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Abu Dhabi’s About To Get Lit As Manar 2.0, Light Art Fest Returns This November

Manar 2.0 is bringing back its spectacular light art takeover to Abu Dhabi this November. With over 35 artworks by global and local artists, including teamLab and Nujoom Alghanem.

Get ready, Abu Dhabi. The lights are coming back, and this time, they’re brighter, bolder, and way more mind-bending. Manar 2.0 Abu Dhabi, the capital’s most visually striking light art event, is returning this November for a second round, and it’s about to turn the city into a glowing dreamscape.

Abu Dhabi’s Waterfront Is About To Glow Again With Manar 2.0

Manar, which translates to “lighthouse” in Arabic, first lit up the city’s shores in 2023 and quickly became the art event everyone talked about. Thanks to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Manar 2.0 is rolling in with even bigger ambitions as part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi programme.

This year, over 35 light-based artworks will land in the capital. If you think you’ll be witnessing some pretty average fairy lights then let me prove you wrong. These lights, move, shift, and play tricks to keep you bedazzled. It’s all about glowing sculptures breathing, projections and displays so trippy they’ll have make you question your senses. And yes, the big names are showing up. Japan’s teamLab, Germany’s Carsten Höller, and UK-Pakistani artist Shezad Dawood are all in, ready to light up the capital with pure creative chaos.. But here’s the bit that really hits home, local talents like Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri and Nujoom Alghanem are right up there with them, showing the world that the UAE’s creative scene isn’t just catching up, it’s leading the charge.

Light, Art And The Capital’s Coastlines

Think less gallery, more city-wide art takeover. The light fest will spread across Saadiyat Island, Jubail Island, Fahid Island, the Eastern Mangroves and even the Corniche. So whether you’re strolling the beach, sailing in a dhow, or just doing your usual Corniche jog, you’ll find yourself wrapped in surreal beams of colour and creativity.

This isn’t just about making things look pretty. Every piece has a purpose. Some explore nature and its fragility, others play with memory, movement or the idea of connection. They all aim to shift your perspective, even if just for a moment. It’s visual storytelling on a massive scale, set right where the sand meets the sea.

Also Read: Looking For A Fun Indoor Hangout? Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi Has A New Arcade Lounge With Karaoke & More!

Save The Date

The full programme will drop soon, but one thing’s certain. If you’re in Abu Dhabi this November, your evenings are going to look very different. Manar 2.0 isn’t just another event on the calendar, it’s a chance to see your city in a whole new light.

Abu Dhabi is about to become the most Instagrammable spot and you need to keep your phone charged to snap. And trust us, this kind of glow-up is impossible to scroll past.

Cover Image Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Culture/Website

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First Published: July 25, 2025 11:29 AM