Where to join creative writing workshops in Dubai?

Have you ever sat with a half-written story and wondered if others face the same creative blocks? In Dubai, the answer is a confident yes. Beneath the city’s iconic skyline, a quiet but rich literary network thrives—one where creative writing workshops are more than classes. They’re spaces of reflection, collaboration, and sometimes even healing. Whether you’re working on a novel, experimenting with poetry, or simply want to explore your voice, Dubai offers welcoming workshops tailored to a range of levels. Some meet in libraries or art hubs, while others gather in cozy cafés or coworking spaces across Al Quoz, Business Bay, and Downtown Dubai.

Independent workshops often take place in art districts like Alserkal Avenue

Alserkal Avenue, known for its galleries and installations, is also home to storytelling. Here, writing sessions are frequently held inside multi-purpose art studios and independent bookstores. These spaces encourage interdisciplinary thinking, and it’s common for attendees to be visual artists or musicians experimenting with words. Workshop themes may explore writing inspired by visual prompts, personal memory, or spoken word performance. The atmosphere is relaxed and inclusive, often attracting residents and long-term visitors who are eager to share unique life perspectives in a multicultural setting. Some sessions are bilingual or focused on diaspora voices, creating bridges between languages and identities.

Dubai’s libraries have become active supporters of literary development

Dubai’s public libraries, especially Al Safa Art and Design Library and Mohammed bin Rashid Library, regularly host writing sessions. These are sometimes facilitated by local educators, literature graduates, or guest authors visiting the UAE for festivals. The venues are serene, equipped with writing-friendly seating and shelves of global fiction and craft manuals. Participants are often invited to read their work aloud and receive constructive feedback. Occasionally, special sessions align with events like the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, providing access to international literary mentors. Entry is usually free, but registration is required through the library’s cultural events desk.

Coworking spaces in Dubai host niche storytelling sessions for professionals

Writers who balance creativity with a full-time job will find that coworking venues like Downtown’s The Bureau or JLT’s Nook frequently host evening writing events. These sessions are often facilitated by professional editors or former journalists and focus on writing with clarity and impact. Ideal for entrepreneurs, content creators, or marketing specialists, such workshops teach storytelling as a professional tool. Participants learn how to write compelling brand narratives, develop newsletter voice, or structure long-form thought pieces. Sessions may include exercises in tone, structure, and editing practice. They’re practical, fast-paced, and tailored for today’s hybrid work-life writers.

Community centers and cultural institutes offer cross-cultural storytelling spaces

Institutes like the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation or Alliance Française sometimes run storytelling sessions that highlight heritage, migration, and cultural identity. These programs are open to residents from all backgrounds and aim to preserve memory through written word. Some writing circles here focus on oral history transformation, while others encourage script development for community theater. The tone tends to be reflective, and participants are often immigrants or second-generation residents exploring personal or inherited narratives. These workshops provide both technical guidance and emotional resonance, grounded in Dubai’s unique blend of cultures.

Seasonal workshops are common during the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

Every February or March, Dubai hosts the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature—a celebration of global authors, thinkers, and storytellers. As part of the extended programming, several creative writing workshops take place across the city. These include masterclasses on memoir, children’s literature, and speculative fiction, led by award-winning writers. Some are single-session intensives, while others extend across several weeks leading to a public reading or publication opportunity. The festival often collaborates with schools, universities, and writing centers to promote literary expression. If you’re serious about growing your craft, this annual event offers deep mentorship in an inspiring environment.

Workshops focused on poetry and spoken word flourish in the city’s café scene

Poetry lovers will find a vibrant underground in Dubai’s spoken word community. Venues like The Courtyard Playhouse and small cafés in Karama or Satwa regularly host open mic nights that evolve into poetry workshops. These are led by local poets or visiting performers and focus on rhythm, voice, and emotional presence. Some sessions explore multilingual writing or fusion styles, blending Arabic, English, and Tagalog into expressive forms. Writers are encouraged to perform, rewrite, and reflect, often ending with live readings. These spaces are especially nurturing for first-time poets looking to find their voice.

Many workshops integrate mindfulness, journaling, and self-discovery

Dubai’s wellness scene has spilled into the literary space, creating a genre of writing workshops focused on journaling and reflective practice. Held in wellness studios or desert retreats, these sessions combine mindfulness techniques with free-writing exercises. Facilitators guide participants through themes like inner dialogue, gratitude, and clarity in storytelling. These workshops attract those seeking personal growth rather than publication. The tone is gentle and explorative, often accompanied by sound therapy, breathwork, or art. Writing here becomes a tool for introspection—a way to navigate emotions through structured creativity.

Online options continue to expand, especially for expat and parent-friendly access

While in-person sessions dominate, online writing workshops have grown since 2020 and remain popular. Platforms based in Dubai now host weekly virtual writing circles, attracting participants across the UAE and Gulf region. These are especially helpful for parents, shift workers, or individuals with mobility constraints. Sessions might include fiction critique groups, travel writing bootcamps, or memoir storytelling labs. The structure is flexible, often built around work-life balance, and includes both live and asynchronous feedback. Some platforms even record sessions for later review. This has made the writing community more accessible than ever before.

Writing with others in Dubai connects personal voice to a shared cityscape

Creative writing in Dubai isn’t just about words—it’s about finding voice in a layered, global city. Whether in a quiet library corner or a bustling rooftop studio, every workshop becomes a meeting point for people with stories to tell. Each narrative crafted in these spaces carries fragments of the city’s diversity, ambition, and contradictions. When we write together, we don’t just share plots—we share lives, and that’s what makes these workshops more than just literary gatherings.

This article was created by the editorial team at www.few.ae.