Check out these 3 unusual pop-ups in Dubai this summer.

Art, candles, and unique pop-ups in Dubai – because summer needs a little spark

Amid the summer heat and weekend hustle, Dubai’s pop-up scene is flipping the script on how we experience art and creativity. Forget the typical gallery or class — these spots are immersive, interactive, and all about trying something fresh. Here are three standout pop-ups in Dubai shaking things up this summer.

Opera Gallery Dubai

Hidden in the sleek corners of DIFC’s Gate Village, Opera Gallery is serving up Summer Vibes — a curated group show spotlighting contemporary artists who know how to make a statement. Think bold pop culture riffs, textured abstracts, and emotionally charged portraits. Big names like KAWS, Takashi Murakami, and Shepard Fairey are in the mix, alongside rising stars. From massive canvases to sculptural showstoppers, the collection is tight, high-impact, and bursting with energy — a cool blast of creativity in the Dubai heat.

Location: Opera Gallery, Gate Village Building 3, DIFC

Times: Sun–Wed: 10am–10pm, Thu: 10am–Midnight, Fri: 2pm–9pm, Sat: 11am–9pm

Cost: Free entry

Contact: (0)4 323 0909 | operagallery.com | @operagallery

Studio Kinza x Bab El Bahr

Downtown gem Bab El Bahr is linking up with artisan brand Studio Kinza for a one-day-only candle-making workshop on Saturday, July 26. Hosted inside the restaurant’s breezy, coastal-inspired space, the session takes you through the full experience — from mixing fragrance oils to pouring natural soy wax into minimalist-chic containers. It’s a chill, hands-on setup with refreshing sips and a trio of mini manakeesh to fuel your creative flow.

Location: Bab El Bahr, 29 Burj Dubai Boulevard – Moh’d Bin Rashed Blvd – Downtown Dubai

Times: Saturday, July 26, from 11:30am to 1pm

Cost: Dhs250

Contact: @studio.kinza @babelbahr.alhallab

Hotel Indigo x Double J Art Gallery

Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown has teamed up with Double J Art Gallery to present Anemones in Volcanic Rock — a solo show by Portuguese textile artist Marita Setas Ferro. Blurring the lines between craft and contemporary art, Ferro transforms crochet and knitting into sculptural pieces inspired by nature’s raw beauty. The standout? A massive hexagram installation that channels the four elements through rich textures, bold colors, and flowing forms. It’s tactile, thought-provoking, and quietly captivating — on display all summer in the hotel’s ground-floor gallery.

Location: Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown, Open Sesame Jewellery Box

Times: Ongoing until September 2025

Cost: Free entry (RSVP recommended)

Contact: hotelindigodubai.com | @hotelindigodubai