• Back To Alexandria: dir Tamer Ruggli (2023)

    Germaine Tillion Garden, SUAD Campus Abu Dhabi

    After 20 years in Switzerland, Sue (Nadine Labaki) returns to her homeland Egypt to visit her dying mother (Fanny Ardant). Their complicated relationship is revealed on a road trip from Cairo to Alexandria; during their journey through Egypt's beautiful landscape, [ ... ]

    Free
  • Poetry Evening with Nujoom Al Ghanem

    Alliance Française Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A leading voice in contemporary Arabic literature, Al Ghanem blends tradition and modernity in exploring themes of identity, freedom, and cultural dialogue; this event will feature a bilingual reading in Arabic and French, accompanied by musical interludes with Elena Thedvall [ ... ]

    Free
  • Timur D’Vatz, Timur Akhmedov, Alfiz Sabirov: Dreams of Spring

    Al Habtoor Palace Al Habtoor City, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai

    Andakulova’s pop-up group show for three noted Uzbekh artists majors on their shared exploration of storytelling through art, wth works – painting, sculpture, and mixed media – that offer an immersive experience into worlds both real and mythical. Timur D’Vatz [ ... ]

    Free
  • Synchrony: From New York to Nigeria

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

    This is a rather special evening for the second edition of NYUAD's The City and the Writer series, featuring an extraordinary lineup of writers, directors, actors, and musicians and centred around Awam Amkpa's 2024 film The Man Died (above). That [ ... ]

    AED 105
  • Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    The Club Al Mina, Abu Dhabi

    April's Laughter Factory tour features Montreal's Just For Laughs festival favourite Eman El Husseini, about-to-be-big US standup Maher Matta, and top local talent Valentina Danubio, 2023 winner of Survival of the Funniest. Here are the other upcoming gigs: 25 Apr [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Sunday Morning

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

    Successful 40s-ish photographer Mat takes us on a heart-warming, epiphanic journey in this one-man show, written by Nick Warren and directed by Jenine Collocott. On learning that his girlfriend is pregnant, a stunned Mat (James Cuningham) goes for a run [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Fragments from Heaven: dir Adnane Baraka (2022)

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

    In the bleak emptiness of the Moroccan desert, a nomad shepherd called Mohamed lives in a tent with his family. His way of life is disappearing; the land is so dry (presumably as a result of climate change) that there [ ... ]

    Free
  • Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Radisson DAMAC Hills Hessa Street Dubailand, Dubai

    April's Laughter Factory tour features Montreal's Just For Laughs festival favourite Eman El Husseini, about-to-be-big US standup Maher Matta, and top local talent Valentina Danubio, 2023 winner of Survival of the Funniest. (The final stop is tomorrow, 26 April, at [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Women in Contemporary Arab Art

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

    "A rare journey through modern and contemporary Arab art” in the form of more than 35 original works by artists including Ismail Fattah, Najat Makki, Khaled Al Jader, Louay Kayali, and Salah Taher that represent women in a variety of [ ... ]

    Free
  • Makers’ Month

    Earth Roastery 6th St, Al Quoz 3, Dubai

    Dubai Culture is running its third Makers’ Month this weekend at Earth Roastery in Al Quoz – panel discussions, talks, and hands-on workshops "designed to sharpen skills and foster collaboration between manufacturing and the creative industries". The principles are sound: [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

    ADNEC Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    This year’s ADIBF – remarkably, it’s the 34th edition – has the theme ‘Knowledge Illuminates our Community’, a sentiment which brooks no argument. There are 90 participating countries, the 'Focus Personality’ is Avicenna (Ibn Sina), the ‘Book of the World’ [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • LAST CHANCE Men’s Rings: the Yves Gastou Collection

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

    The late dealer / collector Yves Gastou (he passed away in 2020) was known for his educated eye, eclectic tastes, and an ability to discover lost gems and new talents in art, design, jewellery and exquisite taste generally. From an [ ... ]

    Free
  • 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
  • Tango After Dark

