Monthly Guide to Abu Dhabi Events 2024

2023 saw large public events come back with a vengeance post-COVID and a mega lineup of superstars gracing the shores, particularly at the capital’s coveted new entertainment venue, Etihad Arena in Yas Bay.

2024 is already shaping up to be even bigger and better in the capital; from sports to musical festivals, comedy acts, and stage musicals, we’ve got a lot going on in Abu Dhabi to celebrate.

We’ll continue updating this page throughout the year, so bookmark it in your browser and return to it whenever you are after some event inspiration – if you’re looking at 2025, pop over to this guide, the calendar is already filling fast!

You may also want to check out our guides to:

• The best time of year to visit Abu Dhabi – weather and other religious events that may impact your Abu Dhabi trip explained
• Abu Dhabi Public Holidays 2024 & 2025 plan your travels around known long weekends and national celebrations

We have included links where possible to platforms such as TicketMaster and Platinumlist, which are major ticket sellers in the UAE authorised to sell tickets for the mentioned events. We may earn an affiliate commission on qualifying purchases you make after clicking on these links. This does not change the price you pay.

Abu Dhabi Events January 2024

• Saadiyat Nights will see several headline acts performing at a purpose-made open-air music venue, including pop legend Mariah Carey (6 January), Iranian singer Googosh (20 January), and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli (27 January) – Saadiyat Island
• The Sukhisvili Georgian National Ballet will share traditional folk dances on January 12th – Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation
• Abu Dhabi Sail GP – 13 & 14 January, including an evening performance by Take That – Zayed Port
• Boxing fans look out for the Rising Stars of Arabia The Revolution on 13 January – Yas Links, Yas Island
• Assala Nasri will be performing on 13 Janaury – Sheikh Zayed Festival, Al Watba
• Smash-hit Musical Hamilton will be taking centre stage on Yas Island from 17 January to 11 February 2024 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Emirati Cultural Event Al Hosn Festival will take place from January 19 to 28, 2024 – Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi City
• The National Ballet of China will be performing on the 26th and 27th of January – Emirates Palace.
• This will be followed up by the Orchestra of the Puccini Festival at Torre del Lago on 31 January – Emirates Palace 
• NB – note that the Golf Championships, usually held in January, has now been moved to November

Abu Dhabi Events February 2024

• Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Tennis – 3 to 11 February – Abu Dhabi Tennis Center
• Timothy Chooi and Chanyong Chin will be performing a variety of classical favourites on February 9th – Manarat al Saadiyat
• Saadiyat Nights will continue its star-studded outdoor entertainment program into February, with Sting performing on the 3rd of February, Magida El Roumi on the 10th of February and Alicia Keys on 17th of February – Saadiyat Nights special events venue, Saadiyat Island
• Middle East Film and Comic Con – making a return 9-11 February 2024 – ADNEC
• Romance is in the air with Valentine’s Day widely celebrated at venues across the city – most offers for Valentine’s Day run only on 14 February, but some hotels have week or even month-long offers to look out for.
• See live on stage Indian Comedian Zakir Khan on 18 February – Etihad Arena
• The UCI Cycling World Tour will hit Abu Dhabi between the 19th and 25th of February 2024 – various locations
• For some local culture, head along to the Maritime Heritage Festival – Feb 23 to March 3 2024 – A’l Bahar, Abu Dhabi Corniche
• Open Fire Foor Festival with Steve Harvey – scheduled for 24 & 25 February 2024 – The Hill, Yas Marina Circuit
• Popular sporting event TriYAS is back for it’s 14th edition, taking place on Saturday, 24 February – Yas Marina Circuit
• Trevor Noah: Off The Record Tour returns after his 2023 sell-out on 28 February – Etihad Arena

Abu Dhabi Events March 2024

• Tom Jones and John Legend will complete the incredible concert lineup at Saadiyat Nights on 1 & 2 March 2004 – special arena on Saadiyat Island
• International Women’s Day will be widely marked in events and special offers across the city on 8 March 2024 – various locations
• Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra – Saturday 9 March – Etihad Arena
• Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival concludes on 9 March 2024 – Al Wathba
• The World Triathlon Championship Series takes place on the 8 and 9 March 2024 – Yas Marina Circuit
• Mother’s Day is marked at many city-wide restaurants, cafes, and spas offering specials for the ladies (UAE 21 March; UK 10 March 2024) – various locations
• St Patrick’s Day will be widely marked across the city on Friday, 17 March 2024 – various city venues
• The Holy Month of Ramadan will commence on or about the evening of 11 March 2024 and lasts approximately 29-30 days. Most live entertainment stops at this time.
• Non-Muslims should be aware of daylight fasting over Ramadan, but why not locally join in with an Iftar for breaking of the fast or overnight Suhoor to mark the occasion?
• Get your colour on for Holi Festivities, set to occur this year on 25 March 2024 – various city venues
• Easter in Abu Dhabi, although not formally marked as a holiday in the UAE, is widely celebrated in the retail and hospitality industry (Easter Sunday, 31 March 2024; Orthodox Easter Sunday, 5 May) – church services and events across the city
• Queen by Candlelight – the ultimate tribute band, will perform over 20 classic Queen hits on Saturday, 30 March – Etihad Arena
• NB: Locally, many schools have a Spring term break from the end of March to early April, so look out for special term break camps and events that may be running.

