The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi on October 12, 2026, detailed more than 40 world-class events that will unfold across the emirate and its regions in the coming months, building on the success of prior seasons to draw global audiences. Highlights range from combat sports and motorsport spectacles to new art fairs and the debut of major museum openings. The announcement, distributed via PR Newswire, positions the calendar as a key driver for visitor growth and economic activity.
Abu Dhabi Showdown Week will feature UFC title bouts at Etihad Arena on October 24, including featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defending against Movsar Evloev and a bantamweight trilogy between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili. Fan engagements such as open workouts, weigh-ins and citywide zones will accompany the fights. The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix returns December 3-6 at Yas Marina Circuit, accompanied by Yasalam concerts headlined by Lewis Capaldi, Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers and The Script, with Anyma leading the official after-party.
Cultural programming includes the inaugural Frieze Abu Dhabi on November 19 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, alongside NOMAD Abu Dhabi from November 18-22 at the old airport terminal. The Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial launches in Al Ain on October 23 before reaching the capital on November 15, with works remaining on display until 2027. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is scheduled to open December 11, while the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi runs December 8-10.
Heritage and festival events round out the calendar, with the Crafts and Traditional Industries Festival taking place October 23 to November 11 in Al Ain and the Maritime Heritage Festival returning to the Corniche from November 20-29. The Liwa International Festival will transform the Al Dhafra region with desert sports and cultural activities from December into January. These programs extend the emirate’s year-round appeal across sports, arts and tradition.
The new season arrives after a record 2025 in which Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors welcomed 26.6 million visitors, hotel revenues climbed 19.5 percent to AED 9.1 billion and event attendance rose 20 percent to 4.2 million across 252 culture and leisure gatherings.[[1]](https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/tourism/abu-dhabis-culture-and-tourism-sectors-delivered-strong-growth-in-2025-with-26m-visitors/) The 2024 Formula 1 event alone generated AED 1.25 billion in visitor spending from 192,000 attendees, a 6.8 percent increase on the prior record.[[2]](https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/events-and-conferences/abu-dhabi-grand-prix-shatters-records-in-2024-and-2025-will-be-even-bigger-nrkc7e9i) DCT Abu Dhabi expects the 2026-2027 lineup to sustain double-digit gains in both MICE and leisure segments.
According to the department’s statement, the combination of returning blockbusters such as the UFC and Grand Prix with fresh cultural debuts will reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a year-round destination. The announcement explicitly referenced Abu Dhabi unveils new season with over 40 major events as the season’s overarching theme. Full schedules and ticketing information will be released progressively through official DCT Abu Dhabi channels.
