The capital music scene is packed with exciting upcoming live performances and concerts
Abu Dhabi is gearing up for another exciting year of live music, with 2026 set to bring an impressive lineup of concerts and performances to the UAE capital.
From global superstars and award-winning artists to rising local talents and vibrant festival showcases, the city’s music scene promises something for every kind of fan.
While the calendar is packed with highly anticipated events across rock, pop, jazz, electronic, and world music, it’s worth noting that some concerts have been rescheduled due to ongoing regional tensions.
Even so, Abu Dhabi’s stages will continue to pulse with energy, rhythm, and unforgettable live experiences.
Explore the top concerts coming to Abu Dhabi in 2026 and make sure you don’t miss these standout musical moments.
The best concerts in Abu Dhabi in 2026
Atif Aslam
18 July, Etihad Arena
Atif Aslam returns to Abu Dhabi for a live concert at Etihad Arena on 18 July. One of South Asia’s most recognisable voices, he brings a set filled with emotionally charged, familiar tracks that truly come alive on stage. The evening is built around connection and atmosphere, with a crowd-driven energy that defines his performances. Expect a night shaped by feeling, presence, and shared moments that linger long after the final song.
AED95. For further information, visit etihadarena.ae
Get Get Aww SB Girls
8 August, Etihad Arena
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Something big is coming to Etihad Arena on Yas Island. For the first time, a Filipino concert takes over the venue, bringing full-scale production, energy, and crowd connection built for this stage. It’s a one-night-only moment in Abu Dhabi where every beat feels bigger and the atmosphere keeps building. No repeats, no reruns, just one night, one stage, and a crowd ready for it.
AED299. For further information, visit abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
14-27 May, Etihad Arena
Step into a world of pure imagination as Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory comes to Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena during May 2027. Follow Charlie Bucket’s golden-ticket adventure through Willy Wonka’s magical factory, with chocolate rivers, nut-sorting squirrels, and mischievous Oompa-Loompas. Featuring dazzling visuals, immersive 3D effects, and toe-tapping music, the show blends iconic songs from the film with original numbers.
AED130. For further information, visit abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net
Dirty Dozen Brass Band x Fanfaraï
5 September, The Arts Center at NYUAD
The opening show for Season 12 at The Arts Center at NYUAD features The Dirty Dozen Brass Bandand Fanfaraï bringing a high-energy double bill to The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 5 September at 7.30pm. Expect a vibrant mix of New Orleans brass and North African rhythms, as both groups bring their signature sounds to one stage. It’s a lively, genre-blending night where street energy meets global grooves in a powerful live performance experience.
AED78.50. For further information, visit publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu
The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave
10-12 September, The Arts Center at NYUAD
Oli Mathiesen joins Lucy Lynch and Sharvon Mortimer at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi with The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave, an award winning endurance dance piece set to Detroit techno by Suburban Knight. It pulls you into the world of a three-day rave, condensed into a single hour, as three performers move non-stop in sync with the beat. It’s intense, physical, and hypnotic; all sweat, rhythm, and momentum. Audience members are invited to stay on in The Black Box for a techno DJ set and a post-show “Raving Ovation,” included with the ticket.
AED52.50. For further information, visit publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu
Christina Aguilera
25 September, Etihad Arena
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Christina Aguilera makes her triumphant return to the Middle East, promising one of the year’s biggest entertainment highlights. With nearly 100 million records sold and global hits like Genie in a Bottle, Beautiful, and Fighter, Aguilera remains a defining force in pop music. Known for her unmatched vocal range, commanding stage presence, and electrifying performances, ‘Xtina’ continues to inspire, empowering fans while showcasing her evolution from teen sensation to global superstar.
AED395. For further information, visit Etihad Arena
The Corrs
27 September, Etihad Arena
Irish pop-rock legends The Corrs return to the UAE for a live performance at Etihad Arena on 27 September 2026. Taking place on Yas Island, the show promises a night of soaring harmonies, Celtic-infused pop rock, and timeless hits. With over 40 million albums sold worldwide, the sibling quartet continue to be one of Ireland’s most successful musical exports, delivering a powerful live set blending nostalgia and singalong hits.
