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UAE Events 2026

UAE Events Calendar: What's On to New Year's Eve 2026

Confirmed dates across the emirates, who each event suits, and where to book safely. For residents and new arrivals.

Last checked: 21 September 2026 Updated weekly Editorially independent

How to use this calendar

This is the Relocate2UAE guide to what is on across the UAE from late September to New Year's Eve 2026. It is written for residents and for families who have just arrived: what is worth your time, who it suits, how long to allow and where to book safely.

Every event carries a status. Confirmed means the date is published by the organiser, the venue, an official tourism calendar or an authorised ticket seller. Reported means the date has appeared in press or listings and we have not yet seen it on the organiser's own page. Book only through the organiser, the venue or an authorised seller such as Ticketmaster UAE or Platinumlist. We do not list resale sites. Where we mention a Relocate2UAE partner, it is labelled as one.

Last checked: 21 September 2026. Dates move, and spring 2026 showed how quickly: several shows in this guide were rescheduled from April. Check the official page before you travel or pay.

Quick navigation

The headline dates at a glance Late September October November December Best free and family picks Premium tickets: ES Sport Sharjah and the northern emirates Living here around major events Frequently asked questions

The headline dates at a glance

The essentials, from late September through to New Year's Eve. Scroll down for detail on each.

Date	Event	Emirate	Status
From 9 Oct	Dubai Comedy Festival	Dubai	Reported
10 Oct – 19 Dec	Abu Dhabi Festival	Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
14 Oct	Global Village Season 31 opens	Dubai	Confirmed
24 Oct	UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev	Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
30 Oct	Sheikh Zayed Festival opens at Al Wathba	Abu Dhabi	Reported
31 Oct – 29 Nov	Dubai Fitness Challenge	Dubai	Confirmed
1 Nov	Dubai Ride	Dubai	Confirmed
4 – 15 Nov	Sharjah International Book Fair	Sharjah	Confirmed
5 – 8 Nov	Abu Dhabi Championship (golf)	Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
6 Nov	Dubai Racing Carnival opening night	Dubai	Confirmed
12 – 15 Nov	DP World Tour Championship	Dubai	Confirmed
19 – 22 Nov	Frieze Abu Dhabi	Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
22 Nov	Dubai Run	Dubai	Confirmed
27 – 29 Nov	Emirates Dubai 7s	Dubai	Confirmed
2 – 3 Dec	Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day)	All emirates	Fixed date
3 – 6 Dec	Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix	Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
12 Dec	ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon; UAE President Cup	Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
16 – 20 Dec	Chicago The Musical	Dubai	Confirmed
18 – 20 Dec	Disney in Concert weekend	Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
31 Dec	New Year's Eve	All emirates	Fixed date

Late September 2026

Still to come this month

All-Star Sumo in Abu Dhabi

Saturday 26 September, 17:00 to 23:00 Abu Dhabi visitabudhabi.ae/en/events

Professional sumo is a rare sight in the Gulf, and an evening card makes it workable after the day's heat. Best for sports fans and older children who can manage a long sitting. Allow the full evening.

Status: Confirmed on the Experience Abu Dhabi calendar. Venue and ticket seller not shown on the listing we read, so confirm both before booking.

LEGO SHOWS: Natural Brickstory

Until Sunday 8 November, 10:00 to 20:30 daily Abu Dhabi visitabudhabi.ae/en/events

A family exhibition of large LEGO builds themed, as the name suggests, on the natural world. A sound indoor option while afternoons are still hot, and it runs through the October half-term window. Allow one to two hours.

Status: Confirmed on the Experience Abu Dhabi calendar. Venue and price to be confirmed on the event page.

Date	Event	Where	Status
26 Sep	K-Pop Fever	Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi	Reported
27 Sep	The Corrs	Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi	Reported
30 Sep	Meydan pre-Carnival race meeting	Meydan Racecourse, Dubai	Confirmed
To 24 Jan 2027	Dubai Opera 10th anniversary season, 20 shows	Dubai Opera	Reported

October 2026

The season properly begins

Two of the biggest openings of the year land this month, alongside the capital's flagship arts festival.

