United Arab Emirates Explore

Explore festivals and cultural events

A nationwide overview of ongoing, upcoming, and recently closed festivals and events.

30 days · View all — Locations

Festival directory

Sort
View

Untitled 14km

Oct 1-2, 2026 Abu Dhabi
Upcoming

Untitled 14km is a satirical multidisciplinary production by Moroccan artist Youness Atbane, presented at The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi on October 1 and 2, 2026. It combines dance, theatre, performance,...

Performance Theatre +5

CinemaNA: Cotton Queen Screening

Sep 28, 2026 Abu Dhabi
Starts today

The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi hosts a screening of the Sudanese film 'Cotton Queen' on September 28, 2026, marking the launch of CinemaNA's 10th anniversary season. The event highlights contemporary...

Film Screening Arab Cinema +4
The Current of Growth

The Current of Growth

Oct 14-15, 2026 Abu Dhabi
Upcoming

The Current of Growth is a two-day immersive exhibition hosted by Emirates Development Bank (EDB), showcasing over 100 UAE-made products, business success stories, and emerging technologies. It takes place at the Abu...

Exhibition Technology +5

Network of Answers

Sep 25 - Oct 22, 2026 Abu Dhabi
Ongoing

The "Network of Answers" is an interactive art installation by Agatha Gothe-Snape, featuring a phone booth that invites visitors to share responses, forming a collective archive of voices from Abu Dhabi. It...

Art Installation +4
Unseen Script

Unseen Script

Sep 14 - Oct 28, 2026 Abu Dhabi
Ongoing

The "Unseen Script" exhibition will be held at the Rizq Art Initiative on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, running from September 14 to October 28, 2026. This group exhibition features 10 artists...

Art exhibition Contemporary Art +5

Global Food Week

Oct 6-8, 2026 Abu Dhabi
Upcoming

Global Food Week is scheduled to take place from October 6 to 8, 2026, at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. This event aims to unite critical sectors shaping the future of food,...

Food Festival Exhibition +5
Frieze Abu Dhabi

Frieze Abu Dhabi

Nov 19-22, 2026 Abu Dhabi
Upcoming

Frieze Abu Dhabi is an international art fair debuting from November 19 to 22, 2026, at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi. Marking Frieze's first fair in the West Asia, North Africa,...

Art Fair Exhibition +4
Yasalam After-Race Concerts

Yasalam After-Race Concerts

Dec 3-6, 2026 Abu Dhabi
Upcoming

The Yasalam After-Race Concerts are a high-profile music series held at Etihad Live in Abu Dhabi, coinciding with the 2026 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Running from December 3...

Music festival Formula 1 +5
LEGO SHOWS Natural Brickstory

LEGO SHOWS Natural Brickstory

Aug 21 - Nov 8, 2026 Abu Dhabi
Ongoing

LEGO SHOWS Natural Brickstory is a world-first interactive exhibition held at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi from August 21 to November 8, 2026. The event explores 13.8 billion years of natural...

Exhibition Lego +7
Abu Dhabi Festival 2026

Abu Dhabi Festival 2026

Oct 10 - Nov 30, 2026 Abu Dhabi
Upcoming

The Abu Dhabi Festival 2026 is a major cultural season held across the UAE capital from October 10 to November 30, 2026. Operating under the theme "Wisdom of Culture," the festival presents...

Cultural Festival Music +10