November is when Abu Dhabi comes back outside. Evenings drop into the mid-20s, terraces reopen and the events calendar goes from quiet to crammed in about a week. These are the things to do in Abu Dhabi in November 2026 worth putting in the diary now, in date order, with where they are and how to book.
What’s on in Abu Dhabi in November 2026?
The big things to do in Abu Dhabi in November 2026 are Hans Zimmer Live at Etihad Arena on 13 November, Frieze Abu Dhabi at Manarat Al Saadiyat from 19 to 22 November, the Spartan World Championship in Al Wathba, the new Bungee at Yas Bay, the free Children’s Biennale at Umm Al Emarat Park and Diwali on 8 November.
| Event | Dates | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Riverdance | Until 1 Nov | Etihad Arena, Yas Island |
| Bungee at Yas Bay | 1 Nov to 3 Dec | Yas Bay Waterfront |
| Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship | 5 to 8 Nov | Yas Links, Yas Island |
| Children’s Biennale | 6 Nov to 6 Dec | Umm Al Emarat Park |
| Mo Amer and Maz Jobrani | 6 and 7 Nov | Etihad Arena, Yas Island |
| Sing for the Nation | 7 Nov | NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat |
| Diwali | 8 Nov | Across the city |
| Hans Zimmer Live | 13 Nov | Etihad Arena, Yas Island |
| Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial | From 15 Nov | Mina Zayed and Saadiyat |
| Frieze Abu Dhabi | 19 to 22 Nov | Manarat Al Saadiyat |
| Spartan World Championship | 19 to 22 Nov | Al Wathba |
| Eid Al Etihad build-up | Late Nov to 2 Dec | Across the emirate |
1. Catch the last night of Riverdance
The Irish dance juggernaut wraps up its Etihad Arena run on 1 November. If you have been meaning to go, this is the last call.
Etihad Arena – Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island. Tickets: Platinumlist and Etihad Arena box office.
2. Jump 50 metres off Yas Bay
Abu Dhabi’s first bungee jump opens on 1 November at Yas Bay Waterfront. Solo jumps start at AED 299 on weekdays and AED 350 at weekends, jumpers must be 16 or over, and the first season ends on 3 December before it returns in January.
Bungee at Yas Bay – Yas Bay Hub, Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island. Bookings: Platinumlist.
3. Watch the DP World Tour at Yas Links
The Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship moves to its new November slot from 5 to 8 November, with Rory McIlroy confirmed in the field. A day on the course with the sea breeze is one of the most underrated sporting days out in the capital.
Yas Links Abu Dhabi – Yas Island. Tickets: DP World Tour website.
4. Let the kids loose at the Children’s Biennale
Abu Dhabi Festival turns Umm Al Emarat Park into the region’s first outdoor children’s biennale from 6 November to 6 December, with eight installations built to be touched, heard and explored. The Biennale is free, and family workshops run from 6.30pm on 6, 7, 13 and 14 November. Standard park entry is AED 10.
Umm Al Emarat Park – 15th Street, Al Mushrif. Contact: info@ummalemaratpark.ae. Workshop registration: Abu Dhabi Festival.
5. Laugh it off with Mo Amer and Maz Jobrani
Abu Dhabi Comedy Season closes with a double bill: Mo Amer on Friday 6 November and Maz Jobrani on Saturday 7 November. Book both and call it a comedy weekend.
Etihad Arena – Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island. Tickets: Live Nation Middle East.
6. Sing along with the UAE National Orchestra
Sing for the Nation is exactly what it sounds like: the UAE National Orchestra and Choir play much-loved patriotic songs and the audience joins in. The Abu Dhabi date is 7 November at 8pm. If you would rather sing under the stars, the tour plays outdoors at Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain on 20 November, which pairs nicely with our Al Ain day trip guide.
The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi – Saadiyat Island. Tickets: uaenationalorchestra.ae.
7. Celebrate Diwali
Diwali falls on 8 November this year. Expect lights at the BAPS Hindu Mandir, festive menus across the city and plenty of sweet boxes doing the rounds at work. Our Diwali in Abu Dhabi guide has where to celebrate, eat and shop, and our best Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi list is ready for the feast.
8. Hear Hans Zimmer live
The composer behind Gladiator, Interstellar, Dune and The Lion King brings The Next Level tour to Etihad Arena on Friday 13 November. It is the concert of the month, so do not leave tickets late.
Etihad Arena – Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island. Tickets: Platinumlist.
WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: On Etihad Arena nights, book dinner at Yas Bay Waterfront for 6pm and walk over. Leaving the car parked until the post-show traffic clears saves you half an hour of crawling off the island.
9. Explore the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial
The second edition of the citywide public art biennial opens in Abu Dhabi on 15 November and runs until 15 February 2027. Under the theme “Home: A Glossary for a Communal Sense of Place”, works pop up at Mina Zayed, Souq Al Mina, Hidd Al Saadiyat and in the park between Zayed National Museum and Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Main hub – Mina Zayed (MiZa), Abu Dhabi. Details from DCT Abu Dhabi and Visit Abu Dhabi.
10. Go art-fair hopping at Frieze Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Art has become Frieze Abu Dhabi, and the first edition runs from 19 to 22 November. Our Frieze Abu Dhabi guide has the galleries and programme, and our cultural things to do list covers the rest of the Saadiyat Cultural District.
Manarat Al Saadiyat – Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Island. Tickets: frieze.com.
11. Run (or cheer) at the Spartan World Championship
The world’s best obstacle racers take on the dunes of Al Wathba from 19 to 22 November. The weekend usually includes open races for amateurs too, so if you have been threatening to do one, this is your sign.
Al Wathba desert – Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Registration: spartan.com.
12. Get ready for Eid Al Etihad
By the last week of November the flags are out, the cars are decorated and everyone is planning the long weekend around 2 December. Our Eid Al Etihad in Abu Dhabi guide has the best ways to spend it, and race week follows straight after: start with our Abu Dhabi Grand Prix guide.
WOW Abu Dhabi Expert Tip: 19 to 22 November is the busiest weekend of the month, with Frieze, Spartan Worlds and the Biennial all running. Book Saadiyat restaurants a week ahead.
For everything else happening this week, check our live What’s On in Abu Dhabi calendar, and for slower weekends see our family activities guide and date night picks.
Dates and ticket details are for the November 2026 editions and can change. Always check with the organiser before you go.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Abu Dhabi in November?
This year the highlights are Hans Zimmer Live on 13 November, Frieze Abu Dhabi from 19 to 22 November, the Spartan World Championship, the new Bungee at Yas Bay and the free Children’s Biennale at Umm Al Emarat Park.
What is the weather like in Abu Dhabi in November?
Warm days and comfortable evenings. Daytime highs usually sit around 30°C and evenings drop to the low to mid-20s, which is why outdoor events return this month.
When is Diwali 2026?
Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. Celebrations and festive menus run across Abu Dhabi in the days around it.
When is Frieze Abu Dhabi 2026?
Frieze Abu Dhabi runs from 19 to 22 November 2026 at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District.
Are there free things to do in Abu Dhabi in November?
Yes. The Children’s Biennale is free (park entry is AED 10) and the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial is spread across public spaces. Our free things to do in Abu Dhabi guide has 26 more ideas.
