All Day

Sharjah Festival of African Literature

University City Sharjah

The second edition of the festival brings together 20 African and nine Emirati authors for around 20 Library sessions, book talks and panel discussions – and a series of African cooking sessions. The theme is “The African Way”, which is [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

Digital Art: Printed Works

Kutubna Cultural Center Madina Avenues 17, Nadd Al Hamar, Dubai

A group show – 27 artists, 35 works – of prints from digital art that represent “a kaleidoscopic range of subjects and sentiments reflecting the complexity and richness of being human today … Rendered through digital tools, in some instances [ ... ]

Free

Urdu Worlds

Ishara Art Foundation Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

A contemporary art exhibition dedicated to the Urdu language: accoridng to Ishara, "the show explores how language provides the tools with which we create and shape our internal ‘worlds’. Words, rather than simply describing our surroundings, give rise to our [ ... ]

Free

Echoes in Colors

Renaissance Business Bay Hotel Al Abraj Street, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai

A group show in the Renaissance Business Bay’s lobby for “a diverse roster of Dubai based artists” that is “defined by variety rather than a single style" and linked “through colour, emotion, and storytelling”. To 27 January.

Free

Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival 

Al Jazeera Al Hamra Ras Al Khaimah

In the last few years the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival has grown into a solid contributor to the UAE’s arts and culture scene, with a community-oriented twist to the mix of exhibitions, performances, workshops and film screenings. There’s always [ ... ]

Free

Vladimir Kurumilian: MO(VE)MENT

Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

A live solo performance by the Lebanese-Armenian neo-classical pianist and composer (and a member of the Jameel team) for his latest album, MO(VE)MENT, which was released at the end of last year. Kurumilian says his music engages with questions of [ ... ]

Free, but pre-register

The Viennese Ball with the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra

Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

A recreation of the classic Strauss-laden New Year’s concert from imperial Vienna, an hour and a half of classics from Die Fledermaus to the waltzes (like Blue Danube, Emperor Waltz, Voices of Spring, Donner und Blitzen). And yes, there will [ ... ]

From AED 200

Politically Incorrect Comedy

Xandros Singature 1 Hotel, Barsha Heights, Dubai

MadCat Comedy's regular standup night at Xandros in Signature 1 Hotel, TECOM. The cover charge of AED 80 includes one drink.

AED 80

The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

Radisson DAMAC Hills Hessa Street Dubailand, Dubai

The penultimate stop for the November Laughter Factory tour. The acts: Emmanuel Sonubi big man, big smile, big fun. A big hit too when he was here a year ago. Highly recommended Saanya Abbas razor-sharp Dubai-based comedian with over half [ ... ]

AED 160