• Global Positioning System

    Jameel Arts Centre Al Jaddaf, Dubai

    A group exhibition dedicated to mapping and navigation systems, "telling stories of fast cars and donkeys, spinning globes and street barricades, cosmic highways and broken bridges ..." Curated by Indranjan Banerjee and Lucas Morin, the exhibition presents a wide range [ ... ]

    Free
  • If Music Can Speak: The Moldau by Bedřich Smetana

    House of Arts Expo City Dubai, Dubai

    A lecture-performance with the Firdaus Orchestra that breaks down the music to reveal the hidden stories and craftsmanship behind the Bohemian composer's symphonic poem, a work which aims to evoke the flow of the Vltava River – in German, the [ ... ]

    AED 75
  • LAST CHANCE Nazilya Nagimova: Follow the Snail

    NIKA Project Space Unit 11 Al Khayat Avenue, 19th Street Road — Al Quoz 1, Dubai

    The first solo exhibition in the Emirates for the Münster-based Tatar artist Nazilya Nagimova brings together new works created specifically for her solo project at NIKA Project Space, plus selections from earlier projects. Nagimova explores memory, migration, and the search [ ... ]

    Free
  • Elusive Territories

    Zawyeh Gallery Warehouse 27, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Elusive Territories is group show for 15 prominent Palestinian artists whose work examines the relationship between exile, memory, and homeland – three dynamics that constantly engage with one another, especially at this critical time. Says the gallery: "Throughout the exhibition, [ ... ]

    Free
  • Collector’s Entry Point

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

    A group show of works by emerging, mid-career and established artists priced at $3,000 and below, conceived as an accessible entry into collecting "whether you’re just starting or looking to expand your collection with thoughtful additions". The artists: Ahmad Kasha [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Studio 

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

    An interesting experiment in open-access open-ended performance by The Junction. It's a kind of open mic for any kind of performance: you can pitch for a slot for whatever it is you want to do (anything goes, apparently) – book [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Jukebox Junction

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

    The Junction does comedy for two consecutive (but not repeated) nights on 4 and 5 April: "Jukebox Junction is where stand-up and improv collide for a night that’s fast, unpredictable, and seriously fun ... Sharp written comedy meets completely unscripted [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Mulhaq: On Annexed Architecture and Peripheral Typologies

    Bayt AlMamzar House 2, 26 Street, Al Mamzar, Dubai

    This exhibition explores the quiet logic of annexed spaces and the peripheral architectures that shape everyday life across the Gulf. Through documentation, case studies, and spatial narratives, it reflects on how these overlooked structures mediate between privacy, family, and urban [ ... ]

    Free
  • Mountain Boy: dir Zainab Shaheen (2024)

    Etihad Museum 1 Jumeirah St, Dubai

    A special screening of Zainab Shaheen's debut feature, a coming-of-age story that doubles as a love letter to the landscapes of the UAE. Suhail is a young Emirati with autism, living alone in the Fujairah mountains after his father shuns [ ... ]

    Free
  • Sunday Night Comedy

    Social Distrikt The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

    Dubomedy's highly successful comedy gig at Hushh in Social Distrikt. We're promised "a fantastic lineup of comedians, laughter and levity, and great vibes"; and indeed much of that seems to be the case ... It's free, but there's a minimum [ ... ]

    Free, but min spend of one item
  • Jukebox Junction

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

    The Junction does comedy for two consecutive (but not repeated) nights on 4 and 5 April: "Jukebox Junction is where stand-up and improv collide for a night that’s fast, unpredictable, and seriously fun ... Sharp written comedy meets completely unscripted [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • LAST CHANCE Jane Beveridge: Local

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

    The Dubai-based artist's first solo show aim to capture the essence of Dubai, and of belonging. Says the artist, who is currently Head of Art at Dubai College: "my visual palette and material inspiration are rooted in the streets. I [ ... ]

    Free
  • Monday Night Comedy: This Is Impro / Jane Austen Improvised

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

    A two-act evening of spontaneous scenes and songs based on audience suggestions, by some of our most experienced players and guests (Tim Orr this time). After warming up with some fun games and scenes, the improvisers will entertain you with [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Golden Ink: A Journey through Arab and Islamic Manuscripts

    Qasr Al Watan Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi

    This flagship travelling exhibition, run in collaboration with McGill University, Canada, is a great chance to explore the richness, inherent beauty, and global impact of the heritage of Arabic and Islamic manuscripts. The exhibition promises an exploration of the intellectual [ ... ]

    General admission AED 65
  • LAST CHANCE Abdulqader Al Rais: Al Nayed

    Opera Gallery DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A retrospective for one of the artists who have played a central role in shaping the UAE’s modern visual identity, featuring work from a career spanning more than five decades. Bridging heritage and modernity with authority, Al Rais’s paintings draw [ ... ]