    Dubai Opera

    World Tango Champions German Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi dance to the music of Astor Piazzolla. Accompanied by an ensemble of ten dancers and a seven-strong live band, the spirit of Buenos Aires should infuse Dubai Opera with passion and drama [ ... ]

    From AED 330
  • 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
  • Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Dukes The Palm Palm Dubai, Dubai

    Last stop for April's Laughter Factory tour, which features Montreal's Just For Laughs festival favourite Eman El Husseini, about-to-be-big US standup Maher Matta, and top local talent Valentina Danubio, 2023 winner of Survival of the Funniest.    

    AED 160
  • Culture Summit Abu Dhabi

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The seventh edition of the Summit, which runs 27-29 April, again brings together "thought leaders" from art, heritage, media, museums, music, public policy and technology to debate the role of culture. This year's theme is the catch-all 'Culture for Humanity [ ... ]

    Invitation only
  • 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
  • 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
  • Tango After Dark

    Dubai Opera

    A second performance by tango champions German Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi, dancing to the music of Astor Piazzolla and accompanied by an ensemble of ten dancers and a seven-strong live band.

    From AED 330
  • Errico Cutolo Quartet

    The Yard Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    In the run-up to International Jazz Day, The Fridge and Alserkal Avenue present a free al fresco jazz gig with the Errico Cutolo Quartet and a swing set that reimagines classic Italian love songs ...

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Adel Dauood: Immigrant

    Urbanist Art Gallery Box Park, Al Wasl Road, Dubai

    "The immigrant embodies the human capacity to adapt and rebuild wherever they settle. They create bridges between cultures, carrying a soul heavy with memories that form a part of their identity." New work by the prominent Syrian artist, blending abstraction [ ... ]

    Free
  • Monday Night Comedy: This Is Impro & Ahmed

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

    One of the Coutryard's two-act evenings of spontaneous scenes and stories based on audience suggestions. First up is the regular Monday evening mix of scenes, stories and narrative improvisation from some of the Courtyard Playhouse's most experienced improv performers plus [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Pedro Martin Rojo: Faces of Dubai

    The Warehouse Goshi Warehouse 57, Al Quoz 3, Dubai

    The artist's first solo exhibition in Dubai features 12 new portraits that aim to capture "the rich diversity of women who define Dubai’s essence ... each portrait a tribute to the quiet confidence, individuality, and allure that make this city [ ... ]

    Free
  • Elysian Awakening of Powerful Spring

    Rarares Galllery Zone C, Gate Avenue, DIFC, Dubai

    A group exhibition, curated by Sara Serpilli and Marina Baisel, featuring Fatma Latooh, Barbara Duran, Sara Alkhayyal and Zeina Abdullah. Says the gallery: "this exhibition is not merely a showcase – it is a tribute, a declaration, and an invitation [ ... ]

    Free
  • Riley Mulherkar

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

    The 22nd Abu Dhabi Festival closes with a special tribute to the late musical legend, Quincy Jones, performed by trumpeter Riley Mulherkar and his brass quartet The Westerlies. Described in one review as "über hip, modern yet timeless," Mulherkar’s performance [ ... ]

    AED 175
  • 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
  • Gustave Caillebotte: The Unknown Impressionist

    Bassam Freiha Art Foundation Cultural District Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    Stéphanie Chardeau-Botteri, art historian, great-grandniece of the artist, and author of a study of Caillebotte of the same name as the talk (it was shortlisted for the 2024 Goncourt Prize for biographies) discusses the life and legacy of the "unknown [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Burj Rashid: A Landmark Reimagined Into Art

    Al Safa Art & Design Library Al Safa Park, Jumeriah 3, Dubai

    A talk accompanying the Burj Rashid exhibition that commemorate the 45th anniversary of the tower's inauguration (and which ends soon). This panel discussion, moderated by architect Amal Anoohi, features artist Ahmad AlAttar, designer and artist Sara Al Khayyal, and artist [ ... ]

