TOP 55 CONCERTS AND EVENTS COMING TO THE UAE, FROM MAROON 5 TO LIONEL RICHIE
Rock, rap, opera, ballet and classical music concerts are some of the performances coming soon to the UAE.
A host of big names and star attractions from around the world will be taking centre stage in the coming months, from hip-hop superstar Eminem and Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh to lush stagings of Romeo and Juliet and Singin' In the Rain.
Arena shows by classical music stars Ludovico Einaudi and Lang Lang are also in the cards, in addition to comedy shows by Romesh Ranganathan and Nigel Ng. This is all before the year wraps up with a hit-filled December 31 gala concert by Lionel Richie. Here, The National rounds up the best live events coming up.
1. Kyng: Wednesday to Sunday at Q's Bar and Lounge and Palazzo Versace Dubai
The American RnB singer is the latest residency act at the stylish jazz venue Q's Bar and Lounge. In addition to original tracks, her set will take on the jazz standards and favourites from RnB songbook.
7pm to 1am; prices begin from Dh250 minimum spend per person
2. Chicago: September 12 to 22 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
A tale of passion, murder, greed, betrayal and redemption, Chicago is the longest-running musical in Broadway history, first premiering in 1975. Chicago follows two fiercely competitive women accused of murder – aspiring jazz performer Roxie Hart and vaudeville Velma Kelly – who fight for fame in an attempt to avoid the gallows. The show produced many popular songs, including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango and Razzle Dazzle.
Evening and matinee shows available; from Dh185
3. Enrique Iglesias: September 13 at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
After ringing in the new year in 2022 with an exclusive beach-side gig at Nammos Dubai, pop star Enrique Iglesias returns for a full concert packed with crowd-pleasing English and Spanish language songs such as Balilando, Hero and Bailamos.
Showtime is 8.30pm, tickets from Dh299
4. Apocalyptica: September 13 at The Agenda, Dubai
The Finnish cello trio will play select tracks from the Metallica songbook. Expect ethereal takes of classic metal hits including Ride the Lightning, One and Master of Puppets.
Doors open at 7pm; from Dh299
5. Aida: September 13 to 15 at Dubai Opera
A tragic tale of forbidden love composed by Verdi, Aida follows the struggle and heartache between Nubian princess Aida and the Egyptian warrior Radames. The production will be performed by the Polish National Opera orchestra, choir and soloists.
Evening and matinee performances; tickets from Dh430
6. Lucerne Festival Quintet with Alexander Malofeev: September 18 and 19 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
Acclaimed Russian pianist and composer Alexander Malofeev will be joined by four musicians from Switzerland’s prestigious Lucerne Festival Orchestra for performances part of Abu Dhabi Classics. The programme includes from the late romantic period such as Gabriel Faure’s Piano Quartet Nr. 1 and Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quartet Nr. 3.
Show starts at 8pm; from Dh50
7. Ihtiraq Shamaa: September 20 at Culture Foundation, Abu Dhabi
Created by Ahmed Abdullah Rashid, this theatrical production depicts the story of a writer grappling with regret after abandoning his greatest works and losing his first love. When she reappears as he struggles to write, his despair is witnessed by a young journalist who fears the same fate.
Show starts 8pm; tickets start at Dh30
8. Beethoven's Symphony No 9: September 22 at Dubai Opera
One of history's most famous classical pieces will be performed by the National Polish Orchestra. First performed in 1824 and composed over the three years prior, Symphony No 9 was Beethoven's last and marked a turning point in musical history, as the culmination of the Vienna Classical Period and the beginning of the 19th century's Romantic period. The words for the composition were taken from Ode to Joy, a poem by Friedrich Schiller, and they still represent values of humanity, tolerance and camaraderie.
Showtime is 8pm; tickets from Dh260
9. Angham: September 27 at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
The career of the seasoned Egyptian singer and actress spans three decades, having begun at the age of 16. Known for her elegant ballads sung in various dialects, ranging from Khaleeji to Lebanese, expect an enchanting performance in what will be Angham’s biggest UAE show.
Showtime is 9pm, tickets from Dh150
10. Carla Bruni: September 27 at Dubai Opera
The former first lady of France will make her debut UAE concert this year. Her subtle melodies and charming vocals promise an intimate atmosphere as she performs songs from a near two-decade career. Her debut album, 2003’s Quelqu'un m'a dit, brought her international acclaim and features fan-favourite songs such as Raphael and Le Ciel Dans Une Chambre.
