Explore 50 UAE events for 2027: family festivals, art, sport and trade exhibitions, with confirmed dates, a watchlist, ticket guidance and official booking links.
The UAE's events calendar is much bigger than one Grand Prix weekend. There are exhibitions that bring entire industries together, festivals that transform a neighbourhood, and family days that give you a reason to explore a different emirate.
This is a 50-entry planning guide for 2027: 17 entries already have official dates extending into or falling within 2027, while the others are a watchlist of established events and seasonal programmes. Watchlist entries are not confirmed 2027 bookings. Their descriptions explain the event's established appeal; new venues, line-ups and prices should come from the next official announcement.
Choose by the kind of day you want. A children's exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi, an evening of light projections in Sharjah and a trade show at ADNEC are all worth considering, but they solve very different weekend or business-travel needs.
Family days, food and festivals
Start with something everyone can enjoy. A museum exhibition, a food festival and a desert celebration offer very different days out; choose the experience before choosing the ticket.
01Until 25 April 2027
Louvre Abu Dhabi: A Board Game Adventure
Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island
A children's exhibition built around a surprisingly universal subject: playing games. Chess, mancala, ludo and carrom connect familiar family pastimes with objects and histories from different civilisations. It opened in July 2026 and continues into 2027, making this one of the dates you can already put into an early-year itinerary.
This is a particularly useful starting point for a mixed-age family: the theme gives children something concrete to recognise, while adults can connect it to the collections. Pair it with a Saadiyat afternoon, not a second full-scale attraction across the city.
Plan it well: Check the museum's current admission categories and exhibition access before buying; leave time for the wider museum rather than treating this as a quick photo stop.
Official event information & booking updates
022027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Middle East Film & Comic Con
Abu Dhabi; latest edition at ADNEC
Comics, anime, screen characters, cosplay and collectibles make MEFCC a strong choice for teenagers and pop-culture fans. It is a different proposition from a general family fair: the guest list and programme are central to whether a particular day is worth booking.
Choose around your family's actual interests: an artist area for someone who draws, a cosplay day for a costume enthusiast, or a guest appearance for a film fan. The official page reviewed still concerns 2026; the 2027 edition belongs on the watchlist, not a fixed travel booking.
Plan it well: Compare general admission with separately ticketed photo or autograph experiences. Do not assume a day pass includes meeting a celebrity.
Official event information & booking updates
032027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Dubai GameExpo
Dubai; 2027 venue awaiting announcement
The public-facing gaming event is the one to watch for playable experiences, gaming communities and a family outing built around a shared hobby. This is separate from the industry-focused GameExpo Summit listed later. Match the programme to the games and age groups in your household.
Plan it well: Check age guidance, tournament registration and whether activities require a separate reservation.
Official event information & booking updates
042027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Sharjah Children's Reading Festival
Sharjah
A reading festival rather than simply a place to buy books. Sharjah Book Authority positions it around learning and children's development, making it a useful alternative to another mall afternoon. Look for the language, age range and timing of sessions when the next programme appears.
Plan it well: Pick two suitable activities first, then leave browsing time between them; a crowded schedule is not automatically a better family day.
Official event information & booking updates
052027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Sharjah Light Festival
Multiple sites across Sharjah
Buildings become the setting for large-scale light projections. The appeal is as much the evening walk and architecture as the show itself, especially for families who prefer being outdoors to spending a whole day in an exhibition hall.
Previous editions have used landmarks across the emirate, so the festival name is not a single map destination. Once the 2027 route is announced, build the evening around one show, dinner nearby and a manageable walk. Past free shows do not establish the price of every future attraction.
Plan it well: Wait for the current site map and show schedule. Choose one area rather than trying to drive between every installation.
Official event information & booking updates
062027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Sheikh Zayed Festival
Abu Dhabi, Al Wathba
A heritage-led festival to watch for a broader introduction to Emirati culture alongside a family evening out. Its seasonal format is different from a three-day trade show: the programme for your chosen date matters more than simply attending during the season.
Plan it well: Check the specific night's performances and activities before setting out for Al Wathba.
Official event information & booking updates
072027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Mother of the Nation Festival
Abu Dhabi emirate; locations vary
MOTN combines entertainment and family attractions, with previous programming reaching Al Dhafra, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. That range makes it worth watching beyond the capital's usual tourist circuit. Use the next edition's own location list rather than assuming every activity takes place on one waterfront.
