Currently underway at Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village until February 8th, this month-long festival is a celebration of all things creative
Inspired by the theme of ‘Civilizations: Under the Same Sky’, each weekend features a vibrant showcase of exhibitions, culinary creations, live entertainment, guided tours, and immersive workshops
Throughout human history, societies have been built on the knowledge passed down from those who came before us. Even in modern cities like Ras Al Khaimah, the past still plays its part in how we live today. Ancient Mesopotamian civilizations such as the Sumerians and Babylonians shaped accounting and trade through early number systems, Arab scholars formalised algebra, while Islamic Golden Age astronomers refined the calendars and prayer times we still follow to this day.
Transcending ages, generations, and cultures, creativity is what binds us together as a species and continues to propel us forward. Art, in the UAE and beyond, has long been a medium for connection and cultural exchange, carrying the shared traces of our past while shaping how we understand one another today. As Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood famously put it, ‘When any civilization is dust and ashes... art is all that’s left over.’
Fittingly set in Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, the UAE's last remaining intact Emirati pearling village, Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival 2026 explores civilizations as living frameworks guiding our present and future. As Ras Al Khaimah’s flagship annual arts and cultural event, the festival is all about bringing people together through the universal language of creativity.
With Katch on board as the official, UAE-based PR agency, we’ve got the inside scoop on all the exciting happenings of this year’s showpiece. Art aficionados, history buffs, and those curious to discover something new should stick around, as this blog will give you all the intriguing details and highlights of what’s still to come at Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival 2026.
Where It All Started
Before we jump headfirst into this year’s programming, let’s take a look back at how the festival began. Founded in 2013, Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival has grown from a small event featuring 30 emerging local artists into one of the biggest art events in the UAE. Presented as part of the Ras Al Khaimah Art initiative under the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, the festival is part of a year-round programme that supports local creative talent through grants, masterclasses, and workshops.
This Year’s Theme
Building on the success of past editions, Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival 2026 has been crafted to take attendees on a deep dive into how cultures grow, connect, and leave their mark over time. Inspired by the ancient Silk Road routes that once linked Ras Al Khaimah to the wider world, the theme moves between history and the modern cities sculpting today’s global landscape, highlighting how creativity continues to evolve across generations. Through shared stories, ideas, and artistic exchange, the festival reflects on how civilizations are moulded and how diversity continues to be creativity's greatest muse.
Festival Highlights So Far
The festival kicked off with the opening weekend on January 16th, where visitors got to see this year’s theme in full colour for the first time. Weekend one also marked the introduction of two exciting new additions to the 2026 lineup, including the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Contemporary Art Biennale and The Hidden Table.
Curated by Sharon Toval, the Art Biennale unveils a wide range of styles and stories, with works that encourage you to look closer and think a little differently. Must-see masterpieces include Sutee Kunavichayanont’s calming video installation, Stefano Cagol’s performance filmed under the midnight sun, and striking photography by Hicham Benohoud and Marie Hudelot. Elsewhere, you’ll find reworked textiles, abandoned pianos, and even AI-driven artworks like Francesca Fini’s ‘Posh on Mars’.
Meanwhile, The Hidden Table adds a little spice to the narrative through a series of immersive culinary experiences crafted by world-renowned restaurants. Set within the storied walls of the heritage village, the first two weeks of the festival featured flame-kissed plates and fiery expressions by Chef Tiago Pazzini of Chama.
Both weekends encouraged visitors to explore the festival’s theme on a deeper level, with guided heritage walks through the ancient pearling village, art tours unpacking the stories behind the exhibitions, and food tours uncovering some of Ras Al Khaimah’s best-kept culinary secrets. Making art accessible to everyone, the family and pet-friendly weekend featured interactive games, a family talent show, Best Pets Competition, and even dog-friendly tours, encouraging everyone to get involved.
In the evenings, live music, talks, and film screenings set the tone, with performances by Grammy-nominated composer Roger Ryan, the violin-and-beats duo Madam, and pop favourite Maz. The programme also included thought-provoking talks on the future of museums and culture, vibrant student showcases by RAK Academy, sets by guitarist Khalifa Thani, and outdoor film screenings under the stars. Finally, interactive workshops kept the creative juices flowing, with plaster tile making inspired by Islamic geometry, paper quilling sessions, a 3D calligraphy masterclass, block-printing workshops, and more.
What’s Next
If you didn’t catch the first two weekends, don’t worry, there’s lots more still to come. A particular highlight, The Hidden Table continues this weekend with a delicious culinary showcase by Bungalo34, bringing the laid-back spirit and effortless refinement of the Riviera’s golden era to Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village. Later, during the closing weekend, the journey concludes with a masterful menu by Chefs Cal Byerley and Ian Waller of Michelin-starred Restaurant Pine.
In addition to the month-long Ras Al Khaimah Contemporary Art Biennale and ongoing heritage, art, and food tours, the next two weekends of the festival follow the same rhythm with a string of dynamic entertainment. This weekend’s standout moments include a lively set by Parisian jazz group The Gypsy Swing Project, captivating vocals by Cuban singer Ivonne, and electrifying beats by DJ Renzo. The final weekend ends the festival on a high note with an Arabic improv session by Ahmed, Yowla performances by the Al Makhaldi Arts Band, and the third edition of the festival’s speaker series.
As for workshops and masterclasses, guests can unleash their inner artists through pottery painting and a guided photography session. Alternatively, get stuck into time-honoured crafts with hands-on masterclasses such as a Moroccan Zellij workshop, a Threads of Civilizations embroidery session, and a Plates of the Past ceramic and glass painting workshop.
With its mix of art, food, music, and interactive workshops, Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival 2026 is a true celebration of creativity, cultural exchange, and the UAE’s thriving art scene. With two action-packed weekends still to come, make sure to grab your tickets and prepare to get inspired by the stories we inherit, the cultures we share, and the future we continue to shape together under the same sky.
For more related updates and to Katch us covering similar topics, watch this space!
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