Explore the best things to do in the region and around the world this season, from food festivals to international art fairs and more.
Middle East Film and Comic Con
š March 4 - 6, 2022 šAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
This year, Middle East Film and Comic Con will celebrate 10 years of uniting movie, TV and comic lovers in the UAE. The regionās largest pop culture festival, it will run from March 4 to 6 at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi.
Celebrating comics, movies, anime, manga and more, the three-day show will feature a series of competitions, workshops and talks with A-list celebrities. Thereās also the chance to obtain exclusive artwork and invest in limited editions of renowned comic books.
To book your hotel in Abu Dhabi, visit rotana.com
World Art Dubai
š March 16 - 19, 2022 šDubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai World Trade Centre is all set to host the seventh edition of World Art Dubai this year. A headline event of Dubai Art Season, the fair will run from March 16 to 19. The event presents art enthusiasts with the best opportunity to explore an exciting new world of affordable art and discover new perspectives in creativity. It will bring together a spectacular collection of more than 2,000 artistic works from renowned international galleries as well as acclaimed and emerging artists from around the world. Also, as the regionās most accessible and affordable retail art fair, visitors can find pieces starting from just US$100.
To book your hotel in Dubai, visit rotana.com
Dresden Opera Ball
š March 14, 2022 šDubai, United Arab Emirates
Promising a spectacle that the city has never seen before, Dubai Opera is all set to host the renowned Dresden Opera Ball on March 14. World-class performers and modern culture will mix together to ensure an unmissable experience produced by the founders of the famous Semper Opera Ball ā a project that aims to support and strengthen the relationships among the European, Russian and Arab cultures.
The evening will see the operatic greats perform in the UAE, including Placido Domingo, Fatma Said, Valeriya, Svetlana Zakharova, Vadim Repin, Fabio Mastrangelo and Dresden Chamber Orchestra. All guests will be treated to a three-course menu curated by Armani Hotel Dubai.
Dubai World Cup
š March 26, 2022 šDubai, United Arab Emirates
Drawing yet another thrilling season of horse racing to a close, Dubai World Cup 2022 will see the worldās best jockeys and the finest thoroughbreds competing for top honours at Meydan Racecourse. The event is one of the worldās richest days in equestrian sports and will see racing royalty, trackside enthusiasts and fashionistas descend on the venue on March 26, 2022.
Besides the trackside action, Dubai World Cup 2022 promises gourmet experiences, a dazzling display of fashion and live music.
To book your hotel in Dubai, visit rotana.com
Art Dubai
š March 11 - 13, 2022 šDubai, United Arab Emirates
March is an exciting time for art enthusiasts in Dubai as one of the worldās most prestigious art fairs returns to the emirate. The 15th edition of Art Dubai is set to take place at Madinat Jumeirah from March 11 to 13, 2022.
This yearās fair will feature more than 100 contemporary and modern galleries from over 40 countries, including more than 30 first-time participants. Art Dubai is also introducing a new section of the fair this year ā Art Digital ā which will shine a light on the development of art in digital realms, digital art galleries and innovative NFT platforms from around the world.
To book your hotel in Dubai, visit rotana.com
Bahrain Grand Prix
š March 18 - 20, 2022 šSakhir, Bahrain
The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2022 will kick off the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship from March 18 to 20. The motorsport extravaganza will take place at Bahrain International Circuit, in the heart of the Sakhir desert, marking the first of 23 rounds in the new season. The 2022 race will be the fourth time that the Formula 1 season will have started in Bahrain as the opening race was previously held in Sakhir in 2006, 2010 and in 2021.
The upcoming edition also marks the 18th edition of the kingdomās 57-lap race and its ninth at night under Bahrain International Circuit's state-of-the-art floodlights.
To book your hotel in Manama, visit rotana.com
St. Patrick's Day
š March 17, 2022 šWorldwide
Having begun as a way to commemorate the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrickās Day has evolved over time and is now a worldwide celebration of all things Irish. Across the globe, there will be public parades, festivals, dances, good luck charms and plenty of green in tribute to the Emerald Isle.
Traditionally, people sport the colour green in their outfits on St. Patrick's Day as they believe it will bring good luck, while others wear it to honour their Irish ancestry. Green decorations can also be seen all over the world and not just in Ireland; the Chicago River in Illinois is even dyed green each year to celebrate the holiday.
Paris Fashion Week
š Until March 17, 2022 šParis, France
After almost two years, Paris Fashion Week is ready to hit the catwalk once again with the fashion community stepping out in full force to showcase the hottest trends of the season. Big names like Dior, HermĆØs and Rick Owens, among 17 confirmed labels, are ramping up to present their menswear collections at the show, while 30 other brands will be opting for private in-person events around the French capital. There will be a bittersweet taste to the first week, however, as Louis Vuitton presents the final collection from the late designer Virgil Abloh, who passed away in November 2021 at the age of 41 after a private battle with cancer.
