Dubai welcomes another month of art-culture cool this May…
May has officially arrived (yep, it snuck up on us too), and if you’re all about that arts-and-culture life, you’re in for a treat. We’ve rounded up the coolest alternative art events happening this month—think pop-ups, immersive exhibitions, indie showcases, and unexpected creative spaces. It’s your go-to list to stay inspired, stay curious, and keep that soul well-fed all through May.
Arte Museum x Musée d’Orsay
Immersive digital art hub Arte Museum Dubai is teaming up with the iconic Musée d’Orsay in Paris to reimagine classic masterpieces like never before. This groundbreaking exhibit invites you to fully engage all five senses as 19th-century French art springs to life around you. From Monet’s dreamy Water Lilies to Van Gogh’s swirling Starry Night, over 100 iconic works are being transformed into a multi-sensory experience that’s both emotional and awe-inspiring.
ARTE MUSEUM DUBAI, opposite Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall, from Feb 19, Mon to Thurs, 10am to 11pm, Fri to Sun, 10am to 12am, dubai.artemuseum.com
Arab Cinema Week
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What began as a modest tribute to regional cinema has grown into a must-attend fixture on the city’s cultural calendar. This iconic film festival, now in full swing from May 2 to May 11, promises a powerful journey through the Arab world’s rich cinematic landscape. Over 10 days, audiences can enjoy 10 feature films, including 6 Gulf Premieres and 3 UAE Premieres, showcasing compelling stories from 10 Arab nations—Lebanon, Sudan, the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan, and Syria. It’s a true celebration of storytelling, identity, and creative voice.
Find the full schedule here, tickets priced at Dhs56.70
Dreams of Spring at Al Habtoor Palace
The Dreams of Spring exhibition has just debuted at Al Habtoor Palace, showcasing a stunning collection of works by internationally renowned artists such as Timur D’Vatz, Timur Akhmedov, and Alfiz Sabirov. Curated by the esteemed Andakulova Gallery—known for spotlighting the dynamic art scene of Central Asia—alongside Legends Art Club, the exhibit brings a fresh wave of color, symbolism, and storytelling to Dubai’s art calendar. Open to the public until May 31, 2025, it’s a must-visit for anyone craving cultural inspiration this season.
Dreams of Spring, Al Habtoor Palace, till May 31, @alhabtoorpalace
Terra Dubai x Pinkum Collection
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Terra Dubai is now home to a captivating new exhibition by celebrated Dubai-based, Canadian-Lebanese multidisciplinary designer and digital artist, Chafic Mekawi. Curated by renowned collector Margo Castro, founder of the Pinkum Collection, the show presents five powerful pieces that fuse traditional Gulf motifs with a futuristic lens—deeply influenced by Mekawi’s life between Beirut and the UAE. Through bold, thought-provoking compositions, the exhibition explores themes of Arab identity, heritage, cultural symbolism, and forward-thinking design. It’s a striking dialogue between past and future that invites reflection and discovery.
Terra Dubai, Sun to Thurs, all summer, 8am to 11pm, Fri to Sat, 8am to 12pm, Tel: (0) 4 388 8582, @terra.eatery
Women in Contemporary Arab Art at Kutubna Cultural Centre
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Kutubna Cultural Centre is currently hosting Women in Contemporary Arab Art, an exhibition showcasing 35 compelling works that offer a rare and powerful lens into the portrayal of Arab women across modern and contemporary art. The collection captures stories of strength, beauty, resilience, and cultural evolution, as told by some of the region’s most respected artists. Featuring both canvas and paper pieces, the exhibit spans classic techniques and bold experimental styles from the 20th and early 21st centuries, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in art, identity, and regional storytelling.
Kutubna Cultural Centre, until May 18, daily, 10am to 10pm, Tel: (0) 4 447 4050, @kutubnadubai
Comedy in the Sky at Aura Skypool
Comedy in the Sky is back for round two at Aura Skypool! In collaboration with The Laughter Factory, this night promises side-splitting comedy from a stellar lineup featuring Justin Panks, Aaron Butler, Roxy Yekta, Viswajit Dilip, and Valentina Danubio. Join the laughter on Wednesday, May 21, starting at 8pm, and enjoy an evening of top-tier comedy paired with breathtaking panoramic views of the city. As an added bonus, guests will also receive a complimentary drink—because laughter and a great view are always better with a drink in hand!
