• Arts Chat: Building a Life as an Artist

    NYUAD Art Gallery Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A continuing series on building a life as an artist, presented by The NYUAD Art Gallery in partnership with The NYUAD Arts Center and NYUAD Career Development Centre. This conversation delves into opportunities and challenges that artists are facing in [ ... ]

    Free
  • Rushdi’s Comedy Souk

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

    A regular monthly evening of improv and stand-up hosted by Rushdi.

    Free, but pre-register
  • Resonance Climate Concert with Ricky Kej and Stewart Copeland

    Dubai Opera

    A Climate Concert hosted by UNCCD and the San Francisco-based nonprofit BayEcotarium for Cop28, featuring THE POLICE’s biggest hits (among them Roxanne, Don’t Stand So Close to Me, and Message in a Bottle) led by Stewart Copeland with four singers [ ... ]

    From AED 160
  • Wednesday Night Impro: Maestro

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

    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 the lowest score is eliminated. Eventually only [ ... ]

    Free but donations welcome
  • Paul Oakenfold Live in Dubai

    Zero Gravity Skydive Dubai Drop Zone, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St, Dubai

    A rare chance to hear one of the genuine legends of the mixing deck, the British DJ, producer, remixer, and label head is one of the most important figures in the history of dance music – in terms both of [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Sustainability in Museums

    Louvre Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    A day of talks and tours that promises to “delve into the pivotal roles museums, professionals, and artists play in confronting environmental challenges and advancing toward a more sustainable future”. 11am – 12pm The Sustainability Challenge: ‘Make the Intangible Tangible [ ... ]

  • Yoshihiko Tsutsumi: Intersections of Cosmos

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

    Yoshihiko Tsutsumi is an accomplished graphic designer and artist (and a professional antiques dealer, gallerist and art director too, as it happens). Influenced by the immersive environment of his uncle's cinema billboard painting atelier in Kumamoto, Japan, he draws inspiration [ ... ]

    Free
  • Bookish Winter Shopping Festival

    Bookends Dubai Digital Park A3 Building, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai

    A three-day fair/sale of pre-owned books all related to "the hobbies and passions of reading and books" and book-themed merchandise by local artisans, authors, and crafters . Bookends is open 10am to 10pm.

    Free (unless you buy a book)
  • Sharjah Film Platform 6

    [various Sharjah locations]

    The sixth edition of Sharjah Arts Foundation’s annual indie/experimental film festival, which runs from 8 to 17 December, features more than 50 films from around the world – a range of independent cinema and experimental filmmaking that “foregrounds the transformative [ ... ]

    AED 15
  • From Ink to Action

    Warehouse 58 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    This pop-up touring exhibition, part of the British Council’s creative commissions under its Culture Responds Global Programme, showcases 12 comic artists from the Arab region. Their work highlight ecological challenges and offers a unique artistic perspective on how we can [ ... ]

  • Rusted Stars

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

    A science fiction musical: long ago people left an uninhabitable earth to make a life in the stars. That sort of worked, but after centuries the infrastructure of their colonies is in disrepair and standards of living are crumbling. Then [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Slava’s Snowshow

    Dubai Opera

    One of the best seasonal shows around – a whimsical blur of laughter, awe, and magic that has already been seen by more than 12 million theatre-goers around the world, reportedly receives a standing ovation following every single performance, and [ ... ]

    From AED 225
  • Laughter Factory: ‘Endless Fun, End of Season, Parties’

    Mövenpick Hotel JBR Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Pre-Christmas standup jollity with Maher Barwany, Imah, Elsey de Almeida and Mark Maier. The tour schedule: 8 December Movenpick JBR Dubai 9 December Movenpick JBR Dubai 14 December Park Rotana Abu Dhabi 15 December Radisson Hotel DAMAC Hills Dubai 16 [ ... ]

    AED 160
  • Candlelight: Mozart’s Masterpieces

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

    Aldo Dotto plays a recital of what does indeed look like a top selection of the composer's works, all lit by candlelight. The programme: ♦ Symphony 40, 1st movement (arranged for piano) ♦ Sonata no.5 KV 283 in G Major: [ ... ]

    From AED 150
  • Slava’s Snowshow

    Dubai Opera

    Two more performances for one of the best seasonal shows around – a whimsical blur of laughter, awe, and magic that has already been seen by more than 12 million theatre-goers around the world, reportedly receives a standing ovation following [ ... ]

    From AED 225
  • Rusted Stars

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

    Second performance for this science fiction musical, said to be the first original musical play to be produced in the UAE: long ago people left an uninhabitable earth to make a life in the stars. That sort of worked, but [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Laughter Factory: ‘Endless Fun, End of Season, Parties’

