Every major event in the UAE from now until New Year's Eve, with checked dates, who each event suits and where to book safely. Written for residents, new arrivals and anyone planning a winter visit.
November 2026 edition. Last checked 1 November 2026. This calendar is updated on the 1st of every month; the next edition is published on 1 December 2026. Written by the Relocate2UAE editorial team, an independent relocation platform based in Abu Dhabi. No organiser or ticket seller pays to appear here.
45
Days of DSF
6 Dec
Grand Prix race
2 to 3 Dec
Eid Al Etihad
7
Emirates covered
The five events to plan around are the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December, Yas Marina Circuit), the Emirates Dubai 7s (Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November), the Sharjah International Book Fair (Wednesday 4 to Sunday 15 November), the free Dubai Fitness Challenge (to Sunday 29 November) and the Dubai Shopping Festival, which opens on Friday 4 December. Global Village (Dubai) and the Sheikh Zayed Festival (Abu Dhabi) are open every evening all winter. UAE National Day, Eid Al Etihad, falls on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, and most schools break up for the winter holiday on Monday 14 December. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opens on Friday 11 December.
Book only through the organiser, the venue or an authorised seller, and check the official page again close to the date: several 2026 events have moved this year.
New since the October edition. Kings of Leon replace Zara Larsson on the Thursday Grand Prix concert bill, and Jennifer Lopez joins Alex Warren on Friday. The Sheikh Zayed Festival opened on 30 October. The Abu Dhabi International Boat Show (19 to 22 November) and Katy Perry's New Year's Eve gala at Atlantis The Palm have been added. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's 11 December opening is now confirmed by the Department of Culture and Tourism. Full list in New this month.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| When is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026? | Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December at Yas Marina Circuit. Qualifying is Saturday 5 December and the race is Sunday 6 December. |
| Who is playing the Grand Prix concerts? | Kings of Leon and Lewis Capaldi (Thu), Jennifer Lopez and Alex Warren (Fri), Imagine Dragons (Sat), The Chainsmokers and The Script (Sun). Grand Prix ticket holders only. |
| When are the Dubai 7s 2026? | Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November at The Sevens Stadium, Dubai. International rugby sevens on Saturday and Sunday. |
| When is UAE National Day 2026? | Eid Al Etihad is Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December. The official holiday circular had not been issued on 1 November. |
| When is Dubai Shopping Festival 2026/27? | Friday 4 December 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027 (32nd edition), as announced by the organiser. The full programme is due in November. |
| When is the Dubai Run 2026? | Sunday 22 November on Sheikh Zayed Road, with 5km and 10km routes. Free, registration required. |
| Is the Sharjah Book Fair on in 2026? | Yes. Wednesday 4 to Sunday 15 November at Expo Centre Sharjah, with Oman as Guest of Honour and more than 2,600 publishers. |
| How much is Global Village? | AED 25 weekday, AED 30 any day. Free for under-3s, over-65s and People of Determination with one companion. |
| When does Guggenheim Abu Dhabi open? | Friday 11 December 2026, on Saadiyat Island. |
| When are the winter school holidays? | Most UAE schools break from Monday 14 December 2026 and return on Monday 4 January 2027. Check your own school. |
| Which big events are free? | Dubai Fitness Challenge and Dubai Run, Diwali in Dubai, the Children's Biennale in Abu Dhabi, Perform Sharjah, the first two days of the Abu Dhabi golf championship, and National Day and New Year's Eve public celebrations. |
| Is New Year's Eve 2026 announced? | Partly. Ticketed hotel parties are on sale, including Katy Perry at Atlantis The Palm. The Burj Khalifa, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah fireworks programmes had not been published on 1 November. |
| Where should I buy tickets? | From the organiser, the venue, or an authorised seller such as Platinumlist or Ticketmaster UAE. Never from social media sellers. |
Short answer: Every event carries a status. Confirmed means we read the date on the organiser's site, the venue's site, an official government or tourism source, or an authorised ticket seller. Reported means the date has appeared in reputable press but we have not yet seen it on an official page. We never carry last year's date forward, and we publish a new edition on the 1st of every month.
| Status | What it means | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed | Date seen on an official or authorised source on the check date | Book through the official link, and recheck close to the day |
| Reported | Date published in reputable press, not yet seen on an official page | Plan around it, but wait for the official page before paying |
| Moved | Rescheduled from an earlier date | Check with the seller whether your original tickets are still valid |
| To be announced | Expected, but no date or programme published | Do not book travel around it yet |
Prices
Prices are the lowest "from" prices shown by the organiser, venue or authorised seller when we last checked (between 17 October and 1 November 2026). They often exclude booking fees and the cheapest tiers sell first. Where sources showed different prices, we have left the price out rather than guess.
