Jump to: Exhibitions & Live Art | Workshops & Masterclasses | Sufi Concerts & Performances | Film & Academic Programs
Make room for a little art, culture, and creativity in your November plans! The Islamic Arts Festival Houston returns for its 13th Annual edition on November 21–22, 2026, at the Ismaili Center Houston.
Set inside one of Houston’s most striking architectural landmarks, this annual gathering brings together artists, music, and centuries-old traditions for a weekend of creativity and culture.
Expect plenty to explore, from beautiful Islamic artwork and live artistic demonstrations to hands-on workshops, cultural performances, and activities for the little ones.
Daytime admission is free and open to everyone, so you can drop by, wander through the galleries, and discover something new without spending a dime. Here’s your guide to the festival, including what to see, where to go, and how to make the most of your visit.
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Islamic Arts Festival Houston 2026: Dates, Venue & Program Highlights
Image credit: Islamic Arts Society
Visual Art Display and Artisans Gallery
Spend some time wandering through 5,000 pieces of Islamic art, from paintings and ceramics to calligraphy and woodwork, all displayed across the third floor of the Ismaili Center.
More than 50 artists contribute to this gallery, making it the largest display of Islamic art under one roof in America and the centerpiece of the Islamic Arts Festival Houston 2026.
You’ll find the artists right beside their work, so go ahead and ask about a piece that catches your eye. They can tell you how it was made, what inspired it, and the techniques behind it.
You can also purchase artwork directly from its creator or arrange a custom commission made just for you.
This year’s visiting artists, brought in by the Ibn Sina Foundation, include Ayse Tunc from Philadelphia, Samra Bashir from Chicago, Harouth Bastagian from Detroit, and Marwan Aridi from Dallas.
When: Saturday – Sunday, November 21 – 22, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Where: Third Floor, Ismaili Center, 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
How much: Free
Live Art Demonstrations: Ebru Water Marbling & Arabic Calligraphy
Watch an image take shape on water before it’s transferred onto paper in a matter of seconds.
That’s Ebru water marbling, where artists drop mineral pigments onto the water’s surface, swirl them into intricate patterns with a stylus, and lift the finished design in one pull.
Since no two pieces turn out alike, every demonstration has its own little surprise. You can even try the technique yourself with guidance from the festival’s Ebru artists, then take your creation home.
Nearby, master calligraphers demonstrate four traditional Arabic scripts: Sulus, Nuskh, Nastaliq, and Kufic.
Get close enough to appreciate the precision behind each stroke, ask for your name or a favorite dua to be written on the spot, or browse finished calligraphy pieces on canvas and in frames.
When: Saturday – Sunday, November 21 – 22, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Where: Third Floor, Ismaili Center, 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
How much: Free
Masterclasses & Interactive Art Workshops
Image credit: Islamic Arts Society
Gilding Calligraphy & Traditional Ornaments Workshop
Spend two hours learning how intricate Islamic ornamentation comes together with Harouth Bastajian, an artist whose gilding and decorative work adorns landmark mosques around the world.
His projects include the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Michigan, the largest decorated mosque in the United States. Now he’s bringing that expertise to Houston, where you’ll get to work on gilding, arabesque patterns, and traditional ornamental design yourself.
This is a hands-on masterclass, not a session where you simply sit back and watch someone else create.
Bastajian walks you through the mathematical precision and cultural heritage behind Islamic geometric art, offering dedicated attention as you work through your own designs.
All materials are provided, so you can focus on learning and experimenting without bringing your own supplies. You’ll also receive a certificate of completion to take home.
When: Sunday, November 22, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: Black Box Theater, Ismaili Center, 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
How much: $30
Chinese-Style Arabic “Sini” Calligraphy Masterclass
Arabic calligraphy with a Chinese brush? That’s the fascinating combination behind Sini, a distinctive style where Arabic letters take shape through fluid, tapering strokes made with a traditional horsehair brush.
In this two-hour masterclass, you’ll get to explore this rarely encountered calligraphic tradition with Moina Sajjad, a Dallas-based artist who earned her Ijazah in Sini directly under Master Haji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang in China.
Sajjad guides you through the essentials, from holding the brush correctly to controlling stroke weight and spacing between letters. You’ll put those techniques into practice as you create your own finished Sini composition.
A certificate of completion is included, too.
When: Sunday, November 22, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Black Box Theater, Ismaili Center, 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
How much: $30
Signature Evening Theater & Sufi Music Programs
Image credit: Islamic Arts Society
Fareed Ayaz & Abu Muhammad Qawwali Concert
Settle into the Black Box Theater for an evening of Qawwali with Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad, two brothers carrying a devotional music tradition that stretches back centuries.
They belong to Delhi’s Qawwal Bachon ka Gharana, a musical lineage founded by disciples of the mystic Amir Khusrau in the 14th century.
After performing across North America, Europe, and Asia, both artists have also received Pakistan’s Pride of Performance award, the country’s highest honor in the arts.
