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Throw your expectations for a typical art show out the window. Right at this very moment, Abu Dhabi’s natural landscapes and urban spaces are alive with a breathtaking transformation. The city is hosting the magnificent Manar Abu Dhabi, a public light art exhibition that is an absolute feast for the senses. This is your invitation to explore a world where art doesn't just hang on a wall but illuminates mangroves, dances across buildings, and tells ancient stories under the stars.

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This spectacular event, guided by the beautiful theme “The Light Compass,” connects the dots between the Gulf’s deep-rooted history and the glow of tomorrow. A brilliant lineup of Emirati and international artists has created a series of captivating site-specific installations that you simply have to see to believe.

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Your Plan for a Perfect Night of Wonders

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Find the Glow

The beauty of this exhibition is its canvas. The heart of the action pulses across Jubail Island, where art nestles among the mangroves. For a round-the-clock dose of inspiration, head to Souq Al Mina. And the magic doesn't stop there. A parallel constellation of light is also shining brightly in Al Ain, specifically within the enchanting oases of Al Qattara and Al Jimi.

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Photo: Supplied

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Know Before You Go

To catch the artworks at their most brilliant, plan your visit for the evening hours. In Abu Dhabi, the Jubail Island displays come alive from half past five in the evening until midnight. For those craving a spontaneous art fix, the installations at Souq Al Mina offer a dazzling twenty-four-hour experience. Over in Al Ain, the lights are on from half past five each evening until the clock strikes twelve.

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Unforgettable Experiences Waiting for You

Prepare to be swept away by the creativity on display. As you wander through Jubail Island, make sure to seek out a few standout pieces that are capturing everyone's imagination.

Step into "Eden," a creation by Malaysian artist Pamela Poh, where delicate steel structures and floating glass spheres create an almost dreamlike atmosphere among the trees.

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Then, prepare to become part of the art with "Unfold" from the Netherlands' studio DRIFT. This incredible piece uses a clever generative algorithm to turn your own biometric data into a unique display of digital flowers and sound, making it a truly personal encounter.

Don't miss Emirati sculptor Shaikha Al Mazrou's "Contingent Object," a massive thirty-meter circle that evolves before your eyes as saltwater slowly crystallizes into a shimmering disc.

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The lights are on, the art is waiting, and the city has never looked more beautiful. Your luminous adventure is just a visit away.

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