Discover What Awaits At the Sikka Art And Design Festival

by Dara Morgan

Discover What Awaits At the Sikka Art And Design Festival

25 Jan 2025

Prepare for a ten-day extravaganza as Sikka Art and Design Festival 2025 takes over Dubai’s Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood from January 30 to February 9, 2025.

Launched by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority in 2011, Sikka provides a platform for Emirati, UAE, and GCC-based creatives to shine. The festival, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, is a key part of the Dubai Art Season. With its vibrant programme of art, design, music, food, and culture, Sikka reflects Dubai’s vision of becoming a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a hub for talent.

This year’s festival features 300+ talks and workshops, 100+ live performances, 50+ homegrown food concepts, and 30+ public art installations, making it a cultural celebration you won't want to miss.

Sikka 25 in numbers

Here is what awaits at the 13th edition of the festival:

19 Themed Houses showcasing exhibitions, activations, and curated displays.
14 Activated Courtyards, buzzing with art and food concepts.
13 Murals transforming Al Shindagha into an open-air gallery.
9 Supper Clubs featuring 9 outstanding chefs, serving curated menus.
6 Orchestral Performances over six magical evenings.
67 Main Stage Performances by 152 artists, celebrating diverse musical genres.

Spotlight on House 196: The Urban House

House 196, also known as “The Urban House,” transforms into a powerful canvas at Sikka 2025, hosting a community-driven project titled “The Anatomy of Vulnerability.” Curated by Ahmad Makary in collaboration with Workshop DXB, the house invites artists and audiences to explore the raw and intricate spectrum of human emotions under the unifying theme of vulnerability.

This multidisciplinary experience turns the house’s rooms into immersive installations, each representing distinct emotional states — fear, reclusiveness, ego, apologies, and more. The journey is designed to be fluid rather than linear, inviting visitors to map their own emotional pathways and confront the fragile yet profound connections that define our humanity.

Participants include Fatspatrol, Noah Perelini, Ahmad Makary, Kav Ahangar, Gerard Roxas Rechdan, and The Printroom by Workshop DXB.

Pro tip: Don’t miss the special live performance by STR on Saturday, February 8. This will be a magnificent music set. Need more details? Stay tuned!

Works by Ahmad Makary, Fatspatrol, Kav Ahangar

House 196 will also host thought-provoking panel discussions, sparking conversations around art, community, and creative collaboration. Among the highlights, Sophie She, The Sandy Times Business Development Director and art guru, will join other panelists on February 1 to discuss the evolving role of grassroots platforms in shaping Dubai’s creative narrative.

What is more?

The Culinary House & Supper Clubs

Foodies, rejoice! The Culinary House, also known as the House of Saffron, is a feast for the senses. Dedicated to saffron, the house features 9 intimate supper clubs, each offering a curated set menu with saffron-infused creations, from cocktails to desserts.

A sonic celebration

The Music Programme at Sikka 2025 features a dynamic lineup of 67 live performances and 6 orchestral shows, bringing a rich sonic celebration to the festival. Highlights include performances by the Firdaus Orchestra (January 31), Emirates Youth Orchestra (February 1), Centre for Musical Arts Senior Wind Ensemble (February 2), AUS Arabic Music Ensemble (February 7), Dubai City Sound (February 8), and the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra (February 9). Each show offers two sets at 6:30 pm and 7:20 pm, providing a captivating musical experience throughout the festival.

Sikka Festival map

Sikka 25 timings

Sikka 2025 invites you to immerse yourself in 10 days of art, culture, and creativity. The festival runs daily from January 30 to February 8, opening its doors from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm on weekdays and extending until 12:00 am on weekends.

Discover more details on Sikka here. And see you there!

by Dara Morgan