Dubai Comedy Festival

Shows listed from Friday 9 October Dubai Opera, Coca-Cola Arena and smaller theatres Venue box offices, Ticketmaster UAE, Platinumlist

A run of stand-up across several Dubai rooms rather than a single site. Announced names include Mo Gilligan at Dubai Opera on 12 October and Vir Das at Coca-Cola Arena on 18 October. Adult audiences; check each show's age limit. Allow two to three hours a show.

Status: Reported for the festival as a whole. Vir Das on 18 October is Confirmed by the authorised seller.

Abu Dhabi Festival 2026

Saturday 10 October to Saturday 19 December Multiple venues, Abu Dhabi visitabudhabi.ae/en/events

The capital's flagship classical and performing arts programme, usually a spring fixture and this year running through the autumn. Reported highlights include American Ballet Theatre at Emirates Palace on 20 November and a Verdi gala on 29 November. Suits anyone who misses a European concert season. Individual concerts run about two hours.

Status: Festival dates Confirmed on the Experience Abu Dhabi calendar. Individual concert dates are Reported until checked with the organiser.

Global Village Season 31

Opens Wednesday 14 October, runs to May 2027 Dubai

The UAE's biggest seasonal family attraction: country pavilions, street food, rides and nightly shows. It is an evening outing, busiest on weekends, and the easiest big-ticket experience to do with visiting relatives. Allow three to four hours.

Status: Opening date Confirmed by the organiser. Season 31 ticket prices were not published when we checked, so do not rely on last season's prices.

UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev

Saturday 24 October Etihad Arena, Yas Island etihadarena.ae/en/events

Abu Dhabi's annual UFC night. Yas Island hotels fill and prices rise that weekend, so book early or avoid the island if you are not going. Adults; check the venue's age policy. Allow the full evening.

Relocate2UAE Partner

Packages. ES Sport, a Relocate2UAE partner, offers selected ticket categories with Abu Dhabi hotel packages, and 5% off select experiences for Relocate2UAE clients. Standard tickets are sold through the venue's authorised seller. Details: relocate2uae.com/es-sport

Status: Confirmed by the venue and the Experience Abu Dhabi calendar.

Sheikh Zayed Festival 2026/27

Reported to open Friday 30 October, runs to mid March 2027 Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi

A long-running heritage and family festival on the edge of the city: pavilions, traditional crafts, fountains, fireworks and a funfair. Entry has been low-cost in past seasons and the site is spacious, which makes it a good first taste of Emirati culture for new arrivals. Allow three hours, and go after sunset.

Status: Reported. Opening date not yet seen on the organiser's page.

Dubai Fitness Challenge (10th edition)

Saturday 31 October to Sunday 29 November Citywide, Dubai Free

Thirty days of free classes, Fitness Villages and mass-participation events built around 30 minutes of activity a day. The best free programme of the year for families. The headline days are Dubai Ride on Sunday 1 November, with a 4km family route and a 12km route on Sheikh Zayed Road, and Dubai Run on Sunday 22 November with 5km and 10km routes. Dubai Stand Up Paddle at Hatta on 7 and 8 November and Dubai Yoga on 29 November are Reported. Registration is required for the big events.

Status: Challenge dates Confirmed by Dubai Media Office. Dubai Ride and Dubai Run dates Confirmed.

Riverdance 30: The New Generation

Saturday 31 October, 15:00 and 20:00, with a Sunday 1 November performance also listed Etihad Arena, Yas Island Ticketmaster UAE

The anniversary tour of the Irish dance show. The Saturday matinee makes it one of the few arena shows that works for younger children. Allow two and a half hours.

Status: Confirmed by the authorised seller. Check performance times when booking.

More October dates

Date	Event	Where	Status
2 Oct	Najwa Karam	Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai	Reported
11 Oct	Morgan Jay: The Goofy Guy Tour	Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
11 Oct	TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan	Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai	Confirmed
14 and 28 Oct	Meydan pre-Carnival race meetings	Meydan Racecourse, Dubai	Confirmed
17 Oct	Tamer Hosny and Tamer Ashour	Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi	Reported
23 Oct	Power Slap	Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
24 Oct	Al Dhannah Flat Out 10km	Al Dhannah, Al Dhafra	Confirmed
24 Oct	Nancy Ajram	Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai	Reported
25 Oct	Russell Peters	Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
25 Oct	Blue: 25th anniversary show	Expo City Dubai	Confirmed

November 2026

The busiest month of the season

Book fair, two golf weeks, Frieze and the 7s — all inside three weekends.