    Mövenpick Hotel JBR Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Second night of pre-Christmas standup jollity with Maher Barwany, Imah, Elsey de Almeida and Mark Maier. The remaining tour schedule: 14 December Park Rotana Abu Dhabi 15 December Radisson Hotel DAMAC Hills Dubai 16 December Dukes The Palm Dubai  

    AED 160
  • Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum

    Warehouse 1 Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The second edition of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum, organised by Dubai Culture and Al Quoz Creative Zone as the region’s only conference dedicated to creative entrepreneurship, is again a free two-day event. While we don’t yet have the [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • A Century of Iconic Arab Music

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

    The Candlelight concerts experience – music with illumination provided by thousands of candles – is applied to a programme of classic Arabic music perfromed by the Fusion Al Arab Group, presenting works such as Tehaddoh El bashar by Rashed Al-Majed, [ ... ]

    From AED 200
  • Slava’s Snowshow

    Dubai Opera

    Two final performances for one of the best seasonal shows around – a whimsical blur of laughter, awe, and magic that has already been seen by more than 12 million theatre-goers around the world, reportedly receives a standing ovation following [ ... ]

    From AED 225
  • Rusted Stars

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

    The final performances for this science fiction musical, said to be the first original musical play to be produced in the UAE: long ago people left an uninhabitable earth to make a life in the stars. That sort of worked, [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • 1 MINUTE TO KRUSHIT

    Melrose Paramount Midtown, Al Mustaqbal Street, Dubai

    Another Dubomedy comedy night with alumni of its stand-up courses, last of the year – they each get just one minute to make you laugh, there will be prizes, and it's free with no minimum spend (you need to pre-register, [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Winter Special – Theatresports: Santas vs Elves

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

    A newish Courtyard tradition: competitive improv. In Theatresports, teams of improvisors 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 are looking for [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Tinariwen

    Dubai Opera

    The exciting Tuareg band (the name Tinariwen translates to ‘People of the Deserts’ or ‘The Desert Boys’) merge traditional Tuareg melodies and rhythms with guitar-driven rock ‘n’ roll in a style known as assouf among the Tuareg people and dubbed [ ... ]

    From AED 225
  • Winter Special – Theatresports: Santas vs Elves

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

    A newish Courtyard tradition: competitive improv. In Theatresports, teams of improvisors 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 are looking for [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Handel’s Messiah

    Dubai Opera

    The Astana Opera Orchestra, the Dubai Festival Chorus, and conductor Rob Johnston perform the classic mainstay of the festive season – one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral pieces in Western music. Famously Handel composed Messiah in just [ ... ]

    From AED 225
  • Alfiz Sabirov: Ayu Bala

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

    A solo exhibition of 3D work by the Turkic artist, sculptures distinguished by a variety of shapes and volumes, unexpected combinations of materials and textures. Says the gallery: “Sabirov has created his own mythology, elaborated in detail and embodied in [ ... ]

    Free
  • Keigo Nakamura: Confronted with Light, Baroque in Shadow is Revealed

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

    Nakamura's first exhibition in the Middle East offers a chance to experience his exploration of light and life – presented as a dialogue with the inner self, guiding the viewer to their own 'light of life.' Mirrors in his art [ ... ]

  • Laughter Factory: ‘Endless Fun, End of Season, Parties’

    Park Rotana Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    The second weekend of pre-Christmas standup jollity with Maher Barwany, Imah, Elsey de Almeida and Mark Maier. The remaining tour schedule: 15 December Radisson Hotel DAMAC Hills Dubai 16 December Dukes The Palm Dubai      

    AED 160
  • The Nutcracker

    Dubai Opera

    Tchaikovsky’s all-time seasonal favourite is delivered by the Astana Opera Ballet with the State Opera Orchestra of Astana. Choreography is by Yuri Grigorovich, the set designs by Simon Virsaladze are described as "stunning", and the blurb promises that audiences will [ ... ]

    From AED 300
  • Laughter Factory: ‘Endless Fun, End of Season, Parties’

    Radisson DAMAC Hills Hessa Street Dubailand, Dubai

    The final gigs for pre-Christmas standup jollity with Maher Barwany, Imah, Elsey de Almeida and Mark Maier. (The last one is tomorrow at Dukes The Palm.)      

