Here’s a complete guide to a back-to-back packed time in the UAE capital
150 events in six months? Bringing some of the biggest stars from across industries right here to the UAE capital?
Only in Abu Dhabi.
Expect back-to-back events and a truly thrilling time building up in the UAE capital over the next six months. Experience Abu Dhabi has teamed up with legendary artist, songwriter and producer will.i.am to unveil and celebrate its biggest events season yet.
While the highlights are innumerable, it’s also packed full of surprises, starting with 50 Cent headlining the World Tennis League (WTL) series of events. The announcement was made by Mahesh Bhupathi, WTL co-founder and former India tennis ace, promising several more power-packed concerts at Etihad Arena throughout the duration of the event.
That aside, residents have much to look forward to including Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concerts headlined by Ava Max, Tiësto and Foo Fighters, thrilling NBA and UFC events, cultural festivals and so much more!
It’s a major moment for gourmands, with the arrival of the region’s first and biggest Michelin Food Festival, Taste of Abu Dhabi returning, MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants and Abu Dhabi Culinary Season.
In terms of homegrown events, the inaugural Saadiyat Nights will start this December and runs through to February 2024. Another first is the highly anticipated World Supercross Championship Abu Dhabi GP, which will deliver adrenaline-fueled excitement for the penultimate round of the WSX Championship.
Check out all the must-see events coming up!
All the music events
- Robbie Williams XXV Tour: Get ready to sway along an unforgettable evening of pure entertainment at Etihad Arena on 18 October. The veteran singer-songwriter is ready to mesmerise fans with his energetic showmanship, infectious charisma, and a repertoire of timeless classics that comprises 25 years of hits.
- Force of Nature featuring Natalia Osipova: Emirates Palace hosts Natalia Osipova on 12 October
- Al Zaman Al Jameel Festival: Focused on Egyptian and MENA region music from the nineties, the festival will take place on 3 and 4 November featuring Wael Kfoury, Hani Shaker, Ehab Toufic, Hameed Alshaari and Hesham Abbas
- Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Vasily Petrenko and Timothy Chooi on 3 November at the Emirates Palace
- Brian Tyler Live in Concert: An evening of cinematic sounds awaits, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and renowned film music composer Brian Tyler, alongside Vasily Petrenko and Timothy Chooi live at Etihad Park on 4 November
- Hyperound K-Fest Abu Dhabi 2023: An electrifying one-day festival that will bring the best of K-pop music and culture to Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on 11 November
- Arijit Singh: The King of Bollywood Playback singing will be performing live at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi on 18 November
- MOTN Concerts: International, regional and local talents such as Nancy Ajram and Spacetoon Orchestra are set to play at the Mother of the Nation festival from November 2023 to January 2024
- Saadiyat Nights: Weekly musical acts will take to the stage on Saadiyat Island for this inaugural and homegrown Experience Abu Dhabi event running from December 2023 to February 2024
All the culinary events
- Exceptional Chef Series: The Abu Dhabi Exceptional Chef Series will see 12 Michelin-starred chefs host unforgettable dining experiences, including Chef’s Kitchen activations and intimate Four Hands Dinners, showcasing the very best of local and international cuisine. The most exciting culinary offering in the region is taking place in multiple restaurants around the city until 15 October
- Abu Dhabi Culinary Season: The emirate’s annual six-week food festival will take place from 15 October to 5 December across the UAE capital, delivering a uniquely diverse schedule of experiences across a range of cuisines, styles and price points
- Taste of Abu Dhabi: Three days of enjoying the trendiest up-and-coming restaurants in the city, a celebrity chef line-up like never before, and an all-new music concept, from 10 to 12 November in Gateway Park
- MICHELIN Food Festival: The region’s first MICHELIN food event will promote and celebrate the diverse food culture of the MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi’s selection of restaurants, taking place at Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Park from 7 to 10 December
- MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants: This event on 13 February will celebrate the best places to eat across the 19 countries in the MENA region, with unforgettable dining experiences, recognition for the region’s top eateries, thought-provoking conversations and more
- The Open Fire Food Festival by Steve Harvey: An unparalleled journey celebrating the diverse culinary traditions of various cultures, with BBQs reigning supreme – taking place 24 – 25 February 2024, at Abu Dhabi Hill, Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island
All the sports events
- NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023: Following last year’s sell-out success, the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves will go head-to-head for two pre-season games at Etihad Arena on 5 and 7 October
- Abu Dhabi Showdown Week 2023 and UFC 294: The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi with UFC 294, bringing week-long city-wide activations, fan events, athlete meet-and-greets, fitness challenges, nightlife parties, F&B offerings and much more from 16-22 October
- World Supercross Championship Abu Dhabi GP: Taking place for the first time in the region, the penultimate round of the WSX Championship promises adrenaline-fuelled excitement on 4 and 5 November
- Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: The 15th F1 Abu Dhabi Prix season finale promises to be bigger and more exciting than ever, with an iconic sunset race and world-class after-race concerts between 23 and 26 November
