Awesome Abu Dhabi Events Calendar For 2023

With the abolition of the last COVID restrictions in late 2022, it promises to be an exciting year of live events and entertainment in the UAE capital in 2023.

We’ve compiled for you here a list of all the key international sporting, music, and entertainment we know is coming to Abu Dhabi in 2023, plus the usual lineup of local cultural events and celebrations not-to-miss each month.

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 on your Abu Dhabi trip explained
• Abu Dhabi Public Holidays 2023 – plan your travels around known long weekends and national celebrations
• Plan ahead, here you’ll find the latest events calendar for Abu Dhabi in 2024

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 2023

• Kicking off an incredible month of entertainment returning to the capital, Terribly Funny Comedy with Jimmy Carr – 7 January 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• For thrills and spills in the dunes, head out to the Liwa Festival concludes on 6 January – Liwa, Al Dhafra (Western Region)
• Emirati Cultural event Al Hosn Festival – 13 to 22 January 2023 – Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi City
• One of the city’s biggest sporting and social events – the HSBC Golf Championships, will return from 19 – 22 January 2023 – Yas Links, Yas Island
• Catch Imagine Dragons in Concert – 26 January 2023 – Etihad Park, Yas Island
• Music Legend Sting will be performing 27 January 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• K-Pop stars – Black Pink on their Born Pink tour – 28 January 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay

Abu Dhabi Events February 2023

• 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.
• For some local culture, head along to the Maritime Heritage Festival – 17 to 26 February 2023 – A’l Bahar, Abu Dhabi Corniche
• Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Tennis – 5 to 12 February 2023 – Abu Dhabi Tennis Center
• One for the kids – Blippi the Musical can be enjoyed on 18 & 19 February 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Comedy lovers, check out Reality Check with Kevin Hart – 22 February 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• A Date With the Artists – 23 February 2023 – Cultural Foundation, Al Hosn, City

Abu Dhabi Events March 2023

• Ultra Abu Dhabi Music Festival – 4 & 5 March 2023 – Etihad Park, Yas Island
• Middle East Film and Comic Con – 3 to 5 March 2023 – ADNEC
• An incredible lineup of International artists for this outdoor event – Wireless Festival Middle East – 11 March 2023 – Eithad Park, Yas Island
• Stand Up Comedy Show Performance By Mo Amer & Maz Jobrani – 11 March 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Get your colour on for Holi Festivities, set to occur this year on 8 March 2023 – various venues
• St Patrick’s Day will be widely marked across the city on Friday, 17 March 2023 – various venues
• Mother’s Day is marked at many city-wide restaurants, cafes, and spas offering specials for the ladies (UAE 21 March; UK 19 March 2023) – various locations
• Boogie Box at Pura Eco Retreat beach party festival in conjunction with Beirut’s FLOAT festival on 18 March 2023 – Jubail Island
• Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival concludes on 18 March 2023 – Al Wathba
• The Holy Month of Ramadan will commence on or about the evening of 22 March 2023 and lasts approximately 29 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 occassion?
• 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 2023

• 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, 9 April 2023; Orthodox Easter Sunday, 16 April) – church services and events across the city
• The water circus show Fontana will start from 18 April 2023 – Abu Dhabi Marina Mall
• The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid-al Fitr celebrations across the city with special deals to fireworks – est. 22-24 April 2023 – venues across the city
• Family entertainment with Mamsha and the Bear live on stage 29 & 30 April 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay

Abu Dhabi Events May 2023

• Backstreet Boys DNA Tour – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Selfdrive Laughter Factory for a night of standup fun on 12 May 2023 – Auditorium, Emirates Palace
• Monster Jam Monster truck sensational action – 13 &14 May – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Peter Pan on Ice – 14 May – Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation
• Abu Dhabi International Book Fair – 22 to 28 May – ADNEC
• One of Bollywood’s biggest nights, get glammed up for the IIFA Awards – 27 May 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Enjoy the best of Indian rock at IIFA Rocks 2023 – 26 & 27 May 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay

Abu Dhabi Events June 2023

• Rock legends Guns N’ Roses will be bringing down the house on 1 June 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Ryder and his gang from Paw Patrol will be hitting the stage on 8 June 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Eid Al Adha celebrations and public holidays – est 27 to 30 June 2023 (could turn into a 9-day public holiday) – expect deals and discounts, fireworks, and so much more!

