Design Doha, Qatar’s foremost contemporary design biennial, will take place from November 5, 2026, to January 31, 2027, returning for its second edition with an expanded scope and international participation. The event will feature over 100 multidisciplinary designers and studios from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia (MENASA) region and their global diasporas, showcasing a wide range of creative disciplines.

The 2026 iteration will be anchored in Fereej Al Asmakh, one of Doha’s most historically significant heritage districts. The area will serve not only as an exhibition venue but also as an active site for cultural production, community engagement, and design-led urban renewal. Organizers aim to use the biennial as a platform to propose contemporary creative and cultural interventions that respect the district’s historic fabric while contributing to its recent renovations.

Design Doha was established under the leadership of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chairperson of Qatar Museums. The upcoming edition is led by Fahad Al Obaidly, director of Design Doha, with Glenn Adamson as artistic director, overseeing the event’s curatorial direction and international discourse.

Central to the program is “Arab Design Now 2026,” curated by Noura Al Sayeh, which will bring together 81 designers from 27 countries practicing across more than 15 disciplines including architecture, furniture, product and craft design, urbanism, sound, and social design. The exhibition includes 78 new commissions and 15 films, representing one of the largest production scales in the region’s design exhibitions.

Building on its inaugural 2024 edition, Design Doha 2026 plans more than 15 exhibitions, reflecting a substantial increase in scale, ambition, and global reach. The biennial emphasizes the role of design as a knowledge system shaped by language, landscape, ecology, craft, and generational expertise, aiming to foster sustainable creative economies and enhance living conditions locally and regionally.

In addition to exhibitions, the event aims to connect designers and makers with the broader public, production networks, international experts, and emerging professional opportunities. It positions Doha as an evolving creative capital in the MENASA region and a hub for cultural exchange, collaboration, and innovation in design.

Fahad Al Obaidly noted that the 2026 edition marks a significant evolution for the biennial, expanding its presence into public spaces and prioritizing research and collaborative production. Early bird tickets for Design Doha 2026 will be available through the event’s official website.