UAE's Entertainment Extravaganza: A Guide to Top Concerts and Events Featuring Global Stars

The United Arab Emirates is buzzing with a vibrant live events season, offering a diverse array of entertainment from pop and rock concerts to stand-up comedy, ballet, and opera. The coming months promise a packed schedule across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, featuring a stellar lineup of international and regional artists.

December will see Mariah Carey return to Abu Dhabi with her festive Christmas show. In November, Wasla Festival will bring regional talents like Marcel Khalife, Le Trio Joubran, TootArd, and Fatima to Expo City Dubai. Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena is set to host Najwa Karam, while Abu Dhabi Comedy Season has announced performances by Palestinian-American star Mo Amer and US comic Aries Spears.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend is a major highlight, featuring Jennifer Lopez as part of the after-race concert series at Etihad Live. She will be joined by Lewis Capaldi, Kings of Leon, Alex Warren, Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers, and The Script. Looking ahead to 2027, Shah Rukh Khan is set to curate the inaugural Unifyd festival at Etihad Live, with Arijit Singh, Karan Aujla, and Sonu Nigam among the initial artists announced.

Here's a detailed look at some of the upcoming concerts and live events:

• Titize: A Venetian Dream (October 29-31, Dubai Opera): A captivating show blending circus, theatre, dance, and live music, inspired by Venice.
• Abdul Majeed Abdullah (October 31, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai): Saudi singer Abdul Majeed Abdullah performs his extensive catalogue of Khaleeji and Arabic pop.
• Riverdance (October 31-November 1, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): The renowned Irish dance show celebrates its 30th anniversary with updated choreography and staging.
• Benjamin Clementine (November 1, Dubai Opera): British artist Benjamin Clementine presents a program of experimental pop, contemporary classical, jazz, and poetry.
• Jony (November 4, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai): Russian-Azerbaijani pop star Jony performs his popular hits.
• Mo Amer (November 6, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer brings his unique perspective on displacement and cultural identity.
• Amr Diab (November 7, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai): Egyptian pop icon Amr Diab returns to Dubai with his beloved classics and new songs.
• Maz Jobrani (November 7, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): Iranian-American comedian Maz Jobrani explores immigrant experiences and cultural nuances.
• Ministry of Sound Classical (November 7, Dubai Opera): Club anthems are reimagined with a full orchestral performance, combining electronic music with live instrumentation.
• Abdelkader Secteur (November 8, Emirates Theatre, Dubai): Algerian comedian Abdelkader Secteur shares his humorous storytelling rooted in North African culture.
• Hans Zimmer (November 13, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer brings his 'The Next Level' tour, featuring film scores and electronic sounds.
• BREDx (November 13-14, Etihad Live, Abu Dhabi): A two-day event featuring music, fashion, art, and sport, headlined by Central Cee and Bryson Tiller.
• American Ballet Theatre (November 20, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi): One of the world's leading dance companies performs a special show for the Abu Dhabi Festival.
• Aries Spears (November 21, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): American comedian Aries Spears showcases his stand-up, impressions, and crowd work.
• Synthony x Faithless (November 21, Bla Bla by McGettigan's, Dubai): Synthony makes its Middle East debut, with Faithless Sound System also performing.
• Sid Sriram (November 22, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai): Sid Sriram celebrates South Indian music with his 'Sing India' concert.
• Trevor Noah (November 25-26, November 28-29, Dubai Opera): South African comedian Trevor Noah performs a new stand-up show over four nights.
• Algarabia (November 26, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi): A theatrical production blending flamenco with Arabic poetry.
• Bader Saleh (November 27, The Hive, Dubai): Saudi comedian Bader Saleh presents his 'Bliss of Ignorance' stand-up show.
• Hiba Tawaji and Ibrahim Maalouf (November 27, Dubai Opera): Lebanese-French composer Ibrahim Maalouf and singer Hiba Tawaji unite for a unique performance.
