Abu Dhabi has dropped its events calendar for the rest of 2026 and into 2027, and it's a long one: 40 headline occasions spanning sport, music, comedy, art and heritage festivals, with dates running through to February and beyond.
The biggest fixture is the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which closes out the 2026 racing season on Yas Island over December 3-6. As usual, the on-track action comes bundled with the Yasalam concert series — this year featuring Lewis Capaldi, Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers, The Script and Anyma. Tennis fans get the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open from January 30 to February 6, 2027, when the WTA tour rolls into town.
Music and comedy carry the entertainment load. Saadiyat Nights returns for a fourth season, known for pairing big-name acts with a more intimate open-air setting. Abu Dhabi Comedy Season runs from October 2026 to January 2027 at Etihad Arena, with Russell Peters, Mo Amer, Maz Jobrani, Whitney Cummings, Kevin Bridges and Paul Smith on the bill. Culture Summit Abu Dhabi brings artists and policymakers to Manarat Al Saadiyat from December 8-10.
Out in the desert, the Liwa International Festival (December 11 to January 2) centres on Tal Moreeb, the UAE's tallest dune at 300 metres, with dune-racing thrills plus hot air balloon rides, Monster Jam shows and farm-to-table dining. Back in the city, the Al Hosn Festival (January 15-30, 2027) spotlights Emirati crafts and food, while the Mother of the Nation festival spreads family activities and global cuisine across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
It's a big season for art, too. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi — Frank Gehry's long-awaited design — finally opens on December 11, joining Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum, the Natural History Museum and teamLab Phenomena in the Saadiyat Cultural District. Frieze Abu Dhabi makes its debut November 19-22, plugging the capital into the international gallery circuit, and NOMAD brings immersive art and design to the Old Abu Dhabi Airport terminal November 18-22. Rounding things out: the Traditional Handicrafts Festival (October 23 to November 11), the second Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial (starting October 23 in Al Ain, then Abu Dhabi from November 15, on display into 2027), and the Maritime Heritage Festival (November 20-29), which celebrates the emirate's pearl-diving and seafaring past.
Why should a traveller care? Because this spread means you can build a trip around almost any interest — an F1 weekend, an art-focused city break timed to Frieze and the Guggenheim opening, or a desert festival adventure in Liwa. Tickets typically go through Ticketmaster, LiveNation, Platinumlist or the official Experience Abu Dhabi site, and it's worth checking each event's policy on children and gadgets before booking, as some venues run strict phone-free rules.
