From November 18 to 22, NOMAD returns to Abu Dhabi for its second edition, transforming a historic airport terminal into an unexpected meeting point for contemporary art, collectible design, fashion and luxury.
What happens when an abandoned airport terminal becomes one of the most exciting destinations on the international art and design calendar? NOMAD Abu Dhabi is returning for its second edition from November 18 to 22, 2026, the event will take over Terminal 1 of the Old Abu Dhabi Airport, bringing together more than 50 international exhibitors in a setting far removed from the conventional art fair.
Presented in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), this year’s edition will spotlight creative voices from Africa, India, Korea and the wider Middle East, alongside some of the most influential names in international design. The result promises to be an eclectic mix of collectible objects, contemporary art, craftsmanship and luxury, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s increasingly prominent position on the global creative map.
An Airport Terminal, but Not as You Know It
Forget the predictable white walls of a traditional exhibition space. NOMAD’s setting is part of what makes the experience so distinctive. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu and opened in 1982, Terminal 1 of the Old Abu Dhabi Airport is a striking example of Arabian Modernism, a building that once represented the Emirates’ growing connection with the rest of the world.
For 2026, its former departure areas and private gates will be transformed into immersive exhibition spaces, giving the historic architecture an entirely new purpose. Four private gates will be taken over by Nilufar, Gallery FUMI, A2Z and Galerie Gastou, each creating large-scale presentations that bring contemporary design into dialogue with the terminal’s original character.
The contrast between the airport’s retro-futuristic architecture and the experimental works on display is set to become one of the event’s defining features. Rather than simply filling a historic building with beautiful objects, NOMAD makes the space itself part of the creative experience.
A New Generation of Global Design
Beyond its extraordinary location, NOMAD Abu Dhabi 2026 stands out for its international perspective and its attention to creative scenes that are reshaping the design world.
Among this year’s exhibitors are ÆQUŌ, Maison Intègre, Gallery Vein, Galleria Rossana Orlandi and Galerie Negropontes, alongside returning names such as Studio Renn and Galerie BSL. Their presentations will span sculptural furniture, experimental objects, contemporary jewellery and traditional techniques reinterpreted for a new audience.
Mumbai-based ÆQUŌ will bring Indian craftsmanship into a contemporary context, exploring the creative possibilities of artisanal techniques and unexpected materials. From Burkina Faso, Maison Intègre will present sculptural bronze pieces that blur the boundaries between functional furniture and art, while South Korea’s Gallery Vein will offer a fresh perspective on traditional decorative practices.
The emphasis is on individuality rather than uniformity, with each presentation offering a different approach to materials, form and cultural identity.
Contemporary art will also play an important role. South African artist Robin Rhode will create a wall drawing and performance that evolves throughout the event, turning the act of artistic creation into something visitors can experience firsthand.
The Middle East will have an equally strong presence, with galleries and studios including Leila Heller Gallery, SUPER LOOP, The AP Room and Iwan Maktabi. Their participation reflects the energy of a regional creative scene that is attracting growing international attention, while developing its own distinctive visual language.
Where Fashion, Art and Luxury Collide
Fashion and luxury will also take centre stage at NOMAD Abu Dhabi 2026, reinforcing the increasingly close relationship between collectible design and the world of high-end lifestyle.
One of the highlights will be the ELITE Lounge by Chalhoub Group, presented under The Art of Living concept. Bringing together Max Mara, De Beers, Repossi and Lalique, alongside contemporary regional brand Laggar, the showcase will explore the intersection of fashion, high jewellery, craftsmanship and design.
Elsewhere, a collaboration between YANGWANG and Dubai-based artist Ibrahim Zaki will bring automotive innovation into the artistic conversation. Featuring the YANGWANG U9 electric hypercar, the project will explore the relationship between technology, visual expression and cutting-edge design.
The experience will extend beyond the exhibition spaces through collaborations with Public Art Abu Dhabi and a new partnership with ERTH Abu Dhabi, creating opportunities for performances, cultural conversations and social gatherings throughout the event.
Together, these projects highlight how NOMAD is expanding the idea of what an art and design fair can be, bringing different creative industries into the same space without limiting itself to a single discipline.
There is something particularly fitting about hosting an international design event inside a former airport. Once a place of departures and arrivals, Terminal 1 is becoming a meeting point for artists, designers, collectors and creative communities from around the world.
And that transformation says something about Abu Dhabi itself. As the city continues to develop its cultural identity, events like NOMAD are helping shape a creative landscape where heritage and contemporary experimentation can coexist.
Visitors have the opportunity to discover emerging designers from another continent, encounter a sculptural installation inside a former boarding gate and see fashion, jewellery and contemporary art presented as part of the same creative conversation.
NOMAD Abu Dhabi 2026 is not simply about showcasing exceptional objects. It is about exploring where design is heading, who is shaping its future and how creativity can give familiar places an entirely new identity.