Hold onto your seats—and your calendars—because April in Abu Dhabi is about to be extra. The 22nd edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival is here, and trust us, it’s not just a concert series. It’s a full-blown cultural fiesta, complete with world premieres, drum-thumping adrenaline, and goosebump-inducing melodies that will make you wonder why you ever settled for your Spotify playlist. Running from 9 to 29 April, the festival is basically a curated dream team of global music icons, dazzling ballet stars, and rising talents who are about to make your jaw drop… elegantly, of course.
Kicking Off With a (Literal) Bang: Kodō Taiko Drummers
Ever seen a performance that makes your heartbeat sync with the drums? That’s Kodō, Japan’s legendary taiko drumming ensemble. Think: raw power, ancient rhythm, and more drama than a season finale. They’ve performed in 50+ countries, and now, for the first time ever, they’re shaking the walls of the Red Theater at NYU Abu Dhabi on 8–9 April. If you’ve never experienced thunder in a theatre, this is your moment.
From Viral to Virtuoso: Yunchan Lim
On 11 April, we welcome a prodigy who’s so good, YouTube basically bowed to him. Yunchan Lim, the 18-year-old piano genius who made Liszt go viral (yes, really), is making his Arab World Premiere with Bach’s Goldberg Variations. He’s got talent, humility, and fingers that move faster than your Wi-Fi. If you love classical music—or just want to feel emotions you can’t explain—this is your show.
Enter the Queen of Percussion: Kuniko Kato
Ready to see someone make a marimba sing? On 14 April, Kuniko Kato takes over the Blue Hall and reminds us all why percussion isn’t just background noise. She’s performed Steve Reich like it’s a love letter and redefined what it means to be a “drummer.” If elegance and badassery had a baby, it’d be this concert.
Two Pianos, One Sibling Powerhouse
If you thought your sibling duo was impressive because you do TikToks together, wait till you meet Katia and Marielle Labèque. These piano-playing sisters will dazzle you on 16 April with music by Philip Glass and Maurice Ravel—so basically, minimalism meets drama in one majestic performance. Expect sparks. Harmonious ones.
Korean Symphony Brilliance x 2
Classical music fans, brace yourselves—The Korean National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra is here for not one, but two magical nights. First, on 18 April, with violinist Jaewon Wee and cellist Sang Hyeok Park. Then, they return on 20 April, joining opera powerhouses Jessica Pratt and Javier Camarena under the baton of Toufic Maatouk. Two nights of musical perfection? Yes please.
Grammy Winner Alert: Augustin Hadelich
Mark 21 April. It’s your date with violin royalty. Augustin Hadelich, Grammy in tow, will serve up Bach, Coleridge-Taylor, and more. If your idea of a good time involves flawless bow control and rich emotion, we suggest you snag a front-row seat ASAP.
All-Star Ballet Gala = Peak Elegance
On 22 April, bring your best posture and your inner ballerina. The All-Star Ballet Gala features elite dancers from The Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and Stuttgart Ballet, among others. Odette, Odile, and a lot of gravity-defying moments await. High kicks, higher stakes.
A Night of Rising Stars (and Major Talent)
26 April is all about next gen legends. Yamen Saadi, Sara Ferrández, Kian Soltani, and Pablo Ferrández are turning the stage into a masterclass of strings and soul. It’s called “Unique Encounters with Rising Stars,” but honestly, the stars are already rising faster than your rent.
A Jazzy Farewell for the Ages
Ending on a high note (literally), 29 April brings Riley Mulherkar and his band The Westerlies in a tribute to the one and only Quincy Jones. Trumpets, soul, jazz, and a bit of swagger—it’s all happening at The Black Box, as part of UNESCO’s International Jazz Day. Because let’s face it: Quincy deserves nothing less than a mic-drop finale.
So, here’s your mission: grab your friends, cancel that mediocre weekend brunch, and immerse yourself in a month of unforgettable performances. The Abu Dhabi Festival 2025 isn’t just entertainment—it’s your one-way ticket to a world of wonder, one standing ovation at a time.
