Abu Dhabi International Book Fair to return in September 2026

The 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) is scheduled to take place from September 13 to 18, 2026, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Held under the patronage of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the event is organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre as part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

Under the theme ‘Turn the Page, Read the World’, the fair will host exhibitors from 95 countries and feature approximately 1,500 events. The program is structured around three primary themes: global culture and civilisational dialogue, innovation and the creation of the future, and the arts and live cultural experiences.

The Balkans will serve as the Guest of Honour for this edition. Additionally, the fair will recognize the scholar Al Khalil ibn Ahmad Al Farahidi as its Focus Personality and Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote as the ‘Book of the World’.