Top 11 Best Upcoming Exhibitions in Dubai (2026-2027)

Introduction

Dubai now has 2 major exhibition venues operating at full scale. Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai joins the long established Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), giving the emirate more capacity for major trade shows in 2026 and 2027.

For exhibitors, exact dates and venue details matter. Several major shows have changed venues or expanded across both sites for this cycle. The 11 exhibitions below are confirmed events scheduled between October 2026 and November 2027, listed in calendar order."

How We Selected These 11 Exhibitions

This list is a research compilation, not a field report. We reviewed official event organizer pages and venue information to confirm dates, venues, attendance figures, exhibitor numbers, and major changes affecting exhibitors. We also cross-checked the broader Dubai exhibition market to provide context on the emirate's growing exhibition capacity across Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai.

We selected exhibitions using 3 criteria: strong regional or international relevance, a confirmed 2026 or 2027 edition date at the time of research, and publicly available attendance or exhibitor data from the organizer or a credible source. The list covers major events across cybersecurity, beauty, automotive, construction, technology, security, healthcare, food, travel, and aerospace.

Key Takeaways

• The calendar runs from Beautyworld on October 6-8, 2026, to Dubai Airshow on November 15-19, 2027. It covers 11 major exhibitions across 14 months.
• Gulfood 2027 and GITEX Global 2026 are among the largest events in this calendar. The January 2026 edition of Gulfood drew close to 300,000 visitors.
• GITEX Global 2026 moves its main expo from DWTC to the newly expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. This is the first time in 45 years that the main GITEX expo has moved from DWTC.
• Exhibitors targeting December 2026 through March 2027 should book stand space, design, freight, and accommodation early. GITEX Global, Intersec, WHX Dubai, and Gulfood fall within roughly 15 weeks.

1. Beautyworld Middle East: October 6-8, 2026

Beautyworld Middle East returns to Dubai World Trade Centre from October 6 to 8, 2026. It is the largest beauty, fragrance, and wellness trade fair in the Middle East and ranks among the world's leading beauty exhibitions.

The 2026 edition is projected to feature more than 2,500 exhibitors and 85,000 visitors. Product categories cover cosmetics, skincare, haircare, fragrance, packaging, and beauty technology.

The visitor mix is important for brands entering new markets. Buyers travel from the GCC, Africa, South Asia, and the CIS, giving exhibitors access to distributors and retailers across several growing markets.

2. ARABLAB LIVE 2026: October 26-28, 2026

ARABLAB LIVE 2026 takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from October 26-28, 2026. The event brings together laboratory, analytical, biotechnology, and scientific technology companies from around the world.

It showcases laboratory equipment, analytical instrumentation, robotics, and biotechnology solutions, attracting professionals from healthcare, environmental science, food safety, and petrochemical industries.

3. Gulfood Manufacturing: November 3-5, 2026

Gulfood Manufacturing returns to Dubai World Trade Centre from November 3 to 5, 2026, bringing together food processing, packaging, ingredients, automation, and manufacturing technology companies.

The event is expected to feature more than 2,500 exhibitors and 61,907 industry professionals. For exhibitors, stand designs should allow for machinery demonstrations, product displays, meeting areas, electrical requirements, and smooth visitor movement.

4. Automechanika Dubai: November 10-12, 2026

Automechanika Dubai moves to Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai for its 2026 edition after 22 consecutive editions at Dubai World Trade Centre. The event runs from November 10-12, with the relocation increasing the exhibition footprint to roughly 110,000 square meters.

Organizers project around 2,400 exhibitors and more than 30,000 trade buyers. The 2025 edition recorded 2,273 exhibitors and 50,308 visitors from 162 countries.

The show covers automotive aftermarket parts, garage equipment, accessories, and related services. For exhibitors targeting automotive buyers across the wider Middle East and Africa region, booth location and product visibility deserve careful planning in the larger venue.

5. The Big 5 Global: November 23-26, 2026

The Big 5 Global returns to Dubai World Trade Centre from November 23-26, 2026. It remains one of the region's major construction industry events.

Organizer dmg events projects more than 2,700 exhibitors, around 60,000 products, and more than 85,000 attendees from over 165 countries.

The exhibition covers concrete and cement, HVACR, heavy machinery, digital construction, facility management, building interiors, and modular construction. Large equipment needs clear floor space, while technical products need room for demonstrations and buyer discussions. Plan the stand around those requirements before choosing finishes.

Visitor Scale at a Glance

• Gulfood: 300,000+ visitors based on the 2026 edition
• WHX Dubai: 235,000+ visitors
• GITEX Global: 200,000+ visitors based on the 2025 edition
• Dubai Airshow: 85,000+ projected visitors
• The Big 5 Global: 85,000+ projected visitors
• Beautyworld Middle East: 85,000+ projected visitors
• Intersec: 50,000 projected visitors
• Automechanika Dubai: 30,000+ projected trade buyers

These figures combine recently reported attendance with organizer projections. Check the individual event details before using a figure in sales or marketing material.

6. GITEX Global: December 7-11, 2026

GITEX Global holds its 46th edition from December 7-11, 2026. For the first time in 45 years, the main expo moves from Dubai World Trade Centre to the newly expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai.

Dubai Exhibition Centre is roughly 1.5 times the size of the previous venue. A separate GITEX Scale Summit takes place at DWTC on December 7 before the main exhibition opens.

The 2025 edition attracted more than 200,000 technology executives from more than 180 countries and featured more than 6,500 exhibiting companies. Around 40% of attendees were at C level.

GITEX is a major visibility event for AI, enterprise technology, and startup brands. Returning exhibitors should not rely on previous stand locations or hall layouts. The new venue changes visitor movement, sightlines, and logistics.

