Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has launched a full summer programme for July and August 2026 with 15 activities — camps, workshops, and events. The theme this year ties into the UAE’s Year of Family. Most activities are free or low cost. Here is the complete breakdown of all 15 with every detail you need.
Quick Summary Table
| # | Activity | Date | Cost | Age |
| 1 | DPL Summer Camp | Jul 13–24 / Aug 3–14 | Dh210+ | 5–14 |
| 2 | Young Innovators Camp | Aug 3–14 | Dh350 | 5–12 |
| 3 | Arabic Calligraphy Workshops | Jul 4–26 | Free | All |
| 4 | Kinusaiga Art Masterclass | Jul 12 | Free | 18+ |
| 5 | Early Explorers STEM | Jul 12 | Free | 7+ |
| 6 | Code the Flame Tree | Jul 26 | Free | 9–14 |
| 7 | Sensory Learning | Jul 26 | Free | 3+ |
| 8 | Beaded Flower Pot Workshop | Jul 26 | Free | All |
| 9 | Baybayin on Plates | Jul 19 | Free | All |
| 10 | Talli Bracelet Workshop | Every Saturday | Dh20 entry | All |
| 11 | Design a Frame / Cultural Pouch | Jul 11–26 | Dh10 entry | All |
| 12 | Family Trails | Every Weekend | Dh20 entry | All |
| 13 | Choral & Performing Arts | Jul 5, 12, 19, 26 | Free | 6–14 |
| 14 | Observers of Change Exhibition | Until Dec 10 | Dh10 entry | All |
| 15 | Dubai Dates Festival | Jul 18–26 | Free | All |
Camps
1. Dubai Public Library Summer Camp
This is the biggest camp in the programme. It runs across eight library branches in Dubai and is split into two rounds — Camp 1 and Camp 2.
- Camp 1 dates: July 13 to 24
- Camp 2 dates: August 3 to 14
- Time: 8:45am to 1:00pm daily (Hatta Library runs 4:00pm to 8:00pm)
- Age groups: 5 to 8 years, and 9 to 14 years
- What children do: Creative arts, crafts, technology, and innovation activities. The programme also focuses on national identity, community belonging, and future-ready skills. After a long camp day, parents can plan a family lunch or dinner nearby — check out the best Best Restaurants in Dubai for great dining options across the city.
- Locations: Al Mankhool Library, Al Twar Library, Al Safa Art & Design Library, Al Rashidiya Library, Umm Suqeim Library, Hatta Library, Hor Al Anz Library, Al Barsha Community Centre
- Cost: One camp — Dh210 for library members, Dh420 for non-members. Both camps — Dh420 for members, Dh840 for non-members
- Register: In person at your selected library branch, or online at dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/events/Summer-Camp—DPL—2026
2. Young Innovators Camp
Hosted at Etihad Museum’s Science and Innovation Lab, this camp combines science, history, culture, and creativity in one programme.
- Dates: August 3 to 7 and August 10 to 14
- Time: 9:00am to 3:00pm
- Ages: 5 to 12 years
- What children do: Hands-on science activities, arts and crafts, creative storytelling, team-based games and challenges. The camp connects UAE heritage with modern innovation and encourages children to think critically and collaborate.
- Location: Etihad Museum, Science and Innovation Lab
- Cost: Dh350 (early bird pricing)
- Register: museumtickets.dubaiculture.gov.ae/etihad/gridSale/details?sellItemCode=ETEVENT
Workshops
3. Arabic Calligraphy Specialised Workshops
Part of Dubai Culture’s Arabic Calligraphy, Ornamentation and Gilding project — a long-term initiative to support emerging calligraphers in the UAE.
- Dates: July 4 to 26
- Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Scripts covered: Ruq’ah, Thuluth, Naskh, Diwani, and Jali. The programme also covers the art of ornamentation and gilding alongside the scripts.
- Instructors: Expert calligraphers selected by Dubai Culture
- Location: Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children
- Cost: Completely free
- Register: dubaiculture.gov.ae
4. Kinusaiga Art Masterclass
A creative textile session teaching a no-sew Japanese-inspired technique using upcycled fabric scraps.
