Biggest annual Abu Dhabi events and festivals in 2024
The UAE capital hosts numerous annual events and festivals which attract millions of visitors from around the globe. These annual events in Abu Dhabi always have huge followings, and tickets can sell out instantly. Often tourists plan their vacations at specific times of year to ensure they can attend some of these spectacular events. Wanna check out some of the best ones? Here you go!
SPORTS EVENTS
ABU DHABI EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL
Looking for Abu Dhabi annual events? If you’re a fan of horse shows, then the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Festival might be your thing. The event will feature the 11th FBMA International Show Jumping Cup, Al Shira’aa Horse Show and Al Shiraa Arabian Horse Show.
Other activities at the festival are drawing, handicrafts and theatre performances for the little ones. There will also be food trucks serving yummy snacks.
- Ticket price: Free entry
- Date and timings: Till 26th January 2024, 11:00 am – 08:00 pm
- Location: Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club, Tawam Street, Al Maqam
- Contact: +971-800-8777
TRIYAS CHALLENGE 2024
Next on our list of yearly events in Abu Dhabi is the 14th edition of the TriYAS Challenge. The ultimate triathlon experience invites first-timers and seasoned athletes to try their hand at exciting sports activities, including roller skating and stand-up paddle boarding.
- Ticket price: Free
- Date and timings: 24th February 2024, 06:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Location: Yas Marina Circuit
- Contact: +971-2-497-9000
MUBADALA ABU DHABI OPEN 2024
Tennis fans rejoice! Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is back for its second season in 2024. It is one of the most anticipated annual events in Abu Dhabi, with a status as a premier tournament on the global tennis calendar. 28 players and 16 formidable teams will compete for the ultimate title.
- Ticket price: From AED 595
- Date and timings: 3rd February 2024 to 11th February 2024, 10:00 am – 09:00 pm
- Location: International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City
- Contact: +971 -2-403-4200
ART AND EXHIBITIONS
FABLES FROM EAST AND WEST
If you want to learn about the literary transformation of animal fables, then you should put Fables from East and West on your must-visit list. The event, organised in partnership with Bibliothèque Nationale de France and France Muséums, will showcase paintings, illustrated manuscripts, contemporary works and more.
- Ticket price: From AED 60
- Date and timings: 20th March 2024 to 14th July 2024
- Location: Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Contact: +971-600-565566
CARTIER EXHIBITION AT LOUVRE ABU DHABI
Cartier has organised Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design exhibition in collaboration with the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Musée du Louvre and France Muséums. The exhibition highlights the influence of Islamic Art on the brand’s designs from the early 20th century.
- Ticket price: From AED 60
- Date and timings: Till 24th March 2024
- Location: Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Contact: +971-600-565566
LOUVRE ABU DHABI ART HERE
Swiss watchmaking brand Richard Mille and Louvre Abu Dhabi have organised the third edition of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Here exhibition. This year’s theme is Transparencies.
- Ticket price: From AED 60
- Date and timings: Till 29th February 2024
- Location: Louvre Abu Dhabi
- Contact: +971-600-565566
CONCERTS
JOHN LEGEND
One of the most anticipated Abu Dhabi upcoming events is John Legend concert. The 12 Grammy Award winner singer will perform at the first-ever Saadiyat Night series this year.
- Ticket price: From AED 200
- Date and timings: 2nd March 2024, 08:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Location: Saadiyat Island
- Contact: Refer to the Ticketmaster website
SAADIYAT NIGHTS – MAGIDA EL ROUMI
Magida El Roumi, a legendary Lebanese singer, will perform at Saadiyat Night. The open-air music festival is the first of its kind and is expected to be grand and spectacular.
- Ticket price: From AED 150
- Date and timings: 10th February 2024, 09:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Location: Saadiyat Island
SAADIYAT NIGHTS – STING
The world-renowned British singer, Sting, will also perform at Saadiyat Nights. Imagine a stunning backdrop of the island and Sting singing his famous numbers.
- Ticket price: From AED 250
- Date and timings: 3rd February 2024, 09:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Location: Saadiyat Island
TOM JONES CONCERT
The Tom Jones Concert is next on our list of annual events in Abu Dhabi. The Welsh singer and performer is known for captivating his audience with his voice and charisma. With a remarkable career spanning over six decades, he’s sold over 100 million records.
