With the new year kicking off, there’s nothing like the high of fresh creative energy—new music to discover, exhibitions to explore, and fashion weeks to obsess over. And right on cue, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai’s ultimate creative hotspot, is back with the 12th edition of its annual Al Quoz Arts Fest. Mark your calendars for Jan. 25-26 because this two-day celebration is bringing all things art, culture, and vibes to the heart of the city.
“Since its launch in 2012, Quoz Arts Fest has grown into a vibrant hub for cultural exchange,” says Gilda Gilantash, Director of Events, Programming, and Partnerships at Alserkal Avenue. “This year’s program is our most expansive yet, blending grassroots ingenuity with international perspectives.”
A celebration of homegrown talent, this year’s musical line up will see the likes of Syrian rapper, poet, and storyteller Omar Offendum. Tunisian singer and songwriter Emel Mathlouthi also takes the main stage, renowned for her soaring voice and fusion of traditional Arabic music with contemporary influences. Joining them is the Tunisian alternative duo Ÿuma, composed of Sabrine Jenhani and Ramy Zoghlemi, whose minimalist folk sound offers an intimate, guitar-driven journey. Also on the lineup is Musaafir Music, a collective of rising Pakistani artists known for their genre-defying experiments across multiple languages, including Pashto, Balochi, Urdu, Punjabi, and English. Rounding out the performances are London-based Indian musician Sarathy Korwar collaborating with poet and writer Zia Ahmed in a performance blending spoken word poetry with contemporary compositions, exploring themes of identity and belonging. The main stage will be hosted by Dubai’s own MC, Big Hass, bringing his signature energy to the festival.
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Aside from the music, the festival will also be featuring immersive and engaging artworks by internationally renowned artists such as ENESS, whose Forest Dancer and the Path to Pure Creation invites visitors to step into a sensory world of light and movement. Emirati artist Lamya Gargash unveils A Corridor of Books, a large-scale photograph inspired by a private library, where memory and devotion intertwine. Adding to the artistic lineup is Bright Memories by Abdulla Alneyadi, reimagining the UAE’s iconic water dispensers, and a surprise outdoor installation by Brazilian artist Zé Tepedino.
Speaking of installations, across Alserkal Avenue, renowned galleries such as Ishara Art Foundation, The Third Line, and Custot Gallery will showcase an impressive roster of exhibitions, from Shilpa Gupta’s Lines of Flight to Marc Quinn’s Photosynthetic Forms.
Between performance and gallery hopping, you can enjoy thought-provoking afikra conversation; for film enthusiasts Reel Palestine will bring Palestinian narratives to life at Cinema Akil, complemented by a souk offering crafts and culinary treats steeped in tradition.
Families are not forgotten. The dedicated Kids’ Lane features interactive workshops, storytelling sessions, and creative activities led by local collectives like Artful Minds and The Happy Studio, transforming the festival into a playground for young imaginations.
Foodies can indulge in What The Food by Alserkal, where top chefs and artisanal producers will serve a curated selection of dishes that celebrate Dubai’s dynamic culinary scene.
