As the emirate’s flagship annual cultural event and the cornerstone of the Ras Al Khaimah Art initiative under the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival builds on more than a decade of nurturing artists, audiences, and creative communities. January 16th to 18th serves as the introduction to the Festival’s 2026 programme and its central theme, “Civilizations,” allowing audiences to explore how cultures meet, evolve, and influence one another across time. Culinary Mastery at The Hidden Table: New for 2026, the first weekend also introduces The Hidden Table, a curated culinary programme that expands the festival’s cultural narrative into gastronomy. Conceived as an integral part of Ras Al Khaimah Art’s creative vision, The Hidden Table positions food as a form of cultural storytelling, where tradition, memory, and craft are shared through communal experience within the heritage setting of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village. The Hidden Table launches with Chama, an open-fire dining experience led by Chef Tiago Pazzini and hosted at Bayt 7. With no fixed menu, each evening is guided by seasonality, elemental cooking, and instinct, allowing cuisine to unfold as a live, creative expression. Straight from the cobbled streets of Porto to the stone walls of the heritage village, Chama creates an intimate space where food becomes a dialogue between cultures, place, and people. Seating is limited, putting emphasis on presence, craftsmanship, and connection.

Live Performances & Film Screenings

On Friday, January 16th, attendees can enjoy an atmospheric live performance by acclaimed Emirati vocalist AlMaydee, whose soulful sound blends jazz, blues, funk, and soft rock. His performance at The Fort sets the tone for a weekend rooted in reflection, rhythm, and cultural exchange.

Saturday shifts the energy up a gear, as James SCARR returns with his wordless yet deeply expressive Mime Show, Alana Hicks brings storytelling and live art together in Step into Civilisation, and Luiza takes to the main stage once more following her standout debut last year. Adding a burst of high-energy sound, AFCENT Band delivers a crowd-pleasing mix of pop, rock, and jazz that keeps the atmosphere lively throughout the evening. The experience is rounded out with a free indoor film screening at Al Hamra Mall, extending the festival’s conversation into cinema.

Guided Tours

Across Saturday and Sunday, festival visitors can engage deeply with Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village through guided heritage tours that reveal the architectural, social, and maritime histories of the UAE’s last remaining intact pearling village, alongside curated art tours that trace the narrative of the exhibition and how artists interpret the theme “Civilizations” across the site.

Workshops & Masterclasses

Additionally, the weekend features a diverse programme of artist-led workshops and masterclasses, transforming the village into an active space for learning and participation. Hands-on sessions explore traditional agriculture, Arabic calligraphy, light painting, analog film photography, enamelling, and fabric art, connecting ancient practices with contemporary creative expression.

The Overarching Theme: Civilizations

The Festival’s 2026 theme, “Civilizations,” will be introduced as a lens through which artistic, cultural, and social exchange is explored. Drawing inspiration from Ras Al Khaimah’s historical position along ancient trade routes and its contemporary global outlook, the theme examines shared histories, collective memory, and how creative expression continues to shape identity across generations. Through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and experiences, the opening weekend invites reflection on how civilizations are formed, sustained, and reimagined.

This marks the beginning of a month-long programme of exhibitions, performances, workshops, tours, film screenings, and cultural experiences. With limited capacity, don’t miss out and register early to secure access to selected activities. With free public entry alongside ticketed experiences, Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival is designed for audiences of all ages and backgrounds to experience creativity within one of the UAE’s most significant heritage sites.

When: From January 16th to February 8th 

Where: Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, Ras Al Khaimah 

What: A month-long outdoor arts festival featuring exhibitions, performances, workshops, heritage tours, film screenings, and curated culinary experiences 

Price: Experiences are priced individually