55 major upcoming concerts and events in the UAE: From Nancy Ajram to Shakira
The concert and live events season in the UAE is set to reach its peak as new schedules are announced and several postponed performances return to the calendar with fresh dates.
In the coming months, a diverse array of pop and rock concerts, stand-up comedy, ballet, opera, musical theater, and classical performances will take place across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Najwa Karam will perform a selection of her most popular hits at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, while the Abu Dhabi Comedy Season has announced its first shows featuring Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer.
Renowned Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli is set to take the stage in Abu Dhabi, and the Offlimits Music Festival returns in November featuring Shakira and the Jonas Brothers.
The Abu Dhabi Festival and the NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center are offering a rich program of classical performances, including the American Ballet Theatre, Dhafer Youssef, and Sondra Radvanovsky. Dubai will also host performances by Vir Das, Atif Aslam, Hiba Tawaji, and Ibrahim Maalouf.
Below are the most significant upcoming concerts and live events in the UAE.
1. Rasha Rizq
1 August; Dubai World Trade Centre
Syrian singer Rasha Rizq is well-known for performing nostalgic songs from the Arabic versions of animated series such as Detective Conan, Digimon, Remi, and Gundam Wing. Her work also spans jazz, classical music, and albums like Malak, as well as the song Mreiti Ya Mreiti from Nadine Labaki’s film Caramel.
2. Ramy Gamal and Wael Jassar
8 August; Dubai World Trade Centre
Egyptian singer Ramy Gamal and Lebanese artist Wael Jassar will host an evening of romantic Arabic music and emotional ballads. Ramy Gamal is known for hits like Bikallimouni, while Wael Jassar is famous for songs such as Zrouf Meandani.
Doors open at 7:00 PM, and the performance begins at 8:00 PM. Ticket prices start from AED 195.
3. SB Girls
8 August; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Filipino pop group SB Girls will present their Get Get Aw concert, featuring a mix of live performance, choreography, and high-energy music. The singer of Halukay Ube will also be part of the program.
The performance begins at 7:00 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 349.
4. Al Shami and Lin Hayek
8 August; Dubai World Trade Centre
Syrian singer Al Shami has become a prominent figure in contemporary Arabic pop with hits like Ya Leil W Ya El Ein, Sabra, and Doctor. Lebanese singer Lin Hayek was the winner of the first season of The Voice Kids: Ahla Sawt in 2016.
The performance begins at 8:30 PM, and ticket prices have not yet been announced.
5. Thaalam Beats
15 August; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Indian singer Usha Uthup will perform a collection of works from her five-decade career, spanning jazz, pop, disco, and Indian cinema music.
Abu Dhabi-born singer Benny Dayal and the Kerala-based band Thaikkudam Bridge will also feature in the program, offering a blend of rock, folk, and Indian classical music.
The performance begins at 8:00 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 75.
6. Sonu Nigam
21 August; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Sonu Nigam will launch his Revolution world tour with a concert in Abu Dhabi. The event marks his three decades in the arts and will include a collection of Bollywood, romantic, and pop songs in various Indian languages.
Doors open at 7:30 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 150.
7. Miami Band
29 August; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
The Kuwaiti group Miami Band comes to Dubai with The Miami Show, performing a collection of their popular hits from the early 1990s to the present, including Bistanes, Ya Omri Ana, and Ya Heloukoum.
The performance begins at 8:30 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 195.
8. Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Fanfarai
5 September; NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center
The Arts Center’s new season opens with performances by two brass bands from opposite sides of the Atlantic. The Grammy-winning Dirty Dozen Brass Band from New Orleans blends jazz with funk, bebop, R&B, and soul.
The French-North African group Fanfarai merges Algerian and Moroccan music with Afro-Cuban, Latin jazz, and funk. This will be the first performance for both groups in the Gulf region.
The performance begins at 8:30 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 78.75.
9. The Butterfly Who Flew Into the Rave
10 to 12 September; NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center
Three New Zealand dancers recreate the physical experience of a three-day music festival in a one-hour performance. The show is accompanied by techno music from the album Nocturbulous Behaviour and continues without interruption.
Performances begin at 7:30 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 52.50.
10. Christina Aguilera
September 25; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Christina Aguilera returns to Abu Dhabi just over a year after her successful performance at Saadiyat Nights. The seven-time Grammy Award winner previously took the stage in Abu Dhabi in February 2025 and also performed at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Doors open at 19:00 and ticket prices start from AED 395.
11. K-Pop Fever
September 26; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
This concert-style production features some of the most popular K-pop songs, performed by 12 singers and dancers with live vocals and extensive choreography.