Age rules
Age rules are the venue's or seller's own policy. Etihad Arena and many other venues require under-16s to be with an adult aged 21 or over.
Coverage: 1 November to 31 December 2026 across all seven emirates, plus confirmed early-2027 dates. For family days out that are not tied to a date, see Things to Do With Kids in the UAE.
Short answer: Plan around three busy windows. 4 to 15 November (Sharjah Book Fair, two golf weeks, Dubai Racing Carnival). 19 to 29 November (Frieze Abu Dhabi, two boat shows, SailGP, Dubai Run, Dubai 7s). 2 to 6 December (National Day and Grand Prix week). The Dubai Shopping Festival and the school winter break then carry the calendar to New Year.
| Date | Event | Emirate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| To May 2027 | Global Village Season 31 | Dubai | Confirmed |
| To mid-March 2027 | Sheikh Zayed Festival (opened 30 Oct) | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| To 19 Dec | Abu Dhabi Festival 2026 | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| To 29 Nov | Dubai Fitness Challenge | Dubai | Confirmed |
| 2 to 12 Nov | Diwali in Dubai | Dubai | Confirmed |
| 3 to 8 Nov | Dubai Design Week | Dubai | Confirmed |
| 4 to 15 Nov | Sharjah International Book Fair | Sharjah | Confirmed |
| 5 to 8 Nov | Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship (golf) | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 6 Nov | Dubai Racing Carnival opening night | Dubai | Confirmed |
| 6 Nov to 6 Dec | Children's Biennale | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 7 to 20 Nov | Abu Dhabi T10 cricket | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 11 Nov | Louvre Abu Dhabi: Art Here 2026 opens | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 12 to 15 Nov | DP World Tour Championship | Dubai | Confirmed |
| 13 Nov | Hans Zimmer: The Next Level | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 19 to 22 Nov | Frieze Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 21 Nov | American Ballet Theatre, Abu Dhabi Festival | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 21 to 22 Nov | Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix (SailGP) | Dubai | Confirmed |
| 21 Nov | NBF Fujairah Run | Fujairah | Confirmed |
| 22 Nov | Dubai Run | Dubai | Confirmed |
| 19 to 22 Nov | Abu Dhabi International Boat Show | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 25 to 29 Nov | Dubai International Boat Show | Dubai | Confirmed |
| 27 to 29 Nov | Emirates Dubai 7s | Dubai | Confirmed |
| 28 Nov to 3 Jan 2027 | Mother of the Nation Festival (three locations) | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 2 to 3 Dec | Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day) | All emirates | Fixed date |
| 3 to 6 Dec | Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 4 Dec to 17 Jan 2027 | Dubai Shopping Festival | Dubai | Reported |
| 11 Dec | Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opens | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 11 Dec to 2 Jan 2027 | Liwa International Festival | Abu Dhabi (Al Dhafra) | Confirmed |
| 12 Dec | ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon; UAE President Cup | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 12 Dec | Mariah Carey's Christmastime | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 16 to 20 Dec | Chicago The Musical | Dubai | Confirmed |
| 18 to 20 Dec | Disney and Home Alone 2 film concerts | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed |
| 31 Dec | New Year's Eve | All emirates | Programmes TBA |
Short answer: Kings of Leon replace Zara Larsson on the Thursday Grand Prix bill and Jennifer Lopez joins Friday. The Sheikh Zayed Festival is open. The Abu Dhabi International Boat Show and Katy Perry's New Year's Eve gala are added. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's 11 December opening is confirmed.
Checked 17 October to 1 November 2026.
Grand Prix concerts updated. Kings of Leon now join Lewis Capaldi on Thursday 3 December, replacing Zara Larsson. Jennifer Lopez completes the Friday bill with Alex Warren. Confirmed by Formula 1.
Sheikh Zayed Festival is open. The 2026/27 season opened at Al Wathba on Friday 30 October, daily from 4pm.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opening on Friday 11 December is confirmed by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi International Boat Show added: 19 to 22 November, Marina Hall, ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi (eighth edition). Confirmed by Abu Dhabi Media Office.
Katy Perry headlines the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis The Palm on Thursday 31 December. On sale through Platinumlist.
Dubai Shopping Festival dates announced by the organiser, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment: 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027. New this year: a DSF edition of Beach Canteen at Sunset Beach.
New concerts listed: Ministry of Sound Classical (7 Nov), Sid Sriram (22 Nov), Wasla Festival (28 Nov), Ghostly Kisses (29 Nov), Enrico Macias (10 Dec), Sole DXB (11 to 13 Dec) and Abracadabra (18 to 19 Dec).
Now dated: Abu Dhabi Festival's Verdi Opera Gala (29 Nov, Emirates Palace) and Dhafer Youssef (19 Dec, The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi).
