Abu Dhabi Events Calendar For 2026 (Revised!)

When you’re in Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s bustling capital and cultural heart, you’re never at a loss for things to do. Whether you’re looking for local cultural performances, grand sporting events, or international big-name acts, Abu Dhabi has it all.

Events listed in this year’s Abu Dhabi calendar could be significantly disrupted due to the Iran War. We’re doing our best to update with postponements and cancellations.

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 are explained.
• Abu Dhabi Public Holidays 2026: plan your travels around known long weekends and national celebrations.

We have included links where possible to platforms such as TicketMaster, Fever and Platinumlist, who 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 2026

• New Year’s Day, 1 January 2026, is always a UAE Public Holiday. Public services will be closed, and some tourist attractions, shopping malls, and dining establishments may have unusual opening hours. Always check with the establishment before turning up.
• Catch the last few days of the Liwa International Festival, concluding on 3 January 2026 – Liwa Village
• The Etihad Arena is sure to host some big names in 2026 and will kick off the year with internationally renowned American rock band Linkin Park performing as part of their From Zero World Tour on January 20.
• Saadiyat Nights, a brilliant open-air concert series, will return in winter 2026. The lineup so far includes Diana Ross, Lewis Capaldi, Ricky Martin, John Mayer, and Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi are confirmed – Saadiyat Island (map)
• Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out will be hitting the stage from 30 January to 1 February 2026 – Etihad Arena
• Emirati Cultural Event Al Hosn Festival will take place from 17 January to 1 February 2026 – Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi City

Abu Dhabi Events February 2026

• Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Tennis WTA 500 (Women’s Tournament) will take place from 31 January to 7 February – Abu Dhabi International Tennis Centre
• The UAE National Orchestra will debut Season 1 in Abu Dhabi with ‘Faces of Love‘ on 4 February 2026 and ‘Vivaldi: A Journey East‘ on 7 February 2026 – Abu Dhabi Cultural Fountain/The Arts Center at NYU
• The Open Masters Games seeks to unite the world through sport in Abu Dhabi, with competitions in 33 different sports from 6-15 February 2026 – various venues
• Yas Speed Festival brings plenty of motor sports track action to Yas Island on 7 & 8 February 2026 with the Asian Le Mans Series, Gulf Procar Championship and Gulf Radical Cup all taking place, alongside Yas Motor Majlis Car Meet – Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
• Your last chance to catch Saadiyat Nights with Mariah Carey on 7 February 2026, Bryan Adams on 11 February 2026, and John Mayer on 15 February 2026 –Saadiyat Island
• A celebration of anime culture in the UAE, Animena Abu Dhabi festival returns from 11 to 15 February 2026 – Manarat Al Saadiyat
• Furusiyya: The Return to Origins offers a unique insight into Arab horsemanship with shows on 7, 14 & 28 February 2026 – Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts, Al Jubail Island
• Popular sporting event TriYAS is back for its 16th edition on 14 February 2026 – Yas Marina Circuit
• Romance is in the air as Valentine’s Day is 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.
• Look out for the UCI UAE Cycling Tour, which will include a women’s race from 5-8 February 2026, and the men’s race between February 16 and 22 – various locations.
• Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival concludes on 28 February 2026 – Al Wathba
• For some more local culture, head along to the Maritime Heritage Festival – dates TBC 2026 – A’l Bahar, Abu Dhabi Corniche
• The Holy Month of Ramadan will commence on or about the evening of 17 Feb 2026 and last approximately 29-30 days. Note that most live entertainment stops at this time – all religious dates are subject to Moon Sighting.

Abu Dhabi Events March 2026

Abu Dhabi upcoming events from here on in could be impacted by the current Middle East geopolitical situtation

• 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?
• International Women’s Day will be widely marked in events and special offers across the city on 8 March 2026 – various locations
• Get your colour on for Holi Festivities, set to occur this year on 4 March 2026 – various city venues
• Color Splash will take place after Ramadan on 28 March 2026 – Yas Gateway Park North CANCELLED
• The World Triathlon Championship Series has traditionally occurred in Abu Dhabi in March, 2026 TBC – Yas Marina Circuit CANCELLED
• St Patrick’s Day will be widely marked across the city on, 17 March 2026 – various city venues
• Mother’s Day is marked at many city-wide restaurants, cafes, and spas offering specials for the ladies (UAE 21 March; UK 15 March 2026) – various locations
• Mary Poppins, the West End stage show 25 March to April 2026 – Etihad Arena CANCELLED
• The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid-al Fitr celebrations across the city, with special deals on dining extravaganzas /and fireworks. The Public holiday is estimated for 19 March – 22 March 2026 (Ramadan 30 to Shawwal 3)- venues across the city.

Abu Dhabi Events April 2026

• 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, 5 April, 2026 for Catholics and Anglican Church members (CofE), and Sunday, 12 April, for Orthodox Christians) – church services and events across the city
• Experience pop sensation Tarkan Live on 17 April 2026 (postponed to 27 November) – Etihad Arena
• BRED Abu Dhabi Neoculture Festival is returning from 22 to 26 April (POSTPONED) – Yas Island
• Christina Aguilera will bring her unforgettable pop anthems to town on 24 April 2026 – Etihad Arena
• Middle East Film and Comic Con from 24 to 26 April 2026 (postponed to 11-13 September 2026) – ADNEC
• Off Limits Festival has also been announced, with Shakira headlining this open format 12-hour event on 26 April 2026 (Postponed to 21 November) – Etihad Park

Abu Dhabi Events May 2026

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