Frieze Abu Dhabi has announced the programme for its inaugural edition, taking place from 19 to 22 November 2026 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The event, organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi and Frieze, will bring together more than 80 galleries from 36 countries and regions.

The programme will connect artists from different generations and backgrounds highlighting Abu Dhabi’s growing role as an international centre for art and culture. A key highlight will be a new commission by Beirut- and London-based artist Dala Nasser. Her work, Qubbat Duris, will be presented as part of the first Frieze Abu Dhabi Artist Award.

“Frieze Abu Dhabi takes shape within a rich and evolving cultural landscape, and the programme for our first edition responds to that context. Spanning generations and geographies, it reflects the artistic histories, ideas and practices that connect Abu Dhabi to a wider scene. From Dala Nasser’s new commission to In Dialogue and Frieze Sculpture Abu Dhabi, the programme puts artists and their ideas at the centre of Frieze Abu Dhabi", said Dyala Nusseibeh, Director of Frieze Abu Dhabi.

Curated by Nabila Abdel Nabi, the installation will explore memory, heritage and the importance of protecting landscapes. It will feature paintings on textiles, charcoal rubbings and natural materials such as ash, clay and terracotta. 

The fair will also introduce In Dialogue, a new annual exhibition that pairs an established artist with an emerging artist from the UAE. The first edition, titled At Another Meeting Point, will bring together the work of Mohammed Kazem and Alia Zaal. The exhibition is curated by Dirwaza Curatorial Lab and will explore connections between different generations of Emirati artists.

Another major feature is Frieze Sculpture Abu Dhabi, presented by Aldar. The outdoor exhibition will take place at Mamsha Beach on Saadiyat Island from 16 November to 16 December. Visitors will see large-scale works by artists including Zeinab Alhashemi, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, Imran Qureshi and Kamran Samimi. The sculptures will explore themes such as nature, construction, memory and the relationship between the natural and built environment.

Frieze Abu Dhabi will also host a three-day talks programme. Artists, curators, museum leaders and collectors will discuss the future of museums, different approaches to curating and wider developments in the international art world.

Early Bird tickets are now available for a limited time. The fair will be open to the public from 20 to 22 November at Manarat Al Saadiyat.