UAE is, without a doubt, one of the most happening countries in the world. An international hub for all kinds of events, there is always something cool taking place in the country.
From top music concerts, theatre shows, art and culture exhibits, shopping and food festivals, and much more, UAE and Dubai’s social scene is always filled with various events to choose from every year, and 2023 is no different.
This year is already filled with a lineup of the coolest concerts and events with some of the top artists from around the world, apart from the annual events like Dubai Shopping Festival and Gulf Food Festival.
Wondering what’s happening in UAE in 2023? We’ve compiled a list of the top upcoming events in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ajman to help you plan your year in the best way possible.
Looking for tickets to the top events in UAE? Head to Platinumlist to book your tickets now!
Top Upcoming Events In UAE
Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship
Date: 14th – 19th Feb, 2023
One of the top upcoming sports events in Dubai, the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship, will see the best players from different countries around the world battle it out for Asian supremacy. This six-day event will be held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City, and will give you the opportunity to watch some of the best badminton players in action.
elrow XXL in Dubai | 2nd Date Added | Friday
Date – 17th & 18th Feb, 2023
After sell-out shows in Ibiza, Las Vegas, London, New York, Barcelona, and more, elrow XXL has landed in Dubai. This world-famous party concert is an experience like no other and is expected to be one of the best events happening in Dubai this year.
Enjoy exciting performances by some of the best artists from around the world, including Arielle Free, Idris Elba, and Armand Van Helden, with a colorful party vibe with 10,000+ people. After an extremely high demand and a sold-out first day, elrow XXL has announced a second-day event that will be as amazing as the first.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship
Date: 19th Feb – 4th Mar, 2023
The highly-anticipated Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championship is back for 2023. This annual sports event will feature a spectacular line-up of some of the best players in the game, including Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, and Andrey Rublev, battling it out for the coveted trophy. The two-week-long series will take place at the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Stadium.
Kevin Hart: Reality Check
Date: 22nd Feb 2023
Kevin Hart’s world-famous “Reality Check” tour is finally coming to the UAE with a special performance at The Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Join the Emmy & Grammy nominated actor and performer in his latest stand-up comedy show that has broken multiple box office records around the world and will have you laughing for days.
Middle East Film & Comic Con 2023 (MEFCC) in Abu Dhabi
Date – 3rd – 5th Mar 2023
The first and longest-standing Comic Con in the Middle East is back for its 11th edition in Abu Dhabi. The Middle East Film & Comic Con festival is one of the biggest of its kind and is the perfect place to geek your heart out.
Meet famous celebrities, including Matt Smith, Andy Serkis, Anthony Daniels, and Christopher Sabat, cosplay as your favorite character, mingle with the comic community, and experience an exciting weekend at this year’s comic con.
Ultra Abu Dhabi
Date – 4th & 5th Mar 2023
The world’s largest electronic music festival, ULTRA Worldwide, has arrived with its first-ever concert in the Middle East – Ultra Abu Dhabi. The show boasts an impressive line-up, including the giants of the electronic and house music industry, including Calvin Harris, Skrillex, and Afro Jack, ready to set the stage on fire and is sure to be one of the top events happening in UAE.
Atif Aslam In Dubai – 2023
Date – 4th Mar 2023
The international sensation and one of the best singers from Pakistan, Atif Aslam, is once again gracing the stage at Coca-Cola Arena accompanied by the harmonious Firdaus Orchestra, a gifted all-women ensemble mentored by the iconic A.R. Rehman. With 100s of international hits under his belt, Atif Aslam, as always, is sure to create a wonderful experience for fans in this seated concert perfect for families. For music fans, this is going to be one of the top events in Dubai.
World Art Dubai
Date – 9th – 12th Mar 2023
One of the most anticipated events in the art and culture world, World Art Dubai is the region’s biggest contemporary art fair that takes place every year. This year, the exhibit is bigger than ever, featuring 4000+ artworks and 300+ galleries by talented artists from across the world. Art lovers can also experience live performances, talks by renowned artists, interactive workshops, and this exciting four-day art event hosted at World Trade Center, Dubai.
SEAL In Concert at Al Majaz Amphitheatre
Date – 11th Mar 2023
Join this unique opportunity to witness a stunning and intimate concert by Grammy Award-winning British songwriter and singer seal at Al Majaz Amphitheatre. The record-breaking artist will set the stage on fire with a dynamic, energy-filled performance in Sharjah.
McGettigan’s St. Patrick’s Festival presents The Script Live in Dubai
Date – 18th Mar 2023
This year, McGettigan’s is going all out for St. Patrick’s Day with The Ultimate St. Patrick’s Music Festival featuring some of the most famous artists from around the world.
The festival will be headlined by the award-winning band, The Script, with their ‘Greatest Hits Tour’ celebrating their musical journey so far with their most-loved songs, including ‘Superheros,’ ‘Hall of Fame,’ and ‘For The First Time.’