Dubai Ride took place on Sunday 1 November. Dubai Run on 22 November is the next big Dubai Fitness Challenge day.
Moved: Riverdance at Etihad Arena is now 19 and 20 November 2027, not 31 October and 1 November 2026. See Moved, cancelled and still to be announced.
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.
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.
| Date | Event | Where | Who it suits | From | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 2 to Thu 5 Nov | ADIPEC (energy trade show) | ADNEC, Abu Dhabi | Professionals | — | Confirmed |
| Mon 2 to Thu 12 Nov | Diwali in Dubai; Noor Festival of Lights at Souk Al Seef 6 to 8 Nov | Citywide | Everyone, free | Free | Confirmed |
| Tue 3 to Sun 8 Nov | Dubai Design Week; Downtown Design 4 to 8 Nov | Dubai Design District | Design lovers | — | Confirmed |
| Wed 4 Nov | Jony | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Standing 14+ | AED 295 | Confirmed |
| Fri 6 Nov | Mo Amer | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | 16+ | AED 325 | Confirmed |
| Fri 6 to Sat 7 Nov | The Very Hungry Caterpillar | Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi | Age 1+ | AED 125 | Confirmed |
| Fri 6 to Sun 8 Nov | The Adventures of Dumbo | Masrah Al Qasba, Sharjah | All ages | AED 49 | Confirmed |
| To Sun 8 Nov | Sharjah Film Platform 9 | Mirage City Cinema and other venues, Sharjah | Film fans | — | Confirmed |
| Fri 6 to Sun 15 Nov | ISEA2026 electronic art symposium and exhibitions | Venues across Dubai | Art and tech lovers | — | Reported |
| Sat 7 Nov | ADNOC Al Ain Half Marathon | Al Ain | Runners, families | AED 65 | Confirmed |
| Sat 7 Nov | Maz Jobrani | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | 16+ | AED 275 | Confirmed |
| Sat 7 Nov | Amr Diab (rescheduled from April) | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Fans | AED 295 | Confirmed |
| Sat 7 to Fri 20 Nov | Abu Dhabi T10 cricket | Zayed Cricket Stadium | Everyone | — | Confirmed |
| Sat 7 to Sun 8 Nov | Dubai Stand Up Paddle | Hatta | Active families | — | Reported |
| To Sun 8 Nov | LEGO SHOWS: Natural Brickstory | Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi | Families | — | Confirmed |
| Sun 8 to Sun 15 Nov | Emaar Dubai Premier Padel P1 | Hamdan Sports Complex, Dubai | Everyone | AED 36 | Confirmed |
| Sat 7 Nov | Ministry of Sound Classical | Dubai Opera | Adults | AED 350 | Reported |
| Sat 7 to Tue 10 Nov | International fishing championship | Fujairah | Anglers | — | Reported |
| Fri 13 to Sun 15 Nov | Taste of Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | Food lovers | — | Confirmed |
| Fri 13 to Fri 20 Nov | Gulf theatre festival | Fujairah Creative Centre | Theatre lovers | — | Reported |
| Fri 13 to Sun 15 Nov | Dubai T100 Triathlon | Al Mamzar, Dubai | Athletes, spectators | — | Reported |
| Fri 13 to Sat 14 Nov | BREDx: Bryson Tiller and Central Cee (Sat) | Yas Island, Abu Dhabi | 14+ strictly | AED 195 | Confirmed |
| Sat 14 Nov | Real American Freestyle wrestling | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Fight fans | — | Confirmed |
| Sat 14 Nov | Majid Al Muhandis | Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, Sharjah | Fans | AED 400 | Confirmed |
| From Sat 14 Nov | Sharjah Architecture Triennial (to April 2027) | Sites across Sharjah | Culture lovers | — | Reported |
| Thu 19 to Sun 22 Nov | Frieze Abu Dhabi | Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi | Art lovers | — | Confirmed |
| Thu 19 to Sun 22 Nov | Abu Dhabi International Boat Show | Marina Hall, ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi | Boating and lifestyle fans | — | Confirmed |
| Thu 19 to Sun 22 Nov | Spartan World Championship | Al Wathba Desert, Abu Dhabi | Athletes | — | Confirmed |
| Thu 19 Nov | Amine Radi, Abu Dhabi Comedy Season | Etihad Arena | 16+ | AED 150 | Confirmed |
| Fri 20 Nov | Anuv Jain (rescheduled from April) | Jubilee Park, Expo City Dubai | 14+ | AED 175 | Confirmed |
| Sat 21 Nov | American Ballet Theatre, Abu Dhabi Festival | Emirates Palace terrace | 10+ | AED 300 | Confirmed |
| Sat 21 Nov | My First Ballet | RAK Cultural Development Centre | Age 3+ | AED 50 | Confirmed |
| Sat 21 to Sun 22 Nov | Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix (SailGP) | Port Rashid, Dubai | Everyone, families | AED 265 | Confirmed |
| Sat 21 Nov | Aries Spears | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | 16+ | AED 120 | Reported |
| Sat 21 to Sun 22 Nov | HIGHLANDER Ras Al Khaimah (hiking) | Jebel Jais | Hikers | — | Reported |