AED295. For further information, visit livenation.me
Riverdance
31 October- 1 November, Etihad Arena
Riverdance returns to the UAE as part of its 30th Anniversary Tour, landing at Etihad Arena on 31 October and 1 November. Three decades on, it’s still a global favourite, known for its Grammy-winning score, sharp precision, and powerful rhythm. This new edition brings refreshed staging, updated costumes, and a new generation of dancers, giving the classic production a fresh lift while keeping its iconic roots intact.
AED215. For further information, visit etihadarena.ae
American Ballet Theatre
20 November, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Enjoy an evening of dance in Abu Dhabi that brings together three distinctive choreographic voices in one live performance. The programme opens with the lively, playful energy of Twyla Tharp’s Sextet, before moving into the more reflective and poetic world of Ratmansky’s Serenade after Plato’s Symposium. It then closes on a classic high with Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, set to Tchaikovsky’s rich, uplifting score, ending the night on a beautifully familiar note.
AED125. For further information, visit abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net
Hekayah | The Story
26 November, The Arts Center at NYUAD
This show brings together poets, singers, dancers, and instrumentalists to showcase the beautiful diversity of the UAE. The programme is shaped through a collaborative curatorial process bringing together voices from the UAE’s literary and performing arts communities.
For further information, visit publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu
Tarkan live
27 November, Etihad Arena
Turkish megastar Tarkan makes his Abu Dhabi debut at Etihad Arena on 27 November 2026, delivering a night of music, movement, and unforgettable energy. One of Turkish music’s most influential voices, Tarkan blends chart-topping hits with his latest sound in a high-impact production featuring immersive visuals, dynamic choreography, and emotional highs. This concert is a chance to experience him live at the peak of his artistry.
AED845. For further information, visit etihadarena.ae
OFFLIMITS
21 November, Etihad Park
She’s a global superstar, and now Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour is officially landing again in Abu Dhabi, just on a new date. The show, which forms part of OFFLIMITS at Etihad Park, has now been switched to 21 November, bringing the energy of the UAE’s open-format, genre-blending festival back to Yas Island after its blockbuster debut last year. Shakira will be joined by a stacked line-up of international names including The Jonas Brothers, Ne-Yo, Myles Smith, Scouting for Girls, Biffy Clyro and more.
Verdi’s Opera Gala
29 November, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
In honour of the 125th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi’s passing, this Opera Gala brings a powerful evening of music to the stage with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Giacomo Sagripanti, alongside soprano Maria Agresta and tenor Giorgio Berrugi. The programme explores Verdi’s most celebrated works, from Nabucco and I Vespri Siciliani to Otello and La Traviata, weaving together arias, duets, and sweeping overtures in a moving tribute to his timeless legacy.
AED125. For further information, visit abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net
Lewis Capaldi and Zara Larsson
3 December, Etihad Park
Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi and Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson are set to light up the opening night After-Race Concerts at the 2026 Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Etihad Park, Yas Island. Capaldi will captivate with his raw, emotional ballads and signature wit, while Larsson brings her powerhouse vocals and Grammy-nominated hits, delivering a high-energy performance that promises to be both intimate and unforgettable.
For more information and a chance to book tickets for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, fans can visit abudhabigp.com
Sunburn Festival Abu Dhabi 2026
December (venue and date TBC)
Sunburn Festival Abu Dhabi 2026 is set to deliver a star-studded EDM experience, and speculation is already rife about the lineup. Fans are anticipating global heavyweights like Martin Garrix, David Guetta, and Armin van Buuren, alongside rising electronic acts making waves on the international scene. With Sunburn’s signature blend of chart-topping DJs and immersive production, Abu Dhabi could see back-to-back sets, festival bangers, and surprise collaborations, making this debut UAE edition a landmark event for EDM lovers.
For further information, visit sunburn.in
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