Dubai’s creative scene was gearing up for one of its biggest annual weekends as Quoz Arts Fest returned to Alserkal Avenue on January 24 and 25, 2026. The 14th edition of the much-loved festival brought together contemporary art, live music, performances, food, family activities and experimental experiences across Al Quoz.
Held at Alserkal Avenue and across the wider Al Quoz Creative Zone, the festival was designed for anyone looking to experience a different side of Dubai. Instead of simply walking through galleries, visitors could move between warehouses, outdoor spaces and creative venues while discovering installations, live acts, workshops, film screenings and food concepts along the way.
With tickets available for the 2026 edition, it was a great weekend option for art lovers, music fans, families and anyone keen to explore one of Dubai’s most creative neighbourhoods.
Quoz Arts Fest Returns for Its 14th Edition
Quoz Arts Fest has become a regular fixture on Dubai’s cultural calendar, transforming the industrial surroundings of Al Quoz into a large-scale celebration of creativity.
The official festival description says the event is built around discovery, experimentation and connection, bringing together emerging artists, experimental formats and stories from the region and its diaspora through art, performance, music, food and more.
That broad programme is part of the appeal. You could arrive with one plan and easily end up spending the entire day exploring completely different experiences.
Rather than feeling like a traditional art exhibition, Quoz Arts Fest is designed to be interactive and social, with different parts of Alserkal Avenue coming alive throughout the weekend.
When and Where Is Quoz Arts Fest?
The 2026 edition took place on Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25, with activities running across Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz and the wider creative district.
Published event information listed the festival opening from around 10am, with activities continuing into the evening. Some individual performances and programmes were scheduled at different times throughout both days.
Because there was so much to see, visitors could choose between a single-day visit or a full weekend pass.
A Festival Packed With Contemporary Art
Art remained at the heart of Quoz Arts Fest, but this was not simply about looking at paintings on gallery walls.
The programme included experimental installations, public art, warehouse takeovers, multimedia experiences and interactive works designed to encourage visitors to explore. One of the major highlights was TAPE Dubai by Numen/For Use, an immersive installation presented at Concrete. The work used stretches of elastic tape to create an unusual environment that visitors could physically move through and experience from inside.
Experiences like this are a key reason the festival attracts more than just dedicated art audiences. You do not need to be an expert in contemporary art to enjoy moving through an immersive installation or discovering something unexpected inside one of Al Quoz’s creative warehouses.
Live Music Is a Major Part of the Weekend
Music was another major attraction, with the 2026 programme bringing a mix of regional and international performers to the festival.
Saturday featured Palestinian hip-hop group DAM, along with Gayathri Krishnan, whose work incorporates South Asian influences into contemporary arrangements. On Sunday, Lebanese singer-songwriter Yasmine Hamdan was among the featured names, while TootArd brought together Levantine sounds and desert-blues influences.
The programme also included From the Lips to the Moon, a spoken-word and music collaboration created by Pouya Ehsaei and Tara Fatehi, adding a more experimental performance element to the weekend.
For visitors interested in discovering new talent, Stage 2.0 offered a dedicated platform for emerging musicians and performers from the UAE and wider region, with a focus on collaboration and experimentation.
The Fridge Brings Even More Live Performances
There was also a packed schedule at The Fridge Warehouse, with performances taking place across both days.
The 2026 programme included Open Mic sessions, giving emerging performers an opportunity to get on stage, alongside curated shows by regional and international artists. Saturday featured Serena & The Velvet Chords, who brought Arabic music into jazz and soul territory, and Calista Liaw, making her Middle East debut with a performance involving the traditional Chinese erhu instrument.
Sunday’s programme included performances from Imelda Gabs, known for her blend of jazz, soul and electronic influences, and Egyptian Nubian oud player and composer Hosny.
Entry to The Fridge’s festival programming was included with a Quoz Arts Fest ticket.
Family Activities Are Part of the Line-Up
Quoz Arts Fest is not just aimed at adults.
Families could head to Jossa Warehouse 45, where the festival’s children’s programming offered sensory-led activities, play areas and interactive experiences. The Kids Warehouse takeover was designed to encourage younger visitors to explore through movement, touch, making and imagination.
