• Remote Abu Dhabi by Rimini Protokoll

    Rimini Protokoll pushes the boundaries of conventional theatre. During this performance walk within the collective’s ‘Remote X’ series (2013–ongoing), you are invited to explore the growing presence of artificial intelligence in future cities; for this tour, designed specifically for Abu [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Remote Al Ain by Rimini Protokoll

    Rimini Protokoll pushes the boundaries of conventional theatre. During this performance walk within the collective’s ‘Remote X’ series (2013–ongoing), you are invited to explore the growing presence of artificial intelligence in future cities; for this tour, designed specifically for Al [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Performance Co/Lab

    421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    An ongoing programme of performance exercises such as contact improvisation, breath work, acting warm-ups, games, and techniques aimed at "performing artists, creatives, and curious individuals looking to explore movement practices. Instructors are multidisciplinary theatre artist and game designer Carlos Páez [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • TOUCH: dir Baltasar Kormákur (2024)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Superbly filmed, the romantic film of the year spans decades, continents and cultures as a widower embarks on an emotional journey. Based on the bestseller by Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson and directed by Iceland’s multi-award-winning director Baltasar Kormákur, TOUCH is the [ ... ]

    Free
  • Monday Night Comedy: This Is Impro

    Courtyard Playhouse Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Exactly what it says: a regular Monday evening of scenes, stories and narrative improvisation influenced by audience suggestions and featuring the Courtyard Playhouse's most experienced improv performers plus guests. Classic Courtyard improv. It's free, but you need to put your [ ... ]

    Free but donations welcome
  • LAST CHANCE Bygones

    NYUAD Project Space NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    What does it mean to come from a home that does not exist today? The artworks in this exhibition examine the idea of true foreigners – whose left-behind homes exist not only in a different place, but also in a [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Fridge Concert Series Season 45: Arqam | Vahimiti

    The Fridge Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The Fridge's series of showcase concerts closes with Emirati soul singer Arqam – six hit singles to date. Support comes in the form of Polynesian from Vahimiti, debuting two tracks from her upcoming album.

    AED 100
  • Potted Potter

    Theatre by QE2 Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid, Dubai

    Very silly, very funny: all seven Harry Potter books (and a game of Quidditch) condensed into 70 minutes, with all the main Harry Potter characters, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props, and a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon ... [ ... ]

    From AED 120
  • Wednesday Night Impro: Maestro

    Courtyard Playhouse Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The Courtyard's most peopular evening of elimination improv. Ten actors converge for a night of scenes, songs and games based on audience suggestions. After each round you score the players on a scale of 1 to 5, and the one [ ... ]

    Free but donations welcome
  • Potted Potter

    Theatre by QE2 Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid, Dubai

    Two more performances (at 3pm and 7pm) of this very silly, very funny show: all seven Harry Potter books (and a game of Quidditch) condensed into 70 minutes, with all the main Harry Potter characters, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous [ ... ]

    From AED 120
  • Sabrina: dir Billy Wilder (1954)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A newly-restored print of one of Hollywood's classics – romantic, witty, a great director, and full of stars: Humphrey Bogart, William Holden and Audrey Hepburn lead in this Cinderella story of a gauche girl who returns from a trip to [ ... ]

    Free
  • Almost, Maine

    Courtyard Playhouse Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A rare non-improv evening at the Courtyard, and a perfect Valentine's treat: John Cariani’s play is made up of a series of interconnected vignettes that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical New England town called Almost. A charming [ ... ]

    Free
  • Potted Potter

    Theatre by QE2 Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid, Dubai

    The final Dubai performances (at 3pm and 7pm) of this very silly, very funny show: all seven Harry Potter books (and a game of Quidditch) condensed into 70 minutes, with all the main Harry Potter characters, endless costumes, brilliant songs, [ ... ]

    From AED 120
  • Block Barty

    421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    "Better than the art afterparty" claims 421. "We’re ramping up the art season with pop-up vendors, independent brands, eclectic workshops, diverse entertainment, neighbourhood walks, and obviously, more art ... Block Barty is for the 'art' people, the non-art art people, [ ... ]

    Free
  • L’ÉCOLE Festival

    L’ÉCOLE Festival
    L'ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts Building 10, Dubai Design District, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    “An immersive celebration of jewellery arts” with “an exciting lineup of engaging experiences” that showcase the school’s expertise across its three pillars: art history, 'savoir-faire', and gemology. The jewellery school’s director, Sophie Claudel, describes it as “a celebration of everything [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Romeo and Juliet

    Theatre by QE2 Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid, Dubai

    Now this looks a lot of fun: a version of the Shakespeare play (pretty faithful to the original, apparently) woven together with Queen music, a five-piece band and choir, dancing, and lots of swordfighting. Says the blurb: “Imagine Shakespeare’s classic [ ... ]

    From AED 120
  • Almost, Maine

    Courtyard Playhouse Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A second performance of John Cariani’s play, a series of interconnected vignettes that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical New England town called Almost. A charming exploration of love's many facets, filled with wit, warmth, and unexpected surprises, [ ... ]