| Sun 22 Nov | Sid Sriram | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Fans | AED 90 | Reported |
| Sun 22 Nov to Sun 20 Dec | DP World ILT20 cricket, Season 5 | UAE-wide, final in Dubai | Everyone | — | Confirmed |
| Wed 25 to Sun 29 Nov | Dubai International Boat Show (rescheduled from spring 2026) | Dubai Harbour | Boating and lifestyle fans | — | Confirmed |
| Wed 25 to Sun 29 Nov | International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition | Al Ain | Heritage and outdoor fans | — | Reported |
| Thu 26 Nov | Algarabia, Abu Dhabi Festival | Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi | Adults | AED 100 | Reported |
| Mon 23 to Thu 26 Nov | Big 5 Global (construction trade show) | Dubai World Trade Centre | Professionals; no under-21s | — | Confirmed |
| Fri 27 Nov | Atif Aslam (rescheduled from April) | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Under-16s with an adult | AED 150 | Confirmed |
| Fri 27 Nov | Tarkan | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Standing 16+ | AED 295 | Confirmed |
| Fri 27 Nov | Hiba Tawaji and Ibrahim Maalouf | Dubai Opera | Adults | AED 355 | Reported |
| Sat 28 Nov | Ramy Sabry | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Age 2+ | AED 195 | Confirmed |
| Sat 28 Nov | Wasla Festival | Jubilee Park, Expo City Dubai | Fans | AED 350 | Reported |
| Sat 28 Nov | Nawal and Abdulla Almestrih | Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, Sharjah | Fans | AED 200 | Confirmed |
| Sun 29 Nov | Angham | Space42 Arena, Abu Dhabi | 12+ | AED 295 | Confirmed |
| Sun 29 Nov | Verdi Gala, Abu Dhabi Festival | Abu Dhabi | Adults | — | Reported |
| Sun 29 Nov | Ghostly Kisses | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Fans | AED 215 | Reported |
| Sun 29 Nov | Dubai Yoga | Dubai | Everyone, free | Free | Reported |
The busiest fortnight in the UAE calendar — plan transport before you plan anything else.
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.
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.
The season finale and the largest event in the UAE calendar. Race tickets include the after-race concerts at Etihad Live: Kings of Leon with Lewis Capaldi on Thursday, Jennifer Lopez with Alex Warren on Friday, Imagine Dragons on Saturday, and The Chainsmokers with The Script on Sunday. Golden Circle upgrades are sold separately. 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
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.
| Date | Event | Where | Who it suits | From | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 2 Dec | Bolshoi Theatre: The Tsar's Bride | Dubai Opera | 12+ | AED 350 | Confirmed |
| Wed 2 Dec | Andrea Bocelli, Romanza tour (doors 6pm) | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | All ages with ticket | AED 295 | Confirmed |
| Thu 3 Dec | Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, Valery Gergiev | Dubai Opera | Adults | AED 350 | Confirmed |
| Fri 4 Dec | Anyma presents ÆDEN, Grand Prix after-party | Yas Gateway Park, Abu Dhabi | 21+ strictly | AED 545 | Confirmed |
| Fri 4 to Sun 6 Dec | Fujairah International Arabian Horse Championship | Fujairah | Equestrian fans | — | Reported |
| Fri 4 to Sun 6 Dec | Bolshoi: The Nutcracker | Dubai Opera | Families | — | Reported |
| Mon 7 Dec | GITEX Global summit | Dubai World Trade Centre | Professionals | — | Confirmed |
| Mon 7 to Thu 10 Dec | Abu Dhabi Finance Week | ADGM, Al Maryah Island | Professionals | USD 500 a day | Confirmed |
| Tue 8 to Fri 11 Dec | GITEX Global expo; Expand North Star 8 to 10 Dec | Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City | Professionals | — | Confirmed |
| Tue 8 to Thu 10 Dec | Culture Summit Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | Professionals | — | Confirmed |
| Thu 10 Dec | Enrico Macias | Dubai Opera | Adults | AED 295 | Reported |
| Fri 11 Dec | Guy Manoukian | Dubai Opera | Adults | AED 330 | Reported |
| Fri 11 to Sun 13 Dec | Sole DXB | The Square, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai | Streetwear and music fans | AED 495 (3 days) | Reported |
| Fri 11 to Sun 13 Dec | Focal Point art book fair | Bait Obaid Al Shamsi, Sharjah | Art lovers | — | Confirmed |
| Sat 12 to Sat 19 Dec | Al Dhafra Festival finale with heritage market | Al Dhafra | Culture lovers | — | Confirmed |
| Wed 16 Dec | Denis Matsuev | Dubai Opera | Adults | AED 350 | Reported |
| From Thu 17 Dec | A Christmas Carol (to 26 Dec) | Theatre by QE2, Dubai | Families | — | Confirmed (seller listing) |
| Fri 18 Dec | Festive Friday race meeting | Meydan, Dubai | Everyone | — | Confirmed |
