The 12th edition of Dubai Design Week will begin on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Dubai Design District (d3) and run until Sunday, November 8. The six-day event will feature art exhibitions, creative outdoor installations, workshops, specialist talks and interactive experiences for enthusiasts of art, architecture and design. Admission to the festival’s public programmes is free for all age groups.

According to the official Dubai Design Week website, the event is held under the patronage of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. This year’s edition will focus on the role of design in strengthening connections between people, urban spaces and different cultures.

Designers and artists from the UAE and around the world will showcase work spanning architecture, crafts, technology and contemporary design. Large-scale art installations will also be displayed in public spaces across d3, allowing visitors to explore innovative design methods and the use of various materials.

One of the event’s main attractions is Downtown Design, a specialist exhibition running from November 4 to 8. It will bring together leading international and regional brands in furniture, interior décor and contemporary design. Unlike the festival’s public programmes, admission to the exhibition requires a separate ticket.

An open-air weekend market will also take place at Dubai Design District on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8. Local businesses, independent artists and craftspeople from the UAE and elsewhere in the region will offer products including home décor, clothing, handmade jewellery, artworks and environmentally friendly goods.

Alongside its retail stalls, the market will feature a range of food options, children’s activities and live performances, providing a space for shopping, entertainment and meeting independent makers.

Dubai Design Week’s public programmes will run daily from 10am to 10pm until Sunday, November 8. The nearest metro station is Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, from where visitors can take the D03 bus to Dubai Design District. Parking at the venue is free for the first two hours, followed by a charge of AED 20 per hour.