• 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
  • It’s All Been Done Before

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

    The final performance for this evening of short plays written and directed by Sanjeev Dixit for Third Half Theatre: The Monkey's Paw: A story of a family whose lives are altered when an old friend brings a strange talisman into [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Mezzotono

    Cultural Foundation Qasr al Hosn, Abu Dhabi

    A Mezzotono concert is always engaging, always interesting. They describe themselves as a small orchestra without instruments – just five voices, quality singing, and a unique style which blends vocal harmonies, beatboxing, and vocal percussion. They aim to cover many [ ... ]

    AED 75
  • Home Alone: dir Chris Columbus (1990)

    25hours Hotel Dubai One Central Trade Center Street, Dubai

    The original and the best of the Home Alone franchise, funny and slightly sad because eight-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind while his family heads to Paris for Christmas and they simply don’t notice that he’s not there [ ... ]

    Free
  • Compagnie Nacera Belaza: La Nuée

    Sharjah Performing Arts Academy University City, Sharjah

    The title of this dance piece by Nacera Belaza holds two meanings in French: a dark cloud and a dense flock of birds. She developed the performance following a research visit to the First Nation Dakota tribes in North America; [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Theatresports: Santas vs Elves 1

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

    A newish Courtyard tradition: competitive improv. In Theatresports, teams of improvisors are selected to compete against each other for points awarded by a panel of judges. The teams issue challenges to each other on the seasonal theme, and the judges [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Bejeweled: A Symphony of Gemology and Art

    Louvre Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    A two-part talk exploring the history and craftsmanship of 11 extraordinary pieces from the museum’s permanent collection, presented by L’ÉCOLE Middle East and Louvre Abu Dhabi. There’s a livestream talk on 9 December (3-4pm: the Zoom link is here) followed [ ... ]

    Free
  • Bye Bye Tiberias: dir Lina Soualem (2022)

    Cinema Akil in 25hours Hotel Trade Center St, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Thirty years ago, Hiam Abbass left her native village in Galilee to follow her acting dream in France. Camera in hand, her daughter Lina questions her mother’s bold choices and the way the women in her family – who she [ ... ]

    Free
  • Imperial Orchestra: Cinema Medley 2

    Coca-Cola Arena City Walk, Dubai

    Imperial Orchestra, described as "a modern-day symphony orchestra from St Petersburg" with 120 musicians on stage under the baton of Lev Dunaev, returns to the Coca-Cola Arena for a second concert of orchestral arrangements of well-known cinema themes – including [ ... ]

    From AED 195
  • Singin’ in the Rain

    Dubai Opera

    The highly successful stage adaptation of the iconic MGM film about silent film actors who face their share of struggles over the gradual transition to talkies. The plot isn't what matters, of course; it's the songs – classics like Good [ ... ]

    AED 450
  • LAST CHANCE Wissam Shawkat: Calligraformism

    Mestaria Gallery Unit 35, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The Iraqi artist and calligrapher introduces the latest examples of his signature style, merging the beauty of classical Arabic scripts with modern design principles; Calligraforms transforms Thuluth script lettering into abstract, fluid forms that are removed their textual meaning and [ ... ]

    Free
  • Men’s Jewelry, Signs & Insignia

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

    Jewellery is usually treated as a style of female adornment, but these days especially it’s also an important signifier for men – at once a social and cultural marker, an instrument of power assertion, a communication tool, and yes a [ ... ]

    AED 50
  • Encore Presents: Benjamin Grosvenor

    Dubai Opera Studio Downtown Dubai, Dubai

    Something of a coup for the Encore Presents series of recitals, curated by Amira Fouad and presented with the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai: the stunning British piano virtuoso Benjamin Grosvenor has been accumulating accolades – from reviewers (“everything Grosvenor [ ... ]

    AED 500
  • Theatresports: Santas vs Elves 2

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

    A second evening of festive competitive improv. In Theatresports, teams of improvisors are selected to compete against each other for points awarded by a panel of judges. The teams issue challenges to each other on the seasonal theme, and the [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Singin’ in the Rain

    Dubai Opera

    The highly successful stage adaptation of the iconic MGM film about silent film actors who face their share of struggles over the gradual transition to talkies. The plot isn't what matters, of course; it's the songs – classics like Good [ ... ]