| Fri 18 to Sat 19 Dec | Abracadabra | Dubai Opera | Families | AED 230 | Reported |
| Fri 18 to Sun 20 Dec | Dopa World (Ziad Zaza, Saint Levant and more) | Jubilee Park, Expo City Dubai | 12+ | AED 245 | Reported (line-up dates vary by source) |
| Sat 19 Dec | Dhafer Youssef Quintet, Abu Dhabi Festival closer | Abu Dhabi | Adults | — | Reported |
| Throughout Dec | Cinderella panto (5 to 24 Dec) and Snow White (16 to 28 Dec) | Dubai theatres | Families | — | Confirmed (seller listing) |
| Sat 26 Dec | Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shah Zaman Ali Khan | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Fans | AED 95 | Confirmed (seller listing) |
| Thu 31 Dec | New Year's Eve gala dinner with Katy Perry | Atlantis The Palm, Dubai | Adults and families | AED 6,500 | Confirmed (seller listing) |
Short answer: The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix runs from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December 2026 at Yas Marina Circuit, with the race on Sunday. Race tickets include the after-race concerts and access to Yas Island theme parks. Tickets are on sale at abudhabigp.com.
Dates
Thursday 3 December to Sunday 6 December, with qualifying on Saturday 5 December and the race on Sunday 6 December
Venue
Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Official tickets
abudhabigp.com, with Ticketmaster as ticketing partner
Status
Confirmed. F1 confirmed the race would go ahead in August after the regional situation raised doubts.
After-race concerts
For Grand Prix ticket holders; Golden Circle upgrades are sold separately.
Around the race: Andrea Bocelli at Etihad Arena on Wed 2 Dec; Anyma's official after-party at Yas Gateway Park on Fri 4 Dec (21+). Kids Go Free Friday: registration is closed for 2026; all places have been taken.
On price: we have not printed a Grand Prix ticket price because the official site does not display one outside the booking flow and third-party figures disagree. Read the price on abudhabigp.com before you buy.
Practical tips. Days are long, hot in the afternoon and very loud, so bring ear protection for children, sun cover and a refillable bottle. Yas Island traffic and hotel prices peak all week. If you live on Yas or in Al Raha, plan school runs and airport trips around concert finishing times.
Relocate2UAE Partner
Hospitality. Our sport travel partner ES Sport offers Grand Prix grandstand and hotel packages and premium hospitality including concert access. For standard tickets, buy direct from the official site.
Short answer: The Emirates Dubai 7s run from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November 2026 at The Sevens Stadium on Al Ain Road. HSBC SVNS international rugby is on Saturday and Sunday, with invitational tournaments and live music across the weekend. Tickets are digital only, through the official site or Platinumlist.
Dates
Fri 27 to Sun 29 November; international matches Sat 28 and Sun 29 November
Venue
The Sevens Stadium, Dubai
Tickets
Official ticket site or Platinumlist. Adult day passes from AED 455 and a three-day adult pass from AED 595 on Platinumlist when checked, with reduced child (4 to 9) and youth (10 to 14) tickets. Group bookings 25% off.
Status
Confirmed
For families. Child and youth tickets and a dedicated kids' area; Friday is the gentlest day for young children.
Relocate2UAE Partner
Hospitality option. Our sport travel partner ES Sport sells hospitality on the Pitch 1 centre line.
Getting there. Al Ain Road is slow in both directions all weekend. Official buses and taxis are easier than parking.
Short answer: The 10th Dubai Fitness Challenge runs from Saturday 31 October to Sunday 29 November 2026 and asks residents to do 30 minutes of activity a day for 30 days. It is free. Dubai Ride closes Sheikh Zayed Road to cyclists on Sunday 1 November, and Dubai Run turns it into a running track on Sunday 22 November.
| Event | Date | Format | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Fitness Challenge | Sat 31 Oct to Sun 29 Nov | Free classes, fitness villages and hubs citywide | Confirmed |
| Dubai Ride | Sun 1 Nov | Family and longer routes on Sheikh Zayed Road | Reported |
| Dubai Stand Up Paddle | Sat 7 to Sun 8 Nov | Hatta Dam | Reported |
| Dubai Run | Sun 22 Nov | 5km and 10km on Sheikh Zayed Road | Reported |
| Dubai Yoga | Sun 29 Nov | Sunset session | Reported |
Register for the big days on the official Dubai Fitness Challenge site. Registration is free but required, and places can close early. Expect Sheikh Zayed Road closures early on both Sunday mornings: use the Metro or plan another route.
