Top trade shows in Dubai in 2026–27

This list covers twelve Dubai trade shows from October 2026 to May 2027, ordered by start date, not ranked. It was re-checked against atndr's catalogue and the organizers' sites on 13 October 2026.

A show made the list only if it met all four tests:

1. It is a trade show. The exhibition floor is the main product, where buyers meet suppliers. Summits and conferences are left out.
2. It is listed on atndr with a confirmed edition in Dubai between October 2026 and May 2027.
3. It is the main recurring show for its sector in Dubai, with one show per sector. Most are annual; ArabPlast runs every two years.
4. Its dates and venue are published on the organizer's official site or, where that site could not be opened, on the atndr listing.

Shows that have already taken place this season, such as the October 2026 editions of CABSAT and Beautyworld Dubai, have been taken off. CABSAT returns in May 2027 and stays on the list.

A trade show (also called a trade fair or trade exhibition) is an event where companies take stands to show products to industry buyers. For the wider calendar, including summits and conferences, see our guide to business events in Dubai.

1. WETEX 2026

20–22 October 2026 · Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). WETEX is the water, energy, technology and environment exhibition organised by DEWA, Dubai's electricity and water utility. It suits utility engineers, water and environmental suppliers and procurement teams. Check visitor terms on the atndr listing, as the show's site could not be opened for this guide.

2. Gulfood Manufacturing 2026

3–5 November 2026 · DWTC. This is Gulfood's show for food production: ingredients, processing, packaging and supply chain. The organizer cites 2,500+ exhibitors from 80+ countries. GulfHost 2026 runs at the same time for hotel and restaurant suppliers.

3. Automechanika Dubai 2026

10–12 November 2026 · Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai. Automechanika is the region's automotive aftermarket show, covering parts, accessories, workshop equipment and repair. It suits distributors, workshop owners and fleet operators. The 2026 show runs 10am to 6pm daily.

4. Big 5 Global 2026

23–26 November 2026 · DWTC. Big 5 Global, run by dmg events, is the construction industry's main sourcing show in the Middle East. It is for contractors, developers and architects. Tickets are paid: the visitor ticket is AED 100 until 15 October 2026 and AED 250 after, and the delegate ticket is AED 1,750 early bird and AED 2,750 after. Visitors under 21 are not admitted. HVACR World 2026 runs alongside it.

5. GITEX Global 2026

7–11 December 2026 · Expo City Dubai. GITEX Global is Dubai's largest technology event. The GITEX Summit takes 7 December, and the GITEX Global Expo runs 8–11 December at Expo City Dubai. It suits enterprise IT buyers, government technology teams, startups and investors.

6. Intersec Global 2027

12–14 January 2027 · DWTC. Intersec covers security, fire protection, safety and emergency response. Its buyers include government agencies, facility managers and system integrators. The organizer expects 1,000+ exhibitors.

7. World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai 2027

25–28 January 2027 · Dubai Exhibition Centre and DWTC. World Health Expo, formerly Arab Health, is the region's largest healthcare trade show. It covers medical devices, labs, pharma and hospital services. The organizer cites 4,200+ exhibitors and 90,000+ healthcare professionals from 195+ countries. WHX Tech 2027 runs alongside it at DWTC on 26–28 January.

8. Gulfood 2027

15–19 March 2027 · DWTC and Dubai Exhibition Centre. Gulfood is the food and beverage sourcing show: producers and exporters meet importers, distributors, retailers and caterers. The organizer lists 8,500+ exhibitors from 195 countries. Opening hours are 10am to 6pm, with a 5pm close on 19 March.

9. ArabPlast 2027

24–26 March 2027 · DWTC, Halls 1–8. ArabPlast is the trade show for plastics, recycling, petrochemicals, packaging and rubber. The 2027 show is its 18th edition, and it runs every two years. It suits converters, resin and machinery suppliers, recyclers and packaging buyers.

