Where does it take place?

Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island is the main venue, with partner venues at Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.

What is the 2026 theme?

Towards a Reimagined Commons, with days on Collective Memories, Collective Space and Collective Imagination.

Register your interest through the Register page on the official website.

Culture Summit Abu Dhabi 2026

Name: Culture Summit Abu Dhabi 2026
Start: 2026-12-08T09:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-12-10T18:00:00+00:00
Location: Manarat Al Saadiyat

About this event

Culture Summit Abu Dhabi is a global forum launched in 2017 by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. It brings together decision-makers, artists, designers and leaders of the cultural and creative sectors to work out how culture can strengthen societies and the creative economy, and to turn those ideas into practical outcomes. The 2026 edition runs under the theme Towards a Reimagined Commons.

2026 theme and programme

Building on the 2025 edition, the summit asks what connects people beyond national citizenship and how civic life might be rethought. Each day has its own focus.

Day 1: Collective Memories
Day 2: Collective Space
Day 3: Collective Imagination

Formats and partners

The programme mixes panels, keynotes, creative conversations, case studies, workshops and outcome-led reports, organised with global partners.

UNESCO
Design Museum
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation
Google
Recording Academy
International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA)
Financial Times

Venues

Manarat Al Saadiyat is the main venue, with partner venues across the Saadiyat Cultural District: Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.