Top 45 concerts and events coming to UAE in 2025 and 2026, from Maroon 5 to Christina Aguilera

There's something for everyone as rock, rap, opera and a hit musical are some of the exciting performances coming to the UAE over the next few months.

New Year’s Eve will see a number of shows featuring international and regional stars, while Dubai Opera's season is already under way, featuring more than 40 performances.

Saadiyat Nights also returns with its most impressive line-up yet, featuring RnB stalwarts Diana Ross and Seal, as well as a special acoustic performance by John Mayer. Elsewhere, the American Ballet Theatre will headline part of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Festival, while metal fans can look forward to Dubai shows from shock rocker Till Lindemann and Dream Theatre.

Here, The National rounds up the live events to look forward to.

1. Sonu Nigam: December 27 at Coca‑Cola Arena, Dubai

Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam will bring his career‑spanning set, featuring hits such as Kal Ho Naa Ho, to Dubai. The singer recently released the single Dil Pe Chalai Churiya with Indian content creator Raju Kalakar.

Show starts 8pm; tickets from Dh95

2. Alicia Keys: December 31 at Saadiyat Nights, Abu Dhabi

Alicia Keys will headline the first New Year’s Eve show at Saadiyat Nights. Pawan Singh / The National

The US singer-songwriter will return to perform as part of the Saadiyat Nights concert series, this time headlining its first New Year’s Eve show.

It marks the singer's second appearance at the event after a sold-out performance in 2024. The concert comes as she reportedly works on a new album set for release next year, a follow-up to her 2022 record Keys II.

The show is part of a bumper Saadiyat Nights season running until March, featuring performances by Mariah Carey, Diana Ross and Lewis Capaldi. Expect to hear hits such as Fallin’, If I Ain’t Got You and No One.

Doors open 5pm; tickets from Dh295

3. Maroon 5: December 31 at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

The American pop-rock band will headline Atlantis The Palm’s New Year’s Eve bash. In addition to a lavish buffet dinner and fireworks, expect chart-toppers such as Moves Like Jagger, Sugar and This Love, followed by a fireworks display stretching across Palm Jumeirah.

Doors open 7pm; tickets from Dh4,500

4. Nassif Zeytoun and Haifa Wehbe: December 31 at Space42 Arena, Abu Dhabi

The Arab pop stars team up for a New Year's Eve concert in the new Abu Dhabi venue in Al Raha Beach. Expect to hear individual sets that include Zeytoun’s Mich Aam Tezbat Maii and Wehbe’s Baba Fen among other fan favourites.

Show starts 9.30pm; tickets from Dh495

5. John Legend: December 31 at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi

The US singer-songwriter and EGOT-winner will headline a New Year’s Eve gala on the hotel’s Palace Terrace overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The evening includes a black-tie dinner, reception and fireworks display, followed by a live performance featuring songs such as All of Me and Love Me Now.

Show starts 8pm; tickets from Dh3,500

6. Najwa Karam and Wael Kfoury: December 31 at Festival Arena, Dubai Festival City

Two of Lebanon’s most enduring pop stars team up for a joint New Year’s Eve concert. Najwa Karam will perform hits including Khallini Shoufak and Hayda Haki, while Wael Kfoury will deliver favourites such as El Bint El Awiye and Omri Kellou. The seated event includes a dinner service.

Doors open 7.30pm; tickets from Dh495

7. Cyrine Abdelnour: December 31 at Palazzo Versace Dubai

The Lebanese singer will headline an event featuring live bands and DJs performing across the hotel’s venues. The evening includes a red-carpet arrival and a choice of gala dinners across the resort before the performances take place outdoors, along with a fireworks display over Dubai Creek.

Doors open 7pm; dinner packages from Dh1,999

8. Bader AlShuaibi and Disco Misr: December 31 at Dubai Festival City Mall

Kuwaiti pop singer Bader AlShuaibi and Egyptian electronic trio Disco Misr will headline an outdoor New Year's Eve show on Festival Bay. AlShuaibi will perform hits including Mahsoma and Ya Hob, while Disco Misr will bring their reinterpretations of Arabic pop fused with house and electronic sounds. The night culminates with a countdown and fireworks display.

Doors open 7pm; tickets from Dh69

9. Roger Sanchez and Chico Castillo: December 31 at Five Luxe JBR, Dubai

DJ Roger Sanchez will bring his signature house anthems to Five Luxe's beachfront New Year’s Eve party. Photo: Five Luxe JBR

House music anthems and flamenco pop are on the cards at the Dubai super club.

American DJ Roger Sanchez will kick off the evening with a set including hits Another Chance and Turn On the Music, followed by Chico Castillo from the Gipsy Kings performing favourites such as Bamboleo and DJobi DJoba. The countdown will culminate in a seven-minute fireworks display with views of Ain Dubai.

Doors open 8pm; tickets from Dh2,500

10. CamelPhat and Mahmut Orhan: December 31 at Ushuaia Dubai Harbour Experience

Ushuaia offers views of fireworks across Dubai Harbour. Photo: Ushuaia Dubai Harbour Experience

British electronic duo CamelPhat will be on the decks in the outdoor venue, playing their blend of house and melodic techno, including the club anthem Cola.

Joining the line-up are Turkish DJ and producer Mahmut Orhan, French duo Birds of Mind and Swiss DJ Andrea Oliva. The waterfront venue also offers glittering views of fireworks across Dubai Harbour.

Doors open 8pm; tickets from Dh250

11. Boney M, Valeriya and Egor Kreed: December 31 at The Theatre Dubai, Fairmont Dubai

A Euro-pop end-of-year celebration is on offer, with German disco group Boney M as part of a bill that includes Russian star Valeriya and rapper Egor Kreed. The seated gala event features a multi-course dinner before the performances, with Boney M delivering classics including Daddy Cool, Rasputin and Rivers of Babylon.

Doors open 7pm; tickets from Dh14,800

12. Tomorrowland presents Miss Monique and Rivo: December 31 at Terra Solis Dubai

International dance festival brand Tomorrowland will host a New Year’s Eve event featuring Ukra