10. Arabian Travel Market 2027

3–6 May 2027 · DWTC. Arabian Travel Market, run by RX, is the Middle East's travel trade show. Tourism boards, hotels and airlines meet tour operators and agents. The organizer reports 55,000+ attendees, 2,800+ exhibitors and 57,869 confirmed meetings for its latest edition.

11. CABSAT 2027

4–6 May 2027 · Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai. CABSAT is the region's trade show for media, broadcast, satellite and Pro AV. It suits broadcasters, studios and streaming platforms. The 2027 show is its 34th edition, and the visitor pass is free with online registration.

12. Middle East Energy 2027

11–13 May 2027 · Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai. Middle East Energy, run by Informa Markets, is the region's power and electrical infrastructure show: transformers, switchgear, cables, solar, storage and grid software. It suits utilities, EPC contractors, consultants and electrical buyers. The organizer cites 35,000+ attendees, 1,900+ exhibitors and 150+ countries. Intersolar Middle East, The Battery Show and Energy Storage Middle East run as specialist shows within it.

The table sums up the list. Dates are the 2026–27 editions as published; confirm on the organizer's site before you book travel.

November 2026 and May 2027 are the busiest months, with three shows each. Eight of the twelve use DWTC for all or part of the show, and six use Expo City. In the first week of May 2027, Arabian Travel Market at DWTC overlaps with CABSAT and GISEC Global at Expo City.

These shows serve narrower niches or fall outside the October–May window.

• Aviation: MEBAA Show 2026 (8–10 December 2026, Dubai World Central) for business aviation. The biennial Dubai Airshow 2027 (15–19 November 2027, Dubai World Central) is the region's aerospace show.
• Jewellery: Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai (JGTD) 2026 (27–29 October 2026, Expo City) for jewellery and gem buyers.
• Education: GESS Dubai 2026 (10–12 November 2026, DWTC) for school leaders and education suppliers.
• Printing and packaging: Gulf Print & Pack 2027 (12–14 January 2027, DWTC).
• Coffee: World of Coffee Dubai 2027 (26–28 January 2027, DWTC) for roasters, cafés and green-coffee traders.
• Logistics: Breakbulk Middle East 2027 (2–3 February 2027, DWTC) for project cargo and heavy-lift shipping.
• Cybersecurity: GISEC Global 2027 (4–6 May 2027, Expo City), a cybersecurity exhibition and conference with a free visitor pass.
• Workplace safety: OS+H Middle East 2027 (24–26 May 2027, DWTC).
• Hotels and interiors: The Hotel Show Dubai 2027 and INDEX 2027 (both 1–3 June 2027, DWTC).
• Beauty: Beautyworld Dubai 2027 (19–21 October 2027, Expo City), after the 2026 edition closed on 8 October.

The full, always-current list is on the Dubai events page.

Costs vary by organizer, so check each show's ticket page before you plan. There are three common models:

• Free trade registration. Many shows admit industry professionals free if they register online in advance. CABSAT and GISEC Global both list a free visitor pass.
• Paid visitor pass. Some shows charge for the floor. Big 5 Global's visitor ticket is AED 100 until 15 October 2026 and AED 250 after.
• Paid delegate pass. Conference programmes cost more: Big 5 Global's delegate ticket is AED 1,750 early bird and AED 2,750 after.

Age limits apply at some shows, such as 21 and over at Big 5 Global. Register before you travel, because on-site registration is slower.

Start with the venue. Dubai's large shows use two venues in different parts of the city: DWTC in central Dubai and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, which has direct Metro access via the Expo 2020 station.

1. Book a hotel near the right venue. A hotel near DWTC means a long daily transfer to Expo City.
2. Check split venues. WHX and Gulfood use both venues in 2027. Find your sector's hall on the floor plan before you plan the day.
3. Book meetings before you land. Most shows open a matchmaking app or hosted-buyer programme a few weeks ahead.
4. Check the visa rules. Visit Dubai's visa page lists who gets a visa on arrival and who must apply online.
5. Use co-located shows. One trip often covers several shows in the same week, such as GulfHost and Gulfood Manufacturing on 3–5 November 2026, or Big 5 Global and HVACR World on 23–26 November.