Abu Dhabi Festival will return for its 23rd edition from October 10 to December 19, 2026, with a programme spanning music, dance, opera and cultural performances.
The festival will feature international artists and ensembles alongside Emirati performers across venues including Etihad Arena, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Cultural Foundation and Zayed National Museum. This year’s edition is themed “The Wisdom of Culture” and marks 30 years since the founding of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF).
The festival will open on October 10 at Etihad Arena with the UAE National Orchestra, conducted by François López-Ferrer and featuring pianist David Khrikuli.
The Abu Dhabi Festival Recital Series will begin on October 30 at Zayed National Museum with Emirati cellist Elham Al Marzooqi performing with pianist Sooyeon Jun. The series will bring together Emirati and international musicians across Abu Dhabi’s cultural venues.
On November 13, Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Hans Zimmer will bring his The Next Level tour to Etihad Arena. The performance will feature orchestral and electronic arrangements of Zimmer’s film scores.
American Ballet Theatre will perform at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental on November 21. The programme will include Frederick Ashton’s Birthday Offering, Jiří Kylián’s Nuages and Paquita, staged by Natalia Makarova after Marius Petipa.
The festival will also present the Arab world premiere of Algarabía on November 26 at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. Co-produced by Abu Dhabi Festival, Museo Universidad de Navarra and Khawla Art & Culture Foundation, the production combines flamenco and Arab poetic traditions. The creative team includes co-directors Ignacio García and Jihad Mikhael, with Emirati composer Ihab Darwish among its musical contributors.
On November 29, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will make its UAE debut at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental with the Verdi 125th Anniversary Gala Concert. Conducted by David Crescenzi, the concert will feature soprano Maria Agresta and tenor Giorgio Berrugi and will include works by Giuseppe Verdi.
The festival programme will continue through November and December with classical music, contemporary performances and family programming. The Recital Series will feature international and Emirati musicians at venues including Zayed National Museum and Cultural Foundation, while Dhafer Youssef and his Quintet will close the Abu Dhabi programme at Louvre Abu Dhabi on December 19.
Family programming will include the Children’s Biennale at Umm Al Emarat Park from November 6 to December 6, featuring nine artists, interactive installations, workshops and family sessions. The festival will also introduce its Festival Academy, alongside youth programming and the Abu Dhabi Festival Youth Orchestra, providing opportunities for emerging musicians and dancers to learn and perform alongside festival artists.
