• Candlelight: Christmas Favourites

    Mina A’Salam Hotel Jumeirah Road, Dubai

    Does exactly what it claims – the Gulf String Quartet play 65 minutes of popular seasonal tunes by the light of several hundred flame-free candles. There are performances at 6pm and 8pm.  

    From AED 150
  • Mary Gatchell

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Accolades like "accomplished singer/songwriter" and "talented musician" are bandied about all too easily; Mary Gatchell really does seem to deserve them. Here's a partial CV: A graduate of NYU with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Theory and Composition [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra: Jonathan Tetelman, Kyohei Sorita

    Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

    The New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1972; the charismatic Japanese conductor, Yutaka Sado, has been the music director since 2023 and he conducts two concerts to open the 2025 Abu Dhabi Festival. In this first concert, star tenor [ ... ]

    From AED105
  • New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra: Kyohei Sorita

    Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

    In the second concert for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Festival with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Yutaka Sado, the orchestra plays Yasushi Akutagawa’s Triptyque for Strings and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.5. The soloist is the young rising star Kyohei [ ... ]

    From AED100
  • Young Maestro: Exploring Mood & Emotions

    Dubai Opera Studio Downtown Dubai, Dubai

    A classical music concert for families with children the combines storytelling with live performance of the pieces by Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart and Tchaikovsky to explore the composer's palette of emotions. It's performed by the Baldaquin Ensemble, featuring cellist Petr Gladysh, a [ ... ]

    AED 250
  • Bombino

    Dubai Opera

    Born in 1980 in a nomadic Tuareg encampment just outside Agadez in Niger, Bombino (born Goumour Almoctar, also known as Oumara Moctar) came of age during much political upheaval, fleeing with his family to Algeria by 1990, and teaching himself [ ... ]

    From AED 290
  • Strings & Dreams : A French Classical Music Journey

    Dubai Opera Studio Downtown Dubai, Dubai

    The Baldaquin Ensemble – featuring cellist Petr Gladysh and violists Anna Larionova-Gladysh, Sergei Belozertsev, and Daria Kuchenova – presents a concert of French romantic crowd-pleasers: Debussy Clair de Lune arr for string quartet Debussy String Quartet in G mino Fauré [ ... ]

    AED 430
  • Arooj Aftab

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    The uber-cool Pakistani-American singer (and songwriter, and producer) brings her latest – and very good – album Night Reign to Dubai. It's elegantly jazzy, earning a 2024 Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Jazz Album (she didn't win: it was a [ ... ]

    From AED 245
  • Max Richter

    Dubai Opera

    Max Richter, a leading figure in contemporary classical music and top film scores (and something of a favourite with Dubai audiences), is touring his latest studio album In a Landscape – field recordings from his travels and from around the [ ... ]

    From AED 330
  • Carmina Burana

    Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

    Carl Orff's choral crowdpleaser gets the full production from Dubai Singers & Orchestra – some 120 singers accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra. It will be conducted by Dubai Singers' Music Director Jennie Lee-Foster, The performance will feature a trio of [ ... ]

    From AED 100
  • Layth Sidiq Quartet: Ramadaniyyat 2025

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A concert for Ramadan, featuring less well-known Ramadan songs from across the Arab world that celebrate the Holy Month with music that connects the past and present in an intimate and inspiring evening, performed by Layth Sidiq (violin/voice), Samvel Gasparyan [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Kodo

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    In Japanese, the word ‘kodo’ can have two meanings – it can be translated as ‘heartbeat’, the primal source of all rhythm, and in a different context it can mean ‘children of the drum’, which reflects the group’s desire to [ ... ]

    AED 175
  • Kodo

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A second performance for the Abu Dhabi Festival by this troupe of highly skilled Japanese drummers  

    AED 175
  • Korean National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra: Jaewon Wee and Sang Hyeok Park

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The KNUA Symphony Orchestra have their Arab World Premiere with this Abu Dhabi Festival performance under the baton of Chung Chi-Yong, one of the country’s most celebrated conductors. For this evening, KNUA Symphony Orchestra the soloists the award-winning violinist Jaewon [ ... ]