Abu Dhabi Events April 2024

• The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid-al Fitr celebrations across the city, with special deals on dining extravaganzas and fireworks. Est 10-12 April 2024 – venues across the city
• Fontana will be returning to the Big Top in Abu Dhabi with their ground-breaking water circus show from 7 April to 20 June 2024 – Yas Island, opposite Etihad Arena
• ScoobyDoo and the Lost City of Gold will be entertaining the littles live on stage 12-14 April 2024 – Etihad Arena, Yas Island
• Sudanese singer (and doctor) Omer Elamin will take to the stage on 19 April 2024 – Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation on the
• Classical music fans can enjoy maestro Yuri Bashmet and the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Russia on the 19 April 2024 – Emirates Palace
• The Bred Festival – an intermingling of the city’s creative minds through art, music, sports and fashion – will take place 24 to 28 April 2024 – Yas Bay Waterfront
• Cirque du Soleil Crystal will be bringing their magical show to town from April 26 to May 5 – Etihad Arena
• The treasured children’s picture book ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ will come to life on stage 28 April 2024 – Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation Stage
• The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place at ADNEC between the 29th of April and the 5th of May and will include talks, technical and creative workshops, live music, and children’s activities as well as the chance to buy books from around the world.
• The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will take place between 29th April and 5 May, offering talks, technical and creative workshops, live music and children’s activities, as well as the chance to buy books from around the world – ADNEC

Abu Dhabi Events May 2024

• The Kabyan Festival, packed full of Filipino artists, will take place on 5 May – Abu Dhabi City Golf Club
• Arab vocalist and oud player Mohammed Abdo will hit the stage on 10 May – Etihad Arena
• Enjoy Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay on 11 May 2024 – Emirates Palace
• Cirque du Soleil: Crystal continues its run until 5 May 2024 – Etihad Arena
• Abu Dhabi Comedy Week will be hitting town from 18 to 26 May 2024, with acts including Jo Koy, Aziz Ansari, Tom Segura, Chris Tucker and Andrew Schulz – Etihad Arena
• The Judo World Championships will be taking place from 19 to 24 May – Etihad Arena

Abu Dhabi Events June 2024

• A Symphony of Stars featuring Atif Aslam and Abida Parveen will be on stage 1 June 2004 – Etihad Arena
• Also on 1 June, enjoy Ballet Hispanico, America’s largest Hispanic cultural organisation performing live – Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation
• Enjoy the stage performance of Sister Act: The Musical on 6 June 20024 – NYUAD Arts Centre
• Monster Jam is back for its second year of indoor action 8-9 June 2024 – Etihad Arena
• Eid Al Adha celebrations and public holidays, including Arafat Day – est 16 to 19 June 2024 (expect deals and discounts, fireworks, and so much more!)
• Big top action from water circus Fontana will finish up their final show on 20 June 2024 – Yas Island
• Smash-hit stage production Matilda based on the Roald Dahl classic story will be in town for 4 nights 20-23 June 2024 – Etihad Arena
• On 29 June, Ahmed Saad and Tamer Asfour will be performing live – Etihad Arena

Abu Dhabi Events July 2024

• Most local schools will break up for summer on 5 July 2024 (Expect the airports to be exceptionally busy in early July)
• Hijri New Year (1 Muharram*) is expected to fall on 7 July 2024, with a public holiday likely to be observed on Monday 8th
• International basketball will be coming to town from 15-17 July 2024; catch the men’s USA, Australia and Serbia teams playing pre-Olympics friendlies – Etihad Arena
• Liwa Dates Festival will take place 15 to 28 July 2024 – Western Region
• Enjoy Harmony Under One Sky performance of music from around the world on 24 July – Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation

Abu Dhabi Events August 2024

• UFC Fight Night will take place on the night of 3 August – Etihad Arena
• Little ones get set for a post-summer treat with Bluey’s Big Play from 30 August to 1 September – Etihad Arena

