And there’s something for everyone
PARTNER CONTENT: Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi launched its fall 2025 season, bringing a rich tapestry of exhibitions, performances, and programmes to the capital’s cultural calendar.
Until December, the Foundation promises an exciting mix of experiences that will engage audiences of all ages and interests.
Dazzling performances
This season’s performances offer something for every taste Shakespeare for Kidz: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, on 19 October, introduces young audiences to classical theatre with magic, mischief, and fairy royalty, while the SCHLiNGEL ABU DHABI film festival (24–25 October) presents an inspiring collection of children and youth films.
Faces and Voices of Malta: A Mediterranean Odyssey (26 October) brings traditional Maltese folk chants to Abu Dhabi, and on 31 October, Ibrahim Maalouf & The Trumpets of Michel-Ange blends Arab traditions with jazz and classical influences.
The first of November sees Poetry in Action, a fast-paced theatre experience interpreting classic and contemporary poetry, followed by Mellowing by Christos Papadopoulos on 8 November, exploring innovative contemporary dance with performers over 40.
Families can also enjoy Science Museum Live (14–15 November), a hands-on science performance designed to spark curiosity and imagination, while opera enthusiasts can look forward to Rigoletto (22–23 November), presented by the St. Petersburg Opera in a lavish production of Verdi’s masterpiece.
The season concludes on 12 December with Ars Nova Napoli, a lively reinterpretation of Neapolitan folk songs blended with original compositions, promising an unforgettable Mediterranean musical journey.
Exciting exhibitions
The exhibition schedule kicks off with Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim: Two Clouds in the Night Sky, a solo showcase celebrating the pioneering Emirati artist, whose meditative, process-driven works are deeply rooted in the landscapes of Khor Fakkan.
Running from 9 October to 22 February, this exhibition, curated by Noor AlMehairbi and Assistant Curator Medyyah AlTamimi, offers a contemplative journey through Ibrahim’s influential practice.
Alongside it, And After.. invites visitors to explore the subtle states of air, Sukoon, Hawaa, Naseem, and Riyah, through mixed-media works by 15 artists, reflecting on stillness, transformation, and the quiet moments between movement.
Looking further ahead, Shezad Dawood: Skin of Dreams, opening 26 March 2026, will offer the artist’s first mid-career retrospective, tracing over fifteen years of work that navigates architecture, ecology, and dreamlike intersections between the physical and digital.
Complementing the exhibitions, Cultural Foundation’s public programmes provide workshops, residencies, mentorships, and Perform in Cultural Foundation, a platform for emerging performing arts talents to collaborate, learn, and showcase their skills.
Children’s Library
Abu Dhabi Children’s Library continues to provide a nurturing space for children up to 14 years, with interactive learning, storytelling, arts, and crafts designed to foster curiosity and a love of reading.
Art Studios
Meanwhile, Al Marsam Al Hor, Bait Al Khatt, and the Children’s Art Centre offer workshops in painting, sculpture, pottery, fashion design, sewing, and Arabic calligraphy for adults, teens, and children, creating opportunities for skill-building and creative exploration.
Cultural Foundation remains free to enter, with tickets required for specific activities, and is open Saturday through Thursday from 9 am to 8 pm, and on Fridays from 2 pm to 8 pm.
For full information about exhibitions, performances, workshops, and bookings, visit Cultural Foundation
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