Trying to work out what is actually worth leaving the house for? This is your living guide to the best events in Abu Dhabi, sorted into what is on this week, what is coming up this month and the big nights to lock in for later in the year. We keep it fresh as our events calendar updates, so bookmark it and check back before you make plans.
On Right Now: This Week in Abu Dhabi
Here is what is worth heading out for over the next few days.
Mid-Autumn Festival Abu Dhabi
A lantern-lit celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, with mooncakes, music and family activities at the Cultural Foundation.
View eventEuroleague Basketball SuperCup 2026
Europe’s top club sides open their season in the capital across three days of basketball at Etihad Arena.
View eventPeking Opera Live in Abu Dhabi
Classical Chinese opera in full costume, staged at the Cultural Foundation. A genuinely rare booking for the capital.
View eventHot Wheels Monster Trucks Live
Giant trucks, crushed cars and a lot of noise. Two days of it, and reliably a hit with primary-school kids.
View eventDJ Shef Codes Takes Over Ilios
A late-night set at Ilios for anyone whose weekend does not end at dinner.
View eventDance of the Emerald Isle
Irish dance and live music over two nights at the Cultural Foundation.
View eventAhmed Saad and Disco Misr Live
Two of Egypt’s biggest live acts share a bill at Space 42 Arena. Expect a full singalong crowd.
View eventComing Up: Late September and October
Your plans from now through the end of October.
Christina Aguilera
Five Grammys and three decades of hits, live at Etihad Arena. One of the season’s biggest bookings.
View eventK-Pop Fever Live in Abu Dhabi
A full K-pop showcase night at Etihad Arena, aimed squarely at the capital’s fast-growing fanbase.
View eventAll-Star Sumo Live in Abu Dhabi
Professional sumo staged in the capital, complete with ceremony. Unusual, and worth seeing once.
View eventFlamenco Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare retold in flamenco, with live guitar and cante at the Cultural Foundation.
View eventThe Corrs Live in Abu Dhabi
The Irish family band bring three decades of singles to Etihad Arena.
View eventCinemaNA: Cotton Queen
Part of NYU Abu Dhabi’s CinemaNA strand of Arab cinema screenings. Free to attend, but book ahead.
View eventBoudchart Live in Abu Dhabi
Moroccan singer-songwriter Boudchart brings his fusion of Arabic and jazz to Space 42 Arena.
View eventJalsat Evening with Muadad Al Kaabi
An intimate Emirati jalsat night at the Cultural Foundation, the kind of show that sells out on word of mouth.
View eventNaissam Jalal and Hazem Shaheen Live
Flute and oud in conversation, from two of the Arab world’s most inventive instrumentalists.
View eventUAE National Orchestra
The national orchestra at Etihad Arena, pairing classical repertoire with Emirati composition.
View eventMohamed Hamaki Live in Abu Dhabi
The Egyptian pop star returns to the capital. Expect the hits, and a very loud crowd.
View eventMorgan Jay Live in Abu Dhabi
Musical comedy and crowd work from the American comedian, live at Etihad Arena.
View eventSondra Radvanovsky in Abu Dhabi
One of the great dramatic sopranos of her generation, in the intimate Red Theater at NYU Abu Dhabi.
View eventTamer Hosny and Tamer Ashour Live
Two Egyptian headliners on one Etihad Arena bill. A big night for the Arabic pop calendar.
View eventCineolio’s Cinenights
An open-air film night with dinner, at NYU Abu Dhabi’s Blue Hall.
View eventPower Slap 25
The slap-fighting promotion lands at Space 42 Arena. Not for everyone, but it sells.
View eventThe Tenors of the XXI Century Live
Three tenors, one night, arias and crossover at the Cultural Foundation.
View eventRussell Peters Live in Abu Dhabi
The Canadian stand-up returns to Etihad Arena, a reliable sell-out in this city.
View eventAl Marzooqi and Sooyeon Jun at Abu Dhabi Festival
An Abu Dhabi Festival recital at the new Zayed National Museum, pairing Emirati and Korean talent.
View eventRiverdance Live in Abu Dhabi
The touring phenomenon returns for a multi-night run at Etihad Arena.
View eventWOW Expert Tip: The autumn and winter line-up below sells fast. If a name jumps out, book early – the good seats for Bocelli, Shakira and Tarkan will not hang around, and race weekend hotels go before the tickets do.
