Dubai Design Week 2025: Themes, Open Calls, And Programme Announced

Under the patronage of Highness Sheikha Latifa bint bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Culture & Arts Authority, the 11th edition of Dubai Design Week is set to unfold from 4-9 November 2025. This pivotal event, recognised as the premier design festival of the region, celebrates innovation and creativity in a collaborative atmosphere.

The UAE's declaration of 2025 as the 'Year of Community’ is mirrored in the essence of Dubai Design Week, which aims to highlight the power of design fostering social bonds, facilitating public participation, and crafting shared experiences. event positions design as a pivotal tool, not just for innovation but as the means to connect people and enhance civic and cultural engagement.

Since its inception in 2015, Dubai Design Week has progressively evolved into a global platform, bolstering cross-cultural exchanges primarily focusing on regions from West and South Asia and extending to the Global South, which includes Africa, Latin America, most of Asia, and Oceania. The festival's extensive program, featuring exhibitions, workshops, talks, and large-scale installations, serves as a crucible for discussion, experimentation, and forward-thinking ideas, solidifying its status as a creative nexus and melting pot for diverse cultures.

A notable highlight of the festival is the Urban Commissions competition, which calls on designers and architects worldwide to contribute to public space design under the theme 'Courtyard’. This initiative emphasizes community-centric design and explores the courtyard's role as a gathering space and urban infrastructure element.

Meanwhile, Abwab, translating to 'doors' in Arabic, expands its reach this year to include participants from West, South, and East Asia, alongside the African continent. With the theme 'In the Details’, it encourages creators to delve into ornamental design and cultural forms, promoting immersive spatial experiences.

Downtown Design emerges as a cornerstone of the festival, stationed at the d3 Waterfront Terrace from 5-9 November 2025. This premier fair showcases contemporary design innovations and the latest collections from around the globe. Notable exhibitors like Lasvit, Kartell, and Vitra, alongside new participants including Roche Bobois and Stellar Works, will present new concepts. The fair is also set to host immersive installations and experiential concepts, such as the Solaire Lounge by Veuve Clicquot and a unique pop-up between Buccellati and david/Nicolas. In addition, live talks and keynotes will feature prominently, with Tom Dixon making his anticipated Dubai debut.

This edition sees the return of the UAE Designer Exhibition, which, after five successful editions, has expanded its support for emerging creatives and international exposure opportunities. A significant addition to Dubai Design Week is Editions, the region's inaugural fair dedicated to limited-edition art and design, following a successful launch in 2024. Set to showcase 50 local and international galleries and collectives, Editions caters to a diverse artistic spectrum, from ceramics to contemporary design, engaging the collector network in the region.

In alignment with the 'Year of Community’, the d3 Architecture Exhibition, in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), will focus on resilience, ambition, and openness. It aims to inspire behaviors that bolster family and social connections, promote collective responsibility, and pave the way for sustainable societal growth.

As part of TECOM Group's portfolio, Dubai Design District (d3) embodies a global creative ecosystem committed to fostering design, fashion, architecture, and art. The district, along with Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and others, forms a comprehensive business district network, enhancing Dubai's position as a global hub for creativity and innovation.