Abu Dhabi to Host Middle East’s First Outdoor Children’s Biennale

Abu Dhabi Festival is bringing the Middle East’s first outdoor Children’s Biennale to Umm Al Emarat Park from November 6th to December 6th, 2026.

Curated by Dana Almazrouei under the theme ‘How the World Feels’, the exhibition is built around children exploring the park through art, movement and play. Seven new interactive installations by UAE artists will look at ecology, biodiversity and Emirati culture through sound, light, touch and other sensory elements.

Indonesian artist Eko Nugroho will also present ‘Kenangan Kunang-Kunang’ (Memories of Fireflies), an installation inspired by traditional Eastern Javanese lanterns. The work is being shown in partnership with National Gallery Singapore, in the institution’s first collaboration in the region.

Beyond the installations, the programme includes school tours and family workshops in drawing, weaving, lantern making and sound exploration on November 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th from 6:30 PM.

A separate panel, ‘From Place to Belonging: How Art Shapes the Way We Feel the World’, will take place at AGORA: A Dance of Umbrella Forests in Mina Zayed on November 20th, looking at how art can shape people’s relationship with place.

The Children’s Biennale runs throughout November and into early December, with programming designed for children and families spending time in the park.