    AED 450
  • Abdulla Lutfi: LuffyxLutfi | Emirati-Manga

    Mestaria Gallery Unit 35, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The Emirati artist introduces "a unique fusion of Japanese manga and Emirati culture"; Lufti's bold black-and-white line drawings aim to capture the essence of life in the UAE with humour and insight and a style inspired by Lutfi’s childhood love [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Tyrrell Winston: Life in the Fast Lane

    Volery Gallery Maze Tower - 5201, Dubai International Financial Center, Dubai

    Winston’s work blends art with sports culture, transforming everyday objects – deflated basketballs, cigarette butts, even the signatures of artists and athletes –into pieces that challenge viewers to reconsider the significance of these items; the results "resonate with resilience, legacy, [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Mask of Zorro: dir Martin Campbell (1998)

    25hours Hotel Dubai One Central Trade Center Street, Dubai

    Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins and Catherine Zeta-Jones have great fun in this easy-to-watch action/adventure movie. Hopkins is Zorro, escaping from prison to find his long-lost daughter (Zeta-Jones) and avenge the death of his wife. He is aided by his successor [ ... ]

    Free
  • Singin’ in the Rain

    Dubai Opera

    The highly successful stage adaptation of the iconic MGM film about silent film actors who face their share of struggles over the gradual transition to talkies. The plot isn't what matters, of course; it's the songs – classics like Good [ ... ]

    AED 450
  • The Laughter Factory: Endless Fun, End of Season, Parties

    Dukes The Palm Palm Dubai, Dubai

    The Laughter Factory’s seasonal tour promises a "hilarious memorable night” with "hand-picked headline comics from across the planet” and "non-stop belly laughs from start to finish”. Sets the bar really quite high … The acts: Chris Washington UK standup with [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • LAST CHANCE An African Story

    Andakulova Gallery Unit 18, P4 Level Damac Park Towers, DIFC , Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A group show for four African artists from the Swiss-Zim Heritage stable, all first-timers for Dubai – evocative depictions of heritage and community from Keith Zenda, wildlife scenes by Tonderai Mujuru, Barry Lungu with rich expressions of daily urban life, [ ... ]

    Free
  • Ryoten Ogata: The Essence of Blue

    Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown Marasi Drive, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Inspired by his upbringing in Hokkaido, Ryoten Ogata creates artwork with the sea as a recurring theme; each painting represents a singular, unrepeatable moment of movement on the sea's surface To 12 April.

    Free
  • Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi: Harleking

    Sima Performing Arts Warehouse 38, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi, based between Berlin and Turin, have been working as a duo since 2008 with a style that merges dance, performance and visual art. Harleking is a choreographic work that was first seen in 2018 and has [ ... ]

    AED 90
  • Singin’ in the Rain

    Dubai Opera

    The highly successful stage adaptation of the iconic MGM film about silent film actors who face their share of struggles over the gradual transition to talkies. The plot isn't what matters, of course; it's the songs – classics like Good [ ... ]

    AED 450
  • The Laughter Factory: Endless Fun, End of Season, Parties

    Radisson DAMAC Hills Hessa Street Dubailand, Dubai

    The second stop (of three) for the Laughter Factory’s seasonal tour, promising "non-stop belly laughs from start to finish”. The acts: Chris Washington UK standup with a clutch of TV appearances (inc Mock the Week, House of Games, The Stand [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • 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
  • Singin’ in the Rain

    Dubai Opera

    The two final performances of this highly successful stage adaptation of the iconic MGM film about silent film actors who face their share of struggles over the gradual transition to talkies. The plot isn't what matters, of course; it's the [ ... ]

    AED 450
  • Rita Maikova: Inner Guide

    Volery Gallery Maze Tower - 5201, Dubai International Financial Center, Dubai

    A solo exhibition by the Ukrainian artist combines surrealism and personal symbolism in "ethereal landscapes that explore resilience, transformation, and the cycles of life ... Her dreamlike scenes – lush green forests, sweeping sand dunes, and symbolic characters – invite [ ... ]

    Free
  • Zé Tepedino: Marina

    Gallery Isabelle Unit 17, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The first solo exhibition in the UAE by Brazilian carioca artist Zé Tepedino is curated by Amanda Abi Khalil and also features a work by Hassan Sharif. Says the gallery: "Marina is not a place but a tide, a rhythm [ ... ]

    Free
  • Farhad Ahrarnia: No Scheherazade

    Lawrie Shabibi Unit 21, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Farhad Ahrania’s fourth solo exhibition at this gallery celebrates all things 1980s via "a multi-textual autopsy which invariably examines the complex legacy of Princess Diana Keith Haring". In particular, Ahrania looks at the flip side of 80s glitz, the spectre [ ... ]

