Frieze is coming to Abu Dhabi this November
Art lovers, mark your calendars. Frieze is coming to Abu Dhabi for the first time this November, with its inaugural edition taking place at Manarat Al Saadiyat from 19 to 22 November 2026.
More than 80 galleries from 37 countries and regions will take part, bringing artists from the UAE and wider region together with names from across the international art world.
The gallery line-up includes Abu Dhabi and UAE names such as The Third Line, Lawrie Shabibi, Carbon 12, Tabari Artspace and Iris Projects, alongside international galleries including Gagosian, Pace Gallery, Thaddaeus Ropac, Victoria Miro and Timothy Taylor.
Inside the main Galleries, you can browse works from the mid-20th century through to today. You’ll also find Focus, which is dedicated to younger galleries and includes solo presentations by artists such as Tahir Karmali, Chonon Bensho, Marigold Santos, Jawad Al Malhi and Dala Nasser.
Frieze Masters Abu Dhabi
Frieze Masters Abu Dhabi will bring together objects and artefacts from antiquity through to the early 20th century. Curated by Marika Sardar, you’ll see objects and works from antiquity through to the early 20th century, with the Indian Ocean as its theme. It looks at how objects, people and ideas travelled across the region through trade, collecting and cultural exchange. There’ll also be specialists in rare books, manuscripts and antiquities.
Global Futures will focus on artists whose work connects with the cultural histories of the UAE and wider region. Curated by Tarini Malik, the section includes Ala Younis, Abdullah Al Saadi, Tania Candiani, Mohammed Joha, Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai and Seta Manoukian.
Solo Presentations
There’ll also be solo presentations dedicated to artists including Ibrahim El-Salahi, Farideh Lashai, Mounirah Mosly and Samir Rafi, alongside international artists such as Emily Kam Kngwarreye, Francesco Clemente and Sheila Hicks.
The art doesn’t stop at the gallery booths. The wider programme includes the debut Frieze Abu Dhabi Artist Award, Frieze Sculpture and In Dialogue, a new annual exhibition pairing an established UAE artist with an emerging one. There’ll also be a series of talks covering collecting, the institutional art scene and artistic practice.
Frieze Week
Frieze Week will extend beyond Manarat Al Saadiyat, with behind-the-scenes visits to Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation and the Natural History Museum. There’ll also be curator-led tours of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial in Mina Zayed and All Manner of Experiments at NYU Abu Dhabi, plus conversations with artists, patrons, curators and museum leaders.
The VIP programme also includes access to the wider Frieze Week programme, including the behind-the-scenes visits, curator-led tours, artist conversations and Galleries Night.
If you’re into art, November is your month, with Frieze Abu Dhabi and NOMAD Circle both happening in the capital.
Where: Manarat Al Saadiyat
When: 19 to 22 November 2026
Price: From AED 36.75
Book your spot here
More info here
