It’s showtime…

Don’t want to miss the biggest and best music festivals, shows from stand-up comedy legends, musical concerts, musical theatre, and much much more coming to Abu Dhabi in 2024? Then bookmark this page of unmissable Abu Dhabi events this year.

January

Mariah Carey

When: January 6, 2024
Where: Saadiyat Island

Grammy Award-winning Mariah Carey set to perform in the capital! She will be kicking off the first-ever Saadiyat Nights, a three-month music festival that will bring a slew of musical superstars to the island. The songbird supreme will belt out a string of her best-loved hits from the decades, including Hero, One Sweet Day, and Always Be My Baby. Her performance, as all Saadiyat Nights performances will take place at a purpose-built open-air venue on Saadiyat Island, backdropped by the island’s beautiful vistas and cultural institutions.

When: January 17 to February 11, 2024
Where: International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City

Even if you’re not ‘a musical type of person’, you’ve probably heard of Hamilton. It’s a grand, board-treading spectacular that’s cut from a very different sort of theatrical cloth. Using a song sheet that builds narratives through the musical genres of hip-hop, pop, jazz, R&B, soul and *jazz hands* Broadway — Hamilton is a Lin-Manuel Miranda-conceived extravaganza, based on a Ron Chernow biography and in Miranda’s own words tells “the story of America then told by America now”. Hamilton is headed for Yas Island’s Etihad Arena for a tenure of office that will stretch from January 17 to February 11, 2024.

Hamilton, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Jan 17 to Feb 11,  from Dhs180. etihadarena.ae

Al Hosn Festival

When: January 19 to 28, 2024
Where: Qasr Al Hosn

Suitably hosted at the birthplace of Abu Dhabi’s cultural scene, this 10-day festival of creativity and culture is an invitation to step back in time. You can spend time exploring Abu Dhabi’s historic traditions and its connections to contemporary and newly emerging cultures, expect live performances, family workshops, food & beverage stalls, art and cultural exhibits, immersive trails, re-enactments, and more.

Al Hosn Festival, Qasr Al Hosn, Al Hisn, W3, Jan 19 to 28, from Dhs30. abudhabiculture.ae

Andrea Bocelli

When: January 27, 2024
Where: Saadiyat Island

On January 27, world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli returns to the capital for the first time since 2022. He will be performing as part of Saadiyat Nights on Saadiyat Island. Fans can expect to hear a selection of the celebrated classical artist’s most iconic songs, including Time To Say Goodbye and Vivo Por Lei.

February

All Africa Festival (AAF)

When: February 2 to 4, 2024
Where: Etihad Arena

Global African stars including Congolese French singer and songwriter, Maitre Gims, show-stopping Nora Fatehi and dancehall ace Stonebwoy, with more names in tow, will headline the All Africa Festival (AAF) at Etihad Park from February 2 to 4, 2024. Expect global hitmakers, award-winning music and food, and a culturally immersive experience synonymous with the AAF to greet you at Etihad Park.

All Africa Festival, Etihad Park, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, February 2 to 4 2024, from Dhs87. Ticketmaster.ae, www.allafricafestival.com

Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

When: February 3 to 11, 2024
Where: International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City

Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is set to take place in the capital in February 2024 where a number of the world’s greatest female tennis athletes are set to attend. So far, Ons Jabeur has been confirmed to play, and we can expect more players to be confirmed. This is now the second edition of this action-packed event building on the 2023 inaugural event. Off the courts, we can expect meet and greet with the players, family entertainment, food and beverage offerings and more.

The Open Fire Food Festival by Steve Harvey

When: February 24 to 25, 2024
Where: Abu Dhabi Hill, Yas Marina

Famed television personality, Family Feud star and major Abu Dhabi enthusiast Steve Harvey, is bringing with him the capital’s pioneering ‘Open Fire Food Festival by Steve Harvey,’ which promises to keep you eat-ertained. A line-up of highly skilled fire chefs will descend on the capital to introduce you to the rich traditions and unforgettable flavours of open-flame cooking, in a gastronomy masterclass inspired by Steve’s passion for the art of cooking over fire. Also headlining the event will be a lively line-up of culinary competitions, enlightening panel discussions and country music performances, with culinary traditions coming to you from the world. Purchase your tickets here.