• Atif Aslam (November 27, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai): Pakistani singer Atif Aslam returns to Dubai with a mix of Bollywood, pop-rock, and devotional music.
• Tarkan (November 27, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): Turkish pop superstar Tarkan makes his Abu Dhabi debut.
• Wasla Festival (November 28, Jubilee Park, Expo City Dubai): Headlined by Marcel Khalife, featuring Le Trio Joubran, TootArd, and Fatima.
• Ramy Sabry (November 28, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): Egyptian singer Ramy Sabry performs his romantic Arabic pop and ballads.
• Artbat Present Upperground (November 28, Ushuaia Dubai Harbour): Ukrainian electronic duo Artbat bring their event series to Dubai with support from Miss Monique, R3hab, and 7 Skies.
• Verdi’s Opera Gala (November 29, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi): A tribute to Giuseppe Verdi, featuring soprano Maria Agresta and tenor Giorgio Berrugi.
• Ghostly Kisses (November 29, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): Canadian singer-songwriter Margaux Sauve brings her atmospheric pop project to Abu Dhabi.
• Andrea Bocelli (December 2, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli celebrates his 30th Anniversary 'Romanza World Tour'.
• The Tsar's Bride by the Bolshoi Theatre (December 2, Dubai Opera): The Bolshoi Theatre begins its UAE tour with Rimsky-Korsakov's opera.
• Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra (December 3, Dubai Opera): The Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra performs a symphonic concert.
• Lewis Capaldi and Kings of Leon (December 3, Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi): These artists open the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concert series.
• Jennifer Lopez and Alex Warren (December 4, Etihad Live, Abu Dhabi): Jennifer Lopez and Alex Warren perform as part of the Grand Prix concert series.
• Shimza (December 4, 16/360, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi): South African DJ Shimza brings his Afro-tech sound to the Grand Prix weekend.
• Mont Rouge and Moojo (December 4, Bagatelle, W Abu Dhabi): Swiss duo Mont Rouge and French DJ Moojo perform during the Grand Prix weekend.
• The Nutcracker by the Bolshoi Theatre (December 4-6, Dubai Opera): The Bolshoi Theatre presents Tchaikovsky's ballet as part of a Dubai Opera tradition.
• Anyma (December 4, Yas Gateway Park, Abu Dhabi): DJ and producer Anyma performs as part of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-party concert series.
• Imagine Dragons (December 5, Etihad Live, Abu Dhabi): The US band headlines the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concert series.
• CamelPhat (December 5, 16/360, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi): British electronic duo CamelPhat perform at the Grand Prix venue.
• Gordo (December 5, Bagatelle, W Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi): DJ and producer Gordo joins the race-weekend programme.
• The Chainsmokers and The Script (December 6, Etihad Live, Abu Dhabi): The Chainsmokers and The Script close the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concert series.
• Black Coffee (December 6, 16/360, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi): Grammy-winning DJ Black Coffee closes the 16/360 programme.
• Carl Cox (December 6, Bagatelle, W Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi): DJ pioneer Carl Cox closes Bagatelle's Grand Prix weekend programme.
• Enrico Macias (December 10, Dubai Opera): French-Algerian singer Enrico Macias performs his chanson and Mediterranean music.
• Lisa Batiashvili and Giorgi Gigashvili (December 10, The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi): Georgian musicians perform works by Beethoven, Bartok, and Franck.
• Minsoo Sohn (December 11, The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi): Pianist Minsoo Sohn performs Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier.
• Sole DXB (December 11-13, The Square, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai): A three-day festival celebrating music, fashion, art, and street culture, featuring Lola Young, Overmono, and Nia Archives.
• Bamboo and Cup of Joe (December 11, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai): Filipino acts Bamboo and Cup of Joe share the stage for a night of OPM.
• Guy Manoukian (December 11, Dubai Opera): Guy Manoukian celebrates Dubai Opera's 10th anniversary with his 10th performance.
• Mariah Carey (December 12, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): Mariah Carey returns to Abu Dhabi with her Christmastime show.