Abu Dhabi Events September 2024

• ADIHEX – The Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition will take place from 31 August to 8 September 2024 – ADNEC
• IIFA Utsavam, celebrating the best in South Indian Cinema, will take place 6 & 7 September – Etihad Arena
• Master of Flamenco guitar, Vicente Amigo will perform on 8 September 2024 – Cultural Foundation
• The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday will fall on approximately 15 September 2024 – not always marked as a public holiday, possibly Monday off
• Be enchanted by Candlelight:Vivaldi’s Four Seasons on 21 September 2024 – SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
• Smash-hit Broadway Musical Chicago will take to the stage from 12 to 22 September 2024 – Etihad Arena
• Saudi Nation Day on September 23 is widely celebrated in the UAE community – often marked with fireworks at prominent locations – TBC

Abu Dhabi Events October 2024

• A great family offering this fall, look out for There’s a Monster in Your Closet, stage show 4-5 October 2024 – Cultural Foundation
• NBA Basketball action returns to Abu Dhabi on 4 to 6 October 2024 with Boston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets playing 2 matches, as well as fan appreciation days and the NBA District set up – see ticket options with Ticketmaster – Etihad Arena & Manarat Al Saadiyat
• Another one for the kids, Disney on Ice is making a return with indoor ice skating action from 16 to 20 October 2024 – Etihad Arena
• Backstreet Boys are back on stage on their DNA World Tour on 23 October 2024 – Etihad Arena
• American comedian Matt Rife and his Problematic Tour will take place on 27 October 2024 – Etihad Arena
• More nostalgia as legendary boy band Take That – This Life on Tour will take place on 25 October 2024 – Etihad Park
• UFC 308 fans will enjoy the return of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week from 26 October 2024 – Etihad Arena
• Swan Lake on Ice by the Imperial Ice Stars will perform on 11 & 12 October 2024 – Cultural Foundation
• This will be followed by an incredible stage performance of Swan Lake by Moscow Ballet La Classique – 25 & 26 October 2024 – Abu Dhabi National Theatre
• The traditional handicraft festival will take place from 29 October to 17 November 2024, celebrating traditional crafts and local artisans – Souq Al Qattara in Al Ain
• The Michelin Guide Ceremony for 2024 will take place on 31 October 2024 – Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
• Halloween always makes a great family and friends event to enjoy across the city – 31 October.
• Diwali is always widely celebrated with the local expat community; expect plenty of dancing and fireworks on and around 31 October 2024.

Abu Dhabi Events November 2024

• The annual Bedouin heritage festival, the Sheikh Zayed Festival, will return to its permanent grounds for the winter season from 1 November 2024 – Al Wathba
• Performing Arts fans catch authentic Flamenco with Daniel Casares on 1 & 2 November – Cultural Foundation
• Musician AR Rahman will bring his mesmerising show to town on 2 November 2024 – Etihad Arena
• Boogie Box Festival will be entertaining fans with 14 hours of festivities across 2 stages on 2 November 2024 (children allowed until 7pm) – Al Hudayriyat Beach
• Dance fans get set for Afrobiano Fest – a fusion between Afro beats and Amapiano dance on 2 November 2024 (21+ only) – Yas Beach
• Flag Day is held every year on the 3rd of November. Emiratis take great pride and honour in displaying their National Flag. You’ll see an abundance of red, green, white, and black starting to appear all the way through to Union Day in November.
• Oil and gas industry conference ADIPEC is a major event that overtakes the city from 4-7 November 2024 – ADNEC
• The European World Tour Golf has changed dates for 2024; expect the Abu Dhabi Championships to take place 7 to 10 November 2024 – Yas Links, Yas Island
• Big truck action is back, this time with a Hot Wheels Monster Truck Glow Party from 8 to 10 November 2024– Etihad Arena
• Sydney Opera House Meeting Mozart will be performing 8 & 9 November – Cultural Foundation
• Punjabi music icon Diljit Dosanjh will present his Dil-Luminati Tour on 9 November 2024 – Etihad Park
• Mansour, The Festival will bring the much-loved local cartoon character to life with interactive activities at a family-friendly festival on 15-17 November – Zayed Sports City
• Olivier Award and Tony Award-winning Life of Pi will take the stage from 15-17 November 2024 – Etihad Arena
• Popular food and drinks festival Taste Abu Dhabi will return from 15-17 November 2024 – Yas Gateway Park South
• Candlelight: Mozart to Chopin will star pianist Aldo Dotto at 6pm, followed by breathtaking Candlelight: Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons at 8pm on 16 November 2024 – Azure, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
• Abu Dhabi Art Fair will take place from 20 to 24 November 2024 2pm to 9pm daily- Manarat al Saadiyat
• Abu Dhabi International Boat Show Life On The Water returns from 21-24 November 2024 – Marina Hall, ADNEC
• T10 Cricket commences from 21 November and runs until 2 December 2024 – Zayed Cricket Stadium
• Lang Lang plays Disney will then take the stage with a night of musical fun on 22 November 2024 – Etihad Arena
• The Michelin Guide Food Festival will return this week, taking place 22-24 November 2024 – Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
• Wireless Festival Middle East will return to Yas Island on 23 November 2024, with confirmed artists so far including SZA, 21 Savage, Yeat, and Karan Aujla (book on Ticketmaster) – Etihad Park
• SailGP returns to Abu Dhabi on 29-30 November 2025 –
• All Africa Festival, celebrating all that is beautiful about Africa through food, music, entertainment and cultural celebrations 29 & 30 November 2024 – Etihad Park, Yas Island