Plan it well: Choose the location and date first, then check which experiences are included in admission.
Official event information & booking updates
082027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Liwa International Festival & Liwa Village
Liwa, Al Dhafra
The desert setting makes this much more than a city festival moved outdoors. Liwa Village brings food, family attractions, concerts and heritage into the wider festival experience. It is a strong candidate for a proper weekend away rather than a hurried evening drive from Dubai.
Keep ordinary road access separate from dune driving: attending a festival does not mean taking a rental car off-road. The official visitor information should guide your parking and arrival point. Do not confuse this winter festival with other Liwa events held at different times of year.
Plan it well: Book around the programme you actually want to see, and plan accommodation and the return journey together.
Official event information & booking updates
092027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Dubai Shopping Festival
Across Dubai
DSF is useful even when shopping is not the main objective. The wider entertainment programme can turn an ordinary evening into a family outing. It is a citywide season, not one venue or one ticket, and dates crossing into 2027 need to be checked against the official calendar.
Plan it well: Choose an actual performance or activation; a sale alone is not a reason to spend the day in traffic.
Official event information & booking updates
102027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Dubai Summer Surprises
Across Dubai
A summer-season watchlist entry for resident families, with shopping promotions and entertainment rather than a single festival gate. It can be useful for planning indoor days when the weather makes a long outdoor itinerary less appealing.
Plan it well: Compare the full outing cost, including activities and food, rather than treating a retail discount as the whole budget.
Official event information & booking updates
112027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Global Village season
Dubai
Country pavilions, food, shopping and entertainment make Global Village an easy group choice when everyone wants something slightly different. This entry refers to the seasonal programme that may include 2027, not an independently confirmed one-day event.
Plan it well: Allow separate spending for rides, special attractions and food. Confirm the operating season and ticket conditions on the official site.
Official event information & booking updates
122027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Taste of Dubai
Dubai; next venue to be confirmed
Restaurant dishes, chef appearances and music give Taste a more relaxed, social rhythm than a trade-food exhibition. It is a good watchlist choice for friends or families who want the meal itself to be the afternoon's activity.
Plan it well: Check whether your ticket includes food vouchers and which workshops need advance booking. Entry is not necessarily an all-you-can-eat pass.
Official event information & booking updates
132027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition
Abu Dhabi
ADIHEX brings the outdoor and equestrian world into an exhibition setting. For a family interested in the region's relationship with horses, falconry and outdoor traditions, it offers a different angle from a museum or theme park.
Plan it well: Use the visitor programme to find suitable demonstrations and check age or access restrictions for individual areas.
Official event information & booking updates
142027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Dubai International Boat Show
Dubai; confirm next edition's venue
A waterfront alternative to an indoor exhibition, with the boating world as its focus. It can suit design enthusiasts and families interested in the sea, but viewing a yacht from the dock is different from having permission to board it.
Plan it well: Check boarding arrangements and public access. Do not assume a general ticket includes a boat trip.
Official event information & booking updates
152027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Winter City at Expo City Dubai
Expo City Dubai
A festive-season option to watch for families who want an evening organised around a destination rather than a shopping centre. Expo City's setting is part of the attraction; the exact activities and admissions change by edition.
Plan it well: Check whether individual experiences need time slots, and use the event's own parking or Metro arrival instructions.
Tickets and prices: what are you actually buying?
Compare the whole experience, not just the admission price. For a family of four, paid activities, food and transport can matter as much as the gate ticket. For a business traveller, conference access may be the part that makes the trip worthwhile.
Family festivals and exhibitions
Check adult and child categories, age limits, entry time and whether rides or workshops cost extra. A food-festival pass may include vouchers, or it may simply admit you to a site where dishes are sold separately. Start at the official link beside each entry and follow its authorised ticket seller.
Sport and performances
Choose the day, session and viewing area before comparing prices. A Grand Prix package, a single tennis session and a race entry are entirely different purchases. For participation events, include race-number collection in your travel dates.
Trade shows
Confirm eligibility first, then the badge category. Exhibition access, conference sessions, workshops and networking can have separate conditions. Registration may be required even when an area is free to enter.
No previous-year ticket price is presented here as a 2027 price. Where the next ticket product has not been verified, the official link is the starting point rather than a made-up estimate. Check refund terms before pairing tickets with non-refundable accommodation.