For clubs, gyms and running groups to keep you going afterwards, see our UAE Sports & Recreation Guide.
Short answer: Winter is festival season in the UAE. Global Village in Dubai and the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi run all winter; the Mother of the Nation Festival, Liwa International Festival and Al Dhafra Festival fill late November to early January.
| Festival | Dates | Where | Best for | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Village Season 31 | 14 Oct 2026 to May 2027 | Dubai | World food, shows, rides; visiting family | Confirmed |
| Sheikh Zayed Festival | 30 Oct 2026 to 14 Mar 2027 | Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi | Heritage, low-cost family evenings, fireworks | Reported |
| Al Dhafra Festival (20th) | 27 Oct to 19 Dec, elite rounds 3 to 12 Jan 2027 | Sweihan, Razeen, Madinat Zayed | Camel heritage and traditional markets | Confirmed |
| Mother of the Nation Festival (10th) | Al Jahili Park, Al Ain and Al Mugheirah Bay, Al Dhafra: 28 Nov to 2 Dec. Abu Dhabi Corniche: 9 Dec to 3 Jan 2027 | Three locations | Family festival with a zone for young children | Confirmed |
| Liwa International Festival | 11 Dec 2026 to 2 Jan 2027 | Moreeb, Liwa | Desert camping, motorsport, dunes | Confirmed |
| Ain Al Thuraya | 27 Nov to 6 Dec | Al Ain Museum and Al Ain Oasis | Culture and families | Reported |
| Dubai Shopping Festival | 4 Dec 2026 to 17 Jan 2027 | Citywide, Dubai | Shopping and city entertainment | Reported |
Official sources: Abu Dhabi Media Office on Mother of the Nation, on Liwa 2027 and on the Al Dhafra Festival.
New to the UAE? A festival evening is one of the easiest ways to understand Emirati heritage. Our UAE Culture & Customs Guide covers dress and etiquette at heritage events.
Short answer: Sharjah has a full autumn of culture, led by the Book Fair, Perform Sharjah and Khorfakkan concerts. Fujairah has its city run on 21 November and Ras Al Khaimah has family theatre and a Jebel Jais hiking event. We could not confirm any dated public event in Ajman or Umm Al Quwain before the end of 2026.
| Dates | Event | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| To 29 Nov, weekends | Perform Sharjah: 16 free performances, all ages | Theatres and heritage houses in Sharjah and Khorfakkan | Confirmed |
| To 29 Nov | Vantage Point 13, free photography exhibition | Sharjah Art Foundation, Al Manakh | Confirmed |
| 30 Oct to 8 Nov | Sharjah Film Platform 9 | Mirage City Cinema and other venues | Confirmed |
| 4 to 15 Nov | Sharjah International Book Fair | Expo Centre Sharjah | Confirmed |
| 6 to 8 Nov | The Adventures of Dumbo (from AED 49) | Masrah Al Qasba | Confirmed |
| 14 Nov | Majid Al Muhandis (from AED 400) | Khorfakkan Amphitheatre | Confirmed |
| From 14 Nov | Sharjah Architecture Triennial (to April 2027) | Across the emirate | Reported |
| 28 Nov | Nawal and Abdulla Almestrih (from AED 200) | Khorfakkan Amphitheatre | Confirmed |
| 11 to 13 Dec | Focal Point art book fair | Bait Obaid Al Shamsi | Confirmed |
Sharjah's Department of Culture has also announced the Khorfakkan Cultural Festival for November and the Sharjah Desert Theatre Festival for December, without exact dates yet. Sharjah's racing season dates had not been published when we checked. Official source for the Sharjah Art Foundation programme: Sharjah Art Foundation.
| Dates | Event | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Nov | My First Ballet, ages 3+ (from AED 50) | RAK Cultural Development Centre, Dafan Al Nakheel | Confirmed |
| 21 to 22 Nov | HIGHLANDER Ras Al Khaimah hiking event | Jebel Jais | Reported |
| 31 Dec | New Year's Eve fireworks | Al Marjan Island (in past years) | Not yet announced |
Jebel Jais attractions have had temporary closures in the past year, so check opening on the official site before you drive up.
| Dates | Event | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 21 Nov | NBF Fujairah Run, 10th edition: 3km, 5km, 11km trail and 21.1km, plus a free inclusive run | Fujairah Festival Square | Confirmed |
| 4 to 6 Dec | Fujairah International Arabian Horse Championship | Fujairah | Reported |
Fujairah Run official site (registration closes 16 November).
