Tuesday 13 / October / 2026
Abu Dhabi: From Frieze and Guggenheim to the Formula 1 Grand Prix and Liwa International Festival, Abu Dhabi gears up for a vibrant cultural and entertainment season.
The emirate has unveiled a packed events calendar featuring more than 40 cultural, sporting and entertainment attractions running through early 2027, with major highlights including the debut of Frieze Abu Dhabi, the opening of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the return of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The season, announced by Experience Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, will feature a diverse programme of art exhibitions, cultural festivals, live music, international sporting events and family entertainment across the emirate.
Among the headline attractions are the Yasalam After-Race Concerts, featuring Lewis Capaldi, Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers and The Script, alongside performances by artists including Anyma, Tamer Hosny and Tamer Ashour.
The calendar also includes the return of UFC events during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, Culture Summit Abu Dhabi and the Liwa International Festival, alongside new cultural offerings aimed at strengthening the emirate's position as a global destination for arts and entertainment.
Major cultural attractions
A key highlight is the opening of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on December 11. Designed by the late Frank Gehry, the museum on Saadiyat Island will focus on modern and contemporary art, adding to the growing collection of cultural institutions in Saadiyat Cultural District.
The Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial will open in Al Ain Region on October 23, followed by Abu Dhabi on November 15. Featuring new commissions, the biennial will bring contemporary art into public spaces across the emirate, with works remaining on display into 2027.
Culture Summit Abu Dhabi will take place from December 8 to 10 at Manarat Al Saadiyat and across Saadiyat Cultural District. Under the theme ‘Towards a Reimagined Commons’, the summit will bring together cultural leaders, artists, policymakers and thinkers to explore how culture can shape shared spaces, memories and futures.
The emirate will also host several major art and heritage events. The Traditional Handicrafts Festival, running from October 23 to November 11, will showcase Emirati craftsmanship through live demonstrations, artisan displays and a cultural market.
NOMAD Abu Dhabi, an international art and design fair, will take place from November 18 to 22 at Terminal 1 of the Old Abu Dhabi Airport, bringing together collectors, curators and cultural leaders.
Frieze Abu Dhabi will make its debut at Manarat Al Saadiyat from November 19 to 22. Building on the legacy of Abu Dhabi Art, the fair will connect the emirate's art scene with Frieze's international network of galleries, artists and collectors.
The Maritime Heritage Festival will return to the Corniche from November 20 to 29, celebrating the emirate's fishing, pearl-diving and seafaring traditions through performances, storytelling, artisan demonstrations and coastal cuisine.
Al Hosn Festival, scheduled for January 15 to 30, 2027, will celebrate Emirati heritage, crafts and local flavours at Al Hosn Cultural Site.
Formula 1 and international sporting action
Sport and entertainment will take centre stage during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, with UFC returning to the emirate in October.
At Etihad Arena, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is scheduled to defend his title against Movsar Evloev, while Petr Yan will face Merab Dvalishvili in a trilogy bout on October 24. The programme will also include open workouts, weigh-ins and fan activities across the city.
The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will run from December 3 to 6 on Yas Island, bringing international motorsport fans to the emirate for the season finale and a series of major live performances.
The Yasalam After-Race Concerts will feature Lewis Capaldi, Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers and The Script. Anyma is scheduled to headline the official after-party on December 4, with further announcements expected.
The Liwa International Festival will bring motorsports, adventure activities, music and family entertainment to the Al Dhafra desert around Tal Moreeb, the UAE's tallest dune at 300 metres. Liwa Village will also return with a marketplace, traditional performances and family activities.
Music, comedy and family entertainment
Saadiyat Nights will return for its fourth season, welcoming internationally acclaimed musicians to the island's open-air amphitheatre for a series of concerts.
Abu Dhabi Comedy Season will bring international comedians to Etihad Arena on Yas Island from October. The announced line-up includes Russell Peters, Morgan Jay, Mo Amer and Maz Jobrani, with additional performers to be announced.
The Mother of the Nation Festival will also return with family activities, international cuisine, live entertainment and art installations across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Region and Al Dhafra Region. Previous editions have featured interactive workshops, outdoor cinema and inflatable attractions, alongside food concepts from regional and international vendors.
The calendar also marks anniversaries for several cultural institutions. Al Ain Museum, which first opened in 1969, continues to showcase the history and heritage of the region, including archaeological discoveries and exhibits on the traditional falaj irrigation system.
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will celebrate its first anniversary with exhibits spanning 13.8 billion years of natural history, including Stan the T. rex skeleton. Zayed National Museum will also mark its first anniversary, highlighting 300,000 years of human history in the region and the life and legacy of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
With more than 40 events spanning culture, sport, music and family entertainment, Abu Dhabi's calendar offers residents and visitors a wide range of experiences through early 2027.