    Free
  • Wednesday Night Impro: Maestro

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

    The Courtyard's popular 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 with [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Sarah McEneaney: Creative Non-Fiction

    Taymour Grahne Projects Warehouse 31A, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    For nearly five decades, Sarah McEneaney has devoted her practice to a singular theme, the meticulous chronicling of her own life. This exhibition presents a series of paintings that chart the latest moments and milestones in a life – domestic [ ... ]

  • LAST CHANCE John Dilg: Found and Lost

    Taymour Grahne Projects Warehouse 31A, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The Iowa-based artist John Dilg represents scenic panoramas as earth-toned paintings that feel immediately familiar yet poignantly dreamlike. Having specialised in abstraction early in his career, Dilg’s evolution towards landscape painting retained an especial awareness of spatial relationships – "a [ ... ]

  • Shezad Dawood: Skin of Dreams

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

    Shezad Dawood’s 25-year career spans painting, textiles, sculpture, ceramics, film, performance and digital media. Fascinated by ecologies and architecture, his work connects art, science, music, environmentalism and technology to explore both alternative histories and futures, through a process of continuous [ ... ]

    Free
  • Bring Your Boss

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

    A free taster session for the Playhouse's Corporate Academy – a practical introduction to the value of improvisation in business, designed to support communication, collaboration, and leadership (plus the opportunity to connect with other people navigating similar challenges). And if [ ... ]

    Free
  • PowerPointless Networking Night

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

    One of the most consistently funny of the Courtyard's classic improv gigs: the speakers have to give a presentation on a slide deck they’ve never seen before, with the topic determined at random by the Wheel of Destiny. Each presentation [ ... ]

    Free
  • Le Prénom

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

    Culture Emulsion’s production (in French, of course) of the popular comedy by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière that premiered in 2010 and went on to become a successful film adaptation. It’s a story about names and family relationships; [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Classical masterpieces by Firdaus Orchestra

    House of Arts Expo City Dubai, Dubai

    Does what it says in the title – Expo City's excellent all-female orchestra tackles some classical favourites. From the promo: "from sweeping symphonies to iconic overtures, this concert pays tribute to legendary composers whose works have shaped the history of [ ... ]

    AED 75
  • The Jazz Night with Olesia Glants & Big Band

    Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

    “Bold, dazzling, and unapologetically fun ... jazz standards and iconic pop hits reimagined into sultry, high-voltage showpieces”. Olesia Glants has a great voice and real stage presence, and this regular date is usually a good gig.

    From AED 160
  • Le Prénom

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

    A second performance for Culture Emulsion’s production (in French, of course) of the popular comedy by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de la Patellière. It’s a story about names and family relationships; 40-something Vincent is about to become a father for [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Radisson DAMAC Hills Hessa Street Dubailand, Dubai

    The bill for the Laughter Factory's April tour: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of motherhood and post-baby [ ... ]

    AED 175
  • Move, pause, return: gathering

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

    The culmination of Gallery Isabelle's 20th anniversary 20-day exhibition welcomes artists, contributors, and friends (the full exhibition, during which one work has been unveiled each day, remains on view until 28 May). Those involved: Artists: Hassan Sharif, Bahman Jalali, Mohammed [ ... ]

    Free, but RSVP
  • Metal Fest III

    The Fridge Warehouse Warehouse 5, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Four locally based metal bands – a decade of UAE metal history, from the well-established Verdict and April to relative newcomers Triton and 2024 NYUAD Battle of the Bands winner Stowaways. Says the Fridge: "Metal has always had a way [ ... ]

    AED 100
  • Tim Orr: This Scene Was About

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

    Noted US improviser Tim Orr (founder of SF's Improv Playhouse, duo shows with Inbal Lori, leading roles in Bay Area plays and improvised feature films, performer and teacher at numerous festivals and/or as an invited guest artist) brings the improv [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Studio One Hotel Dubai Studio City, Dubai

    The bill for the Laughter Factory's April tour: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of motherhood and post-baby [ ... ]

    AED 175
  • To Be A Writer in This Time

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

    Subtitled "UAE authors reflect on their art and practice during war", this Kutubna panel discussion about writing – or not writing – at his time features authors Amandeep Ahuja, Hafsa Lodi, Shahd Thani, Tamreez Inam, Tessy Koshy, and Yosr ElSherbiny. [ ... ]

    AED 25
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    The Club Al Mina, Abu Dhabi

    The bill for the Laughter Factory's April tour: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of motherhood and post-baby [ ... ]

    AED 175
  • Monday Night Comedy: This Is Impro / Jane Austen Improvised

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

    A two-act evening of spontaneous scenes and songs based on audience suggestions, by some of our most experienced players and guests (Tim Orr this time). After warming up with some fun games and scenes, the improvisers will entertain you with [ ... ]