• Mahmut Orhan (December 12, Ushuaia Dubai Harbour Experience, Dubai): Turkish DJ and producer Mahmut Orhan performs his deep house and indie dance sound.
• Chicago the Musical (December 16-20, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai): The Broadway production of 'Chicago' comes to Dubai for multiple performances.
• Denis Matsuev (December 16, Dubai Opera): Russian pianist Denis Matsuev presents a concert titled 'Classics and Jazz'.
• Disney’s Encanto Live in Concert (December 18, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): The film 'Encanto' is screened with live orchestral accompaniment by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra.
• Abracadabra (December 18-19, Dubai Opera): An Arabic language suspense comedy play exploring the challenges of theatre groups.
• Dopa World (December 18-20, Jubilee Park, Expo City Dubai): A three-day festival focused on young Arab music, culture, and creative businesses, featuring Saint Levant.
• Dhafer Youssef (December 19, The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi): Oud maestro Dhafer Youssef performs with his quintet, blending Eastern and Western musical traditions.
• Yassar Lemghari (December 25, Emirates Theatre, Dubai): Moroccan comedian Yassar Lemghari brings his 'Lamhayab' show to Dubai.
• Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shah Zaman Ali Khan (December 26, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai): Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shah Zaman Ali Khan present Qawwali, Sufi music, and contemporary South Asian songs.
• Katy Perry (December 31, Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai): Katy Perry headlines the New Year's Eve gala at Atlantis, The Palm.
• Vessbroz (December 31, Cavo, Ramee Dream Hotel, Dubai): Vessbroz headline Cavo’s New Year’s Eve party with an electronic house music set.
• Tony Ann (January 12, 2027, Dubai Opera): Canadian pianist and composer Tony Ann makes his Dubai debut.
• Swan Lake on Ice (January 14-17, 2027, Dubai Opera): The Imperial Ice Stars present Tchaikovsky’s 'Swan Lake' reimagined on ice.
• Ebru Gundes (January 15, 2027, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): Turkish singer Ebru Gundes brings her extensive music catalogue to Abu Dhabi.
• Ludovico Einaudi (January 24, 2027, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi performs with the UAE National Orchestra.
• Buena Vista Social Club Legacy Concert (January 24, 2027, Dubai Opera): A concert featuring Ibrahim Ferrer Jr and Barbarito Torres, celebrating Cuban music traditions.
• Tamaas Festival (January 29, 2027, The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi): Featuring Sami Galbi, Bombino, and Ibibio Sound Machine, blending traditional and electronic music.
• Whitney Cummings (January 31, 2027, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): American comedian Whitney Cummings joins the Abu Dhabi Comedy Season.
• Paul Smith (January 31, 2027, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): British comedian Paul Smith brings his audience-led stand-up show to Abu Dhabi.
• Harry Potter Film Concert Series (February 5-6, 2027, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): The UAE National Orchestra accompanies screenings of 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' and 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'.
• Ramadaniyat – The Handover (February 17, 2027, The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi): The Handover trio brings Egyptian ritual and folk music into contact with improvisation and electronic textures.
• The Phantom of the Opera (March 10-28, 2027, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi): Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical makes its Abu Dhabi debut.
• Untold Dubai (March 19-21, 2027, Dubai Parks and Resorts): A three-day music festival with artist line-up and programme details to be announced.
• Unifyd (March 20, 2027, Etihad Live, Abu Dhabi): The inaugural music festival curated by Shah Rukh Khan, featuring Arijit Singh, Karan Aujla, and Sonu Nigam.
• Tribute to Ziad Rahbani by Faraj Suleiman (March 26, 2027, The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi): Palestinian composer Faraj Suleiman dedicates his performance to Ziad Rahbani.
• A1 and Music Travel Love (April 17, 2027, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai): British-Norwegian group A1 and Canadian duo Music Travel Love share the stage.
• Richard Marx (June 6, 2027, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai): American singer-songwriter Richard Marx performs his extensive catalogue.