    Free
  • Neither Here ~ Nor Elsewhere

    The Third Line Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A group exhibition curated by Sanaz Askari that brings together a diverse collective of artists from across Africa and Asia – Faissal El-Malak, Hayv Kahraman, Mahsa Merci, Michael Ho, Omar Mismar, Sam Samiee, Sophia Al-Maria, Soufiane Ababri, Tahmineh Monzavi, and [ ... ]

    Free
  • Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi: Moving Towards Grotesque

    Joint Space 17th Street, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A workshop based on rhythmic exercises and the movement vocabulary from Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi’s Harleking. Drawing inspiration from the symmetric patterns in ancient grotesque statuary, participants will examine the muscular response to laughter – a kinaesthetic expression of [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Máté Mészáros: Mechanics of Distance

    The Yard Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    This piece for three different trained dancers – they come from backgrounds in classical ballet, folk dance and contemporary dance – has been performed several times since its 2019 premiere, but it is always different since it is always adapted [ ... ]

    Free
  • Samaa Wakim & Samar Haddad King: Losing It

    The Yard Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Growing up in a war zone means living and breathing politics. The Palestinian choreographer and performer Samaa Wakim asks herself how these experiences impact her identity in this solo performance which explores how the trauma of previous generations manifests in [ ... ]

    Free
  • Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi: Harleking

    Sima Performing Arts Warehouse 38, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The second performance, part of the Frontiers dance programme, for this piece by Ginevra Panzetti and Enrico Ticconi. Harleking is a choreographic work that was first seen in 2018 and has since been featured at several dance festivals; its subject [ ... ]

    AED 90
  • Anran Su

    Dubai Opera Studio Downtown Dubai, Dubai

    Here's a chance to watch the development of an extraordinarily gifted young musician: Dubai-based Anran Su is not yet ten years old 10, but she is already being acclaimed as a prodigy of the piano (she's not bad on the [ ... ]

    AED 80
  • Le Trio Joubran

    Al Noor Island Buhairah Corniche Road, Khalid Lagoon, Sharjah

    Music under the stars on Sharjah's Al Noor Island with a noted oud trio playing traditional Palestinian music with Western stylings. Brothers Samir, Wissam, and Adnan Joubran, originally from Nazareth and now dividing their time between Nazareth, Ramallah and Paris, [ ... ]

    AED 290
  • Goodbye Julia: dir Mohamed Kordofani (2023)

    Cinema Akil in 25hours Hotel Trade Center St, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Mona is a retired singer in a tense marriage in Northern Sudan. Wracked by guilt after covering up a murder, she tries to make amends by taking in the dead man’s southern Sudanese widow, Julia, and her son, Daniel. Mona [ ... ]

    Free
  • Nicolas Fattouh: Living with a Piece of Furniture

    Dar al Nadwa Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

    This comedy with a point, written, performed and directed by Nicolas Fattouh, revolves around the inhabitants of a small Christian village on Mount Lebanon, the relationships and disagreements that make up their daily lives. Through comedy, it examines the family [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • The Laughter Factory: Endless Fun, End of Season, Parties

    Mövenpick Hotel JBR Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    The final stop for the Laughter Factory’s seasonal tour, promising "non-stop belly laughs from start to finish”. The acts: Chris Washington UK standup with a clutch of TV appearances (inc Mock the Week, House of Games, The Stand Up Sketch [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • LAST CHANCE Art Here 2024

    Louvre Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Art Here 2024, now in its fourth edition, has rapidly become a significant entry in the Middle East’s art exhibition calendar – a regional competition for 3D work that benefits from sponsorship by luxe watchmaker Richard Mille [ ... ]

    AED 60
  • LAST CHANCE Fictional Landscapes

    Foundry Downtown Boulevard Crescent, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai

    A group exhibition featuring 28 women artists from the UAE, Russia, Iran, Armenia, India, Pakistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Iceland, USA and more. These artists, who live and work across the globe, look at landscapes — urban, imagined, natural and artificial [ ... ]

    Free
  • 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
  • Máté Mészáros: Performative Walk – Mechanics of Distance

    The Yard Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    During the pandemic, Máté Mészáros came up with an alternative form of his piece Mechanics of Distance that could still be shared and experienced while spaces were closed and gatherings prohibited. He developed a participative walk to enact nine stages [ ... ]

    Free