Showtime is 8pm; tickets from Dh350
11. Umberto Tozzi: September 28 at Dubai Opera
The veteran Italian singer will stop in Dubai as part of his final world tour. Ever since the release of his 1974 debut album Donna Amante Mia, which features the hit Io Camminero, Tozzi has built a celebrated career in which he's enchanting audiences with his mix of pop hits and emotive balladry.
Showtime is 8pm; tickets from Dh370
12. There's A Monster in Your Show: October 4 and 5 at Culture Foundation, Abu Dhabi
English musician and children's author Tom Fletcher's interactive show is for the little ones, based on his Who’s in Your Book? series. During this musical, the performers soon discover they are not alone, as a little monster wants to join them along with his friends. Fans can expect comedy, dance and music as they learn about the joy of books and friendship along the way.
Show starts at 6pm on October 4 and 10am and 2pm on October 5; tickets start at Dh140
13. Paul Chowdhry: October 6 at Dubai Opera
The British-Indian comedian made his name in the late 1990s and has since appeared on popular UK panel shows such as Taskmaster, 8 out of 10 Cats and The Russell Howard Hour. He also performed on the comedy special Live at the Apollo.
Showtime is 9.30pm; tickets from Dh195
14. Nigel Ng: October 7 at Dubai Opera
The Malaysian comedian behind the viral YouTube food critic Uncle Roger makes his debut Middle Eastern performance in Dubai. Ng's pedigree also extends to the stage having won the Best Newcomer Award at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Showtime is 9.30pm; tickets from Dh195
15. Brad Mehldau: October 10 at Dubai Opera
The impact of the American jazz pianist and composer will be heard on stage and screen. In addition to releasing a number of seminal albums including 1994’s Introducing Brad Mehldau and 2019’s Grammy Award-winning Finding Gabriel, Mehldau also contributed compositions to films Eyes Wide Shut and Ma Femme Est Une Actrice.
Showtime is 9.30pm; tickets from Dh195
16. Swan Lake on Ice: October 11 and 12 at Culture Foundation, Abu Dhabi
The world-renowned Imperial Ice Stars returns to the Cultural Foundation with its multi-award-winning show. Renowned figure skating director Tony Mercer will bring his choreography to Tchaikovsky's beloved Swan Lake, as he reimagines the classic love story, but on ice.
Show starts at 8pm on October 11 and noon and 2pm on October 12; tickets start at Dh175
17. Elissa and Tamer Ashour: October 11 at Coca-Cola Arena
The Lebanese pop star returns to Dubai for another hit-filled set of songs ranging from new album Ana Sekketen to fan favourites Betmoun, Ya Reit and Kermalek. Joining her is Egyptian singer Tamser Ashor.
Showtime is 9pm, tickets from Dh150
18. Kasabian: October 13 at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
The rockers return to the UAE for the first time since 2015. Back with new album, Happenings, and swag of anthems including Club Foot, L.S.F and Fire, the group are set to perform their first Dubai arena show after having played at the outdoor Blended Festival in 2015 and the Seven Stadiums three years prior.
Doors open 8pm, tickets from Dh295
19. Romeo and Juliet: October 17 and 18 at Dubai Opera
A new ballet staging of Shakespeare's masterpiece from acclaimed choreographer Benjamin Millepied, known for his work on the Academy Award-winning film Black Swan, this show combines cinema, dance and theatre, with the production set to the original score composed by Sergei Prokofiev.
Showtime is 8pm; tickets from Dh330
20. Renaissance Ballet: October 17 at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Classics begins its latest batch of shows with an elegant evening of classic ballet. Split in two parts, the first half of the show blends narrative with the designs of French fashion house Balmain, while the second part is a selection of ballet masterpieces and crowd favourites.
Showtime is 8pm; from Dh100
21. Tyga: October 19 at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
The rapper will showcase his enduring run of hits in his biggest Dubai show to date. Expect to hear hits including Dip, Rack City and Taste, and perhaps even UAE-inspired song Dubai Drip. Released in 2019 the song uses the emirate as metaphor for living your best life.
Showtime is 8.30pm; tickets from Dh145
22. Backstreet Boys: October 23 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
A little more than year since their last sold show in Abu Dhabi, the Backstreet Boys are back for an encore helping of their greatest hits. Expect a two-hour show featuring crowd favourites Larger than Life and Everybody (Backstreet's Back), as well as tracks from their last 2019 release DNA.