    Free
  • Romeo and Juliet

    Theatre by QE2 Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid, Dubai

    Two further performances (at 2.30 and 7.30pm) for this version of the Shakespeare play featuring a five-piece band, songs by Queen, dancing, and lots of swordfighting. Says the blurb: “Imagine Shakespeare’s classic envisioned by Freddie Mercury, blending elements of Zeffirelli, [ ... ]

    From AED 120
  • Jamal A. Rahim: The Art behind the Stars

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

    "An exhibition that bridges the glamour of international stars from cinema and music and the depth of fine art portraiture" – a total of 22 portraits by Bahraini artist Jamal A. Rahim of figures from Hollywood and the Arab world, [ ... ]

    Free
  • Solimar Miller: Symphony of the Wetlands

    XVA Gallery Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    This solo show by the Dubai-based artist/designer celebrates the Gulf’s mangroves, celebrating their vital role in protecting wildlife, the coastline, and the balance of nature, "celebrating their inherent tranquillity and the intricate tapestry of endangered wildlife thriving within their protective [ ... ]

    Free
  • L’ÉCOLE Festival

    L’ÉCOLE Festival
    L'ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts Building 10, Dubai Design District, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    “An immersive celebration of jewellery arts” with “an exciting lineup of engaging experiences” that showcase the school’s expertise across its three pillars: art history, 'savoir-faire', and gemology. The jewellery school’s director, Sophie Claudel, describes it as “a celebration of everything [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Book Launch: Short Circuits by Vikram Divecha

    Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

    A conversation between Vikram Divecha and writer Robert Kilroy about the publication developed after Divecha’s 2024 solo exhibition at the Jameel, exploring his concept of “found processes”, where he observes how people navigate, adapt and disrupt systems. Recommended.

    Free
  • Boiler Room Six

    The Junction Unit H72, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Now this should be an impressive piece of theatre: Boiler Room Six tells the almost impossible but true survival story of Frederick Barrett, lead firemen in one of the boiler rooms on the Titanic. Barrett’s story is one of the [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Almost, Maine

    Courtyard Playhouse Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The penultimate Courtyard performance of John Cariani’s play, a series of interconnected vignettes that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical New England town called Almost. A charming exploration of love's many facets, filled with wit, warmth, and unexpected [ ... ]

    Free
  • Omar Lye-Fook Live at Jazz Avenue

    Jass Lounge DIFC – Gate 2, Dubai

    Top British soul talent who has had a long and storied career, much peer approval and an MBE but still deserves wider recognition. A two-night residency at this intimate venue and a knowledgeable audience should suit him, though. Recommended.

    AED 175
  • Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Bik Van der Pol’s The poem that jumps the fence

    Abu Dhabi Beach Al Hisn Street, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Artist duo Bik Van der Pol (Liesbeth Bik and Jos Van der Pol) engage in collaborative projects on how art constructs public spaces for speculative thought and collective creativity. The poem that jumps the fence features weekly performances on Abu [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Remote Abu Dhabi by Rimini Protokoll

    Rimini Protokoll pushes the boundaries of conventional theatre. During this performance walk within the collective’s ‘Remote X’ series (2013–ongoing), you are invited to explore the growing presence of artificial intelligence in future cities; for this tour, designed specifically for Abu [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Dubai Bibliophiles: The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years

    21grams Urban Balkan Bistro Meyan Mall, Al Thanyah St, Umm Suqeim 2, Dubai

    Anyone who has read The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years by Chingiz Aitmatov is free to take part in this book club meetup – attendees will each get the chance to express their impressions, then a moderator will [ ... ]

    Free
  • Boiler Room Six

    The Junction Unit H72, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The second (and final) performance of Tom Foreman's account of the almost impossible but true survival story of Frederick Barrett, lead firemen in one of the boiler rooms on the Titanic. Barrett’s story is one of the most devastating accounts [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Romeo and Juliet

    Theatre by QE2 Queen Elizabeth 2, Port Rashid, Dubai

    The final performance for this version of the Shakespeare play – featuring a five-piece band, songs by Queen, dancing, and lots of swordfighting. Says the blurb: “Imagine Shakespeare’s classic envisioned by Freddie Mercury, blending elements of Zeffirelli, Baz Luhrmann, Jamie [ ... ]

    From AED 120
  • Almost, Maine

    Courtyard Playhouse Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The final Courtyard performance of John Cariani’s play, a series of interconnected vignettes that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical New England town called Almost. A charming exploration of love's many facets, filled with wit, warmth, and unexpected [ ... ]

    Free
  • Omar Lye-Fook Live at Jazz Avenue

    Jass Lounge DIFC – Gate 2, Dubai

    Second of two nights at this superb jazz lounge for a top British soul talent who has had a long and storied career, much peer approval and an MBE but still deserves wider recognition.