Sharjah International Book Fair (45th edition)

Wednesday 4 to Sunday 15 November Expo Centre Sharjah expo-centre.ae

One of the largest book fairs in the world and the strongest cultural event in the northern emirates this season. Expect author talks, a large children's programme and cookery sessions, with Oman as Guest of Honour. Entry has been free in past years; confirm on the fair's website. Go on a weekday morning to avoid school groups and evening traffic into Sharjah. Allow two to three hours.

Status: Confirmed by Sharjah Book Authority. Opening hours for 2026 not yet published.

Abu Dhabi Championship

Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 November · Yas Links, Yas Island

The first of the DP World Tour's two season-ending play-off events, with the tour's top 70 players. Golf tournaments here are relaxed, walkable and good value compared with Europe. Suits golfers and families with older children. Allow half a day.

Confirmed — DP World Tour

Dubai Racing Carnival opening night

Friday 6 November · Meydan Racecourse

The start of the international season at Meydan, which builds to the Dubai World Cup in March. Evening racing under lights is a classic Dubai night out. The wider UAE season runs to 64 meetings across Meydan, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Jebel Ali and Sharjah. Allow three to four hours.

Confirmed — Dubai Racing Club

DP World Tour Championship

Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 November · Earth Course, Jumeirah Golf Estates

The season finale of the DP World Tour, where the Race to Dubai is decided. The fan village makes it the most family-friendly of the UAE's golf weeks. Allow half a day.

Confirmed — tickets on sale

Hans Zimmer Live

Friday 13 November, 18:30 · Etihad Arena, Yas Island

Film scores performed live with full band and orchestra. The early start suits teenagers. Allow three hours.

Confirmed — Ticketmaster UAE

Frieze Abu Dhabi

Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi frieze.com

The inaugural Frieze Abu Dhabi, taking over from Abu Dhabi Art. An international gallery fair plus an outdoor sculpture programme. Pair it with Louvre Abu Dhabi, where the Art Here exhibition is reported to open on 11 November, and with the Children's Biennale at Umm Al Emarat Park, reported from 6 November to 6 December. Allow two to three hours.

Frieze dates Confirmed by the organiser. Art Here and Children's Biennale dates Reported.

Trevor Noah

Wed 25, Thu 26, Sat 28 and Sun 29 November Dubai Opera

Four nights in an opera house rather than an arena, which is a far better way to see a stand-up of this profile. Adults. Allow two hours.

Status: Confirmed by the venue. From AED 295 when checked.

Biggest social weekend

Emirates Dubai 7s

Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November The Sevens Stadium, Dubai emiratesdubai7s.com

The biggest social weekend of the expat year: international rugby sevens on Saturday and Sunday, invitational tournaments in other sports including, new this year, Gaelic football, and live music after dark. Friday is the gentlest day for young families. Through the authorised seller, Friday entry was from AED 75, a Saturday or Sunday day pass AED 455 and a three-day pass AED 595, with reduced child and youth tickets. Gates open 07:00, last entry 19:30, no re-entry. Allow a full day.

Relocate2UAE Partner

Hospitality option. ES Sport, a Relocate2UAE partner, runs the Ankle Tap Lounge on the centre line of Pitch 1, with hospitality and hotel packages, and 5% off select experiences for Relocate2UAE clients. Standard tickets are sold by the organiser's authorised seller. Details: relocate2uae.com/es-sport

Status: Confirmed. Tickets on sale since 31 August.

More November dates

Date	Event	Where	Status
From 1 Nov	Racing season at Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Jebel Ali and Sharjah	Multiple racecourses	Confirmed
1 Nov	Benjamin Clementine	Dubai Opera	Reported
4 Nov	Jony	Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai	Reported
6 Nov	Mo Amer	Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi	Reported
7 Nov	Al Ain Half Marathon	Al Ain	Confirmed
7 Nov	Maz Jobrani	Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
13 – 14 Nov	BRED X Festival	Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
20 Nov	Anuv Jain	Jubilee Park, Expo City Dubai	Confirmed
27 Nov	Atif Aslam (rescheduled from 19 April)	Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai	Confirmed
27 Nov	Tarkan	Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
27 Nov	Hiba Tawaji and Ibrahim Maalouf	Dubai Opera	Reported

December 2026

National Day, Grand Prix week and the year's close

The busiest fortnight in the UAE calendar — plan transport before you plan anything else.

Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day)

Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December All seven emirates Free

The UAE's 55th National Day. Expect fireworks, parades, car decorations and flag displays in every emirate, and heavy traffic on the evenings of both days. Official holiday arrangements and city programmes are normally announced in November.

Status: Fixed date. Programmes not yet announced.

Andrea Bocelli: Romanza

Wednesday 2 December, 18:00 Etihad Arena, Yas Island Ticketmaster UAE

The 30th anniversary tour of Bocelli's best-known album opens Grand Prix week. Older children and adults. Allow three hours. Press reported tickets from AED 295.

Status: Confirmed by the venue and the authorised seller.

Largest event of the year

Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December, race on Sunday Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island abudhabigp.com

The season finale and the largest event in the UAE calendar. Race tickets include the after-race concerts at Etihad Live: Zara Larsson and Lewis Capaldi on Thursday, Alex Warren on Friday with a second act to come, Imagine Dragons on Saturday, and The Chainsmokers with The Script on Sunday. Golden Circle upgrades open on 30 September. Days are long, hot and loud, so bring ear protection for children. We have not printed a ticket price because publishers currently quote three different figures; read it on the official site.

After-race concerts

Thursday: Zara Larsson & Lewis Capaldi

Friday: Alex Warren (+ second act TBC)

Saturday: Imagine Dragons

Sunday: The Chainsmokers & The Script

Relocate2UAE Partner

Where to buy. Standard tickets: the organiser, at abudhabigp.com. Grandstand, hospitality and hotel packages: also available from ES Sport, a Relocate2UAE partner, with 5% off select experiences for Relocate2UAE clients. Details: relocate2uae.com/es-sport

Status: Confirmed by the organiser. Tickets on sale.

ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon

Saturday 12 December · Abu Dhabi city

The capital's city marathon, with shorter distances alongside the full race. December mornings are the best running conditions of the year. Expect rolling road closures in the city centre until late morning.

Confirmed — registration open

UAE President Cup for Purebred Arabians

Saturday 12 December · Abu Dhabi Turf Club

One of the most valuable Purebred Arabian races in the UAE calendar and a good introduction to a form of racing few newcomers have seen. Allow three hours.

Confirmed — Emirates Racing Authority

Chicago The Musical

Wednesday 16 to Sunday 20 December, matinees 15:00, evenings 20:00 Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Ticketmaster UAE, Platinumlist

The touring production of the Broadway and West End standard. Mature themes, so better for teenagers and adults. Allow two and a half hours.

Status: Confirmed by the authorised sellers.

Disney in Concert weekend

Encanto Fri 18 · Frozen & Home Alone 2 Sat 19 · The Lion King Sun 20 Etihad Arena, Yas Island etihadarena.ae/en/events

Films shown on a big screen with a live orchestra. It falls around the school winter break (check our School Holiday Calendar) and is the most straightforward family booking of the month. Allow two to two and a half hours each.

Status: Confirmed by the venue. Check minimum age when booking.

New Year's Eve

Thursday 31 December · All seven emirates

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah all stage major fireworks. Programmes, viewing areas and road closures are usually announced in December. Plan transport first: metro and road restrictions decide how the night goes.

Status: Fixed date. Programmes not yet announced.

More December dates

Date	Event	Where	Status
2 – 6 Dec	Bolshoi Theatre residency: The Tsar's Bride, symphonic concert, The Nutcracker	Dubai Opera	Reported
4 Dec	Anyma, official Grand Prix after-party	Yas Gateway Park, Abu Dhabi	Confirmed
10 Dec	Enrico Macias	Dubai Opera	Reported
11 Dec	Guy Manoukian	Dubai Opera	Reported
16 Dec	Denis Matsuev: Classics and Jazz	Dubai Opera	Reported
18 – 19 Dec	Abracadabra (Gulf theatre)	Dubai Opera	Reported
18 – 20 Dec	Dopa World	Jubilee Park, Expo City Dubai	Reported

Pick by who you're bringing

Best free and family picks

Free

Dubai Fitness Challenge, Dubai Ride and Dubai Run; Eid Al Etihad celebrations; New Year's Eve fireworks; Sharjah International Book Fair, subject to confirmation of free entry for 2026.