    Free
  • Maggie Otieno: Sojourner – The Difference Is the Same

    Efiɛ Gallery 2 Al Khayat Art Avenue, First Al Khail Street, Dubai

    Otieno’s first solo presentation with Efie centres on her signature transformation of reclaimed and distressed materials. Working across wood, metal, and mixed media, her semi-abstract forms explore layered narratives of history, memory, human interaction, and environmental survival. To 16 May. [ ... ]

    Free
  • Wednesday Night Impro: Maestro

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

    The Courtyard's popular 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 with [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    The Agenda Abdullah Omran Taryam St, Media City, Dubai

    The bill for the Laughter Factory's April tour: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of motherhood and post-baby [ ... ]

    AED 175
  • UAENO: From Screen to Stage

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

    The UAE National Orchestra plays orchestral arrangements of the music that accompanies several Emirati film productions – including Ishhafan, Khalil Fi Mahab Al Reeh, Freej, Khiyanat Watan, and Al Kameen.

    From AED 100
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Radisson DAMAC Hills Hessa Street Dubailand, Dubai

    The bill for the Laughter Factory's April tour: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of motherhood and post-baby [ ... ]

    AED 175
  • Short+Sweet Dubai

    New Covent Garden Theatre Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

    One of two 10-minute play festivals running concurrently in Dubai on six successive weekends with a basically similar format. This one is probably the more familiar name; it's been running in Dubai for some years, latterly as a franchise but [ ... ]

    AED 100 – AED 120
  • Anthony Akinbola: Get Well Soon

    CARBON 12 17th Street, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Durags are stretchable fabrics worn over the head to shape and protect the hair; in Akinbola’s practice, they are both culturally loaded objects and a material he can reconfigure. For this solo show, Akinbola assembles durags into compositions that are [ ... ]

    Free
  • Unfixed ground

    Lawrie Shabibi Unit 21, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    A group exhibition that approaches 'ground' as "something continuously produced: fractured, inscribed, and held in tension between erasure and persistence ..." The first of two spaces has works by Mandy El Sayegh, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, Omar El Gurg, and Rand [ ... ]

    Free
  • Samar Hejazi: In Circulation

    Aisha Alabbar Gallery Warehouse C19, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    For her first solo exhibition in the UAE, curated by Nadine Khoury, Samar Hejazi presents a body of work that explores how forms shift, unravel, and reassemble over time. Working across textile, printmaking, and spatial intervention, her practice suggests that [ ... ]

    Free
  • All the Lands from Sunrise to Sunset

    Green Art Gallery Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    "All the lands from sunrise to sunset", a phrase attributed to the Mesopotamian king Sargon of Akkad, graphically invoked his claim to total dominion. Taking this assertion as both point of departure and provocation, this exhibition includes works by Alla [ ... ]

    Free
  • Alserkal Art Month: weekend 1

    Alserkal Avenue Al Quoz 1, Dubai

    Alserkal Avenue's Art Month (18 April to 19 May) includes a raft of individual events, mostly at the weekends, alongside the usual gallery opening hours – most of those we have listed separately in the Agenda. Here’s the schedule for [ ... ]

    Free
  • Final Draft

    ERTH Khor Al Maqta Al Khaleej Al Arabi Road, Abu Dhabi

    This interesting-looking event by the Ripple Collective, a group of multidisciplinary designers and design-led retailers based in Abu Dhabi, has been running for four years now with little fanfare. It offers a day of “the things we love most: good [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • X Fest DXB

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

    One of two 10-minute play festivals running concurrently in Dubai on six successive weekends with a basically similar format. This one is the Junction's: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Opera Under the Dome by Firdaus Orchestra

    Al Wasl Plaza Expo City, Dubai

    Opera Under the Dome returns to Al Wasl Plaza, with the Firdaus Orchestra introducing a fresh repertoire that we're promised "captures the depth, passion and drama of opera".

    AED 75
  • UAENO: From Screen to Stage

    Ras Al Khaimah Cultural Center Al Nakheel, Ras Al Khaimah

    The UAE National Orchestra plays orchestral arrangements of the music that accompanies several Emirati film productions – including Ishhafan, Khalil Fi Mahab Al Reeh, Freej, Khiyanat Watan, and Al Kameen.

    From AED 100
  • The Laughter Factory Premium Comedy Club

    Dukes The Palm Palm Dubai, Dubai

    The final stop the Laughter Factory's April tour. On the bill: Robby Collins winner of multiple Comics Choice Awards. Expect razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back swagger from the South African standup Valentina Danubio Dubai favourite, mines her real world experience of [ ... ]

    AED 175
  • Short+Sweet Dubai

    New Covent Garden Theatre Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

    One of two 10-minute play festivals running concurrently in Dubai on six successive weekends with a basically similar format. This one is probably the more familiar name; it's been running in Dubai for some years, latterly as a franchise but [ ... ]

    AED 100 – AED 120