Art, books, design and city culture
These are the events that reward slowing down. Plan around a conversation, an exhibition or a neighbourhood, with enough space to discover something you did not come looking for.
169-11 April 2027; previews 7-8 April
Art Dubai
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
A concentrated way to explore contemporary art through galleries and their artists. The organiser distinguishes public dates from previews, which matters when choosing a ticket. You do not need to be buying art to benefit from looking carefully at a few works instead of rushing every stand.
For a first visit, start with the exhibitor list and choose a handful of galleries rather than attempting complete coverage. That makes the fair easier to navigate and leaves time to ask questions. Collectors should arrange conversations ahead; casual visitors can build a slower half-day around the public programme.
Plan it well: Book for a public day unless you have preview access. Allow a separate meal or waterfront walk around the wider Madinat area.
Official event information & booking updates
1721 January-13 June 2027
Sharjah Biennial 17
Multiple venues across Sharjah
A long-running exhibition programme rather than a single weekend fair. The 17th edition, titled What remains, sits restive, opens with a 21-24 January opening week. The longer run gives visitors room to make more than one trip and explore different parts of Sharjah.
This is one of the strongest reasons to make art part of a UAE itinerary rather than an optional extra. A multi-venue exhibition can connect buildings, neighbourhoods and contemporary ideas. Plan a route with a lunch break instead of treating the entire biennial as something to finish in one afternoon.
Plan it well: Choose a manageable cluster of venues from the official map; not every work is necessarily in central Sharjah.
Official event information & booking updates
182027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Sikka Art & Design Festival
Dubai
A festival to follow for a closer look at the region's creative scene. Previous programmes bring art and design into a neighbourhood setting, giving it a different scale from a large gallery fair. The linked programme is a past-edition reference, not a 2027 schedule.
Plan it well: Use the new programme to choose workshops and performances, then leave time simply to explore.
Official event information & booking updates
192027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Quoz Arts Fest
Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
Art, performance, music and food meet in Al Quoz's creative district. The festival is especially appealing if you prefer discovering smaller spaces and unexpected performances over following one huge headline act. The source describes the 2026 edition; 2027 details remain a watchlist item.
Plan it well: Combine a few scheduled performances with gallery browsing, and check age guidance for individual experiences.
Official event information & booking updates
202027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
Dubai
Author conversations and a reading-led programme make this a useful option for adults and younger readers alike. The best visit is often organised around a particular writer, subject or children's session rather than an all-day general pass.
Plan it well: Check session language, age recommendations and individual booking requirements before creating your itinerary.
Official event information & booking updates
212027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
Abu Dhabi
A destination for discovering publishers, books and literary programming in the capital. It can work as a browsing day or a more purposeful visit centred on a language, subject or speaker. Readers and publishing professionals should look for the programme relevant to them.
Plan it well: Bring a shortlist of interests, but leave room in both the day and your bag for discoveries.
Official event information & booking updates
222027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Sharjah International Book Fair
Sharjah
Sharjah's major book fair belongs on a reading family's annual calendar, while also serving a substantial publishing audience. It is distinct from the Children's Reading Festival: use the next programme to find the sessions and exhibitors that fit your interests.
Plan it well: Plan around the language and subject you want to explore rather than trying to cover every hall.
Official event information & booking updates
232027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Dubai Design Week
Dubai
Design becomes something to walk through and discuss, with installations and a wider programme that can appeal well beyond the professional design community. It is worth watching for anyone interested in architecture, materials, furniture or the way cities are made.
Plan it well: Distinguish public installations from separately registered talks or trade components when planning your visit.
Official event information & booking updates
242027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Sole DXB
Dubai
A culture-led choice at the intersection of music, fashion and creative communities. Follow the line-up rather than assuming every edition offers the same experience. It is a stronger fit for friends with shared music or street-culture interests than for a generic sightseeing checklist.
Plan it well: Check performance days and age policies before choosing a pass; one well-chosen day may be the better option.
Race weekends and sporting occasions
Choose whether you want to take part or watch. A runner's early start, a tennis session and a Grand Prix weekend need completely different transport and ticket plans.
