Things to Do in the UAE Nov 2026 – Jan 2027: Concerts, National Day & Winter Events
Winter is the UAE's biggest events season. This guide covers what is on sale from now to January 2027 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and beyond: Arabic and regional concerts, Dubai Opera nights, comedy and theatre, art fairs and exhibitions, family events, Christmas and New Year's Eve, UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) on Wednesday, December 2 and the Dubai Shopping Festival. At Miniz, we believe every night out deserves the right piece of jewelry, so plan the evening, then pick the piece.
Checked on October 25, 2026 against Dubai Opera, Live Nation Middle East, Virgin Megastore Tickets, Platinumlist, Abu Dhabi Art, Global Village and The National's concerts guide. Programs and dates can change, so confirm with the organiser before you book.
October · November · December · Christmas & New Year's Eve · January · More concerts & classical · Comedy & theatre · Art & exhibitions · Kids & family · National Day gifts
🎤 UAE Events: Oct 2026 – Jan 2027
| OCTOBER 2026 — coming up | |||
| Event | Date | Venue | Tickets |
| Nancy Ajram | Oct 24 | 9PM | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Book → |
| Titize: A Venetian Dream (circus, theatre & music, family-friendly) | Oct 29–31 | 2PM & 8PM | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Riverdance – 30th anniversary show | Oct 31 & Nov 1 | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| Global Village – Season 31 ('A More Wonderful World') | Oct 14 – May 2027 | Global Village, Dubai | Info → |
| NOVEMBER 2026 | |||
| Event | Date | Venue | Tickets |
| Benjamin Clementine | Nov 1 | 8PM | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Jony | Nov 4 | 9PM | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Book → |
| Mo Amer – Abu Dhabi Comedy Season | Nov 6 | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| Amr Diab | Nov 7 | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Book → |
| Ministry of Sound Classical | Nov 7 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Maz Jobrani – Abu Dhabi Comedy Season | Nov 7 | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| Hans Zimmer Live: The Next Level (Abu Dhabi Festival) | Nov 13 | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| American Ballet Theatre (Abu Dhabi Festival) | Nov 20 | 8PM | Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi | Info → |
| Aries Spears – Abu Dhabi Comedy Season | Nov 21 | 10PM | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| NEMR – Rampant Disorder (Abu Dhabi Comedy Season) | Nov 22 | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| Trevor Noah (four nights; showing as sold out on Platinumlist when checked) | Nov 25–26 & 28–29 | 8PM | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Algarabia – flamenco meets Arabic poetry | Nov 26 | 8PM | Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi | Info → |
| Hiba Tawaji invites Ibrahim Maalouf – À La Française | Nov 27 | 8:30PM | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Atif Aslam | Nov 27 | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Book → |
| Tarkan – Abu Dhabi debut | Nov 27 | 8:30PM | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| Wasla Festival – Marcel Khalife, Le Trio Joubran, TootArd, Fatima | Nov 28 | from 6PM | Jubilee Park, Expo City Dubai | Info → |
| Ramy Sabry | Nov 28 | 9PM | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| Verdi's Opera Gala | Nov 29 | 8PM | Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi | Info → |
| DECEMBER 2026 — National Day & Christmas | |||
| Event | Date | Venue | Tickets |
| Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day) – Dubai celebrations with fireworks and family events; official holiday 2–3 Dec. Full program still to be announced. | Nov 30 – Dec 3 (National Day: Wed Dec 2) | Citywide, Dubai | Info → |
| Andrea Bocelli – 30th Anniversary Romanza Tour | Dec 2 | Doors 6PM | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| Dubai Shopping Festival – 32nd edition (shopping, DSF Nights, concerts) | Dec 4 – Jan 17, 2027 | Citywide, Dubai | Info → |
| The Nutcracker by the Bolshoi Theatre | Dec 4–6 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concerts – Lewis Capaldi & Zara Larsson (3), Jennifer Lopez & Alex Warren (4), Imagine Dragons (5), The Chainsmokers & The Script (6), plus Anyma (4). Most are for race ticket holders only. | Dec 3–6 | Etihad Park / Etihad Live / Yas Island, Abu Dhabi | Info → |
| Enrico Macias | Dec 10 | 8PM | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Guy Manoukian – 10th performance at Dubai Opera | Dec 11 | 8PM | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Mariah Carey's Christmastime | Dec 12 | Doors 7PM | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| Chicago the Musical (8 shows) | Dec 16–20 | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Book → |