Doors open at 14:00 and ticket prices start from AED 155.
12. The Corrs
September 27; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
The Irish family group The Corrs returns to Abu Dhabi with their signature blend of pop-rock and traditional Celtic music. Their famous hits include Runaway, Breathless, and What Can I Do.
Doors open at 18:30 and ticket prices start from AED 325.
13. Untitled 14km
October 1 and 2; NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center
Moroccan artist Younes Atbane explores the international art world's perception of Arab identity through a humorous lens in a performance that combines dance, theater, performance art, and installation.
The performance begins at 21:00 and ticket prices start from AED 199.
14. Najwa Karam
October 2; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Renowned Lebanese singer Najwa Karam, known as the Sun of Song, returns to Dubai with a collection of Lebanese folklore and contemporary Arabic music. Her popular works include Yelaan El Bo'od, Hayda Haki, Khallini Shoufak, and Maloun Abou L'Echeq.
The performance begins at 21:00 and ticket prices start from AED 150.
15. Marilyn Naaman
October 6; Dubai Opera
Lebanese singer and actress Marilyn Naaman will hold her first concert at Dubai Opera, featuring a blend of Arabic music and Western pop. She gained fame through her appearance on The Voice France, and her song Ana Meen, the theme for the series Bil Dam, became a regional hit in 2025.
Doors open at 19:30, the performance begins at 20:00, and ticket prices start from AED 295.
16. The Public Taste Engineer
October 9 and 10; Dubai Opera
This Kuwaiti comedy play in Arabic, written and directed by Abdulaziz Safar, will be performed as part of the Dubai Comedy Festival. The story follows a couple awaiting the birth of their first child as they face chaotic and humorous situations.
Performance times are yet to be announced, and ticket prices start from AED 250.
17. Jamie Lever
October 10; The Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Indian comedian Jamie Lever makes her debut at the Dubai Comedy Festival with a Hindi-language performance featuring mimicry, music, and family memories.
The performance begins at 19:00 and ticket prices start from AED 145.
18. Munawar Faruqui
October 11; Dubai Opera
Munawar Faruqui returns to the Dubai Comedy Festival with a new one-hour Hindi-language program. His work is characterized by sharp writing, personal narratives, and a humorous take on daily life and social issues.
The performance begins at 19:00 and ticket prices start from AED 125.
19. TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan
October 11; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
The Filipino singing couple brings their In Between Middle East tour to Dubai following four sold-out shows in the Philippines. The program includes solo and collaborative pieces in romantic pop, soul, R&B, and jazz styles.
The performance begins at 20:00 and ticket prices start from AED 299.
20. Morgan Jay
October 11; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Morgan Jay combines stand-up, live music, and audience improvisation in his Goofy Guy tour. Using a guitar, he turns topics such as dating, relationships, and audience interactions into humorous R&B-style songs.
Doors open at 18:30 and ticket prices start from AED 275.
21. Mo Gilligan
October 12; Dubai Opera
British comedian Mo Gilligan returns to the Dubai Comedy Festival with his world tour, The Mo You Know. He is known for his high-energy performances and humorous characterizations.
The performance begins at 18:30 and ticket prices start from AED 250.
22. Alexander Merkul
October 15; New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Russian comedian Alexander Merkul holds his first performance at the Dubai Comedy Festival with a mix of stand-up and live improvisation.
The performance begins at 21:30 and ticket prices start from AED 150.
23. Shane Todd
October 16; New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Northern Irish comedian Shane Todd takes the stage at the Dubai Comedy Festival with a blend of storytelling, self-deprecating humor, and observations on everyday situations.
The performance begins at 18:30 and ticket prices start from AED 195.
24. Tamer Hosny and Tamer Ashour
October 17; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Egyptian singers Tamer Hosny and Tamer Ashour will perform an extensive collection of their popular hits in a single night.
Tamer Hosny is known for works such as Yana Ya Mafish, 180 Degrees, Omri Ebtada, and Ya Bent El Eya, while Tamer Ashour is recognized for songs like Zekrayat Kazaba, Ekhtarna Leh, Sanya Wahda, and Enta Ekhtart.
Doors open at 19:30, the performance begins at 21:00, and ticket prices start from AED 137.
25. John Achkar
October 17; Dubai Opera
Lebanese comedian John Achkar returns to the Dubai Comedy Festival with his latest Arabic stand-up show titled Feena Nehki. The program addresses themes such as identity, family, and daily anxieties.
The performance begins at 18:30 and ticket prices start from AED 185.