- Date: July 12
- Time: 10:00am to 1:00pm
- Ages: 18 years and above
- What participants do: Learn the Kinusaiga technique — pressing fabric pieces into a pre-carved design to create vibrant, colourful artworks without any sewing. The session uses only recycled or upcycled fabric, making it sustainable and accessible to all levels.
- Instructor: Abeer Al Edani — award-winning Iraqi artist based in Dubai
- Location: Al Safa Arts and Design Library
- Cost: Completely free
- Register: dubaiculture.gov.ae
5. Early Explorers — Brainy ‘n Bright
A STEM workshop for younger children, part of Dubai Culture’s School of Life initiative.
- Date: July 12
- Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
- Ages: 7 years and above
- Language: English
- What children do: The session runs in four stages. First, children learn shapes and basic concepts through hands-on play with push-and-pull toys. Second, they build block-based structures like towers and bridges to develop problem-solving. Third, they decorate and personalise their creations through storytelling. Finally, there is a simple show and tell where children share their creation in one sentence, building confidence and communication skills. After the workshop, families can head out for a fun afternoon — discover the top Shopping Malls In Dubai for family-friendly retail and indoor entertainment nearby.
- Location: Al Twar Library
- Cost: Completely free
- Register: dubaiculture.gov.ae
6. Code the Flame Tree — Brainpad
A technology workshop for children interested in learning basic coding skills, also part of Dubai Culture’s School of Life initiative.
- Date: July 26
- Time: 3:00pm to 5:00pm
- Ages: 9 to 14 years
- Language: Arabic and English
- What participants do: Children explore the UAE’s iconic Flame Tree through creative coding using Scratch. They design a digital tree with colours, movement, and interactive features. Participants must bring their own laptop or tablet with Scratch already installed before arriving.
- Location: Al Twar Library
- Cost: Completely free
- Register: dubaiculture.gov.ae
7. Sensory Learning — Flame Tree
A Montessori-inspired sensory workshop designed specifically for toddlers.
- Date: July 26
- Time: 3:00pm to 4:00pm
- Ages: 3 years and above
- What children do: Toddlers explore their five senses through hands-on activities including sorting, transferring, and practical life exercises. The session is designed to build fine motor skills, improve concentration, and support emotional regulation. The Flame Tree theme connects the activities to nature and the UAE environment.
- Location: Umm Suqeim Library
- Cost: Completely free
- Register: dubaiculture.gov.ae
8. Beaded Flower Pot Creative Workshop
A fun craft session for all ages delivered in partnership with L’Atelier.
- Date: July 26
- Time: 3:00pm to 5:00pm
- Ages: All ages welcome
- What participants do: Customise a plain flower pot using beads, creating colour patterns and designs to turn an everyday item into a personal work of art.
- Location: Al Rashidiya Library
- Cost: Completely free
- Register: dubaiculture.gov.ae
9. Baybayin on Plates
A unique calligraphy and painting session exploring an ancient Filipino script.
- Date: July 19
- Time: 5:00pm to 7:30pm
- Ages: All levels welcome
- What participants do: Learn to write in Baybayin — an ancient pre-colonial Filipino script once used to write Tagalog. Participants write a word or phrase in this historic script while painting their own wooden plate, taking home a unique cultural keepsake. If you want to round off the evening with some entertainment, check out the best Cinemas In Dubai for the latest family-friendly films showing this summer.
- Instructor: Gino Banola — Dubai-based 3D designer and Filipino calligrapher
- Location: Al Mankhool Library
- Cost: Completely free
- Register: dubaiculture.gov.ae
10. Talli Bracelet and Charm Workshop
An ongoing cultural craft workshop running every weekend throughout summer.
- Dates: Every Saturday throughout the summer
- Time: 4:00pm to 7:00pm
- Ages: All ages
- What participants do: Learn the traditional Emirati Talli embroidery technique and design your own personal bracelet or charm. Talli is a traditional form of decorative weaving passed down through generations in the UAE.
- Location: Traditional Jewellery Section, Al Shindagha Museum
- Cost: Museum entry required — Dh20 single ticket, Dh40 group ticket (valid for 5 people). The workshop itself is free with a museum ticket.