| Abracadabra – Arabic-language suspense comedy | Dec 18–19 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Dopa World – young Arab music & culture festival (Saint Levant announced) | Dec 18–20 | Doors 4PM | Jubilee Park, Expo City Dubai | Info → |
| Dhafer Youssef (oud, with his quintet) | Dec 19 | 8PM | The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi | Info → |
| Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Shah Zaman Ali Khan (Pakistani qawwali) | Dec 26 | Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai | Book → |
| Katy Perry – New Year's Eve black-tie gala (midnight fireworks) | Dec 31 | Doors 7PM | Atlantis The Palm, Dubai | Info → |
| 🎄 CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR'S EVE — annual favourites, 2026 dates to be announced | |||
| Event | Date | Venue | Status |
| Global Village – Season 31 is open. Check the park's own site for its Christmas and New Year's Eve programme. | Open now – May 2027 | Global Village, Dubai | Info → |
| Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market – Dubai's best-known Christmas market, usually open from mid-December | Dates to be announced | Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai | Announcement expected |
| Winter City – festive market and family programme at Expo City | Dates to be announced | Expo City Dubai | Announcement expected |
| Winter Garden – festive garden and market at Habtoor Palace | Dates to be announced | Habtoor Palace, Dubai | Announcement expected |
| Christmas tree lightings, Santa meet-and-greets and gingerbread workshops in malls and hotels across Dubai and Abu Dhabi | Dates to be announced | Dubai & Abu Dhabi | Announcement expected |
| New Year's Eve in Dubai – midnight fireworks at Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, plus displays at many other locations. The 2026–27 programme and viewing zones are not yet announced. | Dec 31 | midnight | Downtown Dubai and citywide | Announcement expected |
| New Year's Eve in Abu Dhabi – fireworks are usually staged at the Corniche, Yas Island and the Sheikh Zayed Festival. The 2026–27 programme is not yet announced. | Dec 31 | midnight | Abu Dhabi | Announcement expected |
| Katy Perry – New Year's Eve black-tie gala at Atlantis The Palm (confirmed) | Dec 31 | Doors 7PM | Atlantis The Palm, Dubai | Info → |
| JANUARY 2027 | |||
| Event | Date | Venue | Tickets |
| Dubai Shopping Festival (continues until Jan 17) | Until Jan 17 | Citywide, Dubai | Info → |
| Tony Ann (piano) | Jan 12 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Swan Lake on Ice – Imperial Ice Stars | Jan 14–17 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Buena Vista Social Club Legacy Concert – Una Noche En La Habana | Jan 24 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Book → |
| Tamaas Festival – Sami Galbi, Bombino, Ibibio Sound Machine (free pass on registration) | Jan 29 | 7PM | The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi | Info → |
| ALREADY ANNOUNCED — EARLY 2027 | |||
| Event | Date | Venue | Tickets |
| Harry Potter Film Concert Series (UAE National Orchestra) | Feb 5–6 | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| The Phantom of the Opera | Mar 10–28 | Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi | Book → |
| Tribute to Ziad Rahbani by Faraj Suleiman | Mar 26 | 7:30PM | The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi | Info → |
🎻 More concerts, classical & regional nights
| Event | Date | Venue | Tickets |
| Luca Minnelli | Nov 5 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Info → |
| Queen of the Night (opera) | Nov 6 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Info → |
| European Classics | Nov 7 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Info → |
| Synthony x Faithless | Nov 21 | Bla Bla by McGettigan's, Dubai | Info → |
| Artbat presents Upperground (with Miss Monique, R3hab, 7 Skies) | Nov 28 | Ushuaia Dubai Harbour Experience, Dubai | Info → |
| The Tsar's Bride (Bolshoi Theatre opera) | Dec 2 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Info → |
| Lisa Batiashvili & Giorgi Gigashvili | Dec 10 | The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi | Info → |
| Minsoo Sohn – Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, Book One | Dec 11 | The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi | Info → |
| Mahmut Orhan (Turkish electronic) | Dec 12 | Ushuaia Dubai Harbour Experience, Dubai | Info → |
| Denis Matsuev in Concert (classics and jazz) | Dec 16 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Info → |
| Leonid Agutin | Jan 6 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Info → |
| Yuja Wang – piano recital | Jan 29 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Info → |
🎭 Comedy & theatre
Dates below come from Platinumlist and Dubai Opera. Some listings did not show a venue, so check the ticket page. Arabic-language shows are marked.