2517 January 2027
Dubai Marathon
Dubai
The event offers a full marathon, a 10-kilometre race and a four-kilometre run, giving a group different levels of commitment. The official race information also makes clear why arrival needs planning: nearby road closures and parking restrictions are part of race morning.
Choose your distance based on preparation, not on what the rest of the group is entering. Spectators should agree on a meeting point after the finish, while runners should plan an early arrival and a change of clothes. A race-weekend hotel is useful only if its actual access works with the closures.
Plan it well: Collect your race number before race day. The published collection window is 13-16 January at The Agenda in Dubai Media City.
Official event information & booking updates
2624 January 2027
Burj2Burj
Dubai; final route subject to approval
A 21.1-kilometre half marathon for runners aged 16 and over, with a published 6:30am start. The organiser's FAQ says the route awaits approval, so an appealing event name should not be treated as a final start-and-finish map.
Plan it well: Register ahead: there is no race-day entry. Check the three-hour time limit against your training pace.
Official event information & booking updates
2727 March 2027
Dubai World Cup
Meydan Racecourse, Dubai
A major racing occasion with the setting and scale to make it a full social day, not just a single race. The Dubai Racing Club calendar confirms the date. Your experience will depend heavily on the enclosure or hospitality product you choose.
For a first visit, choose a ticket around how you want to spend the afternoon: watching the racing closely, attending with friends, or arranging a hosted occasion. Set a return-transport plan before arriving. A hospitality package and basic admission are not interchangeable simply because both mention the World Cup.
Plan it well: Compare access, seating, food inclusions and dress requirements before comparing prices.
Official event information & booking updates
282027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi
The obvious watchlist entry for a full race weekend on Yas Island. Grandstand position, number of days and hospitality matter far more than a generic starting price. This guide does not assign a 2027 date until the relevant official calendar is verified.
Treat accommodation and tickets as one plan. Staying on Yas Island changes the weekend from repeatedly travelling to the circuit into spending time around it. Leave theme parks for another day if the race programme is already full; a packed itinerary can make an expensive ticket harder to enjoy.
Plan it well: Buy through the circuit or an organiser-authorised route. Check exactly which days and additional experiences your package covers.
Official event information & booking updates
2914-27 February 2027
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
A tennis-focused alternative to a sprawling festival, with the match session providing a clear structure for the visit. The official site displays the 2027 date range. Choose the tournament week and session carefully rather than assuming every ticket covers the entire event.
Plan it well: A session ticket does not guarantee that a particular player will appear. Look at the draw and order of play closer to the day.
Official event information & booking updates
302027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon
Ras Al Khaimah
A running event that can anchor a northern-emirates weekend. The official pages checked still describe the 2026 race, so keep 2027 dates and routes provisional until the organiser updates them. A coast-side stay can make the early start easier to manage.
Plan it well: Do not reuse last year's start location or bib-collection schedule. Book a room with practical race-morning access.
Exhibitions, trade shows and business events
These twenty entries are primarily for professional discovery and business relationships. A large exhibition is not automatically open to children or casual visitors; check registration eligibility before planning a family visit.
312027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
GITEX Global
Dubai; latest announced edition at Expo City
A broad technology event for enterprise buyers, founders and people tracking the commercial use of emerging technology. The organiser's current material is for December 2026. Keep it on the 2027 watchlist without transferring those dates into a new year.
Plan it well: Choose relevant sectors and arrange meetings ahead; the size of the event makes aimless hall-hopping inefficient.
Official event information & booking updates
322027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Expand North Star
Dubai
A startup-and-investor event with a different purpose from a general technology exhibition. It is especially relevant if you want founder conversations, investor introductions or a closer view of early-stage companies rather than enterprise product displays.
Plan it well: Prepare a short introduction and a targeted meeting list. Check which networking functions your registration includes.
Official event information & booking updates
3315-18 March 2027
Gulfood
Dubai; check the organiser's venue allocation
A major food-and-beverage sourcing exhibition for professional buyers and suppliers. It belongs on a business itinerary, not in the same category as Taste of Dubai. The value is in products, distribution conversations and supplier discovery rather than an afternoon of restaurant tasting.
For a small business, arriving with purchasing quantities, target markets and product requirements makes the visit more useful. Set meetings with a few relevant suppliers and leave time to compare alternatives. Use the organiser's current 2027 page for dates rather than an older venue listing.
Plan it well: Confirm your registration category and the correct hall or venue for the suppliers you want to meet.