Other artists in the lineup include Block Rockin Beats, The Coronas, and more to be announced.
Monster Jam 2023 Abu Dhabi
Date – 13th & 14th May 2023
This one is for car enthusiasts. After a decade, the thrilling Monster Jam event is back in Abu Dhabi for an adrenaline-charged weekend. Experience 5-ton monster trucks going head-to-head in a series of competitions throughout the weekend, including freestyle, racing, backflipping, and motor cross contests that will defy the laws of physics.
IIFA Awards 2023 in Abu Dhabi
Date – 27th May 2023
The iconic IIFA Awards are back for another stellar night at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The famous award shows honor the top performers of the Indian Film Industry that have wowed the crowd with their spectacular roles in movies. The green carpet is ready to host some of the most renowned stars from Bollywood and hold fun and exciting performances by your favorite celebrities.
Matilda The Musical at Dubai Opera
Date – 3rd to 12th Oct 2023
After a long wait, the multi-award-winning musical inspired by the famous work of Roald Dahl, Matilda The Musical by the Royal Shakespeare Company, is finally coming to Dubai.
With a spectacular cast and award-winning performances, Matilda the Musical has been winning hearts for over 12 years, has secured 100+ awards throughout its lifetime, and is about to wow the public in Dubai with its short stint in October.
Arijit Singh Abu Dhabi
Date – 18th Nov 2023
After a sold-out show in Dubai, the internationally renowned Indian singer, Arijit Singh, is returning to UAE with yet another bedazzling performance in Abu Dhabi. One of the most beloved artists in the country, Arijit Singh, has been capturing hearts with superhit songs, including ‘Kesariya,’ ‘Channa Mereya,’ and the iconic ‘Tum Hi Ho,’ that he will be performing for the crowd on this unforgettable night.
Annual Events In UAE and Dubai
Apart from current events that change all the time, UAE hosts various annual events that take place every year and are a big part of the country’s social and cultural scene. Here are the major annual events in UAE and Dubai.
Dubai Shopping Festival
Date – 15th Dec, 2022 – 29th Jan, 2023
The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) takes place every year in January. The festival brings about a host of discounts and offers across the city, ranging up to 90% off your favorite stores. People from across the world visit DSF to nab amazing shopping discounts on both regular and luxury items. During DSF, the city also hosts various markets and entertainment fairs in different areas. If you are looking to secure great deals on a big purchase, DSF is worth the wait!
Dubai World Cup
Date – 25th Mar 2023
The Dubai World Cup, one of the region’s biggest horse racing events, is one of the most iconic annual events in the country. In this luxurious event, spectators can experience some of the most prestigious and beautiful horses battling it out on the field. This year, the world cup is back for its 27th edition and is expected to be better than ever.
Dubai Food Festival
Date – 21st Apr – 7th May, 2023
Every year, Dubai hosts a special food festival to highlight its diverse and iconic food culture that consists of a wide range of eateries, including Michelin-starred restaurants. During the food festival, you can enjoy amazing offers and dining deals at your favorite restaurants, along with exclusive food markets and workshops to help you hone your skills in the kitchen.
Dubai Summer Surprises
Date – 29th Jun – 3rd Sept, 2023
DSS is another great shopping event that occurs every year in Dubai during the summer. The shopping festival hosts a range of discounts and deals, especially focused on ‘back to school’ offers, as the event takes place just before schools reopen after the summer break, making it a perfect opportunity for parents to stock up on all the necessities.
Dubai Summer Surprises is also famous for its resident mascot, Modhesh, who hosts a range of fun and exciting activities for the little ones, giving them something to do during the holidays.
Dubai Fitness Challenge
Date – November 2023
During the past few years, the government has committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle amongst the residents, which has led to the annual Dubai 30×30 Fitness Challenge that takes place during winter. Throughout the month, the city hosts multiple fitness-related events and activities, including races, marathons, free exercise classes, and much more to keep residents on their feet. The famous Dubai Run that takes place on Sheikh Zayed Road also happens during the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
UAE National Day
Date – 30th Nov – 3rd Dec
The UAE celebrates its national day in style with various events and activities across the country. Residents are given a 5-day public holiday to celebrate with fun and exciting discounts, performances, pop-ups, and firework shows in various locations. The national day celebrations get better every year.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Date – 31st December
New year’s eve is one of the biggest celebrations in UAE. Every year, the country rings in the new year with spectacular, record-breaking firework shows in various different locations. Apart from the iconic Burj Khalifa firework show, other displays in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Global Village, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi are all worth watching, which is why the country sees an influx of tourists during new year’s eve every year.
Visiting Dubai soon and want to learn more about the best places? Check out our list of the top 10 tourist destinations in Dubai.