Under 10s

Global Village, LEGO SHOWS, Children's Biennale, Disney in Concert, the Riverdance matinee, Friday at the Dubai 7s.

Teenagers

Hans Zimmer Live, Dubai Run 10km, the Grand Prix concerts, Frieze Abu Dhabi's sculpture programme.

Visiting relatives

Global Village, Sheikh Zayed Festival, an evening at Meydan, the DP World Tour Championship.

Relocate2UAE Partner

Premium tickets and hospitality: our partner ES Sport

ES Sport is the Relocate2UAE partner for sporting experiences. Based in the UAE and operating since 2009, it sells premium tickets, hospitality and hotel packages for major sporting events here and abroad. ES Sport states that it is an Official Agent for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Emirates Dubai 7s and UFC Abu Dhabi, and its UAE portfolio also includes the DP World Tour.

It is most useful if you are hosting clients, bringing visiting family, organising a group or want a hotel and ticket package handled in one booking. If you simply want standard entry, buy from the organiser.

See ES Sport Ask us first

Relocate2UAE benefit

5%

5% off select ES Sport sporting experiences when you book through Relocate2UAE.

Official Agent — Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Emirates Dubai 7s, UFC Abu Dhabi
Premium tickets, hospitality and hotel packages
Groups, clients and visiting family handled in one booking
UAE-based, operating since 2009

Start at relocate2uae.com/es-sport. Partner mentions are labelled and do not affect which events we list or how we describe them.

Sharjah and the northern emirates

We will be straight about this. Sharjah has a confirmed headline in the Book Fair and a share of the racing season. For Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain we could not confirm a single dated public event for the rest of 2026 from an organiser's page. The official Ras Al Khaimah calendar was listing hotel offers rather than events when we checked. That is a gap in what is published, not a sign that nothing happens.

We will add events from these emirates as organisers confirm them. If you run one, tell us. Until then, check each emirate's official tourism calendar directly, and expect National Day and New Year's Eve programmes in all of them.

Sharjah

Book Fair confirmed; share of the racing season. Strongest cultural programme this season.

Ras Al Khaimah

No dated public event confirmed for the rest of 2026 from an organiser's page.

Ajman

Nothing confirmed yet. Expect National Day and New Year's Eve programmes.

Fujairah

Nothing dated confirmed. Check the emirate's official tourism calendar.

Umm Al Quwain

No confirmed dated public event for the rest of 2026.

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Tell us and we'll add it to this calendar, free.

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Living here around major events

The practical side. What to expect on the roads, at hotels and on the metro when the UAE calendar gets busy.

Grand Prix week, 2–6 December

Yas Island traffic and hotel prices peak. If you live on Yas or in Al Raha, plan school runs and airport trips around concert finishing times.

Dubai Ride & Dubai Run

Dubai Ride on 1 November and Dubai Run on 22 November close Sheikh Zayed Road early on Sunday morning. Use the metro or plan a different route.

Dubai 7s weekend, 27–29 November

Al Ain Road is slow in both directions. Official buses and taxis are easier than parking.

Eid Al Etihad

Falls on a Wednesday and Thursday. Official holiday arrangements are announced closer to the date. Flights and staycations book up early.

School holidays shape everything from half term to the winter break. See our UAE School Holiday Calendar 2026-2027 before you book.

Dates still to be announced

We have deliberately left these out of the calendar because no 2026 date was confirmed when we checked. We never carry last year's date forward.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2026/27
Liwa International Festival — the official listing shows the whole of October, which looks like a placeholder
NBA Abu Dhabi Games — no 2026 announcement found
Andrew Schulz at Etihad Arena — sources conflict
Sharjah Architecture Triennial — reported for November, exact dates not found
National Day and New Year's Eve programmes in all seven emirates

Frequently asked questions

Your questions, answered

Important note about event dates

Event dates, times, venues and prices are set by organisers and can change without notice. This guide is editorially independent: no organiser has paid to be included. ES Sport is a Relocate2UAE partner. Partner mentions are labelled and do not affect which events we list or how we describe them. It was last checked on 21 September 2026. Always confirm on the official event page before you book or travel.

More from Relocate2UAE

UAE School Holiday Calendar 2026-2027 Abu Dhabi Events 2026 Dubai Events 2026 ES Sport, our sporting experiences partner All guides

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