26. Sondra Radvanovsky and Vincenzo Scalera
October 17; NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center
Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky, accompanied by pianist Vincenzo Scalera, will perform arias and pieces by Bellini, Verdi, Puccini, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, and Richard Strauss.
The performance begins at 20:00 and ticket prices start from AED 150.
27. Amit Tandon
October 18; Dubai Opera
Indian comedian Amit Tandon returns to Dubai with his new Hindi-language show titled Aise Kaise. Marriage, parenting, and daily life are the central themes of this performance.
The performance begins at 15:00 and ticket prices start from AED 150.
28. Vir Das
October 18; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Emmy Award-winning Indian comedian Vir Das takes the stage at the Dubai Comedy Festival with his humorous take on culture and international issues.
The performance begins at 20:00 and ticket prices start from AED 195.
29. Nancy Ajram
October 24; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Lebanese singer and Arab pop icon Nancy Ajram returns to Dubai with a selection of her most popular hits, including Akhasmak Ah, Ah W Noss, and Ya Tabtab.
The performance begins at 21:00, and ticket prices start from 210 AED.
30. Blue
October 25; Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre, Expo City Dubai
British pop group Blue celebrates their 25th anniversary by performing hits such as All Rise, One Love, and Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word. Tracks from their new album Reflections will also be performed.
The performance begins at 20:00, and ticket prices start from 239 AED.
31. Russell Peters
October 25; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Indo-Canadian comedian Russell Peters is known for his quick wit, direct audience interaction, and humorous take on cultural differences. His career in global tours has spanned more than two decades.
The performance begins at 20:30, and ticket prices start from 275 AED.
32. Nass
October 30; NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center
French-Moroccan choreographer Fouad Boussouf brings together seven male dancers in a performance that blends hip-hop movements with the ritualistic aspects of North African music.
The performance begins at 19:30, and ticket prices start from 52.50 AED.
33. Riverdance
October 31 and November 1; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
The world-renowned Irish dance show Riverdance returns to the UAE to mark its 30th anniversary. This new production features updated choreography, costumes, lighting, and motion graphics.
Performance times vary, and ticket prices start from 215 AED.
34. Benjamin Clementine
November 1; Dubai Opera
British singer, pianist, and composer Benjamin Clementine performs a program blending experimental pop, contemporary classical music, jazz, and poetry. His debut album, At Least for Now, won the Mercury Prize.
The performance begins at 20:00, and ticket prices start from 500 AED.
35. Jony
November 4; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Russian-Azerbaijani singer Jony has risen to fame with hits such as Kamin, Kometa, and Ty Besposhchadna.
The performance begins at 21:00, and ticket prices start from 295 AED.
36. Mo Amer
November 6; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer takes the stage during the Abu Dhabi Comedy Season. Immigration, displacement, and life between different cultures are central themes of his work.
His personal experiences also inspired the semi-autobiographical Netflix series Mo, which received a Peabody Award in 2023.
Performance times and ticket prices are yet to be announced.
37. Maz Jobrani
November 7; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Iranian-American comedian Maz Jobrani returns to Abu Dhabi with a show exploring the immigrant experience, cultural misunderstandings, and family expectations.
Performance times and ticket prices are yet to be announced.
38. American Ballet Theatre
November 20; Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
The American Ballet Theatre, one of the world's leading dance companies, will perform works by Frederick Ashton, Jiří Kylián, Brady Farrar, and the ballet Paquita.
The performance begins at 20:00, and ticket prices start from 125 AED.
39. Offlimits Music Festival
21 November; Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi
Originally scheduled for April, the Offlimits Festival has been moved to November 21. The lineup is expected to remain unchanged, with Shakira and the Jonas Brothers set to headline the event.
Tickets purchased for the original date remain valid. Doors open at 15:00, and ticket prices start from AED 495.
40. Algarabia
26 November; Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
This theatrical production blends flamenco dance with Arabic poetry, featuring musicians from Spain’s University of Navarra Symphony Orchestra alongside a cast of dancers and actors.
The performance begins at 20:00, with tickets starting from AED 100.
41. Andrew Schulz
27 November; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
American comedian Andrew Schulz returns to Etihad Arena with a solo show. He is widely recognized for his stand-up specials, podcasts, and spontaneous crowd work.
Performance times and ticket prices are yet to be announced.
42. Hiba Tawaji and Ibrahim Maalouf
27 November; Dubai Opera
Hiba Tawaji and Ibrahim Maalouf will take the stage for a collaborative performance at Dubai Opera. Inspired by French musical heritage, the show blends chanson, jazz, and contemporary music.
The performance starts at 20:30, and ticket prices begin at AED 355.