Another family attraction, Play Back in Time, was created by Strawberry Fields as a vintage-inspired kids’ play warehouse. It featured classic games, hands-on making, movement and creative storytelling in an immersive environment designed around imaginative play.
That makes the festival particularly useful for families looking for a cultural day out where children have plenty to do rather than simply being expected to follow adults around galleries.
Reel Palestine Returns
Cinema and cultural storytelling also played an important role in the 2026 programme.
Reel Palestine, presented in partnership with Cinema Akil, returned as part of the festival, bringing independent Palestinian film screenings to Alserkal Avenue. Alongside the films, the programme featured a souk with more than 50 vendors, offering crafts, design items and food connected to Palestinian heritage.
The addition of film and the market gave visitors another way to experience the festival beyond music and visual art, while creating a dedicated space centred on culture, food and storytelling.
Food and Pop-Ups Keep Visitors Fuelled
Naturally, a full day of exploring creative spaces calls for plenty of food.
Quoz Arts Fest included food experiences, pop-ups and independent concepts spread throughout the district. The food programme forms part of the event’s wider approach to combining creative disciplines, making it easy for visitors to stop for something to eat between performances and exhibitions.
The wider Alserkal Avenue community also adds to this atmosphere. The district is home to a large collection of creative businesses covering art, design, food, culture, lifestyle and more, so the festival offers a chance to discover spaces that visitors may not normally encounter during a standard Dubai weekend.
How Much Do Quoz Arts Fest Tickets Cost?
For the 2026 edition, published ticket information listed a one-day pass at AED 100 and a two-day pass at AED 200.
There was also free entry for visitors under 18 and those aged over 60, subject to registration.
The two-day ticket was the better option for anyone wanting to take their time and explore different sections of the programme without trying to squeeze everything into one visit.
How to Get to Alserkal Avenue
As Quoz Arts Fest attracts large crowds, visitors were encouraged to use public transport where possible.
Alserkal Avenue is located close to Onpassive Metro Station, while RTA bus route 110 provides a connection from Al Safa Bus Terminal. Taxis and ride-hailing services also offer direct access to the area.
Road restrictions and increased traffic were also expected around the festival period, with Dubai’s RTA advising motorists to plan their journeys and allow extra travel time.
For anyone driving, checking traffic updates before leaving was particularly important during the busy festival weekend.
Why Quoz Arts Fest Is Worth Adding to Your Dubai Plans
The appeal of Quoz Arts Fest is that it offers a completely different way to spend a weekend in Dubai.
Instead of heading to a mall, beach club or conventional entertainment venue, visitors can explore an area known for its warehouses and creative spaces while discovering artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers and independent food businesses.
The 2026 programme combined experimental art, live music, performing arts, cinema, food, family entertainment and wellness experiences, creating a festival that catered to a wide range of interests.
Even visitors who are not regular gallery-goers can find plenty to enjoy, whether that means watching a live performance, trying an immersive installation, browsing the market or simply soaking up the atmosphere around Alserkal Avenue.
FAQs
Quoz Arts Fest is an annual arts and culture festival held at Alserkal Avenue and across the wider Al Quoz area. It features art, exhibitions, performances, music, food, workshops and family activities.
The 14th edition was held on January 24 and 25, 2026.
A one-day pass was priced at AED 100, while a two-day pass cost AED 200. Entry was free for visitors under 18 and over 60, subject to registration.
Yes. The festival featured dedicated children’s programming, including sensory play, creative activities and interactive experiences at Jossa Warehouse 45.
Visitors can explore art installations, watch live music and performances, attend film screenings, discover food concepts, browse creative vendors and enjoy family-friendly activities.
Final Thoughts
Quoz Arts Fest has grown into one of Dubai’s most distinctive cultural weekends, and its 14th edition continued that tradition by bringing together art, music, food, film and community experiences under one roof — or, more accurately, across an entire creative neighbourhood.
From immersive installations and major music performances to children’s activities, independent food concepts and cultural film programmes, there was plenty to fill an entire day.
For anyone wanting to see Dubai beyond its usual attractions, Quoz Arts Fest is one of the city’s best opportunities to discover its creative side. Whether you visit for the headline acts or simply wander between warehouses looking for something unexpected, the festival offers plenty of reasons to make a day of it.