Aura Skypool, The Palm Tower, Wed, May 21, 8pm , Dhs250, Tel: (0) 4 566 2121, @auraskypool.dubai
The ME by Meliá
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Comedy in the Sky is back for round two at Aura Skypool! In collaboration with The Laughter Factory, this night promises side-splitting comedy from a stellar lineup featuring Justin Panks, Aaron Butler, Roxy Yekta, Viswajit Dilip, and Valentina Danubio. Join the laughter on Wednesday, May 21, starting at 8pm, and enjoy an evening of top-tier comedy paired with breathtaking panoramic views of the city. As an added bonus, guests will also receive a complimentary drink—because laughter and a great view are always better with a drink in hand!
The ME by Meliá, Business Bay, launching May 9, Tel: (0) 525 2500, @medubaihotel
Expo City
In honor of International Museum Day, Expo City Dubai is inviting visitors to relive the iconic moments of Expo 2020 with free entry to the Expo 2020 Museum and Garden in the Sky from May 17 to 18. The Expo 2020 Museum offers a one-of-a-kind experience, taking you on an inspiring journey through Dubai’s historic bid to host the first World Expo in the Middle East, the challenges of staging a global mega-event during a pandemic, and the unforgettable moments that defined Expo 2020. Don’t miss this chance to explore the legacy of an event that captivated the world.
Expo City, May 17 and 18, @expocitydubai
Carmina Burana – The Ballet
Carmina Burana: The Ballet makes its highly anticipated debut at Dubai Opera on May 23 and 24, 2025, offering a bold reimagining of Carl Orff’s iconic cantata. Directed by the renowned choreographer Edward Clug, this production seamlessly blends classical and contemporary ballet, bringing to life the intense themes of fate, desire, and destiny. With dramatic choreography set to the powerful O Fortuna and Orff’s emotionally charged score, the performance promises to deliver a captivating, visceral experience—one that will leave audiences spellbound by its music and movement.
Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, May 23 and 24, @dubaiopera
Tashkeel x Van Cleef & Arpels
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Van Cleef & Arpels and Tashkeel are celebrating a decade of the Emergent Designer Prize with an exciting exhibition at Tashkeel Nad Al Sheba, running until June 3. Titled Inspiring Winds, the show showcases innovative works by Gulf-based designers, exploring themes of heritage, sustainability, and creativity. Highlights include Dhow Kite by Hajar Al Tenaiji, which merges Emirati maritime traditions with sustainable design, and the poetic No Beginning and Breezeborn pieces. Visitors can expect a captivating display of sculpted wood, wind-shaped cork, and an abundance of imaginative designs.
Tashkeel, Nad Al Sheba, until Jun 3, daily, 8am to 10pm, Tel: (0) 4 336 3313, @tashkeelstudio
Fragments of Persian Modernity
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Presented by Bavan Gallery, Hoor Gallery, and Zafi Gallery, this exhibit at Foundry offers a compelling look at the evolution of Iran’s art scene through modern and contemporary works. Running across painting, sculpture, and mixed media, the show features visionary artists such as Aydin Aghdashloo, Monir Farmanfarmaian, and Sirak Melkonian. The exhibition delves into themes of identity, tradition, and transformation, juxtaposing generations and artistic genres. It highlights a vibrant artistic dialogue shaped by both heritage and global influences, offering pieces that are poetic, political, and profoundly personal.
Foundry, Downtown Dubai, until May 13, daily, 10am to 10pm, Tel: (0) 4 367 3696, @foundrydowntown
HOME: Heart Of My Existence at JD Malat Gallery
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Afro-Surrealist artist Kojo Marfo makes his highly anticipated Dubai debut with HOME: Heart Of My Existence at JD Malat Gallery, running until May 31. In this striking exhibition, Marfo presents 13 bold, large-scale works that explore the concept of home as an emotional experience rather than a physical place, shaped by memory, identity, and cultural shifts. Fusing Cubist elements, Ghanaian iconography, and classical techniques, his vibrant compositions pulse with emotion and existential reflection. The show resonates deeply with today’s rootless, global generation, offering a powerful visual dialogue on belonging and self-discovery.
JD Malat Gallery, Downtown Dubai, May 31, daily, 10am to 10pm, Tel: (0) 4 257 0076, @jdmalatgallery