Official event information & booking updates
3425-28 January 2027
World Health Expo Dubai
Dubai Exhibition Centre and Dubai World Trade Centre
The healthcare event formerly known as Arab Health now uses the WHX Dubai name. The two-venue arrangement is an important planning detail: a booking near one venue does not put you next to every part of the event.
Plan it well: Map your meetings to the correct venue before reserving transport. Check conference access separately from exhibition registration.
Official event information & booking updates
3519-21 January 2027
AEEDC Dubai
Dubai World Trade Centre
A dental conference and exhibition for practitioners and the dental industry. It is a more focused choice than a general healthcare show, with scientific and commercial reasons to attend. The organiser requires registration before arrival and uses an e-badge.
Plan it well: Decide whether you need exhibition access, scientific sessions or both; those are different participation needs.
Official event information & booking updates
3612-14 January 2027
Intersec Global
Dubai World Trade Centre
A professional event for security, safety and fire-protection systems. It can be valuable for facilities teams and businesses comparing operational technology, but its relevance comes from a clear problem you want to solve.
Plan it well: Bring requirements and questions for suppliers rather than collecting brochures without a comparison framework.
Official event information & booking updates
3712-14 January 2027
Light + Intelligent Building Middle East
Dubai World Trade Centre
Lighting and intelligent-building technology make this a targeted visit for designers, engineers and property professionals. It is co-located with Intersec, which can make a combined professional trip attractive without making them the same exhibition.
Plan it well: Check badge access across the co-located events instead of assuming one registration opens every area.
Official event information & booking updates
3812-14 January 2027
World Future Energy Summit
ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi
An energy and sustainability event for businesses, developers and institutions looking at practical technology and investment questions. It is a stronger choice for professional learning and meetings than for a general entertainment itinerary.
Plan it well: Separate the exhibition floor from conference sessions when comparing registration products.
Official event information & booking updates
3925-29 January 2027
IDEX & NAVDEX
ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi
The defence exhibition and its naval counterpart are counted here as one combined visit. The organiser now lists 25-29 January for 2027. This is a specialist professional event, with eligibility and access requirements that need checking well before travel.
Plan it well: Confirm approval and badge requirements before booking. It is not presented here as a public family attraction.
Official event information & booking updates
4015-19 November 2027
Dubai Airshow
Dubai World Central
A major aviation gathering for the industry, with aircraft and aerospace business at its centre. Dubai World Central is not Dubai International Airport, a distinction that matters when choosing a hotel or transport plan.
Plan it well: Trade attendance and any separately offered public viewing are different products; wait for the 2027 access rules before promising a family airshow day.
Official event information & booking updates
412027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Arabian Travel Market
Dubai
A travel-industry meeting point for destinations, hotels, travel sellers and technology providers. It is useful if you work in tourism or want business partnerships, not simply as a place to browse a holiday bargain.
Plan it well: Look for the professional category matching your business and schedule buyer or supplier meetings in advance.
Official event information & booking updates
422027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Beautyworld Dubai
Dubai
Beauty, fragrance and related commercial products make this a focused sourcing event. It is especially relevant to brand owners, distributors and retailers deciding what to bring to market, rather than visitors expecting a consumer beauty treatment day.
Plan it well: Ask suppliers about minimum orders, distribution rights and product documentation while comparing products.
Official event information & booking updates
432027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Automechanika Dubai
Dubai
The automotive aftermarket is the focus: a useful distinction from a new-car motor show. For a rental operator, workshop or parts business, this is a watchlist opportunity to explore suppliers and the practical business of keeping vehicles operating.
Plan it well: Start with your fleet's real maintenance or sourcing needs, then identify relevant exhibitors.
Official event information & booking updates
442027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Big 5 Global
Dubai
A construction-industry exhibition for products, suppliers and professional relationships. The range can suit contractors, developers and specialist service businesses, provided the visit begins with a clear list of categories and meetings.
Plan it well: Use the exhibitor directory to group appointments by hall and avoid crossing the site repeatedly.
Official event information & booking updates
4511-13 May 2027
Middle East Energy
Dubai
An energy-industry event that suits buyers and technical teams comparing systems and suppliers. The organiser publishes the May 2027 dates, making it useful for planning a professional trip beyond the busiest winter months.