Abu Dhabi Events July 2023

• End of Eid celebrations Sunday 2 July 2023
• Last show for Fontana Circus 2 July 2023 – Abu Dhabi Marina Mall
• Comedian Robby Collins will be making people laugh on 8 July 2023 – Park Rotana.
• Omar Kamal will perform live at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation on July 22nd.
• Most local schools will break up for summer on 7 July 2023 (Expect the airports to be exceptionally busy)
• Hijri New Year (1 Muharram*) is expected to fall on 19 July 2023, with a public holiday observed on Friday, 21 July 2023

Abu Dhabi Events August 2023

• USA Basketball Showcase from August 17 to August 20 – Etihad Arena
• Full August lineup of events is still to be confirmed for 2023

Abu Dhabi Events September 2023

• ADIHEX – The Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition will take place from 2 to 8 September 2023 – ADNEC
• Funny man, Bill Burr, brings his stand-up tour to town on the 1 September – Etihad Arena.
• Amr Diab is performing live on the 9 September – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi comes to town on 16 September for a fun-filled family night out – Etihad Arena
• Miami Band and Modi Al Shamrani live concert will be setting the stage alight on 23 September – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday will fall on approximately 27 September 2023, this year a public holiday has been announced for Friday, 29 September 2023.

Abu Dhabi Events October 2023

• NBA Basketball will be showcased in Abu Dhabi from 5 to 7 October – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Disney on Ice returns for their 100 Years of Wonder tour, 11 to 15 October – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• UFC 294 will return to Abu Dhabi on Saturday, October 21 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Andrew Schulz – The Life Tour brings the infamous American comedian in all his messy glory to Abu Dhabi on 22 October – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Join the Jo Koy world tour for a night of laughs on 28 October – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Robbie Williams – 25 Years of Hits concert tour will hit Abu Dhabi on 18 October 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• Halloween always makes a great family and friends event to enjoy across the city – 31 October.

Abu Dhabi Events November 2023

• Abu Dhabi Classics with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will perform on 3 November 2023 – Emirates Palace
• WSX World Supercross will be entertaining motorsports fans from 5-7 November – Etihad Arena
• Taste of Abu Dhabi makes its triumphant return post-COVID with 15 restaurants represented, celebrity chefs, hands-on workshops, kids zones, and so much more! 10 to 12 November 2023- Gateway Park South, Yas Island
• The annual Bedouin heritage festival, the Sheikh Zayed Festival, will return to its permanent grounds for the winter season from 17 November 2023 – Al Wathba
• For Desi fans, Arijit Singh will be performing live in concert on 18 November 2023 – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• The All Africa Festival takes place 17 to 19 November – Etihad Park, Yas Island
• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit 23 to 26 November 2023 – book tickets super early to guarantee your entry to this 4-day event and after concerts.
• Or why not try one of these special Grand Prix Brunches and special events to catch the action?

Abu Dhabi Events December 2023

• Commemoration Day and National Day – fixed public holidays from 1 to 3 December.
• The start of the annual winter event, the Sheikh Zayed Festival, held in specially dedicated showgrounds in Al Wathba
• MOTN – Mother of the Nation Festival – Abu Dhabi Corniche – exact event dates and timing for 2023 TBC
• Outdoor winter celebration Winterfest returns to Yas Island from 6 to 10 December 2023 – Gateway Park South, Yas Island
• Bring some magic to your holidays with The Illusionists. Performing for two nights 9 and 10 December – Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
• BLAST Premier World Final for esports fans will take place 16-19 December 2023 – 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.
• New Year’s Eve – 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.

Don’t forget to jump over here to the 2024 Abu Dhabi events calendar to find out what is happening beyond December 2023

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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 2023

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Where to Stay Near the Action in Abu Dhabi

If you’re looking for the best places to stay close to the major events in Abu Dhabi, you’ll no doubt notice most of the action is at Yas Bay on Yas Island, and at ADNEC – the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

You can find all our advice on the best areas to stay in Abu Dhabi here.

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Feature image supplied – Fireworks at Hilton Yas Bay

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