Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2026 Opens at ADNEC With 1,200 Exhibitors From 95 Countries
By Thasmiya
The **Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2026** has officially opened at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, bringing together publishers, authors, cultural figures and readers from around the world for six days of books, discussions and cultural experiences.
Running from **September 13 to 18, 2026**, the 35th edition is organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and is being held under the patronage of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
## **When and where is the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2026?**
The fair is taking place at **ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi** from **September 13 to September 18, 2026**.
Public opening hours are **9am to 10pm**, giving visitors plenty of time to explore the exhibition after work, school or university.
The 2026 edition was originally scheduled for April but was moved to September following consultations with international partners, publishers and UAE authorities. Organisers considered international travel, guest participation and publishing-industry logistics when making the change.
## **1,200 exhibitors from 95 countries**
This year’s fair brings together around **1,200 exhibitors from 95 countries**, highlighting the increasingly international reach of the Abu Dhabi event.
Seven countries are participating for the first time: **Kosovo, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Cuba**.
The fair is also expected to feature more than **380 participating cultural figures and luminaries**, alongside 37 educational institutions and more than 25 government and semi-government entities.
## **More than 1,500 events and activities**
ADIBF 2026 is much more than a place to buy books.
Organisers have planned more than **1,500 events and activities** covering literature, publishing, education, culture, technology, music, food and family entertainment.
The opening-day programme includes discussions on educational publishing, business and entrepreneurship, Arabic digital libraries and cultural exchange, alongside culinary sessions and musical performances.
## **35% discount on books**
Book lovers have another reason to visit this year: participating exhibitors are offering a **35% discount on books and publications throughout the fair**.
The discount is applied through the authorised ADIBF digital payment system and is designed to encourage reading and make books more accessible to visitors.
That could make the event particularly attractive for families, students and readers planning to purchase multiple books.
## **The 2026 theme: Turn the Page, Read the World**
The 35th edition is being held under the theme **“Turn the Page, Read the World.”**
The theme reflects the fair’s focus on connecting cultures through books, literature and intellectual exchange while exploring how publishing is changing in an increasingly digital world.
Professional sessions this year will explore topics including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, intellectual property, translation, publishing rights and changing reader behaviour.
## **Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi is the Focus Personality**
The fair has selected influential Arab scholar **Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi** as its 2026 Focus Personality.
Al Farahidi is recognised for his major contributions to Arabic linguistics. He authored *Kitab Al-Ayn*, regarded as the first Arabic dictionary organised phonetically, and established the science of Arabic poetic metre.
The programme will revisit his intellectual legacy and explore its relevance to contemporary knowledge and culture.
## **A celebration of 45 years**
Although 2026 marks the fair’s **35th edition**, its history stretches back to **1981**.
An opening-day musical programme titled **“45 Years of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair”** celebrates that journey through Emirati music and song.
Over the decades, the event has developed from a local book exhibition into an international meeting point for publishers, writers, translators and cultural organisations.
## **Something for younger readers too**
Families and students are a major part of this year’s programme.
Educational activities include storytelling, workshops, school performances and opportunities for young writers. One opening-day event showcases more than **150 original books written by children and teenagers aged seven to 16**.
This makes the fair suitable not only for serious readers and publishing professionals but also for families looking for an educational indoor activity in Abu Dhabi.
## **Food and cultural experiences**
Books are not the only attraction.
The programme includes a **World’s Cuisine** series that uses food to explore connections between cultures. Opening-day sessions bring Emirati and Levantine dishes together, while later programmes explore cuisines including Indonesian food with Emirati influences.
Visitors can therefore combine book shopping with talks, performances, workshops and culinary experiences during the same visit.
## **Sheikh Zayed Book Award ceremony**
The ceremony honouring winners of the **20th Sheikh Zayed Book Award** is also being held as part of the September edition of the fair.
The ceremony was moved alongside ADIBF when the book fair’s dates changed from April to September.
## **What visitors should know**
The key details are simple: **ADIBF 2026 runs September 13–18 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, with public opening hours from 9am until 10pm.**
Visitors interested in particular authors, workshops, children’s activities or professional sessions should check the programme before arriving because events take place at different times throughout the six-day fair.
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2026 official website
Full ADIBF 2026 programme and event calendar
## **Why this matters**
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has grown into one of the UAE’s most important cultural events, bringing global publishing, literature and education together in one place.
With **1,200 exhibitors, 95 participating countries, more than 1,500 activities and a 35% book discount**, the 2026 edition offers something for serious readers, families, students, writers and publishing professionals alike.
And with the fair open until September 18, UAE residents still have several days to explore ADNEC, discover new books and experience one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest literary gatherings of the year.
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