Plan it well: Check technical-session access and give product demonstrations enough time for specific questions.
Official event information & booking updates
462027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
WETEX
Dubai
Water, energy, environmental technology and sustainability come together in this professional exhibition. It is relevant to operational decisions around buildings, utilities and resource use rather than simply to a general interest in green living.
Plan it well: Bring a concrete project or operational question so the visit produces comparable answers from suppliers.
Official event information & booking updates
472027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
ADIPEC
Abu Dhabi
A large energy-sector gathering with exhibition and conference elements. Its business value depends on the part of the sector you work in, so the detailed programme matters more than the scale of the event alone.
Plan it well: Confirm whether a conference pass is needed for the sessions you want; exhibition registration may not cover them.
Official event information & booking updates
4812-15 April 2027; show floor 13-15 April
IAAPA Expo Middle East
ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi
An attractions-industry exhibition covering the business behind theme parks and leisure destinations. It is an interesting choice for operators, developers and suppliers, but it is not a theme park that children can visit to try a full day of rides.
Plan it well: The education programme and show floor start on different days. Match your travel dates to the part you will attend.
Official event information & booking updates
492027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Seamless Digital Commerce
Dubai
A digital-commerce event for businesses thinking about how customers discover, buy and return. It is relevant to merchants and service platforms as well as technology suppliers. Check the current organiser page rather than relying on older event-name variations.
Plan it well: Choose sessions around a commercial problem: conversion, payments or customer retention, for example.
Official event information & booking updates
502027 WATCHLIST / Dates awaiting confirmation
Dubai GameExpo Summit
Dubai
The professional games-industry summit is separate from the public GameExpo outing above. Its organiser says the 2026 summit has been postponed to 2027. Follow it for industry relationships and business conversations, with the exact new dates still to be confirmed.
Plan it well: Choose this for professional participation, not as a substitute for the public gaming festival.
The confirmed-date shortlist
These are the dated entries in this guide, grouped for planning rather than presented as a complete national calendar. The Louvre exhibition began in 2026 and continues into 2027.
- Until 25 April 2027Louvre Abu Dhabi: A Board Game Adventure
- 9-11 April 2027; previews 7-8 AprilArt Dubai
- 21 January-13 June 2027Sharjah Biennial 17
- 17 January 2027Dubai Marathon
- 24 January 2027Burj2Burj
- 27 March 2027Dubai World Cup
- 14-27 February 2027Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
- 15-18 March 2027Gulfood
- 25-28 January 2027World Health Expo Dubai
- 19-21 January 2027AEEDC Dubai
- 12-14 January 2027Intersec Global
- 12-14 January 2027Light + Intelligent Building Middle East
- 12-14 January 2027World Future Energy Summit
- 25-29 January 2027IDEX & NAVDEX
- 15-19 November 2027Dubai Airshow
- 11-13 May 2027Middle East Energy
- 12-15 April 2027; show floor 13-15 AprilIAAPA Expo Middle East
Build a good day around the event
Dubai: choose the actual venue, not just the city
Dubai World Trade Centre, Expo City's Dubai Exhibition Centre and Dubai World Central are different destinations. Put the exact hall or visitor entrance into your directions. On busy exhibition days, a hotel that looks close on a map is useful only if the route to the entrance is practical.
Abu Dhabi: ADNEC, Saadiyat and Yas are separate plans
A conference at ADNEC does not place you next to Louvre Abu Dhabi or Yas Marina Circuit. Group activities geographically. For an art-focused day, our teamLab Phenomena guide is another starting point; for Yas Island, explore Ferrari World on a separate, unhurried day.
Sharjah and the northern emirates
Use an event as a reason to stay longer rather than driving there only to turn around. A Sharjah art day or a Ras Al Khaimah race weekend can become a short break. Set the return time with the whole group in mind, especially after an early start or a late performance.
A car is useful when your plans connect different emirates or several separate stops. For a single congested venue, public transport or a taxi may be simpler. Explore cars on Mifto when the wider itinerary calls for one, and include luggage, child-seat needs and your actual collection time in the request.
A calendar to use, not just scroll through
Pick one event you already care about, then one that introduces you to something new. That might mean pairing a familiar race weekend with an art exhibition, or swapping another shopping afternoon for a children's reading festival. The point of a wide calendar is not to do everything. It is to make better choices about the time you do have.
