In Dubai, a new festival is illuminating the city — not merely with light, but with meaning. Dhai Dubai, returning for its second edition from November 12 to 18, 2025, at Al Wasl Plaza in Expo City Dubai, redefines what a light festival can be. Entirely curated and created by Emirati artists, it celebrates light as both art and heritage, weaving the nation’s identity into radiant form.
A Vision Born of the Land
At the heart of Dhai Dubai is its curator, Amna Abulhoul, whose vision was to let “the voices of the land speak out with light.” Her idea began long before Expo City was completed. Years ago, she travelled the world studying light festivals and was struck by how powerfully light could express culture. Inspired by what she saw — and moved by the spiritual connection between light and storytelling — she returned to Dubai with a mission: to create a festival that shines with an Emirati soul.
When Expo 2020 concluded, Abulhoul revived her dream. Rather than follow the model of international light shows that showcase global names, she decided to dedicate Dhai Dubai exclusively to Emirati artists — to let the nation’s stories and creativity define the spectacle. Every piece, from concept to construction, is made “by the land, for the land.”
Heritage Illuminated
The artworks presented at Dhai Dubai transcend spectacle to embody memory and belonging. Each installation reflects the UAE’s cultural DNA through light, structure, and motion.
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Najat Makki’s “The Scent of Memories” evokes the women of the seven emirates through luminous silhouettes, each figure a reflection of grace and strength.
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Mattar Bin Lahej’s “Movement of Stillness” combines calligraphy with the power of a galloping horse, merging word and motion.
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Mohammed Yousef’s “I’m Still a Child” captures the intimacy of Emirati childhood and family life.
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Reem Al Ghaith’s “Daraweezna” reimagines the old doors of Dubai, while Khalid Al Shafar’s “The Nomad 2.0” transforms the traditional arish structure into a glowing tribute to desert life.
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Maitha Hamdan’s “Afterlife” and Abdulla Al Mulla’s “Minaret 2.0” reinterpret faith and architecture in geometric and futuristic forms.
Together, these installations turn the vast Al Wasl Dome, which towers 67 metres high, into a living canvas where light and legacy intertwine.
Light as Language
For Abulhoul, Dhai Dubai is not about spectacle — it’s about storytelling. She sees light as a universal language capable of carrying emotion, heritage, and identity. “The pieces should be in harmony,” she says. “You shouldn’t know who is a pioneer and who just started — all the works must speak to each other.”
Each year, the festival brings together artists across generations — from trailblazers like Fatma Lootah, one of the UAE’s earliest performance artists, to emerging talents who carry the nation’s creative spirit forward. The result is a dialogue of generations, connected through artistry and illumination.
A Cultural Beacon for the Future
Dhai Dubai stands apart from typical global light festivals by placing Emirati creativity at the centre. It is not about drawing tourists — it’s about celebrating identity. The event captures a moment where the UAE’s cultural narrative radiates outward, connecting heritage with innovation.
Abulhoul envisions Dhai Dubai expanding in future editions to include Gulf collaborations — but always with one guiding principle: the art must be produced in the UAE, by hands rooted in its soil.
In an age of fleeting digital spectacles, Dhai Dubai reminds us that light is not just illumination — it is memory, emotion, and belonging. It is the reflection of a land that continues to shine from within.