    AED 175
  • Korean National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra: Jaewon Wee and Sang Hyeok Park

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    This second Abu Dhabi Festival performance for the KNUA Symphony Orchestra is conducted by the Italian-Lebanese maestro Toufic Maatouk and features star soprano Jessica Pratt and top tenor Javier Camarena, singing arias and duets from Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini, Mascagni, Massenet [ ... ]

    AED 175
  • Unique Encounters with Rising Stars

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Violinist Yamen Saadi returns to the Abu Dhabi Festival with a lineup of exceptional young talent, playing alongside the violist Sara Ferrandez and cellists Kian Soltani and Pablo Ferrandez. Saadi, born in Nazareth, joined the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at 11, [ ... ]

    AED 175
  • National Youth Orchestra

    Dubai Opera Studio Downtown Dubai, Dubai

    The Encore Performing Arts Series continues with the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) via its Senior Strings Camerata and Concert Band, with prizewinning soloists and Concerto Competition finalists. The Camerata will be conducted by the UAE-based conductor and composer Jonathan Barrett [ ... ]

    AED 250
  • Berklee Abu Dhabi’s Jazz Night

    Berklee Abu Dhabi UAE Pavilion, Saadiyat ISland, Abu Dhabi

    "A celebration of jazz as a unifying force, bridging musical traditions from around the world". This year’s Jazz Night programme looks a particularly exciting one, and a fitting match for International Jazz day. The artists: Esperanza Spalding (USA) – Berklee [ ... ]

    SOLD OUT but there may be returns
  • Blue Note – Celebrating Jazz Day

    Dubai Opera

    An evening to celebrate International Jazz Day and honour 85 years of Blue Note Records with classics from John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and more. The all-star ensemble is led by award-winning bandleader Peter Long and includes Peter Long [ ... ]

    From AED 290
  • International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert

    Etihad Arena Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

    Presented by DCT Abu Dhabi, a five-week citywide series of jazz performances, education programmes and community events in the UNESCO Creative City of Music peaks with the now-traditional All-Star Global Concert. Led by iconic keyboardist Herbie Hancock and hosted by [ ... ]

    SOLD OUT but there may be returns
  • Khaleeji Jazz

    Cultural Foundation Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi

    A slightly belated World Jazz Day celebration in the form of a concert by Grammy Award-winning Egyptian oriental jazz pioneer Fathy Salama with a world premiere of his latest work. He will be joined by the noted bassist André Segone and [ ... ]

    From AED150
  • Mon Hymne à Piaf

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    A tribute to the iconic Edith Piaf, led by the French-Lebanese singer Manel Mallat and directed by Kristian Abouanni. She is accompanied by an orchestra of 20 musicians, conducted by top film composer Danny Bou-Maroun, who has reimagined Piaf’s classics [ ... ]

    AED 195
  • Mon Hymne à Piaf

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    A second and final evening for this tribute to the iconic Edith Piaf, led by the French-Lebanese singer Manel Mallat and directed by Kristian Abouanni. She is accompanied by an orchestra of 20 musicians, conducted by top film composer Danny [ ... ]

    AED 195
  • Bea Laszlo: Questions of My 20s

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    An intimate evening of heartfelt songs, reflecting on the complexities of navigating love, friendship, and family as life shifts during this transformative decade. It's a celebration of vulnerability, change, and the ongoing journey of rediscovering who we are. An NYUAD [ ... ]

    AED 55
  • Bagjan Oktyabr: Soul Therapy

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    The noted Kazakhstan / Turkish cellist performs his well-known and much loved 'Soul Therapy; programme, accompanied by a chamber orchestra  – music from famous Turkish movies and TV series, folk songs, romantic ballads, classics, and "simply soulful works that are [ ... ]

    From AED 190
  • Evgeny Khmara: Piano in Motion

    The Fridge Warehouse Warehouse 5, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The noted Ukrainian double pianist makes classical music accessible without losing its depth, "blending familiar influences with a modern touch" as the promoter puts it. For this performance he will play both a baby grand and a Roland electric piano, [ ... ]