Expect powerful vocals, improvisation, rhythmic handclapping, and harmonium melodies that gradually draw you deeper into the performance. This concert opens the festival’s Friday evening program, and the intimate theater makes it an especially lovely setting for experiencing the music up close.
Seats are limited, so book ahead if you plan to attend.
When: Friday, November 20, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Where: Black Box Theater, Ismaili Center, 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
How much: $60 | $125 for front rows
Omar Offendum & Ronnie Malley — Little Syria
Hip-hop, Arabic poetry, and the oud come together in Little Syria, a collaboration between Syrian-American rapper and poet Omar Offendum and Palestinian oud virtuoso Ronnie Malley.
Their performance follows the influence of Arabic-speaking communities on American music and culture, beginning with New York City’s historic Little Syria neighborhood and tracing a surprising connection all the way to the birth of California Surf Rock.
Spend the afternoon exploring those literary traditions, then settle in for Offendum and Malley as they bring another chapter of Arab-American cultural history to the stage.
When: Saturday – Sunday, November 21 – 22, 2026 | 6:30 PM
Where: Black Box Theater, Ismaili Center, 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
How much: $35 – $50
Academic Lectures, Film Screenings & Family Activities
Image credit: Islamic Arts Society
Academic Seminar: The Cultural Significance of Islamic Architecture & Gardens
Take a closer look at the Ismaili Center while hearing from the people who helped bring it to life. Emily Moore of DLR, the Center’s architect of record, and Jeff Aten of NBW, the landscape architects behind its grounds, are coming together to discuss the design choices, cultural influences, and architectural ideas woven into this distinctive Houston building.
Moderated by Omar Samji, this one-hour conversation offers a fascinating way to appreciate the space you’re already exploring during the festival.
Pay attention to the details afterward, and you may find yourself looking at the building and its grounds a little differently.
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Black Box Theater, Ismaili Center, 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
How much: Not stated
The Art of Storytelling Workshop Series
Bring a story, an idea, or even a few lines you’ve been sitting on, and spend Saturday turning them into something you can share.
The festival’s storytelling program features three workshops led by Oais Hala, Muhammad Jibreel, and Nizzy Khan, covering poetry, nasheed songwriting, and short fiction.
Each session gives you around 90 minutes to explore the craft, followed by an open mic where you can put your work in front of a live audience.
The sessions are free, but you’ll need to reserve your spot through Luma since seats are limited.
The workshops also lead naturally into Saturday evening’s Little Syria performance with Omar Offendum and Ronnie Malley.
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Black Box Theater, Ismaili Center, 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
How much: Free
Children’s Art
Give the kids a chance to make their own art while you explore the festival. Children under 12 have a dedicated activity space on the third floor, open throughout both days, where they can try calligraphy basics, bead making, Islamic geometry, and arabesque patterns.
These are hands-on activities, so little artists get to work with their own materials and create rather than simply look at finished pieces in a gallery.
When: Saturday – Sunday, November 21 – 22, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Where: Third Floor, Ismaili Center, 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
How much: Free
Know Before You Go: Islamic Arts Festival Houston 2026 Logistics
Getting to the Ismaili Center
The Ismaili Center Houston is located at 2323 Allen Parkway, near downtown and Buffalo Bayou Park. If you’re coming from outside central Houston, give yourself some extra travel time, especially on Saturday when traffic can be unpredictable.
As a rough guide, drivers from Sugar Land or Missouri City may need 25–30 minutes, those coming from Katy around 35 minutes, and visitors from The Woodlands or Spring approximately 40–45 minutes. These estimates can stretch considerably during busy traffic periods.
Parking is available at the Ismaili Center, including garage and surface parking.
If those spaces fill up, follow festival parking signs for additional parking nearby.
Doors open at 10:30 am, giving you a head start on the galleries and a better chance of finding convenient parking.
Common Questions about Islamic Arts Festival Houston
Do I need to be Muslim to attend the Islamic Arts Festival?
Not at all! The festival welcomes visitors of every faith and background. You don’t need any prior knowledge of Islamic art or culture to enjoy it, either. Whether you’re coming for the artwork, music, hands-on activities, or simply to explore something new, there’s plenty to discover.
Is the Islamic Arts Festival in Houston free to attend?
Yes, much of the festival is free. You can visit the main visual arts exhibition, browse the artisans’ gallery, watch live Ebru and Arabic calligraphy demonstrations, and bring children to the craft activities without paying general admission.
Some experiences do have separate fees. The two-hour calligraphy workshops cost $30 per participant, while the evening performances require tickets. If you’re interested in either, check the registration and ticket details ahead of time, as spaces and tickets are limited.
Can I buy original artworks directly from the artists?
Yes! The artisans’ gallery is a great opportunity to take home something more personal than a souvenir. You’ll find original paintings, framed calligraphy, ceramics, sculptures, jewelry, and other handmade pieces available for purchase directly from participating artists.
You can also speak with artists about their work, ask questions about their techniques, and inquire about commissions. Some calligraphers accept requests for personalized pieces, making this a lovely opportunity to have a name or meaningful phrase created just for you. If you have a particular artwork or commission in mind, mention it to the artist while you’re browsing.
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