Dubai Design Week is back in 2025

Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and member of Dubai Council, Dubai Design Week will return to Dubai Design District (d3) from 4-9 November 2025. This year, the festival aligns with the UAE’s official theme, the ‘Year of Community’, placing collaboration, social participation, and shared experiences at the core of its programming. The theme will be explored through a multidisciplinary programme of events across d3, inviting visitors to experience how design can foster inclusion, build connections, and generate lasting systems of care.

Since its founding in 2015, Dubai Design Week has grown into a global platform with a distinct focus on voices from West and South Asia, Africa, and the broader Global South. Through exhibitions, installations, talks, workshops, and design fairs, the festival engages with the pressing narratives of our time—be it sustainability, heritage, or the evolving dynamics of urban life.

Here are some of the highlights:

Downtown Design

UAE Designer Exhibition 2024

From 5–9 November, Downtown Design, the region’s leading contemporary design fair will once again take over the d3 Waterfront Terrace. The 2025 edition features a compelling roster of returning exhibitors such as Kartell, Vitra, Poltrona Frau, and Lasvit, alongside new names including Roche Bobois, FRAMA, and Desalto.

Noteworthy highlights include a solo presentation by Draga & Aurel for Collectional, and a special showcase by Stephanie Coutas. Immersive brand experiences will include the Solaire Lounge by Veuve Clicquot and a pop-up collaboration between Buccellati and david/Nicolas.

The fair’s Forum returns with live talks and keynote sessions, headlined by British designer Tom Dixon, who will make his Dubai debut.

A central feature of Downtown Design, the UAE Designer Exhibition, supported by Dubai Culture, will return with an evolved format, expanding mentorship opportunities and enabling greater international exposure for homegrown talent.

Editions Art & Design

Editions 2024

Following its successful debut in 2024, Editions Art & Design returns from 6–9 November, with a collector’s preview on 5 November. As the Middle East’s first fair dedicated to collectible and limited-edition works, Editions will host over 50 galleries, design studios, and artist collectives from across the region and beyond.

Spanning artist multiples, ceramics, prints, works on paper, photography, and contemporary design, Editions offers new access points for collectors and enthusiasts seeking distinct pieces across varied price points. Its aim is to foster a new culture of collecting in the region—one that values craft, narrative, and exclusivity.

d3 Architecture Exhibition

In alignment with this year’s focus on community, Dubai Design District, in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), will present the d3 Architecture Exhibition. Rooted in the UAE’s values of resilience and openness, the exhibition invites architects to respond to how the built environment can nurture stronger social ties and create shared value.

Abwab 2025

TukTukDum by Altqadum

A cornerstone of the festival, Abwab meaning “doors” in Arabic—returns with an expanded geographic scope to include creatives from West, South, and East Asia, and the African continent. The 2025 theme, ‘In the Details’, explores the beauty and narrative power of ornamentation and decorative expression, brought to life through immersive spatial environments.

Urban Commissions

Now in its 10th edition, Urban Commissions invites international design and architecture studios to reimagine the courtyard—a traditional space of gathering and retreat. This year’s winning proposal will be revealed at the festival as a public installation, embodying the values of thoughtful, people-centric design.