Abu Dhabi Minute: Concerts, Culture & Major Weekend Events

Good day, Abu Dhabi.

January is when Abu Dhabi quietly outperforms expectations. The crowds are more intentional, the cultural calendar runs deeper, and headline concerts sit comfortably alongside heritage festivals, exhibitions, and outdoor winter experiences.

This Wednesday edition is your full weekend planning guide - designed to help you decide what’s actually worth your time across concerts, theatre, exhibitions, family-friendly events, and sport.

Let’s start with the biggest bookings first.

One of the world’s most recognisable voices headlines Saadiyat Nights with a full outdoor concert production. Expect emotional singalongs, stripped-back moments, and arena-scale energy under the open sky.

📅 Date: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Saadiyat Island
💰 Cost: From AED 295+
👉 Book tickets

A refined musical performance celebrating classical and contemporary interpretations inspired by South Asian poetic traditions. Designed for seated audiences and cultural music lovers.

📅 Date: Sun, 18 Jan
📍 Location: The Red Theater, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 Reserve seats

Turkey’s most famous stand-up comedian brings his globally touring show to Abu Dhabi. Known for sharp political humour and cultural satire, this is one of the highest-demand comedy bookings of the season.

📅 Date: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Etihad Arena
💰 Cost: From AED 250+
👉 Get tickets

A rare collaboration between master qanun and oud musicians, delivering a deeply atmospheric concert rooted in Arabic and regional musical traditions.

📅 Date: Thu, 15 Jan
📍 Location: Emirates Palace Auditorium, Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 Book tickets

A broader orchestral continuation of The Beginning, focused on instrumental storytelling and live ensemble arrangements.

📅 Date: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Al Ain City Municipality Theatre, Al Ain
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 View event details

A classical ballet interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragedy, featuring traditional choreography, live orchestration, and period costume design.

📅 Date: Fri, 16 Jan
📍 Location: Cultural Foundation
💰 Cost: From AED 250+
👉 Book ballet tickets

Part of the touring January edition, The Laughter Factory brings international stand-up comedians to Abu Dhabi for a high-energy comedy night.

📅 Date: Thu, 15 Jan - Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Multiple Locations
💰 Cost: From AED 160+
👉 View showtimes

One of Abu Dhabi’s most important heritage festivals returns, celebrating Emirati traditions through performances, crafts, storytelling, food, and historical exhibitions within the capital’s oldest stone building.

📅 Dates: Starts Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Qasr Al Hosn
💰 Cost: From AED 35+
👉 Explore the festival

A high-profile charity exhibition featuring art, fashion, jewellery, and luxury goods, supporting humanitarian initiatives.

📅 Dates: Tue, 13 Jan - Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: ADNEC Marina
💰 Cost: From AED 100+
👉 Visit the exhibition

A fashion-focused cultural experience exploring the legacy, craftsmanship, and global influence of Oscar de la Renta through curated showcases and storytelling.

📅 Date: Ongoing
📍 Location: Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: From AED 245+
👉 See event details

A heritage-led experience highlighting traditional horsemanship, equestrian culture, and Arabian values through live demonstrations and storytelling.

📅 Dates: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 Discover Furusiyya

A family-friendly fashion event spotlighting young designers, children’s fashion, and runway showcases.

📅 Dates: Sun, 18 Jan
📍 Location: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: From AED 100+
👉 View event

A brand-new indoor attraction featuring climate-controlled gardens filled with free-flying butterflies, educational zones, and family-friendly walkthroughs.

📅 Dates: Open daily
📍 Location: Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: From AED 55+
👉 Plan your visit

A seasonal winter village bringing carnival rides, festive games, food stalls, and family entertainment to Al Ain. Designed for evening visits, especially with children.

📅 Dates: Ongoing till tomorrow
📍 Location: Al Ain
💰 Cost: From AED 30+
👉 See event details

A relaxed weekend market featuring fresh produce, local vendors, artisanal goods, and family-friendly browsing. Easy to pair with lunch or shopping.

📅 Dates: Weekend mornings
📍 Location: Reem Mall
💰 Cost: Free entry
👉 Visit the market

An elite indoor skydiving competition bringing international athletes to CLYMB. A unique spectator event combining sport, skill, and controlled indoor conditions.

📅 Dates: Thu, 15 Jan - Sun, 18 Jan
📍 Location: CLYMB Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: Free
👉 View championship details

A UAE Pro League fixture with strong local support and classic weekend match energy.

📅 Date: Sun, 18 Jan
📍 Location: Baniyas Stadium
💰 Cost: From AED 20+
👉 Get match tickets

A flagship global event bringing together world leaders, innovators, policymakers, and sustainability-focused exhibitions across the capital.

📅 Dates: Ongoing until Jan 15
📍 Location: Multiple venues, Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: Free & ticketed zones
👉 Explore ADSW

One of the world’s most competitive jiu-jitsu tournaments, drawing elite athletes and international teams.

📅 Dates: This weekend
📍 Location: Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: Ticketed
👉 View championship info

A fully immersive VR experience that takes you deep into the story of history’s most famous ship. Travel from the Titanic wreck site as it rests today back to 1912, walk the Grand Staircase, explore iconic spaces onboard, and experience the journey through the eyes of real passengers and crew.

📅 Dates: Sun, 18 Jan
⏳ Duration: Approx. 45 minutes
📍 Location: Active Games, 6A Street, Al Quoz, Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 112 (25% discount currently available)
👉 Book tickets

An interactive live theatre experience where the audience becomes the jury. Step into a courtroom drama centered on a moral and legal dilemma: when a driverless car causes a fatal accident, who is truly responsible? Testimonies are heard, evidence is presented, and the final verdict is decided by you.

📅 Dates: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Manarat Al Saadiyat
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 Book tickets

An immersive, story-driven experience based on the hit Netflix series. Step into Hawkins Lab, interact with familiar characters, and become part of an original Stranger Things adventure before exploring 80s-themed sets, photo zones, themed food, and exclusive merchandise.

📅 Dates: Ongoing (select date & time when booking)
📍 Location: Yas Island (opposite Etihad Arena)
💰 Cost: From AED 135+
👉 Book tickets

A major headline booking bringing John Mayer’s globally acclaimed live show to Abu Dhabi. Expect extended sets, guitar-driven performances, and high demand.

📅 Date: Next week
📍 Location: Saadiyat Island
💰 Cost: From AED 395+
👉 Book tickets

One of the biggest rock announcements of the year. Linkin Park brings its world tour to Abu Dhabi, delivering a full-scale arena production.

📅 Date: Upcoming
📍 Location: Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: Ticketed
👉 Get tickets

If your weekend calendar is already tight, these are the most reliable anchors:

• Lewis Capaldi at Saadiyat Nights
• Al Hosn Festival
• Romeo & Juliet (Russian State Ballet)
• Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
• Al Ain Winterland (family pick)

Abu Dhabi stays comfortably cool and outdoor-friendly:

Friday: 24°C → 17°C
Saturday: 23°C → 16°C
Sunday: 22°C → 15°C

Ideal conditions for concerts, markets, festivals, and evening walks.

That wraps up your Wednesday edition of Abu Dhabi Minute.

This is a weekend where Abu Dhabi shows its full range - global concerts, deep cultural programming, heritage experiences, family-friendly attractions, and world-class sporting events all running in parallel.

We’ll be back Friday morning with the tightest weekend picks only, distilled for easy planning.

– Matthias