The City Nature Challenge Dubai 2026 is officially live — and it costs nothing to join. Running citywide from Friday, April 24 to Monday, April 27, 2026, the challenge invites residents to spot, photograph, and document the wildlife around them, whether from neighbourhood parks, beach walks, or a morning commute. Led by Terra at Expo City Dubai, this is one of the most accessible free events on the city's calendar right now.
What Is the City Nature Challenge Dubai 2026
Launched by the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in 2015, the City Nature Challenge has logged over 7 million species observations across hundreds of cities worldwide — contributing to real scientific understanding of urban biodiversity on a global scale.
The concept is straightforward: if you see a plant, bird, insect, or animal, photograph it and upload it to the free iNaturalist app. No scientific knowledge required. Every photo submitted feeds real data used by scientists to better understand and protect urban wildlife.
Last year, Dubai participants recorded over 1,300 observations in just four days, capturing everything from purple sunbirds and damselflies to sand geckos, scorpions, and salmon Arab butterflies. The 2026 global event drew more than 106,000 participants across 754 cities in 61 countries, logging over 3 million observations in four days.
The Nature and Wonder Festival at Terra
For anyone who wants a more structured experience, Terra is hosting the Nature and Wonder City Nature Challenge Festival on April 25 and 26, from 4pm to 9pm. Tickets are AED 50, with children under three entering free.
The festival includes guided biodiversity walks running every 30 minutes, workshops, talks, creative activities, indoor screenings, and an eco-market. Guests of all ages can explore urban biodiversity through immersive, interactive experiences that connect them with the natural world inside Expo City.
Expert-led sessions include a marine life talk with Susanne Fisher on both days at 5pm, and a butterflies and urban biodiversity session with Sheena Khan at 9pm.
How to Take Part in the iNaturalist Dubai Challenge
The challenge operates on two levels. The wider citywide challenge is completely free via the iNaturalist app, while the Terra festival programme is ticketed at AED 50. You can do one or both.
Observations can come from anywhere in the city — a plant on your balcony, a bird spotted on a morning walk, or an insect near a park bench. The only requirement is that the subject is wild and not domesticated.
After the observation window closes on April 27, there is an upload and identification period from April 29 to May 4, with final results announced on May 5. Participants also have a chance to win four free tickets to Terra and see their winning wildlife photo featured in an exhibition.
Terra, Expo City Dubai is located on Expo Road, Dubai South, Jebel Ali. The Dubai Metro Red Line serves Expo 2020 Station, at the heart of the site.
Why Dubai's Participation Matters
Cities like Singapore, Cape Town, and Tokyo have already secured spots on the global leaderboard in previous years. The annual ranking measures total observations, species diversity, and participant numbers — making every photo uploaded count toward Dubai's city-wide score.
The challenge runs just four days a year. If you have not downloaded iNaturalist yet, now is the time.
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Event Details
- Event: City Nature Challenge Dubai 2026 - Dates: April 24–27, 2026 - Cost: Free (iNaturalist app, citywide) / AED 50 (Terra festival, April 25–26) - Festival Hours: 4pm–9pm (April 25 and 26) - Children under 3: Free - App: iNaturalist (free download) - Location: Terra, Expo City Dubai, Expo Road, Dubai South, Jebel Ali - Results Announced: May 5, 2026
