Dubai Event Calendar 2026
Dubai’s year runs on conferences. GITEX, the World Governments Summit, Gulfood, Blockchain Life and TOKEN2049 anchor it, and the Trade Centre alone listed 71 international exhibitions and conferences for the first half of 2026. The key dates, with DET’s visitor count for each month.
International overnight visitors per month, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), 2025. Full year: 19.59 million.
January
Gulfood
The food and beverage trade opens its year here. The 31st edition was the largest yet, 8,500+ exhibitors from 195 countries across two venues for the first time. Back 15–19 March 2027.
February
World Governments Summit
Heads of government, global institutions and chief executives, more than 35 heads of state among them in 2026, the biggest summit so far. February 2025 hotels ran at 90% (CoStar). Next: 1–3 February 2027.
WHX Dubai
Arab Health under its new name, World Health Expo, in a new home at Expo City. 4,300 exhibitors, 32 country pavilions and 235,000 professional visits expected from 180+ countries.
March
Dubai World Cup
The 30th running at Meydan racecourse: nine races and US$30.5 million in prize money, US$12 million on the headline race. A night for hosting clients in the grandstand suites.
May
Art Dubai
The Middle East’s leading international art fair turned 20, with galleries from nearly 20 countries beside UAE institutions such as Alserkal Avenue and Art Jameel. Collectors come for the 14 May preview.
MENA Blockchain Week
A Web3 week with no single venue: 40+ events and 100+ speakers across Dubai, one theme a day, ending on an awards night. It began the Monday after Art Dubai closed.
September
Arabian Travel Market
The 33rd ATM put destinations, hotel groups, airlines and travel-tech suppliers in front of buyers, with ATM Travel Tech alongside. ATM comes round again on 3–6 May 2027.
October
Dubai AI Festival
Two days on artificial intelligence, closing an October at the Trade Centre that also carries WETEX, the World Green Economy Summit and the Airport Show.
November
Dubai FinTech Summit
Run by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), it opens the first Dubai Future Finance Week, 85 events from 2 to 6 November. Digital assets and tokenisation are on the agenda; 1,000+ investors expected.
Dubai Design Week
The 12th edition fills Dubai Design District, with Downtown Design, the region’s contemporary design fair, on 4–8 November. 100,000+ people pass through d3 that week.
Big 5 Global
The region’s major construction show, sharing the Trade Centre with GeoWorld, HVACR World, LiveableCitiesX and Future FM. It ends a week before Blockchain Life.
December
Blockchain Life
The 17th edition of the Web3, crypto and mining forum: 15,000+ attendees, 200+ speakers and 200+ exhibitors, with the official afterparty on 2 December.
GITEX Global
The 46th GITEX Global, and the first at Expo City. Expand North Star, its startup and investor event, runs 8–10 December with 2,000+ startups and 1,200 investors.
New Year’s Eve
Fireworks off Burj Khalifa close the year. On 31 December 2025 hotels hit 94.1% (CoStar), topping the best December since 2006. The natural night for a client celebration.
April
TOKEN2049 Dubai
The crypto industry’s global conference, back at Madinat Jumeirah. The 2025 edition drew 15,000 attendees from 150+ countries and 500+ side events across the city. CH3 has produced TOKEN2049-week programmes in Dubai.
Side-Event Opportunity Map
Dubai’s strongest windows for a side event, through April 2027.
Blockchain Life to GITEX — Dec 1 to 11
Crypto first, then the region’s biggest tech week. Blockchain Life fills Festival Arena on 1–2 December; a week later GITEX Global opens at Expo City, founders and investors included. December 2025 was Dubai’s busiest month: 2.04 million visitors.
TOKEN2049 — Apr 21 to 22, 2027
500+ side events ran around the 2025 edition. CH3 has worked TOKEN2049 week in Dubai, from founder dinners to launch nights. With the dates out, the best rooms can be held now.
Late January into February
Gulfood, the World Governments Summit and WHX Dubai land within three weeks: food trade, then government, then healthcare. Hotels ran at 90% in February 2025 (CoStar).
Finance Meets Design — early November
The FinTech Summit opens Dubai Future Finance Week on 2–3 November; Design Week starts at d3 on the 3rd. Bankers and investors in one district, designers in another.
May — Art Dubai into Blockchain Week
Art Dubai’s collectors leave Madinat Jumeirah on Sunday 17 May. MENA Blockchain Week starts the next day. Two guest lists, back to back.
Dubai Intel
Interactive Dubai District Map
Downtown’s towers, DIFC’s galleries, the Palm’s beach clubs and creekside Deira, each read for the event it suits.
Explore the area map →
Best Event Venues Dubai
Atelier M’s rooftop on Dubai Marina, Kiza in DIFC and TODA, the digital-art theatre at Madinat Jumeirah, with beach clubs and yachts, by format.
Browse event venues →
Dubai Event Agency
CH3’s hub for the Middle East and Türkiye. Worldwide, since 2020: 680+ events, 440 clients, 38 cities, 12 hubs.
Meet CH3 Dubai →Frequently Asked Questions
Dubai’s conference dates for 2026 and early 2027, and how to plan around them.