We searched the official tourism sites, government media offices and authorised sellers for both emirates and found no dated public event between 17 October and 31 December 2026 that we could confirm. That reflects what has been published, not a lack of things to do. Expect National Day and New Year's Eve celebrations in both emirates, and check back: we will add events as organisers confirm them.
Choosing where to live? Our Emirates Comparison Guide weighs up lifestyle across all seven.
Short answer: Sport is the strongest category this winter (F1, rugby sevens, two DP World Tour golf events, SailGP, racing and cricket). Arena concerts cluster in late November and Grand Prix week, comedy peaks with Trevor Noah at Dubai Opera, and the art world arrives in Abu Dhabi for Frieze, the Louvre and the Guggenheim opening.
| Category | Best of November and December 2026 |
|---|---|
| Major sport | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (3 to 6 Dec), Emirates Dubai 7s (27 to 29 Nov), DP World Tour Championship (12 to 15 Nov), Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship (5 to 8 Nov), SailGP (21 to 22 Nov), Abu Dhabi T10 (7 to 20 Nov), ILT20 (from 22 Nov), Dubai Racing Carnival (from 6 Nov) |
| Concerts | Hans Zimmer (13 Nov), Tarkan (27 Nov), Atif Aslam (27 Nov), Andrea Bocelli (2 Dec), Grand Prix concerts (3 to 6 Dec), Mariah Carey (12 Dec), Katy Perry NYE gala (31 Dec) |
| Comedy | Mo Amer (6 Nov), Maz Jobrani (7 Nov), Amine Radi (19 Nov), Aries Spears (21 Nov), Trevor Noah (25 to 29 Nov) |
| Theatre, ballet and classical | American Ballet Theatre (21 Nov), Bolshoi at Dubai Opera (2 to 6 Dec), Chicago (16 to 20 Dec), Disney film concerts (18 to 20 Dec), Christmas pantos (December) |
| Art and culture | Sharjah International Book Fair (4 to 15 Nov), Dubai Design Week (3 to 8 Nov), Art Here at Louvre Abu Dhabi (from 11 Nov), Frieze Abu Dhabi (19 to 22 Nov), Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opening (11 Dec), Sharjah Architecture Triennial (from 14 Nov) |
| Festivals and heritage | Global Village, Sheikh Zayed Festival, Mother of the Nation, Al Dhafra, Liwa International Festival, Diwali in Dubai |
| Food | Taste of Abu Dhabi (13 to 15 Nov), Global Village street food, DSF Beach Canteen (from December) |
| Running and cycling | Al Ain Half Marathon (7 Nov), Fujairah Run (21 Nov), Dubai Run (22 Nov), Abu Dhabi Marathon (12 Dec), Spartan World Championship (19 to 22 Nov) |
| Trade shows and conferences | ADIPEC (2 to 5 Nov), Big 5 Global (23 to 26 Nov), GITEX Global (7 to 11 Dec), Abu Dhabi Finance Week (7 to 10 Dec) |
| Boats and lifestyle | Abu Dhabi International Boat Show (19 to 22 Nov), Dubai International Boat Show (25 to 29 Nov), Sole DXB (11 to 13 Dec) |
Professionals new to the UAE will find the trade show and finance week circuit a fast way to build a network. See Expat Networking in the UAE.
Short answer: Eid Al Etihad, the UAE's 55th National Day, is on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026. New Year's Day 2027 is a Friday. City fireworks programmes for both have not been announced yet; they are normally published from late November.
| Date | What happens | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 2 and Thu 3 Dec | Eid Al Etihad public holiday and celebrations across all seven emirates | Dates fixed; formal announcement pending |
| 2 Dec onward | Fireworks, drone and laser shows at the Sheikh Zayed Festival, Al Wathba | Reported, times not published |
| Thu 31 Dec | New Year's Eve: Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah and many hotels and beaches | Programmes to be announced |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day public holiday | Fixed date |
Planning tips. Paid viewing areas in Downtown Dubai can sell out early, and Metro and road restrictions decide how the night goes, so plan transport before you plan the venue. The Cabinet can move public holidays; we will update this section when the official holiday circular is issued.
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.
Global Village, LEGO SHOWS, Children's Biennale, Disney in Concert, the Riverdance matinee, Friday at the Dubai 7s.
Hans Zimmer Live, Dubai Run 10km, the Grand Prix concerts, Frieze Abu Dhabi's sculpture programme.
Global Village, Sheikh Zayed Festival, an evening at Meydan, the DP World Tour Championship.
