Abu Dhabi Festival 2026 to Bring Global Opera, Jazz and Ballet Icons to Abu Dhabi.
ABU DHABI(Web Desk):: 10th September 2026: Abu Dhabi is preparing to host a spectacular programme of international music, opera, ballet and contemporary arts as the 23rd edition of Abu Dhabi Festival gets underway on 10 October.
The 2026 edition is particularly significant as it marks 30 years since the founding of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, bringing together internationally acclaimed artists, leading orchestras and prominent Emirati performers.
The Festival will open on 10 October at Etihad Arena with the UAE National Orchestra, conducted by acclaimed maestro François López-Ferrer, and featuring pianist David Khrikuli. The concert will officially launch the Festival’s 2026 season with a programme celebrating musical excellence and artistic expression.
One of the major highlights will come on 13 November, when Academy Award® and Grammy Award®-winning composer Hans Zimmer brings his THE NEXT LEVEL tour to Etihad Arena. The production will reimagine some of Zimmer’s most celebrated film scores through immersive orchestral and electronic soundscapes.
The Festival programme will continue on 21 November at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, where American Ballet Theatre will present a programme combining classical ballet traditions with contemporary choreography.
On 26 November, audiences will witness the Arab world premiere of Algarabía, a landmark production co-produced by Abu Dhabi Festival, Museo Universidad de Navarra and Khawla Art & Culture Foundation.
The programme will continue on 29 November with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, which will perform the Verdi 125th Anniversary Gala Concert at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental.
The Festival will conclude its main programme on 19 December at Louvre Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the museum, with a special performance by acclaimed Tunisian composer, singer and oud virtuoso Dhafer Youssef and his Quintet.
Children’s Biennale to Make Middle East Debut
A major new addition to this year’s Festival is the Children’s Biennale, taking place from 6 November to 6 December at Umm Al Emarat Park.
Described as the first outdoor children’s biennale in the Middle East, the initiative is being presented in partnership with National Gallery Singapore, Umm Al Emarat Park and Salayel Hospitality, and is being held in the spirit of the UAE’s Year of Family.
Curated by Dana Al Mazrouei, the month-long event will feature nine artists, including UAE-based artists Alia Al Shamsi, Aya Afaneh, Hana El-Sagini, Moza Almatrooshi, Moza Almazrouei, Mira Almazrooei, Nada Almosa and Sarah Afaneh, alongside Indonesian artist Eko Nugroho.
The artists will transform Umm Al Emarat Park into an interactive environment where children and families can experience art through touch, sound, movement and light.
The Children’s Biennale will also feature family sessions, workshops and an interactive guide designed to encourage creativity, environmental awareness and stronger family connections.
Early bird tickets are now available, with further information and ticket details available through the official Abu Dhabi Festival website.
The 2026 edition is expected to further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading international destination for culture and the arts, while providing audiences with opportunities to experience world-class performances alongside innovative family-focused cultural experiences.
