New edition of the Abu Dhabi Calendar features more than 150 cultural and live entertainment events

The 2018 Abu Dhabi Calendar includes more than 150 cultural and live entertainment events, ranging from must-see concerts and festivals to elite global athletic extravaganzas, taking place around the emirate over the next six months. The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT - Abu Dhabi) revealed its largest-ever 'Back-to-Back' activities schedule in a spectacular ceremony full of surprises. Experience Abu Dhabi, the DCT - Abu Dhabi's destination brand, has partnered with iconic singer, songwriter, and producer will.i.am to launch and celebrate its greatest events season ever. DCT Abu Dhabi's Director General of Tourism, Saleh Al Geziry, stated that the agency has a "clear strategy" to guarantee that the Capital becomes a centre of events.

The latest edition of the calendar, packed with a diverse line-up of activities and experiences for every resident and visitor, combines perfect pleasant weather with highlights such as Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concerts headlined by Ava Max, Tiesto, and Foo Fighters, thrilling NBA and UFC events, cultural festivals, interactive family shows, and more performances. With a wide array of visual and performing arts events, the calendar's cultural programming, museum exhibitions, and educational programmes highlight the UAE's rich history and legacy.

The return of the annual book festivals Al Ain Book and Al Dhafra, which serve as crucial celebrations of Emirati literature and culture, giving unique chances to engage with famous writers, publishers, and artists from the UAE, will mark the start of the new season. Letters of Light at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Rohani Theatre Play, Abu Dhabi Classics, the Traditional Handicrafts Festival, Al Ain Book Festival, Abu Dhabi Art Fair 2023, Al Dhafra Book Festival, Al Hosn Festival, and the Maritime Heritage Festival are all captivating cultural events.

Music fans may look forward to a broad lineup of performers and musicians. At the Mother of the Nation, the musical lineup includes Robbie Williams' XXV Tour, Hyperound K-Fest, Arijit Singh, and Nancy Ajram and Spacetoon Orchestra performances. Popular family shows include Disney On Ice Presents 100 Years of Wonder, Mother of the Nation Festival, Abu Dhabi International Boat Show (ADIBS), Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season, the Giant Italian Circus in Al Ain, Storm the Block, Liwa Village (December 8 to 31), the Illusionist Magic Show, Saadiyat Beach Wellness Festival, the Middle East premiere of Broadway's Hamilton, Middle East Film & Comic Con 2024, and Cirque du Soleil.

This month's thrilling competitions and sports activities include the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, and UFC 294. The World Supercross Championship Abu Dhabi GP, Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi T10 League, and World Tennis League will occur in the following two months.

The first Saadiyat Nights offer weekly live entertainment on the beach from December to February 2024, adding to the unique Experience Abu Dhabi events list. This local festival will include weekly musical performers performing on Saadiyat Island. Yas Island is scheduled to hold thrilling seasonal celebrations throughout its attractions to celebrate the winter sun, including Winter Fest at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and the Winter Spectacular at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. The announcement of the Abu Dhabi Calendar's extensive lineup of events comes on the heels of the debut of Experience Abu Dhabi's 'Can't Wait to Winter' campaign, which features Indian actor Ranveer Singh, Chinese-American actress Liu Yifei, and the Gulf region's iconic comedy pair Dawood Hussein and Hasan Al Ballam.