43. Atif Aslam
27 November; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Following five consecutive years of sold-out performances in Dubai, Atif Aslam returns to the Coca-Cola Arena. His setlist will feature a mix of Bollywood hits, pop-rock, and spiritual tracks.
Tajdar-e-Haram, Jeena Jeena, Pehli Nazar Mein, Dil Diyan Gallan, and Aadat are among his most famous works.
Doors open at 21:00, and ticket prices start from AED 350.
44. Tarkan
November 27; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Turkish pop star Tarkan will perform his debut concert in Abu Dhabi. Globally recognized for his hit song "Şımarık," he has been a leading figure in Turkish music for over two decades.
The performance begins at 20:30, and ticket prices start from AED 295.
45. Verdi Opera Gala
November 29; Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
This program marks the 125th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi's passing. Soprano Maria Agresta and tenor Giorgio Berrugi will perform works from operas including "Nabucco," "Otello," "La Traviata," and other Verdi masterpieces.
The performance begins at 20:00, and ticket prices start from AED 125.
46. Andrea Bocelli
December 2; Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is bringing his 30th-anniversary world tour of the album Romanza to Abu Dhabi as part of the Yasalam Classics series.
The album, featuring iconic tracks such as Con te partirò and Vivo per lei, played a pivotal role in his international rise to fame.
Doors open at 6:00 PM, with ticket prices starting from AED 295.
47. Lewis Capaldi and Zara Larsson
December 3; Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi
Lewis Capaldi and Zara Larsson will headline the first night of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concerts with separate performances.
Capaldi is set to perform hits such as Someone You Loved, Before You Go, and Forget Me. Zara Larsson will take the stage with high-energy tracks including Lush Life, Never Forget You, and Symphony.
Performance times are yet to be announced, and entry is exclusive to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holders.
48. Lisa Batiashvili and Giorgi Gigashvili
December 10; The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
The two Georgian artists will perform works by Beethoven, Bartok, and Franck, alongside a contemporary piece by Ioseb Bardanashvili.
The performance begins at 8 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 150.
49. Minsoo Sohn
December 11; The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
Pianist Minsoo Sohn will perform Book I of Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, featuring 24 preludes and fugues in all major and minor keys.
The performance begins at 8 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 150.
50. Chicago The Musical
December 16–20; Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
The Broadway production of the musical Chicago will run for five days with eight performances in Dubai. Set in the Jazz Age, the story follows nightclub singer Roxie Hart and vaudeville star Velma Kelly as they compete for public attention while awaiting trial for murder.
Showtimes vary, and ticket prices start from AED 49.
51. Dopa World Festival
December 18–20; Jubilee Park, Expo City Dubai
Dopa World is a three-day festival focusing on Arab youth music, culture, and creative industries. Palestinian-Algerian singer Saint Levant is the first artist announced for the event.
Known for blending Arabic, English, and French, he will perform tracks such as Very Few Friends and Deira. Other artists are yet to be announced.
Doors open daily at 4 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 245.
52. Dhafer Youssef
December 19; The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
Renowned oud master Dhafer Youssef, accompanied by his quintet, will perform a fusion of jazz, Arabic music, North African traditions, European classical, and electronic music.
The performance is expected to include pieces from his latest album, Shiraz.
The show starts at 8 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 150.
53. Tamaas Festival
January 29, 2027; The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
The Tamaas Festival features three distinct acts. Moroccan-Swiss artist Sami Galbi blends Rai and Chaabi with electronic music, while Nigerien guitarist Bombino performs Tuareg desert blues and rock.
The British group Ibibio Sound Machine will close the program with a mix of West African rhythms, post-punk, disco, and electronic music.
The festival begins at 7 PM, and entry is free with registration.
54. Ramadaniyat: The Handover
February 17, 2027; The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
Egyptian oud player Ali Issa, Alexandrian violinist Ayman Asfour, and Belgian-Norwegian keyboardist Jonas Cambien will make their UAE debut as The Handover.
The group blends ritual and folk music from rural Egypt with free improvisation, psychedelic rock, and electronic music.
The performance begins at 9:30 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 52.50.
55. Tribute to Ziad Rahbani by Faraj Suleiman
March 26, 2027; The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
Palestinian composer and pianist Faraj Suleiman returns to Abu Dhabi with a special program honoring the legendary Lebanese composer, pianist, and playwright Ziad Rahbani.
Rather than exact recreations, Suleiman reimagines Rahbani’s works with fresh arrangements and harmonies, utilizing contemporary piano, jazz, and Arabic music.
The performance begins at 7:30 PM, and ticket prices start from AED 78.75.