Abu Dhabi Festival 2026

Since 2004, Abu Dhabi Festival has grown into one of the world’s leading cultural platforms, showcasing over 600 performances, 120 world premieres and 100 commissioned works, spanning more than 30 countries and counting.

As a flagship initiative of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), the Festival reflects Abu Dhabi’s position as a global capital of culture, fostering creative exchange and celebrating the values of Bilad Al Khayr, the Land of Blessings, inspired by the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Abu Dhabi Festival returns for it's 23rd edition under the theme ‘The Wisdom of Culture’, celebrating the UAE as a living embodiment of cultural wisdom and a platform for global dialogue. It's the guiding light that unites Abu Dhabi with the world, and nations with one another. Its warm glow inspires creation; its vibrant pulse is the beat of the future and its wise call to unity echoes the voice of our shared humanity. 

The Festival was honored as the “Best Classical Music Festival in the Middle East” by BBC Music Magazine in 2024.

The UAE is where dialogue remains possible, coexistence is alive, and culture bridges differences. We are a nation that speaks to the world and creates new possibilities. The United Arab Emirates stands not only as a nation, but as a meeting point of cultures. Rooted in heritage and open to the world, it embodies the Wisdom of Culture as a living force; one that preserves memory while keeping the channels of exchange open.

This season brings together world-class performances, Arab world premieres, and exceptional cultural experiences from 10th of October to 19th of December 2026. 

https://youtu.be/JYRQzMqFUrk