Dubai Design Week 2026 programme announced for 3–8 November at d3

Mixed · 2Dubai Design Week has announced its 2026 programme, to be held at Dubai Design District (d3) from 3 to 8 November. 1 2 Mixed · 2It brings together exhibitions, commissions, installations, talks and workshops. Downtown Design, the contemporary design fair, runs from 4 to 8 November. 2 1 Right · 1Arab News reports the 12th edition is held under the patronage of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and focuses on the role design can play in strengthening connection. Festival director Natasha Carella said in a statement: "Design influences how we live, how our cities function and how we respond to change." 2

Mixed · 2Dubai-based Nao Architects, founded by Reem Nassour, won this year's Urban Commissions competition, themed Atmospheres, with Three Gardens and a Room, which arranges three gardens around a shared central space where visitors can gather. 1 2 Mixed · 2Abwab, the commissioning programme, moves from individual pavilions to a group exhibition called In Other Words, exploring communication through gestures, signage, symbols and oral histories. Arab News says the programme is for practitioners from Asia and Africa. 1 2 Mixed · 2Installations include Emirati architect Rasha Saffarini's Taqleem, drawn from palm-tree trimming; Palestinian-Turkish practice aestudio's use of reclaimed concrete rubble; Bahrain's Palm and Palazzo's Bayn on privacy and social connection in the traditional Bahraini home; and, per The National, Nikken Sekkei and Sobokuya's Chatai 2.0 timber structure and Indian practice Alter's Ludo-based Playing Field. Arab News also lists US firm Arquitectonica among the large-scale installations. 1 2

Mixed · 2The UAE Designer Exhibition returns under the theme Inherited Futures, supported by Dubai Culture, with AlZaina Lootah as design collaborator. L'Ecole, School of Jewelry Arts, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, presents research into lost goldsmithing techniques of the Second Iron Age. 1 2 Mixed · 2At the fair, Iwan Maktabi shows new work by Nadine Kanso and Omar Al Gurg, a Memphis Milano exhibition is planned, and Yinka Ilori creates the Veuve Clicquot lounge. Tristan Auer is keynote speaker at the Forum, and a marketplace of independent makers runs on 7 and 8 November. 1 2 Mixed · 2Each outlet includes details the other omits. Arab News names exhibitors such as Gaggenau, Venini, Ethimo and Kohler, a Woods Bagot retrospective, a Buccellati pop-up, and debuts by Pinterest and Ethr. The National adds the Maker Space workshops, the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children ceramics exhibition, and training-programme showcases from Tashkeel's Tanween and the Athath Fellowship. 2 1