Upcoming Car Events in Dubai 2026

Dubai’s automotive calendar for 2026 showcases an impressive array of events that celebrate every facet of car culture, from underground street customs to prestigious heritage rallies. Here’s your comprehensive guide to the most significant upcoming car events, focusing on what makes each experience unique.

Michelin Dubai 24Hours

• Date: 16th – 18th Jan 2026
• Venue: Dubai Autodrome

The Michelin Dubai 24Hours is a motorsport spectacle like no other, testing endurance, speed, and strategy over a gruelling 24-hour race. Hosted at the Dubai Autodrome, it’s the first round of the 24H Series Middle East Trophy and attracts top GT3, GT4, and TCE teams worldwide. 

Drivers range from professionals to skilled amateurs, battling through challenging night and day sessions. The 5.39 km circuit’s technical layout pushes both machine reliability and driver stamina to the limit. With massive GT grids and international champions, the event cements Dubai’s reputation as a world-class motorsport destination.

Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East

This one-make series will conduct testing and qualification rounds in late January, followed by racing weekends at both Dubai Autodrome (24–25 January) and Yas Marina Circuit (31 January–1 February 2026). The format—identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup machinery—emphasises driver skill over equipment advantage, making it a showcase for competitive talent development.

Asian Le Mans Series

The series returns for its sixth consecutive UAE campaign, rotating between Dubai and Abu Dhabi venues. This championship accommodates diverse prototypes (LMP2, LMP3) and GT categories, drawing international professional and semi-professional teams. (31 January–1 February 2026 Dubai; Early February, Yas Marina).

Concorso Italiano UAE

The elegant celebration of Italian automotive heritage is expected to repeat on 8 February 2026 at Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa, maintaining its position as the region’s most refined homage to Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. While not independently confirmed for 2026, the event’s biennial/annual pattern and prestige sponsor relationship with RM Sotheby’s suggests continuation.

The Grand Picnic

• Date: 15 Feb 2026
• Venue: Safa Park

Following successful 2025 editions, Grand Picnic by Flat12 has locked in 15 February 2026 at Safa Park, commencing at 10 am. This represents a calendar refinement, as the event was listed with “TBA” status in the original DubiCars article. The event maintains its signature no-revving policy, vintage dress code recommendation, and family-oriented positioning with free admission (plus AED 5 park entry via Dubai Municipality app).

Custom Show Emirates

One source suggests Custom Show Emirates 2026 is scheduled for March 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, but this remains unconfirmed by official event sources. The 2025 edition (17–19 October) was successful with 42,581 visitors and 325 custom vehicles. An autumn 2026 edition is more likely than a spring edition based on historical precedent, though no official announcement has been made.

Offset DXB

• Date: 5–6 April 2026
• Venue: Marriott Marquis, Jewel of the Creek, Dubai

The street culture-focused Offset DXB, previously listed with no confirmed dates in the original DubiCars article, has locked in 5–6 April 2026 (3 PM to late evening). This spring date positioning represents a strategic calendar shift, extending the automotive events season beyond the traditional winter concentration (Oct–Feb).​

The event’s 100+ curated builds, live graffiti art, skateboarding demonstrations, and DJ battles cater to a younger, urban-focused demographic underserved by heritage-focused gatherings. Online ticketing availability signals the professionalisation of event logistics.

Icons of Porsche 2026

• Date: Expected ~22–23 November 2026
• Venue: To Be Announced

2026 will likely occur in late November at Dubai Design District, marking the sixth edition of this Middle East flagship festival. The 2025 edition drew 28,000–30,000 visitors and featured 300+ vehicles; continued growth is anticipated.

Visitors can explore exclusive reveals, enjoy themed food stalls, and experience family-friendly attractions like LEGO build zones. The event unites global Porsche enthusiasts, doubling in scale each year, and transforms Dubai into a haven for automotive design and culture.

Dubai 4×4 Expo 2026

• Date: 20–22 November 2026
• Venue: Safa Park, Dubai

The Dubai 4×4 Expo is the UAE’s biggest outdoor gathering for off-road and overlanding fans. This open-air event showcases 4x4s, RVs, ATVs, accessories, and adventure gear from leading brands. It’s where the desert community connects with experts to learn about vehicle modifications, safety, and outdoor travel. 

Visitors can join interactive workshops, attend live talks, and test cutting-edge off-road equipment. Beyond displays, the expo builds a sense of adventure and camaraderie through real experiences and hands-on demos. From dune explorers to professional overlanders, it’s the perfect destination for anyone passionate about rugged travel and desert exploration. Come meet us at the DubiCars pavilion at the 4×4 Expo—here are more details about the event.

1000 Miglia Experience UAE

The 1000 Miglia Experience 2026, the world’s most prestigious classic car rally, is expected to return for its fifth UAE edition in the 30 November–4 December window, following the 2025 pattern. The event’s limited participation (120 exclusive teams), international prestige (FIVA Spirit Award winner), and integration with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix calendar suggest locked scheduling, though 2026 dates remain officially unannounced.

Liwa International Festival

• Date: 12th Dec 2025 to 3rd Jan 2026
• Venue: Liwa, Al Dhafra region

The Liwa International Festival 2026, 23-day desert celebration anchored at Tal Moreeb dune, is expected to run from December 2026–January 2027, following the December 2025 to January 2026 edition that attracted 600,000+ visitors. The festival’s cultural heritage component, motorsport events (Hill Climb, Freestyle Drift, Burnout Championships), and family entertainment ensure year-on-year repetition.

Events with TBA Status

Two annual flagship events remain without confirmed 2026 dates:

Gulf News Fun Drive (Annual since 1986; Most Recent 2025 = 15–16 February)​
The family-oriented 145-km off-road adventure has been held annually for four decades but typically announces dates in January. No 2026 confirmation has been issued as of January 25, 2026.

Khaleej Times Desert Drive (Annual; Most Recent 2025 = 22 November)
This 120–145 km guided desert convoy traditionally occurs in late November but has not been confirmed for 2026. Historical pattern suggests announcement by August–September 2026 for November execution.

From classic rallies and off-road escapades to high-octane races and art-fuelled gatherings, Dubai’s 2025–2026 car calendar celebrates every corner of motoring culture. Whether you love precision engineering, cultural flair, or pure adrenaline, the city promises an unforgettable automotive year ahead.

Stay tuned to the UAE’s most popular auto blog for more information about the latest happenings in all of the Emirates.

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