Larger, more open halls also increase the importance of stand position. Corner locations and aisle ends can give a brand stronger visibility, particularly when competitors occupy large footprints nearby.

7. Intersec: January 12-14, 2027

Intersec runs at Dubai World Trade Centre from January 12 to 14, 2027. The 28th edition covers security, safety, and fire protection and is co-located with Light + Intelligent Building Middle East.

The exhibition spans roughly 61,000 square meters and is expected to feature around 1,400 exhibitors and 50,000 visitors.

Exhibitors should confirm the final event dates with Messe Frankfurt before booking flights, hotels, or stand services. Some secondary event listings have published different dates for the 2027 edition.

8. WHX Dubai, Formerly Arab Health: January 25-28, 2027

Arab Health rebranded as WHX Dubai, or World Health Expo Dubai, during its 50th anniversary edition in February 2026. Many buyers and exhibitors still refer to the event by its former name.

The 2027 edition runs from January 25 to 28 across Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai and Dubai World Trade Centre. More than 235,000 visitors are expected, making it one of the largest medical trade events in the Middle East.

The multi venue format requires careful planning. Medical devices, pharmaceutical products, and digital health companies can be assigned to different halls and venues. Confirm your category, hall, loading arrangements, and visitor access before finalizing the stand design.

9. Gulfood: March 15-19, 2027

Gulfood returns for its 32nd edition from March 15-19, 2027. The event spans Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, continuing the 2 venue format used to handle demand.

Organizers project around 8,500 exhibitors from 195 countries across 280,000 square meters of exhibition space.

The January 2026 edition welcomed close to 300,000 visitors and recorded an AED 168 billion trade value. More than 8,500 exhibitors showcased over 1.5 million products across 12 sectors.

For food and beverage companies, Gulfood is a major buying event in the region. Product sampling, storage, service counters, refrigeration, and buyer meetings all need to be considered when planning the stand.

10. Arabian Travel Market: May 3-6, 2027

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) runs from May 3-6, 2027, at Dubai World Trade Centre. The event uses the Sheikh Saeed halls, Za'abeel halls, Trade Centre Arena, and the main exhibition pavilion.

ATM brings together national tourism boards, airlines, hotels, and travel technology companies from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. ATM Travel Tech typically runs alongside the main event.

For tourism and hospitality brands, the stand needs to communicate the destination or experience quickly. Strong graphics, destination imagery, meeting areas, and clear visitor routes matter more than filling every wall with information.

11. Dubai Airshow: November 15-19, 2027

Dubai Airshow runs from November 15-19, 2027, at Dubai World Central. The 19th biennial edition covers civil aviation, defense, space, and aerospace manufacturing.

The event is expected to attract more than 85,000 trade visitors and more than 1,400 exhibitors

Because Dubai Airshow takes place every 2 years, aerospace and defense companies tend to plan well ahead. Exhibitors should begin discussions around stand space, design, freight, hospitality areas, and logistics at least 9-12 months before the event.

How to Plan Around This Calendar

2 scheduling patterns deserve attention more than the individual event dates.

The December to March Period Is Busiest

GITEX Global, Intersec, WHX Dubai, and Gulfood take place within roughly 15 weeks. If your company exhibits at more than one event, secure stand space, design, freight, and hotel rooms months ahead. Contractor and venue capacity becomes tighter when several major shows overlap.

Venue Changes Affect Returning Exhibitors

GITEX Global and Automechanika Dubai have moved their main exhibitions to Dubai Exhibition Centre after decades at DWTC. Previous hall assignments and loading arrangements should not guide your 2026 planning. Confirm the current floor plan and venue instructions with the organizer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Dubai exhibition venue will my show use, DWTC or Dubai Exhibition Centre?

The venue depends on the event and, in some cases, the year. Beautyworld Middle East, The Big 5 Global, Intersec, and Arabian Travel Market remain at Dubai World Trade Centre for this cycle. GITEX Global and Automechanika Dubai move to Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. WHX Dubai and Gulfood use both venues. Always check the organizer's current hall and venue information before booking travel or stand logistics.

Do I need a visa to attend a trade show in Dubai?

Visa requirements depend on your nationality and can change. Check the UAE's official visa information or contact your nearest UAE mission before booking travel. Some exhibition organizers also provide visa support letters for confirmed exhibitors and delegates. Request one through the event registration team after securing your badge or stand.

How far in advance should I book an exhibition stand?

For major events such as GITEX Global, Gulfood, WHX Dubai, and The Big 5 Global, experienced exhibitors typically start stand planning and space booking 6-9 months ahead. Dubai Airshow generally requires 9-12 months of preparation because it is a biennial event. Smaller or newer events such as ARABLAB LIVE can often be planned within 3-4 months, depending on the stand requirements and available space.

How do I get visitor tickets or exhibitor badges?

Register through the official website of the event. Registration usually opens several months before the show, and verified trade visitors can often attend without a ticket fee. Exhibitor badges are issued through the organizer after the stand booking is confirmed.

Final Thoughts

Dubai's 2026-2027 exhibition calendar combines major events across Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. GITEX Global's move to the new venue is the most significant change in this cycle, while WHX Dubai and Gulfood continue to use multiple venues.

For exhibitors, the practical issue is timing. Stand space, design capacity, freight services, and hotel rooms become harder to secure as major events approach, particularly between December and March.

If your company plans to exhibit at any of these shows, start with the event date and venue. Then lock in your space, define the stand requirements, and build the logistics plan around the organizer's current floor plan.

Plan Your Dubai Exhibition Stand

Talk to a Dubai exhibition stand design and build team before you book your space.