Abu Dhabi, UAE – The inaugural Frieze Abu Dhabi will take place from 19 to 22 November 2026 at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District, close to Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and the soon-to-open Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The fair is established with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and builds on 17 years of Abu Dhabi Art. It brings more than 80 galleries from 64 cities in 37 countries and regions, showing work from antiquity to the present day.
Fair sections
- Galleries: the main section, focused on the UAE and the wider West Asia, North Africa and South Asia (WANASA) region, alongside international galleries
- Focus: experimental solo or dual presentations by younger galleries, each supported by a bursary
- Global Futures: solo presentations curated by Tarini Malik
- Frieze Masters Abu Dhabi: antiquities and rare books curated by Marika Sardar, themed around the Indian Ocean
Beyond the booths
The programme includes the first Frieze Abu Dhabi Artist Award, Frieze Sculpture, the “In Dialogue” exhibition pairing an established and an emerging UAE artist, and curated talks. Global Lead Partner Deutsche Bank will host a lounge featuring an installation by UAE artist Omar Al Gurg.
Who’s leading it
The fair is directed by Dyala Nusseibeh, with a selection committee of Yasmin Atassi, Asmaa Al-Shabibi, Amrita Jhaveri, Sandhini Poddar and Glenn Scott Wright.
Abu Dhabi’s big art season
Frieze Abu Dhabi is part of a packed cultural calendar that also includes Sotheby’s first Abu Dhabi fine art auction on 10 December and the opening of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on 11 December.
Source: Frieze.