Later in 2026 and Beyond
The headline season. Diarise these now.
CinemaNA: Promised Sky
Another CinemaNA screening of contemporary Arab cinema at NYU Abu Dhabi.
View eventThe Tiger Who Came to Tea
The picture-book classic staged for under-sevens at the Cultural Foundation. Runs across a weekend.
View eventMo Amer Live in Abu Dhabi
The Palestinian-American comedian and Mo creator brings his stand-up hour to Etihad Arena.
View eventMaz Jobrani Live in Abu Dhabi
A second big comedy night at the arena in the same week, from the Iranian-American stand-up.
View eventHans Zimmer Live in Abu Dhabi
The film composer performs his own scores with a full band and orchestra. A proper spectacle.
View eventThe Escapement Abu Dhabi
A multi-day immersive run at Etihad Arena.
View eventShakira Live in Abu Dhabi
An outdoor stadium show at Etihad Park, and one of the year’s true headline bookings.
View eventAlgarabia at Abu Dhabi Festival
Abu Dhabi Festival brings Algarabia to Emirates Palace.
View eventTarkan Live in Abu Dhabi
The Turkish superstar at Etihad Arena. Tickets for these go quickly.
View eventVerdi’s Opera Gala at Abu Dhabi Festival
A full Verdi gala in the ballroom at Emirates Palace, as part of Abu Dhabi Festival.
View eventAndrea Bocelli Live in Abu Dhabi
Bocelli opens the National Day and race-week stretch. Expect this to be the ticket of the season.
View eventFormula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026
The season finale at Yas Marina Circuit. Track action runs across the weekend of 4 to 6 December, with the Yasalam after-race concerts either side. The biggest weekend of the year.
View eventLisa Batiashvili and Giorgi Gigashvili
Violin and piano recital at NYU Abu Dhabi, part of Abu Dhabi Festival.
View eventMinsoo Sohn at Abu Dhabi Festival
A solo piano recital in the Red Theater for Abu Dhabi Festival.
View eventHarry Potter Film Concert
The film on the big screen with the score played live. A half-term fixture for families.
View eventCharlie and the Chocolate Factory
The musical arrives at Etihad Arena for an extended run.
View eventThe Big Anchor Events Worth Planning Around
Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – 4 to 6 December
The biggest weekend on the calendar full stop. The season finale roars around Yas Marina Circuit, and the Yasalam After-Race Concerts turn Etihad Park into the party of the year, with Andrea Bocelli headlining the new Yasalam Classics series on 2 December. If you are new to race weekend, our Yas Island guide covers where to stay, park and eat around the circuit.
Concert Season at Etihad Arena and Etihad Park
From September the arena calendar goes big, with Christina Aguilera, The Corrs, Shakira and Turkish superstar Tarkan among the headliners. We keep the full line-up and ticket links updated in our dedicated concerts in Abu Dhabi guide.
Eid Al Etihad and UAE National Day – 2 December
The capital goes all out for National Day with fireworks, drone shows and free family events across the city. Our roundup of the festive things to do for Eid Al Etihad has the best spots to catch it.
Seasonal Favourites Worth Watching
Beyond the headliners, a handful of returning favourites are worth keeping on your radar: the open-air Saadiyat Nights concert series through winter, the Sheikh Zayed Festival heritage nights and fireworks running from late autumn into spring, and Abu Dhabi’s autumn Oktoberfest celebrations. During Ramadan and Eid the city shifts into iftar tents and late-night markets, all covered in our Eid happenings and offers guide.
Free and Family-Friendly Days Out
Not every great day out needs a ticket. Abu Dhabi is packed with free and low-cost things to do, from Corniche mornings to waterfront evenings. Start with our pick of outdoor things to do in Abu Dhabi, the always-buzzing Yas Bay Waterfront, and for a rainy-day back-up, the theme-park thrills at Ferrari World.
WOW Expert Tip: Weeknight tickets to arena shows and theme parks are usually cheaper and far less crowded than weekends. If your plans are flexible, go Tuesday or Wednesday.
How to Keep Up With What’s On
This page is refreshed as our events calendar updates, so it is the quickest way to see what is on without trawling ten ticketing sites. For month-by-month detail, our monthly events breakdowns go deeper, and you can always browse the full Abu Dhabi events calendar for every listing. Bookmark this guide, check back before you plan your week, and you will never miss the good stuff.
Last updated 14 September 2026.
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