    AED 150
  • Beethoven’s The Fifths

    Dubai Opera

    A proper full-scale orchestral concert evening, even if the combination of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and his Piano Concerto No.5 (“Emperor”) feels as though it might be driven more by marketing than a natural musical combination. Still, there are no complaints [ ... ]

    From AED 190
  • Édith par Jil Aigrot

    Cultural Foundation Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi

    The 'Edith' is Edith Édith, and singer Jil Aigrot provided Piaf's voice in the Oscar-winning La Vie en Rose. This production, which has already been a success when staged in Dubai some months ago, takes audiences on a journey through [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Faces and Voices of Malta: A Mediterranean Odyssey

    Cultural Foundation Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi

    Traditional music from Malta comes to the Cultural Foundation's outdoor amphitheatre, presented in partnership with the Embassy of Malta. The evening will showcase the art of għana, a distinctive style of Maltese folk music that probably has its roots in [ ... ]

    AED 75
  • The UAE Youth Orchestra & Choir: Bridging Worlds Through Harmony

    Cultural Foundation Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi

    Fresh from a recent tour to China, the Youth Orchestra is back in Abu Dhabi with a geuinely international programme – starting with the beautiful UAE melody ‘Dar Zayed’ (soloist Rashed Al Marzooqi), the concert with feature traditional pieces from [ ... ]

    AED 50
  • Ibrahim Maalouf & the Trumpets of Michel-Ange

    Cultural Foundation Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi

    A unique cross-cultural experience by the acclaimed French-Lebanese trumpeter and composer Ibrahim Maalouf. Known for his innovative quarter-tone trumpet, Maalouf seamlessly bridges Arab traditions with jazz, classical, and contemporary influences; this concert promises a programme of well-loved works like "True [ ... ]

    From AED 250
  • Kenan Adnawi: moonlight road

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Kenan Adnawi is a Syrian virtuoso oud player, composer, and improviser known for blending traditional Middle Eastern music with classical, jazz, and contemporary styles. His solo oud performances are a mesmerizing journey through Arabic maqamat, unfolding from introspective modal improvisation [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Dubai Singers & Orchestra: Music of the Isles

    New Covent Garden Theatre Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

    This concert celebrating “the best of the choral and orchestral works of the British Isles” features some 60 voices and a 30-piece orchestra conducted by musical director Howard Wong. “The best” is a grand claim, but certainly the programme features [ ... ]

    tbc
  • Jon Batiste

    Dubai Opera

    The American singer, songwriter, musician, composer, bandleader, TV personality and sometime actor is genuinely talented. He has put in the hard yards – including a seven-year stint as bandleader and musical director on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a [ ... ]

    From AED 280
  • Christmas Opera Gala

    Dubai Opera Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai

    A seasonal concert in the finest tradition of Italian Opera with three top-class voices — tenor Vittorio Grigolo, baritone Luca Salsi, soprano Alisa Medvedeva — accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan under Alibek Kabdurakhmanov. The programme features classic [ ... ]

    From AED 170
  • UAE Youth Orchestra and Choir: End of Season Celebration

    Cultural Foundation Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi

    For their year-end concert, the Youth Orchestra and Choir deliver a selection of pieces from The Nutcracker, Bizet’s Carmen, and Carl Nielsen’s Aladdin Suite. Organized by Abu Dhabi Culture in collaboration with the International Music Institute, this concert promises a celebration [ ... ]

    AED 50
  • The Yemenis Orchestra

    Dubai Opera

    The Yemenis Orchestra, led by its noted conductor Mohamed Al-Ghoom, is dedicated to preserving and promoting Yemen's rich musical heritage. It grew out of Al-Ghoom's Heritage Symphonies project, aiming to integrate traditional Yemeni music with orchestral arrangement, and the results [ ... ]

    From AED 395
  • Bait Al Oud Annual Concert

    Cultural Foundation Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi

    The Bait Al Oud Annual Concert brings together students, graduates, and instructors to celebrate the musical achievements of the year with the oud, qanun, cello and rebabah. It's always good ...