    AED 175
  • Cosmopolitan Imagination: Cultural Reflections from the 21st Century

    NYUAD Campus, Conference Centre NYUAD Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    What does it mean to be a citizen of the world? How do literature, culture, and identity shape our understanding of belonging and difference? These are the kinds of profound questions that Werner Sollors, one of our time's most celebrated [ ... ]

    Free
  • Monday Night Comedy: This Is Impro

    Courtyard Playhouse Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Exactly what it says: a regular Monday evening of scenes, stories and narrative improvisation influenced by audience suggestions and featuring the Courtyard Playhouse's most experienced improv performers plus guests. Classic Courtyard improv. It's free, but you need to put your [ ... ]

    Free but donations welcome
  • Bente Christensen-Ernst: Under Cover.

    Urbanist Art Gallery Box Park, Al Wasl Road, Dubai

    A sadly short show of new works from the Danish painter of vivid, hyperrealistic works (mainly portraits) in oil. To 28 February.

    Free
  • 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
  • She Chef: dir Melanie Liebheit & Gereon Wetzel (2022)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The remarkable journey of aspiring Austrian chef Agnes Karrasch as she journeys through exceptional restaurants and diverse culinary cultures to become the first and only woman to win the 2018 culinary world cup. Screens as part of the NAAS  She-Reel [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Wednesday Night Impro: Maestro

    Courtyard Playhouse Street 4B, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The Courtyard's most peopular evening of elimination improv. Ten actors converge for a night of scenes, songs and games based on audience suggestions. After each round you score the players on a scale of 1 to 5, and the one [ ... ]

    Free but donations welcome
  • Nada Baraka and Esraa Elfeky: Across A Velvet Horizon

    Tabari Artspace Gate Village Level 2, DIFC, Dubai

    A collaborative presentation of Egyptian artists Nada Baraka and Esraa Elfeky that plays on "a sense of incompleteness ... Here, history is unfixed and left open to question. Viewers are invited to sit with uncertainty, to embrace the search even [ ... ]

    Free
  • Mobius Design Studio: Crystal No.6

    NYUAD Arts Centre Project Space

    This exhibition celebrates the historic Dubai neighbourhood of Freej Al Murar (on the Deira side of Dubai Creek) as a living archive of artistry, community, and resilience. In this research project, Sharjah-based Mobius Design Studio – led by Hadeyeh Badri, [ ... ]

    Free
  • Pencil In

    421 Arts Campus Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A writers’ group intended for writers to practice their craft without the pressures of producing a final outcome, designed to provide a supportive environment for writers to write alone yet in a group. You're invited to polish your writing skills [ ... ]

    Free
  • A Real Pain: dir Jesse Eisenberg (2024)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Jesse Eisenberg wrote, directed and stars in this whip-sharp comedy of two Jewish American cousins touring Poland in honour of their grandmother. The fun comes from the verbal sparring between uptight, neurotic David (Eisenberg) and his outgoing, unpredictable cousin Benji [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Laughter Factory

    The Club Al Mina, Abu Dhabi

    A very good Laughter Factory tour this month, with a headliner who deserves to be massive on the comedy circuit (he's pretty big now, but catch him while you can still get a ticket at a reasonable price). The acts: [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • La grande vadrouille: dir Gérard Oury (1966)

    Germaine Tillion Garden, SUAD Campus Abu Dhabi

    Massively popular French-British comedy about the crew of a RAF bomber shot down over Paris in 1942 making their way through German-occupied France to safety with the aid of a motley group of civilians. La Grande Vadrouille remained the most [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Potted Potter

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

    A very silly, very funny show: all seven Harry Potter books (and a game of Quidditch) condensed into 70 minutes, with all the main Harry Potter characters, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props, and a special appearance from a fire-breathing [ ... ]

    From AED 120
  • The Laughter Factory

    Radisson DAMAC Hills Hessa Street Dubailand, Dubai

    A very good Laughter Factory tour this month, with a headliner who deserves to be massive on the comedy circuit (he's pretty big now, but catch him while you can still get a ticket at a reasonable price). The acts: [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Potted Potter

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

    The two final performances (at 2.30pm and 7.30pm) for this very silly, very funny show: all seven Harry Potter books (and a game of Quidditch) condensed into 70 minutes, with all the main Harry Potter characters, endless costumes, brilliant songs, [ ... ]

    From AED 120
  • Hold the Mushrooms

    Live@Play by Hive 24b Street, Al Quoz 4, Dubai

    The dynamic of a close-knit family of three is altered when the daughter introduces her boyfriend into their world: the father doesn't think the boy is good enough, arguments and ruptures follow, and all those involved have different perspectives ... [ ... ]

    AED 100
  • Hady Boraey: Migrants to the North

    Fann à Porter The Workshop, Villa 45, St. 23b, off Al Wasl Road (opposite Box Park), Jumeirah 2, Dubai

    The second solo show at this gallery for the Egyptian artist, featuring new works with themes of memory, nostalgia, and childhood. Inspired by ancient Egyptian and Coptic art, Boraey heavily depends on metaphors, "taking his audience on a dramatic journey [ ... ]

    Free