- Ticket price: From AED 200
- Date and timings: 1st March 2024, 08:00 – 11:00 pm
- Location: Saadiyat Island
OTHER ABU DHABI EVENTS
AL DHAFRA FESTIVAL
If you want to experience the true spirit of Emirati culture, then you should visit Al Dhafra Festival. It is one of the free events in Abu Dhabi where you have fun with the whole family.
The idea of this festival is to preserve the UAE heritage. This year’s highlight is the camel mazayna competition for purebred categories of Asayel, Majahim, Asayel hybrids and Wadh.
- Ticket price: Free
- Date and timings: Till 8th February 2024, 04:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Location: Madinat Zayed Park
- Contact: +971-2-444-0444
IMPOSSIBLE MAGIC SHOW AT EMIRATES PALACE
Another one of the Abu Dhabi events to look forward to is the Impossible Magic Show by the Hon. Drummond Money-Coutts (DMC) and Broadway. The show will feature some of the most beloved masterpieces from DMC’s routine.
- Ticket price:
- 2nd and 3rd-row seats: AED 950
- 1st row seats: AED 1,450
- A seat at the Magician’s table: AED 1,950
- Date and timings: Till 27th October 2024, 05:00 pm – 11:59 pm
- Location: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
- Contact: +971-2-690-9000
JO KOY – WORLD TOUR
The premier stand-up comedian, Jo Koy, will perform at Etihad Arena this year. He’s got four Netflix specials under his belt and continues to break sales records.
- Ticket price: From AED 180
- Date and timings: 26th May 2024, 07:00 pm – 09:00 pm
- Location: Etihad Arena, Yas Island
- Contact: +971-2-496-8000
HAMILTON ABU DHABI 2024
The Grammy, Tony, Pulitzer and Olivier prize-winning musical HAMILTON is landing in Abu Dhabi! Expect a blend of hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway.
- Ticket price: From AED 180
- Date and timings: Till 11th February 2024, 07:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Location: Etihad Arena, Yas Island
- Contact: +971-2-496-8000
MATILDA
Inspired by Roald Dahl’s famous book for children, Matilda, the Royal Shakespeare Company is bringing Matilda The Musical to Yas Island. The company has won over 101 international awards.
- Ticket price: From AED 150
- Date and timings: 19th June 2024 to 23rd June 2024, 06:30 pm – 09:00 pm
- Location: Etihad Arena, Yas Island
- Contact: +971-2-496-8000
SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD
Another musical to look forward to this year is Scooby Doo! and the Lost City of Gold. Join Mystery Inc. and the beloved Scoob to investigate the ghostly sightings of La Dama de Oro.
- Ticket price: From AED 95
- Date and timings: 2nd March 2024 to 3rd March 2024, 11:00 am – 07:45 pm
- Location: Etihad Arena, Yas Island
- Contact: +971-2-496-8000
SHEIKH ZAYED FESTIVAL
Another yearly event in Abu Dhabi is the Sheikh Zayed Festival. The event aims at preserving Emirati heritage and features a range of activities for both kids and adults.
- Ticket price: From AED 10
- Date and timings: Till 9th March 2024, 04:00 pm – 11:59 pm
- Location: Al Wathba
- Contact: +971-800-555
FAQS ABOUT ABU DHABI EVENTS
DO ANY INDOOR VENUES HOST WEEKLY ABU DHABI EVENTS?
The Etihad Arena on Yas Island is a wonderful multi-purpose indoor venue hosting corporate functions, sporting competitions and cultural performances. You can check the official website to learn more about the calendar and ticket details.
WHAT ARE THE TOP ANNUAL EVENTS IN DUBAI?
If you plan to visit Abu Dhabi’s neighbouring emirate, some of the annual events in Dubai you wouldn’t want to miss are Dubai Shopping Festival, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and Dubai Jazz Festival.
That wraps up our guide to annual events in Abu Dhabi. We hope that you enjoy this year and make the most of these happening events. Art aficionados will be pleased to know that several art events in Abu Dhabi are lined for this year, including Sheikh Zayed Festival and Al Murabbaa Heritage Festival.
Looking for something specific? Our guide to monthly events in Abu Dhabi will point you in the right direction. And if you happen to be in Dubai, here’s a roundup of all the upcoming events at the Coca Cola Arena.
