Dubai Design Week will return this November with its most ambitious edition yet, marking its 11th year as the Middle East’s leading design festival. Running from 4 to 9 November, the festival will be held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District (d3).
Set against the backdrop of the UAE’s official “Year of Community”, this year’s programme will centre on design as a force for social cohesion, shared responsibility and cultural exchange. The overarching theme of ‘Community’ will inform everything from large-scale installations to intimate workshops, as organisers aim to position design not only as a creative and economic tool, but as a catalyst for civic engagement and collective wellbeing.
The event’s reach will be expanded significantly across d3, Dubai’s dedicated creative district, with more exhibitions, activations and collaborative spaces than in any previous year. The festival will showcase voices from across the Global South, with a focus on underrepresented regions including West, South and East Asia, as well as Africa and Latin America.
Now a global platform since its inception in 2015, Dubai Design Week has earned a reputation for bridging continents and disciplines. Its programme this year includes major returning features such as Abwab, an architectural exhibition spotlighting emerging talent from Asia and Africa, and Urban Commissions, the annual competition inviting architects and designers to rethink the role of shared urban spaces. This year, Urban Commissions will explore the archetype of the courtyard, inviting global entries that interpret the form as a contemporary hub for gathering and community interaction.
Abwab, which means “doors” in Arabic, has been reimagined for 2025 under the theme “In the Details”. Designers will be encouraged to consider ornamentation and traditional craftsmanship as storytelling devices, using immersive spatial experiences to examine the cultural significance of form and function.
Elsewhere, the festival’s core programming will include installations, exhibitions, pop-ups and a robust workshop schedule across d3’s public spaces. Outdoor works will explore themes of sustainability and inclusivity, while the popular Maker Space returns with hands-on workshops for visitors of all ages. A curated design marketplace will also offer high-quality, locally produced goods, with the goal of supporting artisans, small businesses and regional entrepreneurs.
Among the major highlights is the return of Downtown Design, the region’s flagship fair for contemporary design, which will take place from 5 to 9 November at the d3 Waterfront Terrace. The fair will host a mixture of returning names such as Kartell, Lasvit and Vitra, alongside first-time participants including Roche Bobois, Stellar Works and FRAMA. A number of high-profile collaborations are also expected to draw attention, including a design-meets-jewellery project from Buccellati and studio david/Nicolas, as well as the debut Dubai appearance of British design icon Tom Dixon, who will headline The Forum’s live talk series.
French designer Stéphanie Coutas will present a series of luxury interiors and collectible design works, while Italian duo Draga & Aurel will mount a solo exhibition with local gallery Collectional. This year’s Downtown Design will also include an updated iteration of the UAE Designer Exhibition, supported by Dubai Culture, offering mentorship and exposure for emerging Emirati talent.
Running alongside Downtown Design will be Editions, the Middle East’s first fair dedicated to limited-edition and collectible art and design. Returning after a successful debut in 2024, Editions will bring together 50 regional and international galleries and design studios, offering a curated selection of ceramics, photography, artist multiples, prints and functional objects. Organisers hope the fair will continue to build a new collector culture in the region, expanding access to design and art through varied mediums and price points.
Architecture will also take centre stage with the 2025 d3 Architecture Exhibition, produced in collaboration with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The exhibition will reflect the festival’s community theme, showcasing built and conceptual projects that speak to shared identity, resilience and urban togetherness.
Dubai Design Week is part of a broader cultural and creative push by the emirate. Supported by Dubai Culture and driven by the innovation ecosystem within d3 and TECOM Group, the festival serves as both a showcase and an incubator for design’s role in shaping the future of the city. With an eye to inclusivity, accessibility and global collaboration, the 2025 edition appears set not only to celebrate design excellence, but to rethink how creativity can bring people together.
For more information on the programme and participating designers, visit dubaidesignweek.ae.
