Running all season
Sheikh Zayed Festival at Al Wathba runs from 30 October to 14 March 2027, and the Liwa International Festival from 11 December to 2 January. The autumn leg of the Abu Dhabi Festival runs 10 October to 19 December. See our heritage festivals guide.
November 2026
ADIPEC, 2 to 5 November. The Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, 5 to 8 November. Hans Zimmer, 13 November. BREDx, 13 and 14 November. Art week, Frieze and NOMAD, 18 to 22 November. American Ballet Theatre, around 20 November. Tarkan, 27 November. The SailGP Grand Final, 28 and 29 November.
December 2026
National Day, 2 and 3 December, with Andrea Bocelli at Etihad Arena on the 2nd. The Grand Prix weekend, 3 to 6 December. Abu Dhabi Finance Week, 7 to 10 December. The Guggenheim is scheduled to open on 11 December. Mariah Carey, 12 December. Dhafer Youssef, 19 December.
2027
AJP International jiu-jitsu, 15 to 17 January. Harry Potter in concert, 5 and 6 February. The Phantom of the Opera, 10 to 28 March. The Grand Slam jiu-jitsu stop, 7 to 9 May.
Events in this guide
Sheikh Zayed Festival 2026-27
Frieze Abu Dhabi 2026 and Abu Dhabi Art Week
Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opens
The Phantom of the Opera
FAQ
What is the busiest week in Abu Dhabi?+
National Day into Grand Prix week, 2 to 6 December 2026. Hotels fill months ahead.
When does the Guggenheim open?+
It is scheduled to open on 11 December 2026.
What runs all winter?+
Sheikh Zayed Festival (to 14 March 2027) and the autumn Abu Dhabi Festival (to 19 December).
- The National: Top 64 concerts and events coming to the UAE (19 October 2026)
- Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, 2026-27 events season (via PR Newswire APAC)
- BW Hotelier: Abu Dhabi to host over 40 events for 2026-27
- Khaleej Times: Sheikh Zayed Festival to kick off 30 October
- Khaleej Times (WAM): 2025-26 season timings and attractions