March in Abu Dhabi is doing its best impression of a blockbuster – a little bit culture, a dash of theatre, some mood-lit music, and full-throttle sim-racing. Below are four very different reasons to leave your sofa and pretend you planned the whole thing.
Sheikh Zayed Festival
Think country pavilions, crafty stalls, nightly fireworks and enough family-friendly chaos to make everyone happy (including the kids who didn’t nap). This long-running festival is a proper cultural mash-up: traditional performances, food, heritage showcases and a dedicated entertainment zone that keeps the evenings lively until the end of its run. If you love wandering, sampling weird snacks and watching fireworks that make your phone camera cry, this is your scene.
Location: Al Wathba
Mary Poppins the Musical
“Practically perfect” isn’t an exaggeration here – the beloved nanny lands on Yas Island on 25 March, bringing West End magic, toe-tapping numbers and enough choreography to make you wish you’d taken ballet as a child. This is a genuine family night out: nostalgic for parents, spectacle for kids, and an excuse to wear something that isn’t athleisure. Book early if you want decent seats – spoonfuls of sugar don’t help you with sold-out signs.
Location: Etihad Arena
Candlelight concerts – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Classical music, but make it mood lighting. On 28 March you can hear Antonio Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons under the warm flutter of candlelight – think less echoing concert hall, more intimate cinematic moment. It’s ideal for date nights, cultural flexing, or anyone who wants to hear violin strings while pretending they’re in a movie montage. If you’re after atmosphere over formalities, this one’s a delight.
Location: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Gran Turismo World Series
Also on 28 March: virtual racers, real adrenaline. The Gran Turismo World Series brings elite sim-racing to Space42 – a buzzy fusion of esports and motorsport where split-second timing matters and the cheers are very online-meets-stadium. Expect big screens, live commentary, and a crowd that knows the difference between a drift and a graceful spell of chaos. If you love gaming, cars, or anything with a leaderboard, this is a wild, new-age sporting spectacle.
Location: Space42 Arena
March in Abu Dhabi is basically a playlist on shuffle – one minute you’re sipping fragrant tea at a heritage festival, the next you’re humming along to a show tune, then basking in candlelight, and before you know it you’re cheering for pixel-perfect racing. There’s something delightfully for-everyone about the lineup: culture, family theatre, intimate music, and high-octane esports all rubbing shoulders in one city.
So pick your vibe, pencil it into your calendar, and go make a few stories worth sharing. Whether you want cozy atmosphere, family fun, or full-throttle excitement, Abu Dhabi’s March has an invite with your name on it – and a little bit of sparkle, just to keep things interesting.