    AED 160
  • The Nutcracker

    Dubai Opera

    A second pair of performances for Tchaikovsky’s all-time seasonal favourite, as delivered by the Astana Opera Ballet with the State Opera Orchestra of Astana. Choreography is by Yuri Grigorovich, the set designs by Simon Virsaladze are described as "stunning", and [ ... ]

    From AED 300
  • Boeing-Boeing

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

    Marc Camoletti's farce had a short run in November at the Junction, but now it's back by popular demand, as they say, and for two nights only. The play has a delicious 60s vibe: swinging bachelor Bernard is simultaneously engaged [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • The Nutcracker

    Dubai Opera

    The final two performances for Tchaikovsky’s all-time seasonal favourite, as delivered by the Astana Opera Ballet with the State Opera Orchestra of Astana. Choreography is by Yuri Grigorovich, the set designs by Simon Virsaladze are described as "stunning", and the [ ... ]

    From AED 300
  • Boeing-Boeing

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

    The second of two nights for Marc Camoletti's farce The play has a delicious 60s vibe: swinging bachelor Bernard is simultaneously engaged to Gloria, Gabriella, and Gretchen, all flight attendants who don’t know of each other's existence. But then things [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • The Little Match Girl | An Experimental Cine-Concert

    The Yard Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    The 1928 Jean Renoir/Jean Tédesco version of a Hans Christian Anderson story of an impoverished match-seller who inadvertently dreams of a kind of fantastic alternative reality. It's presented as a cine-concert performed by Joseph Junior Sfeir, Patrik Abi Abdallah and [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • A Night with Matteo Bocelli

    Dubai Opera Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai

    Matteo Bocelli may be the son of a famous father, but he's a fine singer in his own right; his newly released self-titled debut album features an attractive mix of English and Italian songs, with contributions from the likes of [ ... ]

    From AED 275
  • Imperial Orchestra: Cinema Medley

    Coca-Cola Arena City Walk, Dubai

    The St Petersburg orchestra performs soundtracks from classic films under the baton of Lev Dunaev in a show that combines "unique visual and audio effects" to immerse the audience in the cinema experience. The programme includes pieces from top movie [ ... ]

    From AED 199
  • Omar Khairat

    Dubai Opera Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai

    The celebrated Egyptian pianist and composer has a talent for fusing contemporary Arabic melodies with Western influence that among other works has delivered more than 50 film and TV soundtracks and better than 20 awards. We're promised one of his [ ... ]

    From AED 350
  • Charity Improvathon

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

    Twelve hours of non-stop improv to raise money for the Gulf for Good Citizen’s Foundation campaign to provide quality education for 180 children in a rural village in Pakistan. There are performances of the Courtyard's regular improv sessions and free [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register (and expect to donate)
  • Saadiyat Nights: Mariah Carey

    Saadiyat Nights Jacques Chirac Street, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    This new open-air musical event series (in a purpose-built venue that will "boast a stunning backdrop of Saadiyat Island vistas" – though otherwise we're not sure exactly where it is) kicks off with a concert from the best-selling American singer. [ ... ]

    From AED 250
  • Tammam Azzam: Diary

    Ayyam Gallery B11, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A solo exhibition that showcases works which play with perspective – "horizon lines expand outward and urban vistas are cut into parts, interrupted like the lines of a window frame". Architecture becomes a subjective reality, painted paper collages symbolise the [ ... ]

    Free
  • The Jazz of the Cosmos

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

    Now this looks like a fine way to start the new year: Stephon Alexander, Professor of Physics at Brown University, talks about the intriguing connections between the realms of physics, cosmology, and quantum physics with the music that defines an [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • Revoir Paris: dir Alice Wincoer (2022)

    Alliance Française Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Wincoer's gently searing drama is loosely based on the Bataclan concert hall attack in Paris in 2015 (her brother was a survivor). Virginie Efira is excellent as Mia, a woman struggling with the trauma of having survived a brutal assault [ ... ]

    AED 35
  • Green Art Gallery x Selma Feriani Gallery

    Green Art Gallery Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    A group exhibition in collaboration with Selma Feriani Gallery, featuring work by the Tunis gallery's artists: Nazgol Ansarinia, Rossella Biscotti, M’barek Bouhchichi, Hera Büyüktaşcıyan, Elena Damiani, Yazid Oulab and Massinissa Selmani. This could be a very interesting show. Established in [ ... ]

    Free
  • Kristel Bechara: The Voyageur

    Gallery 7/40 The Club , West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

    Five digital artworks created from sections of the original The Voyageur, shown originally as a single large-scale canvas back in 2022. “I always like to blend and combine the disciplines of traditional and digital art," says the artist, who has [ ... ]

    Free
  • Pouran Jinchi: Fly Like Dandelions

    The Third Line Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Pouran Jinchi was inspired to embark on this new body of work after reading an article about a Guatemalan farmer forced to flee due to the impact of climate change on agriculture; her inspiration for this series stems from landscapes [ ... ]

    Free