Bluewaters Launches First-Ever Art Festival with a Bold Call to ‘Reconnect’

Dubai’s iconic island destination transforms into a living canvas with large-scale murals, immersive installations, and cross-cultural creativity at the heart of it all.

Bluewaters, one of Dubai’s most vibrant lifestyle destinations, is stepping into the cultural spotlight with the launch of its first-ever Bluewaters Art Festival, running from April 12 to 20, 2025. Centered around the theme ‘Reconnect’, the week-long celebration marks a bold move into the art and design space, transforming the island into an open-air gallery filled with more than 20 murals, installations, workshops, and live performances.

With 23 artists hailing from the UAE, Türkiye, New York, the UK, and beyond, the festival offers a rich fusion of global perspectives, street art, and participatory programming. Among the standouts are Areen Hassan, whose sensory installations nod to her Palestinian heritage, and Kaveh Ahanger, who brings digital murals and string art to life through site-specific interventions. Complementing these are immersive gallery spaces like Kanvas Room, alongside collaborations with Firetti Gallery and Studio 13, each offering multidisciplinary exhibits that push the boundaries of conventional display.

But it’s not all passive viewing—weekends at Bluewaters come alive with family-friendly workshops, thought-provoking art talks, and live music sets across the island. Whether you're painting fluid bears with your kids, getting hands-on with air-dry clay, or listening in on a panel about art as resilience, the programming is designed to make creativity accessible and engaging for all.

To take part in the workshops, visitors simply spend AED 150 at any Bluewaters venue and present a receipt—keeping the experience rooted in community and inclusivity.

Adding to the atmosphere, Bluewaters’ dining destinations join the celebration with creative sessions and limited-time activations. From ceramic mug painting at Ribambelle to floral masterclasses at The Pods and intimate art-meets-food gatherings at Pastamamma, the spirit of the festival spills effortlessly into the island’s social fabric.

With sweeping views, more than 30 restaurants, retail outlets, and cultural landmarks like Madame Tussauds and Tr88house just steps away, the Bluewaters Art Festival offers more than a day out—it invites residents and visitors alike to slow down, explore, and reconnect through the language of art.

For updates, follow @BluewatersDubai on Instagram