UAE Events Calendar Packed with 100-Plus Performances as Fall Season Kicks Off

The UAE’s live events sector enters the final months of 2025 carrying a schedule of more than 100 confirmed major events spanning music, theatre, comedy, literature and visual arts. One cancellation has marked the recent calendar: the Offlimits Festival in Abu Dhabi will not proceed. Beyond that, official ticketing platforms and venue websites show a robust slate of performances and exhibitions running from late August through December, with most organizers appearing to have held their original plans despite operational pressures from regional instability.

The autumn programme is anchored by an extensive roster of Arabic music performances. Najwa Karam takes the stage at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on October 2, with Lebanese pop star Nancy Ajram following at the same venue on October 24. Amr Diab, widely regarded as the Arab world’s most successful touring pop star, performs there on November 7. In Abu Dhabi, Tamer Hosny and Tamer Ashour share a bill at Etihad Arena on October 17. A more experimental offering arrives on November 27, when Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji performs with trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf at Dubai Opera, blending chanson, jazz and contemporary Arabic music.

The 23rd edition of Abu Dhabi Festival runs throughout the autumn with classical music, ballet and theatre programming. Film composer Hans Zimmer performs at Etihad Arena on November 13, while American Ballet Theatre takes the stage at Emirates Palace on November 20. Emirati composer Mohammed Al Qahoom leads the Heritage Symphonic Orchestra in a performance called Nagham at Space42 Arena on October 9, presenting traditional melodies in full orchestral arrangements. The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi launches its 2026-27 season on September 5 with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Fanfarai. A new festival called Dopa World runs December 18 to 20 at Jubilee Park in Expo City Dubai, featuring a young Arab line-up led by Palestinian-Algerian singer Saint Levant.

The concert calendar extends well beyond Arabic programming. Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam launches his Revolution Tour at Etihad Arena on August 21, followed by devotional singer Radhika Das at Coca-Cola Arena on September 20. Pakistani singer Atif Aslam returns to Coca-Cola Arena on November 27. Filipino artists command multiple major dates: rock musicians Ely Buendia and Chito Miranda perform at Coca-Cola Arena on August 30, with singers TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan scheduled for October 11. The Tinig ng Kapayapaan Philippine Choral Festival takes place on August 30 at The Fridge Warehouse on Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, bringing together Chorus Omnis, Abu Dhabi Concert Chorus and Dubai Vocal Ensemble.

Comedy programming spans Arabic, Hindi and English throughout the season. The Dubai Comedy Festival runs October 9 to 18 across multiple venues, with British comedian Mo Gilligan performing on October 12. Jamie Lever brings a Hindi-language show to Emirates Theatre on October 10, while Lebanese comedian John Achkar presents Feena Nehke in Arabic at Dubai Opera on October 17. Abu Dhabi Comedy Season begins in October and extends through year-end, with Russell Peters headlining Etihad Arena on October 25. November brings Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer to the arena on November 6, followed by Iranian-American comedian Maz Jobrani on November 7. Andrew Schulz performs there on November 27. South African comedian Trevor Noah has two stand-alone shows at Dubai Opera on November 25 and 26.

Meanwhile, the festival calendar reaches across literature, visual art and design. The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair returns for its 35th edition at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from September 13 to 18, featuring author talks, publishing discussions, performances and children’s events. Frieze Abu Dhabi makes its debut at Manarat Al Saadiyat from November 20 to 22, replacing Abu Dhabi Art and bringing together galleries from the Middle East and beyond. Dubai Design Week runs November 3 to 8 at Dubai Design District, with Downtown Design running concurrently from November 4 to 8. Sharjah’s Focal Point art book fair takes place December 11 to 13 at Bait Obaid Al Shamsi, featuring artists’ presses, independent publishers and cultural producers. The ninth Sharjah Film Platform runs October 30 to November 8, focusing on independent and experimental cinema with screenings primarily at Mirage City Cinema.

Food-focused events close out the calendar. Taste of Abu Dhabi runs November 13 to 15 at Gateway Park North, offering 16 restaurant pop-ups, chef appearances and workshops. Summer in Nashville brings American southern cooking to Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on October 31, with music and culinary demonstrations alongside it. Whether the density of this schedule holds through December, given the continuing regional pressures that forced the Offlimits cancellation, remains the open question for organizers and audiences alike.