The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said in a statement that the programme offers a diverse mix of cultural events art exhibitions live concerts sporting tournaments and family entertainment across the emirate. Standout elements include the inaugural Frieze Abu Dhabi the NOMAD Abu Dhabi art and design fair and the opening of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on December 11 in the Saadiyat Cultural District. The calendar further incorporates the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from December 3 to 6 along with the associated Yasalam after-race concerts.
According to the department’s announcement the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial returns with new commissions opening in the Al Ain region on October 23 before expanding to Abu Dhabi from November 15 with installations remaining on view into 2027. The Traditional Handicrafts Festival runs from October 23 to November 11 at Al Qattara in Al Ain and features live artisan demonstrations alongside a cultural market. Additional programming encompasses the Abu Dhabi Culture Summit the fourth season of Saadiyat Nights and the Abu Dhabi Comedy Season at Etihad Arena.
Sports fixtures occupy a prominent place in the schedule with Abu Dhabi Showdown Week bringing UFC events to Etihad Arena in October including a featherweight title defence by Alexander Volkanovski against Movsar Evloev and a trilogy bout between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili on October 24. The Liwa International Festival delivers motorsport adventure activities and family entertainment in the desert while open workouts weigh-ins and fan zones accompany the UFC programme across the city. These sporting components join the broader entertainment lineup to appeal to varied visitor interests.
DCT Abu Dhabi data shows the emirate welcomed a record 26.6 million visitors in 2025 with hotel revenues climbing 19.5 percent to 9.1 billion dirhams. Attendance at culture and leisure events rose 20 percent to 4.2 million that year while the number of MICE delegates increased 40 percent to 2.2 million. International hotel guests grew 10 percent with India Russia the United Kingdom and China among the leading source markets.
The new season builds on that performance by introducing first-time attractions such as Frieze Abu Dhabi while marking anniversaries for the Al Ain Museum the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum in October. Events are distributed across Abu Dhabi Al Ain and Al Dhafra to extend economic benefits throughout the regions. The department has described the calendar as an integrated offering that combines heritage contemporary art and high-profile entertainment.
Cultural infrastructure developments including the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi joining the Louvre Abu Dhabi which drew 1.4 million visitors in 2025 underpin the events strategy according to DCT Abu Dhabi figures. The announcement aligns with ongoing efforts to position the emirate as a year-round destination rather than a seasonal one. Full schedules and ticketing information for individual events will be released progressively in the coming weeks.
