Qatar is preparing to welcome the second edition of Design Doha, the region’s biennial dedicated to contemporary design. Organised by Qatar Museums, the 2026 edition will take place from 5 November 2026 to 31 January 2027, transforming Doha’s historic Fereej Al Asmakh district into a setting for exhibitions, installations and public projects.

Bringing together more than 100 designers and studios from across the MENASA region and its diasporas, the biennial will feature more than 15 exhibitions, public commissions, talks, workshops and collaborations, exploring how design can connect heritage, community and urban transformation.

One of the programme’s highlights is Arab Design Now 2026, curated by Noura Al Sayeh, which will bring together 81 designers from 27 countries, alongside 78 new commissions and 15 films.

Design rooted in place

Led by Fahad Al Obaidly, Director of Design Doha, with Glenn Adamson as Artistic Director, this year’s programme is organised around five themes: Narration and Ornamentation; Land and Agrarian Practices; Landscapes of Production and Extraction; Crafts, Technology, and Community; and Belonging and Migrating.

The biennial will also extend beyond gallery walls, activating Doha’s public spaces through a series of design commissions curated by Javier Peña Ibáñez. Ten designers, architects and urban practitioners from across the MENASA region were selected through an open call, with the first five projects set to be realised as part of the programme.

The Design Doha Prize

The biennial will also introduce the Design Doha Prize, recognising talent across craft, product design, furniture design and emerging practices.

Chaired by Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the prize will be judged by a 24-member international jury led by Iranian-French architect and designer India Mahdavi.

With a total of QAR 800,000 in funding, alongside mentorship and opportunities for further development, the prize aims to support designers beyond recognition and help advance their practices.

With its combination of contemporary creativity, local heritage and international perspectives, Design Doha 2026 positions Doha as a growing platform for design from the Arab world and the wider MENASA region.

📍 Fereej Al Asmakh and locations across Doha, Qatar
5 November 2026 – 31 January 2027
More than 100 designers and studios
27 countries represented in Arab Design Now 2026