Abu Dhabi Events December 2024

• Commemoration Day and National (Union) Day – fixed public holidays are on 2 to 3 December but usually combined with a weekend to give a 3-4 day break.
• The World Supercross Championship AD Grand Prix will take place for off-road bike fans indoors on 4 December 2024 – Etihad Arena
• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix—5 to 8 December 2024—book tickets early to guarantee entry to this four-day event and the after-concerts held from – Yas Marina Circuit,
• The Yasalam after-race concerts are always a huge crowd-drawing addition to the GP, with artists now finalised as Teddy Swims & Peggy Gou (Thursday), Maroon 5 (Friday), Eminem (Saturday) & Muse (Sunday) 5-8 December 2024 – Etihad Park, Yas Island
• As part of Yasalam, the Afterlife EDM Festival will take place on Friday, December 6, 2024 – Yas Gateway Park, Yas Island
• Or why not try one of these special Grand Prix Brunches and special events to catch the action?
• For fans of traditional Korean Music, catch SB Circle and Coreyah for Korean Season 6 December – Cultural Foundation
• Enjoy comedy gold from Ben Elton on his Authentic Stupidity tour on 7 December 2024 – Etihad Arena
• Known for their innovative approach to A Cappella music, The Italian Cultural Institute presents Mezzotono on 8 December 2024 – Cultural Foundation
• For thrills and spills in the dunes and a good dose of modern bedouin life in the desert, head out to the Liwa International Festival, Moreeb Dune, from 13 December to 4 January 2025 – Liwa, Al Dhafra (Western Region)
• Candlelight Christmas will see favorite tunes from Last Christmas to the Nutcracker bought to life by pianist Aldo Dotto as part of this fabulous concert series on 13 December 2024 – NYU Blue Hall
• MOTN – Mother of the Nation Festival – Abu Dhabi Corniche and side events in Al Dhafra and Al Ain – exact event dates and timing for 2024 TBC
• Outdoor winter celebration Winter Fest returns to Yas Island 2024 from 13 to 22 December 2024 – Gateway Park North, Yas Island
• For families, Elf The Musical will be sure to entertain for the festive season on 14 & 15 December 2024 – Etihad Arena
• The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon takes place on 14 December 2024 – City
• The inaugural Arabian Days Festival will take place from 14-18 December 2024 – Manarat al Saadiyat
• World Tennis League Season 3 will occur from 19 to 22 December 2024. This will include evening concerts, with Bryan Adams so far announced for 19 December and Anastacia for 20 December. 21 December Akon & Sean Paul – Etihad Arena
• Christmas – 25 December. Despite being a Muslim country, the occasion is widely marked, and you’ll find many festive celebrations occur across the city, including Christmas Day brunches.
• Al Hosn Festival will commence for the winter on 25 December and run through until February 2025 – Al Hosn
• New Year’s Eve 20024/25 – always a spirited night out in Abu Dhabi with special dining and drinks deals across the city, along with spectacular fireworks in key city locations, including Yas Bay, Al Maryah Island, the Corniche, and Al Wathba.

Ongoing Events Throughout the Year in Abu Dhabi

Many celebrations and events are ongoing throughout the year; you may also want to check out:

• The best ladies’ night deals in Abu Dhabi throughout the week
• Superb Family Brunches in Abu Dhabi – very much an event in themselves, on every weekend (summer months may bring changes to their regular entertainment programs)

Visiting Dubai? You’ll want to head overhere for the complete calendar of Dubai events in 2024 and the upcoming events calendar for 2025