    Free
  • A plein temps: dir Eric Gravel (2021)

    Manarat al Saadiyat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Single mother Julie (César award-winning actress Laure Calamy) works a grueling job as a head chambermaid in a five-star Parisian hotel while struggling to raise her two children at the end of a commuter line. A job opportunity arises that [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Sharjah Animation Conference

    Expo Centre Sharjah Sharjah

    SAC returns for its third annual edition, again organised in collaboration with Italy’s Bergamo Animation Days (BAD), with an extensive (indeed, impressive) programme of trends, cutting-edge technologies, and game-changing opportunities, This year there's a substantial Japanese influence – Studio Ghibli [ ... ]

    AED 139
  • A Tribute to Quincy Jones

    Berklee Abu Dhabi UAE Pavilion, Saadiyat ISland, Abu Dhabi

    The Abu Dhabi Festival in collaboration with Berklee Abu Dhabi pay tribute to musical legend Quincy Jones (a close friend of the Festival) in a special session of Riwaq Al Fikr – ADMAF Talks. The evening features insights from long-time [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Sunday Morning

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

    Successful 40s-ish photographer Mat (James Cuningham) takes us on a heart-warming, epiphanic journey in this one-man show, written by Nick Warren and directed by Jenine Collocott. On learning that his girlfriend is pregnant, a stunned Mat goes for a jog [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • 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
  • Discover Kinusaiga: a Japanese Fabric Art Workshop

    Bassam Freiha Art Foundation Cultural District Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    Kinusaiga is a Japanese art formakin to collage or patchwork, where fabric – originally silk – is wrapped around a carved wood or foam base to create images (often landscapes or patterns) without any need for traditional sewing. This hands-on [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Lecture

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

    Abu Dhabi has been chosen as the host city for the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize – "in recent years, the UAE’s growing presence in the global arts and culture landscape, and openness in supporting the works of international architects provides [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • SFP Montage: day one

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

    SFP Montage is a series of special projects and initiatives linked to Sharjah Arts Foundation’s annual Sharjah Film Platform (SFP) festival that forges new associations among the works and expands their reach beyond Sharjah; two award-winning films from the seventh [ ... ]

    Free
  • Theeb: dir Gedir Naji Abu Nowar (2014)

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

    Theeb ('Wolf') is a young Bedouin boy living in a remote part of the Ottoman Empire in 1916. When his older brother has to escort a British officer across the desert, Theeb tags along for the adventure – and experiences [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Abdullah Al Saadi: Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia

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

    An exhibition of ten works by the influential Khor Fakkan artist, one of the “Pioneer Five” who bolstered the contemporary art scene in the UAE in the 1980s and influenced a generation of artists in the region. Curated by Tarek [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Alla Abdunabi: Are your memories of me enough for you?

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

    Alla Abdunabi’s first solo exhibition presents a new body of work that critiques and engages with simulacra, a concept used in philosophy and cultural studies to analyse how symbols shape our perceptions of what is accepted as “real.” Alla Abdunabi [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Calder / Hiquily: Balancing Act

    Opera Gallery DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A clever juxtaposition of works by two masters of the poetry of balance and movement that reveals unexpected harmonies between the artistic languages of Alexander Calder and Philippe Hiquily. Calder’s gouaches on paper, with their bold colours and rhythmic compositions, [ ... ]

    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
  • Collected Histories: Personal Archives and Documentation

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

    Collected Histories, a project co-founded by Hind Mezaina and Jasmine Soliman, aims to foster discussion on personal documentation and archiving "with an ultimate goal of inspiring and supporting individuals to become ‘citizen archivists’ by cataloguing, and exploring ways to self-publish [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Collected Histories: Personal Archives and Documentation

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

    Collected Histories, a project co-founded by Hind Mezaina and Jasmine Soliman, aims to foster discussion on personal documentation and archiving "with an ultimate goal of inspiring and supporting individuals to become ‘citizen archivists’ by cataloguing, and exploring ways to self-publish [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register