Abu Dhabi has launched its latest events season, presenting more than 40 major cultural, sporting, musical and lifestyle experiences across the emirate through early 2027.

The programme features international entertainment acts, global sporting competitions, landmark museum openings and art festivals, reinforcing the capital’s position as a leading destination for culture, leisure and tourism.

Presented by Experience Abu Dhabi, the season combines established attractions, including the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and UFC events, with new cultural milestones such as the opening of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the return of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial.

The calendar also includes performances by international and regional artists, heritage festivals, comedy shows, family entertainment and major art fairs, offering residents and visitors a broad range of experiences across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Al Dhafra Region.

Culture takes centre stage

Art, heritage and immersive experiences form a major part of the season, with cultural institutions and festivals providing opportunities to explore the emirate’s history while engaging with contemporary artistic expression.

The Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial returns with new commissions, opening in the Al Ain Region on 23 October before expanding to Abu Dhabi from 15 November. Its installations will remain on display into 2027, bringing contemporary artworks into public spaces and encouraging audiences to experience art beyond traditional galleries.

Culture Summit Abu Dhabi will take place from 8 to 10 December at Manarat Al Saadiyat and across Saadiyat Cultural District. Under the theme Towards a Reimagined Commons, the summit will bring together international cultural leaders, artists, policymakers and thinkers to discuss how culture can shape shared spaces, collective memories and future societies.

Another significant milestone will be the opening of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on 11 December. Designed by the late architect Frank Gehry, the museum on Saadiyat Island will focus on modern and contemporary art, adding another major institution to the emirate’s expanding cultural landscape.

The season will also feature the Traditional Handicrafts Festival, running from 23 October to 11 November, celebrating Emirati craftsmanship through artisan demonstrations, traditional skills and a cultural market.

International art and design will feature prominently, with NOMAD Abu Dhabi scheduled for 18–22 November at Terminal 1 of the Old Abu Dhabi Airport. The fair will showcase collectible design, contemporary art and architecture in a distinctive historic setting.

Frieze Abu Dhabi will make its debut from 19 to 22 November at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Building on the legacy of Abu Dhabi Art, the international fair will connect the emirate with Frieze’s global network of galleries, artists and collectors.

Looking ahead to January 2027, Al Hosn Festival will return from 15 to 30 January, celebrating Emirati traditions, crafts, cuisine and community at Al Hosn Cultural Site.

Celebrating maritime heritage and national history

Abu Dhabi’s cultural programme will also highlight the traditions and historical achievements that have shaped the emirate.

The Maritime Heritage Festival returns to the Corniche from 20 to 29 November for its fifth edition. The 10-day event will showcase the emirate’s coastal history, including fishing, pearl diving and seafaring, through live performances, storytelling, artisan demonstrations and traditional cuisine.

Several museums will also mark important anniversaries during the season. Al Ain Museum, originally established in 1969 by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, continues to present the history and archaeological heritage of the Al Ain Region following extensive redevelopment. Spanning more than 8,000 square metres, the museum explores the region’s past, including the ancient falaj irrigation system.

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will celebrate its first anniversary with exhibits tracing 13.8 billion years of natural history. Among its attractions is Stan the T. rex, one of the world’s most complete dinosaur skeletons.

Zayed National Museum will also mark its first anniversary in Saadiyat Cultural District. The institution traces approximately 300,000 years of human history in the region and celebrates the life and vision of the late Sheikh Zayed through six galleries dedicated to the UAE’s history and heritage.

Major sporting events and live entertainment

Sport and music remain central to Abu Dhabi’s international events calendar, with the emirate preparing to host major competitions alongside headline concerts.

Abu Dhabi Showdown Week returns in October, with UFC action at Etihad Arena. The programme includes a featherweight title contest between Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev, alongside a trilogy fight between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili on 24 October. Fans can also attend open workouts, weigh-ins and fan-zone activities across the city.

The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place on Yas Island from 3 to 6 December. Since its debut in 2009, the race has become one of the emirate’s flagship international sporting events, attracting visitors from around the world.

The race weekend will be accompanied by the Yasalam After-Race Concerts, featuring Lewis Capaldi, Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers and The Script. Electronic music artist Anyma is scheduled to headline the official after-party on 4 December, with further performers expected to be announced.

The wider entertainment programme also includes performances by artists such as Tamer Hosny and Tamer Ashour, alongside appearances by international acts including Alex Warren and Anyma during the season.

In the Al Dhafra Region, Liwa International Festival will return in December, combining motorsports, adventure activities, music and family entertainment around Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s tallest dune at approximately 300 metres. Liwa Village will offer traditional performances, Emirati cultural experiences, a marketplace and family-oriented activities.

Saadiyat Nights will also return for its fourth season, bringing internationally acclaimed musicians to the island’s open-air amphitheatre for concerts against a coastal backdrop.

Comedy, family entertainment and lifestyle experiences

The season extends beyond art, music and sport, with comedy and family festivals adding variety to the programme.

Abu Dhabi Comedy Season returns to Etihad Arena on Yas Island from October, featuring international comedians Russell Peters, Morgan Jay, Mo Amer and Maz Jobrani, with additional performers to be announced.

The Mother of the Nation Festival will bring family activities, global cuisine, live entertainment and art installations to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. Named in honour of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the festival has previously featured interactive workshops, outdoor cinema, inflatable attractions and food concepts from regional and international vendors.

With more than 40 events scheduled through early 2027, Abu Dhabi’s latest season combines global entertainment with cultural discovery and heritage preservation. The programme reflects the emirate’s continued investment in tourism and the creative industries, while offering visitors and residents opportunities to experience its cultural institutions, sporting venues and diverse landscapes throughout the year. -TradeArabia News Service