- Register: alshindagha.dubaiculture.gov.ae
11. Design a Frame or Cultural Pouch
Two separate creative workshop options available at Etihad Museum throughout July.
- Memories Frame dates: July 12, 18, and 26
- Cultural Pouch dates: July 11, 19, and 25
- Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm on all dates
- Ages: All ages, families welcome
- What participants do:
- Memories Frame: Design and decorate a personalised picture frame to display a favourite memory or photograph
- Cultural Pouch: Create a small handcrafted pouch inspired by UAE heritage and national identity
- Location: Etihad Museum
- Cost: Museum entry required — Dh10 single ticket, Dh20 group ticket (valid for 5 people). Workshops are free with museum entry. If you need to open an account or set up payments for activity fees this summer, take a look at the full guide to Banks in Dubai to find the right banking option near you.
- Register: museumtickets.dubaiculture.gov.ae/etihad/gridSale/tickets
Activities
12. Family Trails at Al Shindagha Museum
An interactive self-guided tour of Al Shindagha’s historic houses and pavilions.
- When: Every weekend
- Time: 10:00am to 7:00pm
- Duration: Approximately 20 minutes per trail
- Ages: All ages, designed for families
- What families do: Pick up a workbook-style trail booklet from one of four starting points — Dubai Creek: Birth of a City house, Perfume House, Emerging City House, or Culture of the Sea pavilion. The booklet guides families through historic sites with puzzles, tasks, and challenges to complete along the way.
- Location: Al Shindagha Museum
- Cost: Museum entry required — Dh20 single ticket, Dh40 group ticket (5 people). Trail booklet is free with entry.
- Register: alshindagha.dubaiculture.gov.ae
13. Choral and Performing Arts in Arabic
A four-session music and performing arts programme for children, culminating in a short live performance.
- Dates: July 5, July 12, July 19, July 26 (four sessions total)
- Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm
- Ages: 6 to 14 years
- What children do: Learn and practice two songs — “Ardona Mostaqbalona” (Our Land, Our Future) and “Al-Shams Al-Ra’e’a” (The Wonderful Sun) from the album The Child and the Sea. Sessions include vocal training, breathing techniques, movement and coordination exercises, theatre games, improvisation, character building, and scene creation. The four sessions build toward a short final performance where children showcase everything they have learned.
- Location: Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children
- Cost: Completely free
- Register: dubaiculture.gov.ae
14. Observers of Change Exhibition
A major retrospective art exhibition at Etihad Museum running through the end of the year.
- Running until: December 10, 2026
- Time: 10:00am to 8:00pm daily
- Ages: All ages
- What to expect: Over 70 artworks from the Barjeel Art Foundation collection tracing the UAE’s artistic identity from 1971 to 2025. Mediums include painting, photography, sculpture, installation, and mixed media. The exhibition documents how art in the UAE has evolved alongside the country’s broader transformation over 50 years. Works are by pioneering and contemporary artists who lived and worked in the UAE since its founding.
- Location: Etihad Museum
- Cost: Museum entry — Dh10 single ticket, Dh20 group ticket (5 people). Exhibition is free with museum entry.
- Register: dubaiculture.gov.ae
15. Dubai Dates Festival
A free, week-long outdoor festival celebrating the UAE’s most beloved fruit and heritage.
- Dates: July 18 to 26
- Time: 10:00am to 10:00pm daily
- Ages: All ages
- What to expect: Farmers, artisans, and heritage lovers come together at Qalaat Al Remaal for an authentic cultural experience. Activities for the whole family, fresh date varieties, artisan stalls, and heritage displays. The festival celebrates community, sustainability, and cultural pride.
- Location: Qalaat Al Remaal
- Cost: Completely free, no registration required
- Register: Walk-in only — no booking needed
Dubai’s summer is packed with culture, creativity, and family fun — much of it completely free. Whether you are looking for a full-day camp for the kids or a quick weekend activity, this season has plenty to offer. For more guides and tips about living and enjoying life in the UAE, visit everlist.ae.