Doors open at 7pm; from Dh325
23. Take That: October 25 at Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi
Behind hits Back For Good and Patience, Take That is one of the UK's most successful acts, with more than 15 chart-topping singles to their name. They return to the UAE on the back of their latest release, This Life, which came out last year and features the singles Windows and Brand New Sun.
Doors open at 6pm; from Dh299
24. Romesh Ranganathan: October 25 at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
The British-Sri Lankan comic is a star on stage and screen, with sold-out tours across the UK as well as his own television variety shows The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan and The Ranganation.
Showtime is 8pm, tickets from Dh195
25. Il Volo: October 25 at Dubai Opera
The Italian trio, who describe their music as “opera”, consists of baritone Gianluca Ginoble, tenor Piero Barone and tenor Ignazio Boschetto. Since arriving on the scene in 2010, Il Volo has performed with some of the world's top artists, including Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion and Placido Domingo.
Showtime is 8pm; tickets from Dh380
26. 'Merci, Charles' by Hayk Petrosyan: The Centenary of Charles Aznavour: October 26 at Culture Foundation, Abu Dhabi
Petrosyn and his accompanying musicians will pay homage to Aznavour as they perform the beloved French singer's most famous songs. The show is part of Petrosyan's Tour d’Amour, dedicated to the troubadour whose songs have left their mark on generations.
Show starts at 8pm; tickets start at Dh160
27. Calvin Harris: October 26 at Ushuaia Dubai Harbour Experience
The star DJ will perform as part of the opening of night of the Dubai super-club. The open-air venue at the Dubai harbour offers panoramic views of the city’s skyline and a regular performances by the world’s biggest DJs. On that score, booking Calvin Harris as your opening act is a great start with the Scottish artist responsible for a string of dance hits including his What You Came For and Outside.
28. Sophie Ellis-Bextor: October 26 at Dubai Opera
Known for her chart-topping hits in the 2000s, the British singer kept fans entertained during the pandemic in 2020 with her Kitchen Disco series, where she performed from her UK home with her family. As a result of the viral fame, Ellis-Bextor cemented her resurgence by releasing a greatest hits album and a new single called Hypnotized.
When her song Murder on the Dance Floor was featured in last year's film Saltburn, the single climbed the charts once again, leading to Ellis-Bextor reportedly working on a new album.
Showtime is 8pm; tickets from Dh290
29. Matt Rife: October 27 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
American comedian Matt Rife will make his regional debut in Abu Dhabi. Known for his 2023 Netflix special Natural Selection, Rife was also part of the cast of US sketch show Wild 'n Out and was a guest on the hit comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Doors open at 6pm; from Dh295
30. Authentic Flamenco: Daniel Casares: November 1 and 2 at Culture Foundation, Abu Dhabi
Visitors can experience the return of the award-winning ensemble as the flamenco performance returns to the region. The show is held in partnership with Solana, Fever and Teatro Real de Madrid, the leading performing arts institution in Spain.
Show starts at 5.30pm and 8pm on November 1 and 5.30pm on November 2; tickets start at Dh120
31. Sydney Opera House's Meeting Mozart: November 8 and 9 at Culture Foundation, Abu Dhabi1
A celebration of the maestro, this performance features world-renowned pianist Simon Tedeschi embodying Mozart as he joins a string quintet for an intimate exploration of his most cherished works.
Shows starts at 8pm; tickets start at Dh89
32. Lea Salonga: November 10 at Coca-Cola Arena
Besides winning Olivier and Tony Awards for Miss Saigon, Salonga is perhaps best known for providing the singing voices for two Disney princesses – Jasmine in Aladdin (1992) and Fa Mulan in Mulan (1998) and Mulan 2 (2004). Hailing from the Philippines, the singer has also performed in some of the biggest theatre productions around the world, including Les Miserables and Once on This Island.
Showtime is 7.30pm; tickets from Dh150; coca-cola-arena.com
33. AR Rahman: November 2 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
The two-time Oscar winner is a prolific composer, having worked on the music scores for nearly 200 films. That includes multi-award-winning Slumdog Millionaire and dozens of Bollywood movies, including the acclaimed Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India in 2001 and war drama Pippa last year.