    tbc
  • UAE National Orchestra: The Beginning

    Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi

    The UAENO's inaugural concert series, the first with its full ensemble of 70 musicians and 30 choir, includes six dates around the Emirates in January. Performances in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will feature the acclaimed Iraqi oud virtuoso Naseer Shamma [ ... ]

    From AED 250
  • 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
  • UAE National Orchestra: The Beginning

    Al Ain City Municipal Theatre Civic Centre, Al Jimi, Al Ain

    The UAENO's inaugural concert series, the first with its full ensemble of 70 musicians and 30 choir, includes six dates around the Emirates in January with variations in the programme (though all include Nadim Tarabay's specially commissioned symphony The Beginning) [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • UAE National Orchestra: The Beginning

    Dubai Opera

    The UAENO's inaugural concert series, the first with its full ensemble of 70 musicians and 30 choir, includes six dates around the Emirates in January with variations in the programme (though all include Nadim Tarabay's specially commissioned symphony The Beginning) [ ... ]

    From AED 250
  • UAE National Orchestra: The Beginning

    Fujairah Cultural Centre Hamad Bin Abdulla Rd, Fujairah City Centre, Fujairah

    The UAENO's inaugural concert series, the first with its full ensemble of 70 musicians and 30 choir, includes six dates around the Emirates in January with variations in the programme (though all include Nadim Tarabay's specially commissioned symphony The Beginning) [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • UAE National Orchestra: The Beginning

    Ras Al Khaimah Cultural Centre Theatre Al Hisn Rd, Dafan Al Nakheel, Ras Al Khaimah

    The UAENO's inaugural concert series, the first with its full ensemble of 70 musicians and 30 choir, includes six dates around the Emirates in January with variations in the programme (though all include Nadim Tarabay's specially commissioned symphony The Beginning) [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • UAE National Orchestra: The Beginning

    Sharjah Performing Arts Academy University City, Sharjah

    The final performance in the UAENO's inaugural concert series, the first with its full ensemble of 70 musicians and 30 choir. The programme: Alexander Borodin Prince Igor – Polovtsian Dances (arr Shakir Hassan) Ercan Saatçi Alisamadim for Qanun and Orchestra [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Maksim Mrvica

    Zabeel Theatre Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah West Crescent, Dubai

    Known for his dramatic performances, an edgy take on classical crossover, and roguish good looks, the young Serbian piano virtuoso infuses classical music with dance beats while (mostly) keeping his intricate playing to the fore in his arrangements. Mrvica definitely [ ... ]

    From AED 220
  • Faces of Love

    Cultural Foundation Qasr al Hosn, Abu Dhabi

    The UAE National Orchestra's second concert programme unfolds in three movements: Emerging Love, Passionate Love, and Eternal Love. There's no information about the music, but we're told that "at the heart of this journey, the ney traces a path of [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Vivaldi: A Journey East

    The Arts Center @ NYUAD NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    This UAE National Orchestra concert looks like a really interesting (and challenging) option – music by the baroque master composer rescored for the instruments, modes and sounds of the Arab world: "a musical dialogue emerges, as harpsichord converses with qanun and [ ... ]

    From AED 250
  • Happy Chinese New Year Concert by Firdaus Orchestra

    Al Wasl Plaza Expo City, Dubai

    The Expo City-funded all-women ensemble celebrates Chinese New Year under the Al Wasl Dome: "blending the elegance of a symphonic performance with the beauty of traditional East Asian melodies, the concert captures the joy, hope, and togetherness that define this [ ... ]

    Free
  • Sama Al Taei: Layali Al Musiqa Al Arabia

    Zayed Theatre, SUAD Campus Hazza Bin Zayed St, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Specialising in Arabic classical music, the Omani singer Sama Al Taei brings to life the repertoires of Fairouz, Umm Kulthum, Warda Al Jazairia, and Mohamed Abdelwahab – "a captivating musical journey through the heart of Arabic musical heritage".

    AED 50