Short answer: Buy from the organiser, the venue, or an authorised seller such as Platinumlist or Ticketmaster UAE. Do not buy from social media accounts, messaging apps or resale sites. Dubai Police have repeatedly warned about fake tickets for concerts, sport and attractions.
| Where to buy | Typically used for |
|---|---|
| Organiser site | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (abudhabigp.com), Dubai 7s, Global Village, SailGP, marathons |
| Venue site | Etihad Arena, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Opera |
| Platinumlist | Most concerts, comedy and family shows across the UAE |
| Ticketmaster UAE | Grand Prix (ticketing partner), Live Nation shows, many Etihad Arena events |
If you think you have been scammed, report it to Dubai Police on 901, through the Dubai Police app or the eCrime platform, or to your own emirate's police, and call your bank straight away.
Check age rules before you buy. Many arena shows do not admit young children, and some require under-16s to be with an adult aged 21 or over. Tickets are often non-refundable if a child is turned away at the door.
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.
Relocate2UAE benefit
5% off select ES Sport sporting experiences when you book through Relocate2UAE.
Start at relocate2uae.com/es-sport. Partner mentions are labelled and do not affect which events we list or how we describe them.
Short answer: The pressure points are Yas Island in Grand Prix week, Sheikh Zayed Road on Dubai Run morning, Al Ain Road on the Dubai 7s weekend, and every city on the evenings of National Day and New Year's Eve. November and December are the most comfortable months for outdoor events.
New arrivals: events are one of the best ways to meet people. Your First 30 Days in the UAE covers the admin to sort first.
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.
Book Fair confirmed; share of the racing season. Strongest cultural programme this season.
No dated public event confirmed for the rest of 2026 from an organiser's page.
Nothing confirmed yet. Expect National Day and New Year's Eve programmes.
Nothing dated confirmed. Check the emirate's official tourism calendar.
No confirmed dated public event for the rest of 2026.
The practical side. What to expect on the roads, at hotels and on the metro when the UAE calendar gets busy.
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 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.
Al Ain Road is slow in both directions. Official buses and taxis are easier than parking.
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.
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.
Short answer: Several events that were expected in late 2026 have moved, been cancelled or have not yet published a date. We list them here rather than in the calendar, and we never reuse last year's date.
| Event | What happened | Source checked |
|---|---|---|
| Riverdance 30th Anniversary, Etihad Arena | Moved from 31 Oct and 1 Nov 2026 to Fri 19 and Sat 20 Nov 2027 | Etihad Arena booking page |
| Christina Aguilera, Etihad Arena | Cancelled; refunds issued automatically | Gulf Business, 19 Aug 2026 |
| Offlimits festival (Shakira), Etihad Park | Not going ahead in 2026; organisers say it will return in 2027 | Same source |
| NBA Abu Dhabi Games | No games in 2026 | Press, July 2026 |
| UNTOLD Dubai | Moved from 5 to 8 Nov 2026 to 19 to 22 Mar 2027 | DJ Mag, 7 Oct 2026 |
| Zara Larsson, Grand Prix Thursday concert | Replaced by Kings of Leon on Thursday 3 December | Formula 1, 1 Nov 2026 |
Amr Diab (7 November), Anuv Jain (20 November), the Dubai International Boat Show (25 to 29 November) and Atif Aslam (27 November). If you bought tickets for the original date, check with the seller whether they are still valid.
Short answer: January and February 2027 are packed with golf, tennis, running and trade shows. Ramadan is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, subject to the moon sighting, which shifts the pace of events. Only dates published by organisers or reported from organiser announcements are listed.
| Dates | Event | Emirate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 17 Jan | DP World Tour Team Cup | Abu Dhabi Golf Club | Reported |
| Sun 17 Jan | Dubai Marathon | Dubai | Reported |
| 21 to 24 Jan | Hero Dubai Desert Classic | Emirates Golf Club, Dubai | Reported |
| 25 to 28 Jan | World Health Expo (WHX) | Dubai Exhibition Centre and DWTC | Confirmed |
| 31 Jan to 6 Feb | Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (WTA) | Abu Dhabi | Confirmed (WTA) |
| About 8 Feb | Ramadan expected to begin | All emirates | Estimate, subject to moon sighting |
| 15 to 19 Mar | Gulfood | DWTC and Dubai Exhibition Centre | Reported |
| 19 to 22 Mar | UNTOLD Dubai | Dubai | Reported |
| 9 to 11 Apr | Art Dubai | Madinat Jumeirah | Confirmed (Art Dubai) |
A fuller 2027 calendar will follow once more organisers publish 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 17 October 2026. Always confirm on the official event page before you book or travel.
Message the Relocate2UAE team on WhatsApp or send an email. No sales pressure — just straight answers about events, timing and settling in.