Doors open at 6.30pm; from Dh100
34. Guy Manoukian: November 3 at Dubai Opera
The Lebanese-Armenian pianist and composer annual Dubai Opera shows are a perennial sell out. He returns to one of his favourite venues with another trademark event fusing Arabic and Greek music traditions. He will be joined by some of Greece's most esteemed musicians, including clarinettist Thanassis Vassilopoulos, violinist Thanos Giouletzis and Andreas Karantinis on bouzouki
Showtime is 8pm; tickets from Dh330
35. Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra with Jaap van Zweden and Sarah Chang: November 7 and 8 at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
Regarded as one of Asia’s top international orchestras, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will make its debut UAE performance as part of Abu Dhabi Classics. Joining them is the Korean-American violinist Sarah Chang, who will play under the baton of Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden. The programme includes a rendition of The Violin Concerto in D minor by Jean Sibelius, as well as Dmitri Shostakovich’s acclaimed Symphony Nr. 5 in D minor.
Showtime is 8pm; from Dh100
36. Ministry of Sound Classical: November 9 at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Beats and strings will come together as a 30-piece orchestra recreates the club anthems released by celebrated dance label Ministry of Sound.
Showtime is 8.30pm; tickets from Dh199
37. Diljit Dosanjh: November 9 at Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi
The popular Punjabi singer, who made history as the first Indian artist to perform on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in June, will perform in the UAE capital this November, as part of his coming Dil-Luminati Tour.
Known for his theatrical live shows, he also has performed at Coachella in addition to running successful tours in both North America and the UK.
Doors open at 6:30pm; ticket prices to be announced soon
38. Marwan Khoury and Abeer Nehme: November 9 at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Known as one of the kings of Arabic romantic ballads, Lebanese crooner and composer Marwan Khoury is renowned for his own hits such as Kel El Qasayed (All the Poems) and Khedni Ma'ak (Take Me With You), as well those written for others, including Carole Samaha's Itla' Fiyee (Look at Me) and Nawal Al Zohgbi’s Tia. He will be supported by compatriot, the singer and poet Abeer Nehme.
Showtime is 9pm; tickets from Dh295
39. Miami Band and Ahmed Saad: November 15 at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Emerging from Kuwait in 1991, Miami Band were a breath of fresh air in the Khaleeji pop market. Their debut single Saboha and 1997 album Sheiluha Sheilha are still rfegarded as milestones for the scene with their slick western pop-style arrangements and energetic tempos. Still rocking nearly 30 years later, they are back with new single Hamdullah w Chefnakom, which also happens to be the official anthem of Abu Dhabi entertainment destination Yas Island. They are joined by Egyptian singer Ahmed Saad, known for summer hits Sayrena Ya Dounia and Ya Layaly.
Showtime is 9pm; tickets from Dh195
40. Life of Pi: November 15 to 17 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Based on the 2001 best-selling colourful novel by Yann Martel, the stage adaptation follows a shipwrecked 16-year-old boy's adventures on a lifeboat with four animals, including a Royal Bengal tiger, as companions.
Featuring stunning visuals and puppetry, the production has been performed in New York's Broadway and London's West End.
Evening, afternoon and matinée shows available; from Dh250
41. Lang Lang: November 22 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
The classical music star will play songs from films produced by the Walt Disney Company, with decades of songs ranging from 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Encanto from 2021. The concert comes on the back of the Chinese pianist's latest album The Disney Book.
Doors open at 7pm; from Dh195
42. Marisa Monte: November 23 at Bla Bla, Dubai
The singer is a star of the Brazilian pop and samba music scene, selling more than 15 million albums and winning four Latin Grammy awards. She released Portas, her first album in a decade, in 2021.
Doors open at 7pm; from Dh220
43. Singin’ in the Rain: November 30-December 14 at Dubai Opera
Set in a pivotal period of Hollywood history when silent film began making way for talking pictures, the musical – it is based on the 1952 Oscar nominated film – follows the lives of two silent film stars as they navigate their career amid industry changes that could stop their rise. As well as being a potent drama, Singin' the Rain is known for its celebrated score featuring the title track, Good Morning and Make 'em Laugh.
Evening and matinee performances; tickets from D450
44. Maroon 5: December 6 at Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi
The American pop group will play second in the After-Race concert series at Etihad Park on December 6. Formed in 2002 from the ashes of their previous group, the Britpop-sounding Kara's Flowers (featuring four of the band's six members, including lead singer Adam Levine), Maroon 5 has been a mainstay in the charts courtesy of singles such as This Love, Harder to Breathe and Moves Like Jagger, showcasing a breadth of influences ranging from funk to rock.
