Abu Dhabi Festival 2026 guide: dates, venues and highlights to 19 December

The 23rd Abu Dhabi Festival runs from 10 October to 19 December 2026 under the theme The Wisdom of Culture. FACT Magazine says the season brings together more than 1,000 artists from 19 countries across orchestral music, jazz, ballet, dance, opera, visual art and recitals.

It opened on 10 October at Etihad Arena with the UAE National Orchestra, conducted by François López-Ferrer, with pianist David Khrikuli, Gulf News reported. On 30 October, Emirati cellist Elham Al Marzooqi gives a recital at Zayed National Museum, and from 6 November to 6 December the Children's Biennale fills Umm Al Emarat Park, billed as the first outdoor children's biennale in the Middle East.

November is the busiest month. Hans Zimmer brings his Next Level tour to Etihad Arena on 13 November, American Ballet Theatre performs at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Algarabía pairs flamenco with Arabic poetry on 26 November, and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra plays a Verdi 125th anniversary gala on 29 November, per Gulf News.

The festival closes on 19 December with Tunisian oud player Dhafer Youssef and his quintet at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Programme details and venues for the jazz and opera dates are on the festival website, abudhabifestival.ae.

Hans Zimmer LiveFri 13 Nov · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi See tickets

Source: FACT Magazine, Gulf News, Louvre Abu Dhabi