly recommended.
Why Quoz Arts Fest Matters
More than just an event, Quoz Arts Fest represents Dubai’s creative confidence. It brings together global artists and local voices, established names and emerging talent, all within a setting that encourages dialogue and discovery. For two days, art steps out of galleries and onto the streets, becoming something you experience rather than observe.
As the festival enters its 14th year, it continues to prove that creativity thrives when it is shared openly. If you are looking for a weekend that feels inspiring, human, and unmistakably Dubai, Quoz Arts Fest is where you will find it.
Do follow UAE Stories on Instagram
Read Next – A Visionary Mercedes-Benz City Begins to Emerge in Dubai