Access to all concerts is exclusive to Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix ticket holders
45. Afterlife: December 6 at Yas Gateway Park, Abu Dhabi
Italian duo Tale of Us are bringing their immersive stage show, Afterlife, featuring electronic music along with innovative lighting design and visuals to the UAE capital this December. The show also features artists including Layla Benitez, Rebuke and Cassian, as well as two special performances: MRAK presents We Don't Follow and Anyma's Genesys.
Timings to be announced soon; from Dh295
46. SB Circle and Coreyah: December 6 at Culture Foundation, Abu Dhabi
Kickstarting Korea Season 2024 will be performances by SB Circle, a quartet comprising of bassist Seo Young-do, drummer Christian Moran, saxophonist Shin Hyun-pil and gayageum player Park Kyung-so. They will be joined by Coreyah, which has pioneered a new style of Korean music that blends genres of contemporary ethnic and popular sounds while still maintaining the distinctive characteristics of traditional Korean instruments.
Show starts at 8pm; tickets start at Dh75
47. Eminem: December 7 at Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi
The hip-hop superstar is the third headline act of the four-night Abu Dhabi F1 after-race concert series. He returns to Abu Dhabi on the back of this year's new album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace), which topped the charts in the US and UK.
Access to all concerts is exclusive to Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix ticket holders
48. Mezzotono: December 8 at Culture Foundation, Abu Dhabi
The Italian acapella choir has gained fame for their unique style of blending vocal harmonies and rhythms from various musical genres. They have performed worldwide, including at multiple shows in Dubai.
Show starts at 8pm; tickets start at Dh75
49. Muse: December 8 at Etihad Park, Abu Dhabi
Muse will perform the race day concert as part of the 2024 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It will be the second time the group has performed as part of the concert series, having made their regional debut on Yas Island in 2013. Fans can expect to hear classic hits from the group's 25 years in the business, but also some of the tracks from their latest 2022 album, The Will of the People.
Access to all concerts is exclusive to Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix ticket holders
50. Sole DXB: December 13 to 15 at Dubai Design District
Dubai street-culture and music festival Sole DXB will showcase some of the biggest hip-hop acts as well as host talks, workshops, footwear exchanges, film screenings and musical concerts. The full line up will be revealed soon.
Tickets and timings will be announced soon
51. Bryan Adams: December 19 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
After selling out Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena last year, Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams returns to the UAE as part of his So Happy It Hurts world tour. Backed by a rocking band, Adams will play a bunch of hits including Run to You, Summer of '69 and Heaven.
Doors open at 9.15pm; from Dh199
52. Lionel Richie: December 31 at Atlantis, the Palm
Dubai revellers will say goodbye to the year with Hello singer Lionel Richie. The Grammy Award winning pop-star will perform at Atlantis, The Palm’s annual New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner. Attendees will have the chance to celebrate the beginning of 2025 with the singer performing a collection of the greatest hits from both his solo and The Commodores catalogue, including All Night Long, Dancing in the Ceiling, Penny Lover and Sail On.
Doors open at 6pm; dinner packages tickets begin from Dh295
53. Ludovico Einaudi: January 19 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
After selling out all of his previous shows at Dubai Opera, Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi returns to the UAE for his biggest show to date. His haunting compositions, which can be best described as minimal, not only helped him build a successful solo career, but also afforded him the opportunity to score numerous Italian films in the 1980s, before landing international gigs, including 2011's French blockbuster The Intouchables and 2020 Oscar winner Nomadland.
Doors open at 6pm; from Dh250
54. Green Day and The Offspring: January 27 at Expo City Dubai
The veteran American punk-rock bands will make their Middle East debut in a purpose-built open-air concert venue that will host up to 30,000 people. Expect to hear three decades' worth of Green Day hits, including Holiday, Boulevard of Broken Dreams and Longview. The Offspring also has an extensive catalogue of tracks, including the 1998 hit Pretty Fly (For a White Guy), as well as early favourites Come Out and Play and Self Esteem.
Doors open at 5pm; from Dh445
55. CAS: January 31 at Coca-Cola Arena Dubai
The American rockers' UAE fan base is getting bigger. After an intimate sold-out show at Hard Rock Cafe Dubai in 2022, CAS will bring their cinematic sounds to Coca-Cola Arena as they perform songs from new album Xs.
Showtime is 9pm, tickets from Dh295
2023-05-28T16:03:06Z dg43tfdfdgfd