Editors Pick - Secret Abu Dhabi

It's about to get really magical in the capital - with the highly anticipated The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition coming to Manarat Al Saadiyat next year! Marking the Studio’s debut in the UAE, the exhibition is the perfect gateway into the magical worlds, unforgettable characters, and groundbreaking storytelling that Ghibli is known for. Since 1985, Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki, and producer Toshio Suzuki have been creating films that are both breathtaking adventures and charming slices of everyday life. Their hand-drawn visuals, intricate worlds, and unforgettable characters have inspired generations of animators and storytellers. So much so, that an Instagram trend using AI-generated Ghibli-inspired images sparked massive debate and outrage among ardent fans, while introducing others to this amazing storytelling. How can you get tickets? For now, there's a waitlist period you can sign up for until 8 December 2025. While there's a pre-sale for waitlist customers on 8 December 2025, fear not. The general sale goes live the very next day on 9 December 2025. You best believe there's going to be a stampede to see the likes of Spirited Away (2001), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) and The Boy and the Heron (2023) to name a few. Prepare to be fully immersed in Ghibli’s vibrant, magical worlds and meet some of your favourite characters up close. What can you expect at The World of Studio Ghibli Exhibition in Manarat Al Saadiyat? Highlights include large-scale theatrical sets that transport you right into iconic scenes, stand in the rain with Totoro, wander through Howl’s Moving Castle, or hop on a train with No Face. There’s plenty of interactive fun too: check out box art pieces and installations that let you get closer to the details in every frame, from Kiki’s witchy lab to Satsuki’s sweet letter about meeting Totoro. And of course, no visit is complete without a stop at the retail shop, where exclusive merchandise and souvenirs created just for Manarat Al Saadiyat are waiting to be snapped up. After first appearing in Japan in 2013, the exhibition has since travelled to South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and, most recently, Singapore. If you've been a Studio Ghibli fan forever now, this is one art exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat that you definitely don't want to miss! Details: Date: 30 May to 20 August 2026Time: TBCPrice: Visit The World of Studio Ghibli Follow Secret Abu Dhabi for more news, events and all the hottest updates in the capital and beyond

The World of Studio Ghibli Exhibition is coming to Abu Dhabi!