- Abu Dhabi T10 League: The seventh Abu Dhabi T10 cricket season will see eight teams battle it out on the field between 28 November and 9 December, including last year’s tournament winners Deccan Gladiators along with Bangla Tigers, Delhi Bulls and Team Abu Dhabi
- World Tennis League: With its unique combination of high-level sports and world-class entertainment, the World Tennis League will enthral sports fans with its schedule of games and musical extravaganzas between 21 and 24 December
All the family entertainment events
- Disney On Ice Presents 100 Years of Wonder: The emirate will welcome back this ever-popular family show between 11 and 15 October at Etihad Arena, this time celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary
- Mother of the Nation Festival: The annual celebration of world-class live entertainment, culinary experiences, pop-up stores, and a plethora of activities will return from 15 November 2023 – 1 January 2024 across Abu Dhabi and expand into Al Ain and Al Dhafra
- Abu Dhabi International Boat Show (ADIBS): An unmissable lifestyle experience, offering an exclusive opportunity to explore a fantastic line-up of yachts, sailing boats, houseboats, fishing, water sports and marine equipment presented by leading international and local brands taking place from 9-12 November at ADNEC Marina
- Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season: Offering residents an unparalleled retail experience, Abu Dhabi Winter Season will run from 24 November 2023 to 31 January 2024
- The Giant Italian Circus (Al Ain): A must-visit event for families, The Giant Italian Circus will feature more than 40 comedy, musician, sport, kids and family entertainment shows with more than a hundred talents performing in Al Ain Square between 7 November and 8 December
- Storm the Block: Putting local comics talent on the global map and developing a comics ecosystem in the UAE, Sandstorm’s Storm the Block event will see the convergence of local and international culture and art from 8-10 December
- Liwa Village: The second edition of Liwa Village, hosted from 8 to 31 December at Moreeb Dune, is set to expand this year to include new IP for kids and families every weekend along with local, regional and internationally popular artists set to dial up the celebrations
- The Illusionist Magic Show: The world’s best-selling touring magic show is set to take to the stage of Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on 9 and 10 December, with a range of magical performances that will leave the audience questioning what is real and an illusion
- Saadiyat Beach Wellness Festival: The five-day wellness festival taking place across Saadiyat Island from 10-14 January 2024 will introduce tailored wellness programmes with international figures such as Sadhguru delivering sessions
- Hamilton Broadway Show: The Tony, Grammy, Olivier, and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, HAMILTON, will make its Middle East debut at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena from 17 January until 4 February 2024
- Middle East Film & Comic Con 2024: The world-famous pop culture festival that unites movie, TV and comic lovers across the globe is set to return to Abu Dhabi between 9 and 11 February 2024
- Scooby-Doo and The Lost City of Gold: One of the most beloved international franchises of all time, Scooby-Doo will bring its world of mystery and laughter to Abu Dhabi on 2 and 3 March 2024
- Cirque du Soleil: For its Abu Dhabi debut, Cirque du Soleil promises to take guests of all ages on a journey filled with extraordinary acrobatics, mesmerising dance performances, and captivating circus-like acts, taking the stage at Etihad Arena in April 2024
All the cultural events
- Letters of Light at Louvre Abu Dhabi: Featuring some of the oldest texts of the three monotheistic religions, this exhibition is held in partnership with Bibliothèque nationale de France and France Muséums and will run until 14 January 2024
- Sheikh Rohani Theatre Play: Featuring Kuwaiti artist Hassan Al Balam, this theatrical extravaganza will take the audience on a journey of drama and comedy as it hits Abu Dhabi on 6 and 7 October
- Abu Dhabi Classics: A new season of dynamic classical and traditional musical performances in the UAE capital brings a line-up of world-renowned orchestras and soloists from 12 October until 4 November
- The Traditional Handicrafts Festival: Celebrate the artisans and craftsmanship behind some of the most cherished Emirati crafts and practices at the Traditional Handicrafts Festival, taking place from 1 – 20 November at Souq Al Qattara in Al Ain
- Al Ain Book Festival: This prominent platform for the local and regional publishing and creative industry will provide unique opportunities to hear from and interact with writers, publishers and painters from 19-25 November
- Abu Dhabi Art Fair 2023: In its landmark 15th edition, Abu Dhabi Art will present its biggest fair to date with 92 galleries from 31 countries participating. The fair will run between 22 to 26 November at Manarat Al Saadiyat
- Al Dhafra Book Festival: A celebration of Emirati literature, the event will provide a unique opportunity to network with writers, publishers and illustrators from the UAE from 4-10 December
- Al Hosn Festival: From 19-28 January 2024 at the Al Hosn site, step back in time and immerse yourself in Emirati traditions, from hospitality and food to experiencing national dress, customs, performances and crafts
- Maritime Heritage Festival: Celebrating the seafaring traditions of the UAE, the festival features a cultural programme of craftsmanship, performances, workshops and culinary experiences, taking place from 23 February – 3 March 2024 at the Abu Dhabi Corniche
For more information, visit visitabudhabi.ae/en/events
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