The Open Fire Food Festival by Steve Harvey, Abu Dhabi Hill, Yas Marina, Yas Island, Feb 24 and 25, from Dhs75. yasmarinacircuit.com

Trevor Noah

When: February 28
Where: Etihad Arena

Trevor Noah returns to Abu Dhabi in February with rib-tickling comedy and unmissable live entertainment. The highly-anticipated show is part of Trevor’s ‘Off the Record’ tour with the star performer’s unrivalled satire, wit and comedic genius which will undoubtedly be on full display. Read more here and book here.

Wireless

After an epic inaugural festival in 2023, Wireless Festival returns to Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Park on March 2. Although we don’t have line-up information yet, last year’s self-styled-urban music festival featured such hit list headliners as Travis Scott, M.I.A, Lil Uzi Vert, Wegz, Black Sherif, Ali Gatie, King, Divine and Young Stunners, along with UK drill sergeant K-Trap, Raja Kumari, $kinny, Dizzytooskinny, Dafencii, Casa Vince, DJ Nico, and DJ Liutik. Event organisers, Live Nation Middle East have promised an even “bigger and better” show for Wireless Middle East 2.0.

Wireless Middle East, Etihad Park, Yas Island, March 2, tickets TBC. wirelessfestival.me

Scooby-Doo! and The Lost City of Gold

When: March 2 to 3, 2024
Where: Etihad Arena

Scooby-Doo! and The Lost City of Gold, is landing in Yas Island for six shows over March 2 and 3, 2024. Tickets start at Dhs95 and are on sale now via the etihadarena.ae website. For this, live action, family-friendly stage show, the gang are on the Incan trail of a series of mysterious events in South America — a music festival is being haunted by the spectre of La Dama de Oro (The Lady In Gold), and it’s putting a considerable dent in the event’s PnL. Zoiks, sounds like we’ve got ourselves a mystery, gang.

Scooby-Doo! and The Lost City of Gold, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, March 2 to 3, 2024, from Dhs95. etihadarena.ae

André Rieu

When: March 9, 2024
Where: Etihad Arena

Love a spot of classical music? Violinist and conductor André Rieu will be performing at Etihad Arena on Saturday, March 9, 2024 as part of his World Tour. Expect to be teleported with the award-winning performer’s enchanting melodies as he leads his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra, chorus and many international soloists in a repertoire that spans classical masterpieces to waltzes, show tunes and songs from film, opera and musicals.

André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, , March 9, from Dhs215. etihadarena.ae

May

Scorpions

When: May 17
Where: Etihad Arena

German rock supergroup Scorpions are set to play Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on May 17, 2024, as part of their Love at First Sting world tour, and to mark the 40th anniversary of their album of the same name. The timeless Hanover-based hard rockers, known for super hits such as ‘Rock You like A Hurricane’, ‘Wind of Change’, ‘Still Loving You’, ‘Big City Nights’ and many more, are all set to bring their signature arena-shaking guitar riffs and power-soaked vocals, that will ring out to the depths of the Etihad Arena’s seating chart.

Scorpions: Love at First Sting, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, May 17, from Dhs195. livenation.me 

Jo Koy

When: May 26, 2024
Where: Etihad Arena

Jo Koy was scheduled to perform in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, October 28 but his performance was postponed a few days before he was supposed to perform. He will now hit the stage in Abu Dhabi next year on Sunday, May 26, 2024. If you don’t know who Jo Koy is – he has a unique brand of humour that he draws from his Filipino heritage and experiences growing up. And his performances always leave his audiences in stitches. He is quite popular, so snap up your tickets here.

Jo Koy, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, May 26, from Dhs180. abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net

June

Matilda the Musical

Missed Matilda the Musical when it graced the stage in Dubai in 2023? Well, you’re in luck because the award-winning musical is returning to the UAE, this time to Abu Dhabi in the summer of 2024. The musical is inspired by the beloved book Matilda written by the world-famous British author, Roald Dahl. The story follows a little girl called Matilda who is anything but ordinary. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, she dares to take a stand and change her destiny.

Matilda The Musical, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, June 20 to 23, from Dhs150. etihadarena.ae

Images: Provided