From Nancy Ajram to Trevor Noah, UAE gears up for busy autumn of events

More than 100 major events are scheduled across the United Arab Emirates from late August through December, as venues reopen after the summer lull and promoters press ahead with a densely packed autumn calendar that spans concerts, comedy, festivals and book fairs. Highlights include Lebanese stars Najwa Karam (Coca-Cola Arena, October 2) and Nancy Ajram (Coca-Cola Arena, October 24), the return of Amr Diab (Coca-Cola Arena, November 7), Hans Zimmer at Etihad Arena (November 13) and two nights with Trevor Noah at Dubai Opera (November 25 and 26).

"Arabic concerts continue to feature prominently at the major arenas," the programme notes, reflecting a schedule that mixes regional pop titans with international acts and multilingual stand-up.

The season opens imminently: Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam launches his Revolution Tour at Etihad Arena on August 21, and a cluster of Filipino artists — including rock musicians Ely Buendia and Chito Miranda — perform at Coca-Cola Arena on August 30. The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi kicks off its 2026–27 season on September 5 with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Fanfarai, while the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair runs at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from September 13 to 18.

Key concerts, comedy and festivals

• Najwa Karam — Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai — October 2
• Nancy Ajram — Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai — October 24
• Tamer Hosny & Tamer Ashour — Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi — October 17
• Amr Diab — Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai — November 7
• Hans Zimmer — Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi — November 13
• American Ballet Theatre — Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi — November 20
• Trevor Noah — Dubai Opera — November 25 & 26
• Frieze Abu Dhabi (debut) — Manarat Al Saadiyat — November 20–22

The calendar is intentionally multicultural. Devotional singer Radhika Das brings Lightfall to Coca-Cola Arena on September 20; Atif Aslam appears in Dubai on November 27; KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde perform at Coca-Cola Arena on October 11. The Tinig ng Kapayapaan Philippine Choral Festival, featuring Chorus Omnis, Abu Dhabi Concert Chorus and Dubai Vocal Ensemble, is scheduled for August 30 at The Fridge Warehouse in Alserkal Avenue.

Comedy forms a major strand of the season. Dubai Comedy Festival runs from October 9 to 18 with Mo Gilligan on October 12, Jamie Lever at Emirates Theatre on October 10 and Lebanese comedian John Achkar at Dubai Opera on October 17. Abu Dhabi Comedy Season extends from October to year-end and already lists Russell Peters at Etihad Arena on October 25, with Mo Amer (November 6), Maz Jobrani (November 7) and Andrew Schulz (November 27) among further headliners.

Art, design and food events complement the live-entertainment schedule. Frieze Abu Dhabi replaces the former Abu Dhabi Art fair with a debut edition at Manarat Al Saadiyat (November 20–22). Dubai Design Week (November 3–8) and Downtown Design (November 4–8) will run alongside each other in Dubai Design District. Sharjah hosts the Focal Point art book fair (December 11–13) and the Sharjah Film Platform returns for its ninth edition from October 30 to November 8.

Organisers acknowledge some adjustments — the Offlimits Festival in Abu Dhabi was cancelled this week — but most programming remains in place as the industry adapts to logistical pressures. Looking ahead, a new winter festival, Dopa World, will run December 18–20 at Jubilee Park in Expo City Dubai and feature a young Arab line-up led by Palestinian-Algerian singer Saint Levant, signaling continued investment in regional talent amid a packed autumn slate.