The six-day literary celebration takes place at ADNEC
Bookworms, clear your calendars. The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is returning this September for its 35th edition, bringing six days of books, culture, big ideas and plenty of reasons to spend a day browsing the shelves.
Taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 13 to 18 September,this year’s fair will feature around 1,500 events, with exhibitors from 95 countries and writers, thinkers, academics and publishing professionals from around the world.
The theme for this year is ‘Turn the Page, Read the World’, with the programme exploring global culture and civilisational dialogue, innovation and the future, alongside arts and live cultural experiences.
There will be plenty happening beyond the exhibition stands. Families can explore dedicated educational and creative programmes for children and young adults, while publishing professionals can attend a specialised conference looking at emerging trends across the industry.
One of the exciting new additions this year will be Poetry Nights, bringing together poetry readings, literary conversations and critical discussions featuring some of the Arab world’s leading poets.
You might also like: Tiffany & Co. is offering three amazing design internships for Abu Dhabi residents
The fair will also mark its 35th anniversary with a special opening ceremony celebrating the UAE’s cultural story through music, patriotic songs and a theatrical performance inspired by Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi, this year’s Focus Personality.
The Balkans will take centre stage as the fair’s Guest of Honour, while Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote will be celebrated as the Book of the World.
Visitors will also see the return of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award ceremony, which will honour the 2026 laureates and celebrate the award’s contribution to literature, translation and scholarly research.
With thousands of books, international voices, live events and activities for all ages, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is shaping up to be one of the capital’s biggest cultural dates this September.
13-18 September, ADNEC. For further information, visit adbookfair.com
