• 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
  • Alserkal Art Month: weekend 1

    Alserkal Avenue Al Quoz 1, Dubai

    Here’s the schedule for the first Sunday of Alserkal Avenue's Art Month (18 April to 19 May): 3-4pm Project Space KIDS' WORKSHOP Animal Comic Creations Participants (aged 7+) design their own comic-style story, inspired by an animal of their choice [ ... ]

    Free
  • Dreams of Rumi

    Theatre of Digital Arts Souk Madinat Jumeriah, Dubai

    "An authentic fusion of drama, choreography and music" – specifically, an evening of music, poetry and Dervish dancing in tribute to the poetic wisdom of Rumi, delivered by a small ensemble within ToDA’s 360° impressive immersive visuals.    

    From AED 200
  • X Fest DXB

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

    Second day for opening weekend of the Junction's festival of short plays: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to see a diverse lineup of stories, styles and performances in a single [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • 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
  • Behind the Scenes of Museums: From Conservation to Communication

    Bassam Freiha Art Foundation Cultural District Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    A lecture by Elsie El Deek Bou Jaoude, art historian and Director of the USEK Archaeological Museum, that promises “a rare glimpse into the unseen work of museums, exploring how conservation, research, and collaboration shape collections beyond what is visible to [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • 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
  • Short+Sweet Dubai: weekend two

    New Covent Garden Theatre Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

    Second weekend of the festival of 10-minute plays – each of the S+S Dubai weekends (9-10 May is a break) features afternoon and evening sessions for 10 plays, meaning you could see something around 80 microplays if you attended all [ ... ]

    AED 100 – AED 120
  • LAST CHANCE The Poetry of Birds

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

    Following previous editions of this exhibition in Paris and Tokyo, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts aims to offer a dialogue between 19th and 20th-century Western jewellery and Islamic arts, with poetry as the common thread. Jewels, precious objects, and gouaché [ ... ]

    Free
  • Young Picasso: dir Phil Grabsky (2019)

    Louvre Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

    Documentarist Phil Grabsky has carved a niche for himself by concentrating for the most part on films about artists – composers first, then more recently painters; Young Picasso is both typical of this work and one the best examples of [ ... ]

    Free, but pre-register
  • X Fest DXB: weekend 2

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

    The second weekend for the Junction's short play festival: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to see a diverse lineup of stories, styles and performances in a single evening. Essentially you [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Short+Sweet Dubai: weekend two

    New Covent Garden Theatre Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

    Second day of the second weekend of the festival of 10-minute plays – each of the S+S Dubai weekends (9-10 May is a break) features afternoon and evening sessions for 10 plays, meaning you could see something around 80 microplays [ ... ]

    AED 100 – AED 120
  • LAST CHANCE Rays, Ripples, Residue

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

    This major exhibition marks the ten-year anniversary of 421 Arts Campus and offers a chance to reflect on emergent artistic practices in the UAE, their possibilities, and challenges for the future. Featuring video, performance, installation, and multimedia works, it invites [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Image Keepers

    Sharjah Art Foundation Photography Gallery Al Manakh, Sharjah

    For its inaugural exhibition, SAF's Photography Gallery presents a panorama of artistic experimentation and engagement drawn from the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection of photography. Says the Foundation: "the works navigate the sociopolitical terrain of the last six decades against a [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Memoryscape: Contemporary Visions Across the Arab Diaspora

    Artbooth Gallery Centro Capital Center, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi

    A group show for six contemporary artists of Arab descent: Gilbert Halaby, Hanibal Srouji, Hussein Baalbaki, Richard Hearns, Sarah Alagroobi, and Soraya Abu Naba’a. Says the gallery: "At the heart of Memoryscape lies a shared inquiry into how our surroundings [ ... ]

    Free
  • Sunday Night Comedy Prom

    Social Distrikt The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

    Dubomedy's highly successful Sunday gig at Hushh in Social Distrikt gets a bit of a makeover to celebrate its 18 years of comic activity in Dubai. We're promised "a night of laughs, fits, and unforgettable vibes" with Stand-Up Comedy Game [ ... ]

    Free, but min spend of one item
  • X Fest DXB: weekend 2

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

    The second weekend for the Junction's short play festival: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to see a diverse lineup of stories, styles and performances in a single evening. Essentially you [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • 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. After warming up with some fun games and scenes, the improvisers will entertain you with an evening of high [ ... ]

    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 Shamsa Al Omaira: Hard Like Tears, Soft Like Glass