| Show | Date | Venue | Tickets |
| Mikhail Shats (new program) | Nov 1 | Meyana Theatre, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai | Info → |
| Abdelkader Secteur (Arabic) | Nov 8 | Emirates Theatre, Dubai | Info → |
| MOMOS | Nov 12 | Meyana Theatre, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai | Info → |
| Hanné | Nov 15 | Meyana Theatre, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai | Info → |
| Bassam Wehbe – One Way Ticket (Arabic) | Nov 19 | Dubai (see listing) | Info → |
| Islam Fawzy (Arabic) | Nov 27 | Dubai (see listing) | Info → |
| Bader Saleh – Bliss of Ignorance (Arabic) | Nov 27 | The Hive, Dubai | Info → |
| Max Angioni | Nov 29 | The New Covent Garden Theatre, Dubai | Info → |
| Sergey Orlov | Dec 17 | Jafza One Convention Centre, Dubai | Info → |
| Lamhayab with Yassar Lemghari (Moroccan Arabic) | Dec 25 | Emirates Theatre, Dubai | Info → |
| Kvartetnik | Dec 29 | Rashid Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre | Info → |
| Sugar Daddy | Jan 8–9 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Info → |
| Varun Grover | Jan 9 | Dubai (see listing) | Info → |
| Biswa Kalyan Rath | Jan 23 | Dubai (see listing) | Info → |
| Tahsin Hasaoglu | Jan 29 | Dubai (see listing) | Info → |
| Madcat Comedy weekly shows (Joke Hub, Comedy Lab, Speakeasy) – English stand-up | Various dates to Jan 30 | Dubai (see listing) | Info → |
More comedy nights are added to the ticket sites each week, so check Platinumlist for the latest.
🎨 Art & exhibitions
| Event | Date | Venue | Info |
| Louvre Abu Dhabi – Art Here 2026 and the Richard Mille Art Prize (theme 'Confluences') | Nov 11 – Feb 28, 2027 | Louvre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi | Info → |
| World Art Dubai | Nov 19–22 | Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai | Info → |
| Frieze Abu Dhabi (formerly Abu Dhabi Art) | Nov 20–22 | Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi | Info → |
| Sole DXB – music, fashion and art | Dec 11–13 | The Square, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai | Info → |
| Bluewaters Art Festival – murals, installations and workshops | Q4 2026, dates to be announced | Bluewaters Island, Dubai | Info → |
| Sharjah Art Foundation – Vantage Point 13 (until November); Sharjah Biennial 17 opens in January 2027, date to be announced | Nov 2026 / Jan 2027 | Sharjah and Kalba | Info → |
🎈 Kids & family
These suit families, but check age guidance with the organiser.
| Event | Date | Venue | Info |
| Children's Biennale 'How the World Feels' – the Middle East's first outdoor children's biennale. Artist-led family workshops on Nov 6–7 and 13–14 from 6:30PM. | Nov 6 – Dec 6 | Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi | Info → |
| Encore National Youth Orchestra – a celebratory festive concert | Nov 22 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Info → |
| The Nutcracker (Bolshoi Theatre) | Dec 4–6 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Info → |
| Swan Lake on Ice – Imperial Ice Stars | Jan 14–17 | Dubai Opera, Dubai | Info → |
| Global Village – Season 31 | Open now – May 2027 | Global Village, Dubai | Info → |
Christmas market dates, New Year's Eve line-ups beyond the Atlantis gala and more National Day events are usually announced from mid-November. We add them here as soon as they appear.
🇦🇪 National Day gifts & what to wear
Celebrating Eid Al Etihad? Browse our UAE National Day Gifts — handmade pieces in the colours of the day — or explore Arabic name & heritage jewelry in the UAE. For a night at the Opera or the Katy Perry gala, a pair of statement earrings does the job. Looking for a Christmas gift? See our Christmas gift guide for Dubai.
Shop UAE National Day Gifts →
Arabic Name Jewelry in the UAE →
Browse All Miniz Collections →
Handmade jewelry · Shipped from inside the UAE
فعاليات الإمارات من نوفمبر 2026 إلى يناير 2027
حفلات ومسرح وكوميديا ومعارض فنية وفعاليات للعائلة ومهرجان دبي للتسوق واحتفالات عيد الاتحاد والميلاد ورأس السنة في دبي وأبوظبي. عيد الاتحاد يوم الأربعاء 2 ديسمبر، ومهرجان دبي للتسوق من 4 ديسمبر حتى 17 يناير. مواعيد أسواق الميلاد وبرامج ليلة رأس السنة ستُضاف فور الإعلان عنها. آخر تحديث: 25 أكتوبر 2026. يُرجى التأكد من المواعيد لدى الجهة المنظّمة قبل الحجز.