Dubai - Arts & Culture

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Arts & Culture

Dubai

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Overview

Arts & Culture The guide was updated: 2025-09-17

With Dubai Opera, the arts district Al Quoz and the discovery of relics from the Iron Age, Dubai is fast evolving into a cultural hotspot. The city’s highlights range from the ancient past to stark modernity, and there is no better time to see its evolution than now.

Museum of the Future

Museum of the Future

One of Dubai’s most renowned landmarks, the Museum of the Future is a 'living museum' that explores how society could evolve in the coming decades. Combining traditional exhibitions with immersive theatre and themed attractions, it offers a glimpse into the future across space travel, climate change, ecology, health, wellness, and spirituality. Inside, you can discover prototypes, inventions, and visionary ideas, and take part in workshops and talks that showcase high-tech solutions shaping tomorrow.

Jumeirah Mosque

Jumeirah Mosque

Jumeirah Mosque is an iconic landmark in Dubai, renowned for its stunning architecture and cultural significance. Constructed in 1979, the mosque showcases a blend of traditional Islamic designs, featuring two towering minarets and a large central dome. It stands as one of the few mosques in Dubai open to non-Muslim visitors, offering guided tours that provide insights into Islamic culture and the mosque's architectural beauty.

Etihad Museum

Etihad Museum

Set in Jumeirah 1, the Etihad Museum traces the story of the United Arab Emirates’ formation and rapid rise. Through interactive pavilions, photos, films, and personal accounts, it highlights what life was like before unification and how the nation’s founding fathers shaped its path. The museum sits on the site where the UAE’s founding treaty was signed in 1971, making it as symbolic as it is informative.

La Perle

La Perle

This world-class venue stages the city’s first-ever resident show, masterminded by creative director Franco Dragone. La Perle is a show that combines the spirit of Dubai with an iconic 860-square-metre ‘aqua-stage’. Using 2.7 million litres of water for each performance, the custom-built theatre was constructed around the show’s concept. Inspired by the vibrancy of this city, the show has it all — cascading waterfalls, fast-paced acrobatics, a 25-metre high dive, and fantastical characters.

Infinity des Lumières

Infinity des Lumières

Infinity des Lumières is the Gulf’s largest immersive digital art centre, turning iconic and contemporary artworks into a fully sensory experience. Using 130 projectors, over 50 speakers, and thousands of HD moving images, the gallery surrounds you with dynamic, living art. Exhibitions often feature artists like Gaudí, Kandinsky, and Klee, alongside unique experiences such as ‘Dubai Data’.

Dubai Opera

Dubai Opera

Dubai Opera, shaped like a futuristic dhow, is at the heart of Downtown Dubai and a hub for the city’s contemporary cultural scene. The 2,000-seat venue hosts opera, ballet, theatre, and concerts, featuring both international stars and local talent.

TODA - Theatre of Digital Art

TODA - Theatre of Digital Art

The Theatre of Digital Art at Madinat Jumeirah turns classical art into a modern, immersive experience. Using multimedia, VR, and large-scale digital installations, it combines music, visual effects, and surround sound to bring the artwork to life. Spread across 1,800 square metres, the venue offers rotating exhibitions, so there’s always something new to see and experience.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Library

Mohammed Bin Rashid Library

Built along the historic Dubai Creek, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is an inspiring landmark. Designed in the shape of a traditional Islamic lectern, it stands as the largest library in the region, symbolising a beacon of knowledge and culture. Inside, you'll find nine themed libraries housing over 1.5 million printed and digital books, along with millions of audio-visual materials. The library also hosts exhibitions, cultural events, and offers spaces for reading and study. It's a must-visit for those seeking inspiration and a deeper connection to the Arab world's literary heritage.

The Majlis Gallery

The Majlis Gallery

Housed in a beautifully restored wind-tower building in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, The Majlis Gallery has been a cornerstone of Dubai’s art scene since opening in 1989. It showcases a mix of traditional and contemporary works, from ceramics and glassware to paintings and sculpture, with regular exhibitions by regional and international artists.

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