    Iris Projects Studio 20, Madar 39, MiZa, Port Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    A solo exhibition for Shamsa Al Omaira, an Abu Dhabi based multidisciplinary artist and designer. Evocations of duality occupy a prominent position in her work; childhood bedding and memories of jelly desserts morph into soft-looking sculptures laced with hidden or overt [ ... ]

    Free
  • Blue Note

    Dubai Opera

    Following a sold-out debut last year, Blue Note returns to Dubai Opera for a celebration of the legacy of Blue Note Records. From hard bop to modal jazz, the programme pays tribute to the artists who shaped the label’s legacy; [ ... ]

    From AED 290
  • Short+Sweet Dubai: weekend three

    New Covent Garden Theatre Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

    Third weekend of the festival of 10-minute plays – each of the S+S Dubai weekends (9-10 May is a break) features afternoon and evening sessions for 10 plays, meaning you could see something around 80 microplays if you attended all [ ... ]

    AED 100 – AED 120
  • X Fest DXB: weekend 3

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

    The third weekend for the Junction's short play festival: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to see a diverse lineup of stories, styles and performances in a single evening. This weekend [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Enrico Macias

    Dubai Opera

    Classics from an icon of Francophone music, whose songs from a career of six decades seem filled with warmth, nostalgia, and humanity ... This performance may be one of his last international appearances, too.

    From AED 295
  • Short+Sweet Dubai: weekend three

    New Covent Garden Theatre Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

    Second day of the third weekend of the festival of 10-minute plays – each of the S+S Dubai weekends (9-10 May is a break) features afternoon and evening sessions for 10 plays, meaning you could see something around 80 microplays [ ... ]

    AED 100 – AED 120
  • LAST CHANCE Ahaad Alamoudi: Sunkissed

    Al Mureijah Square Sharjah

    Alamoudi’s snapshots of contemporary Khaleeji aesthetics playfully capture the give-and-take between developmental goals and their real-world manifestation. Viral memes, talking falcons, automated toy cars and insect light traps all function as tools to process accelerating change; together, these works explore [ ... ]

    Free
  • X Fest DXB: weekend 3

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

    The third weekend for the Junction's short play festival: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to see a diverse lineup of stories, styles and performances in a single evening. This weekend [ ... ]

    AED 120
  • Denis Matsuev

    Dubai Opera

    One of the outstanding pianists of the 21st century is back in Dubai with a concert that is sure to showcase his virtuosity (the orchestra gets second billing, for instance – it's the Academy of Russian Music Symphony Orchestra under [ ... ]

    From AED 350
  • LAST CHANCE Douglas White: The Great Wave

    Leila Heller Gallery Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Throughout his practice, White approaches sculpture as a kind of material alchemy – discarded substances are reworked forms that appear uncannily animate: industrial debris becomes wave, tree, or cosmic surface, revealing unexpected continuities between natural forces and technological systems. Two [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE 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
  • LAST CHANCE Aïda Muluneh: This Bloom I Borrow

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

    A new series of images by the Ethiopian art photographer, her second solo exhibition at the gallery. The show includes 10 works that have never been seen before. Muluneh has been a distinctive voice in contemporary photography throughout her 25-year [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Nihad Al Turk: Creatures of Hope

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

    Without formal art schooling, Nihad Al Turk has developed a distinctive visual language that blends colours, forms, and patterns, "preserving his naïve sensibility while conveying his philosophical outlook and artistic vision". His paintings typically feature anthropomorphic shapes and figures, a [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE 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
  • X Fest DXB: weekend 4

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

    The fourth weekend for the Junction's short play festival: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to see a diverse lineup of stories, styles and performances in a single evening. Overall you [ ... ]

    AED 150
  • Season Special: Mini Maestro

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

    Young performers take the stage for a mini version of Keith Johnstone’s competitive improv format with scenes, songs, and games inspired by audience suggestions. Performers are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 after each round; the player with [ ... ]

    Free
  • LAST CHANCE Khozema Al-Aaed: We Walk on Stories

    Firetti Contemporary Unit 29, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

    Khozema Al‑Aaed's solo exhibition reimagines cartographies, reminding us that land absorbs our movements, our wounds, our hopes, "becoming a living archive of human presence" as the gallery puts it. "The compositions resemble traces of cities once inhabited, imagined, or departed. [ ... ]

    Free
  • X Fest DXB: weekend 4

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

    The fourth weekend for the Junction's short play festival: each weekend features 10 to 11 original 10-minute plays, meaning audiences will get the chance to see a diverse lineup of stories, styles and performances in a single evening. Overall you [ ... ]

    AED 150