Whether you’re a K-popper or a hip-hop head, here are the best concerts in the UAE this year.
Live entertainment is well and truly back in the UAE, with a slew of artists taking to stages across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. So, if you’re a lover of live music, these are the all-important dates for your diaries. Curtain up – here are the best concerts in the UAE.
Lulu Santos: 23 May 2026
Dubai has more than earned its reputation as a global stop for big acts from every corner of the world. And now, it’s Brazil’s turn to take centre stage, as Lulu Santos heads to the emirate for one very special night. Lulu Santos began his music career in the late 1970s, but it was the release of his debut album, Tempos Modernos, in 1982, that launched him into the spotlight. With a career spanning more than five decades, Lulu Santos has sold over 15 million albums, racked up billions of streams across digital platforms, and picked up two trophies at the Latin Grammy Awards. The show is presented by Live Nation Middle East in partnership with FACT Magazine and promises an evening packed with melodies and nostalgia.
GO: Visit http://platinumlist.net for more information.
The Beach Boys: 11 June 2026
Billed as The Beach Boys: 60 Years of Pet Sounds Tour, the Dubai show doubles as a celebration of one of pop music’s most influential albums, alongside the wider anniversary milestones the band is marking across 2026. Expect a set built for sing-alongs, with the kind of instantly recognisable melodies that have soundtracked beach parties, road trips and coming-of-age films for decades. Formed in Hawthorne, California, in the early 1960s, The Beach Boys became synonymous with the breezy escapism of the West Coast. The original line-up included brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine, and they quickly moved from local surf scenes to global charts. It all began when Love penned the lyrics to their first hit, “Surfin’” (1961), which helped define the carefree spirit of a new era of American pop.
GO: Visit https://coca-cola-arena.com for more information.
Def Leppard: 2 August 2026
Following their show at the YASALAM F1 after-race concerts in 2022, Def Leppard are returning to the UAE for a show at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena. The upcoming show promises to be a great night of rock and unforgettable hits. We hope they play some of their rock classics, such as “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Love Bites.” The band has sold more than 110 million albums worldwide and has also been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Christina Aguilera: 25 September 2026
The capital is hitting the high notes. The American superstar Christina Aguilera is coming to Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. In 1999, she released her debut single, Genie in a Bottle, which became a worldwide smash hit. She was part of the wave of teen idols. Her hit singles include Ain’t No Other Man, Beautiful, Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You), Lady Marmalade, and What A Girl Wants. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Plus, she is familiar with the Middle East.
GO: Visit https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net for more information.
The Corrs: 27 September 2026
FACT Magazine has partnered with Live Nation Middle East, Miral and the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, to bring The Corrs to the capital. The Irish hitmakers will perform at Etihad Arena on 27 September 2026, promising a night of Celtic-tinged pop, folk and soft rock. Formed by siblings Andrea, Sharon, Caroline and Jim Corr, the County Louth band rose to fame with hits including “Runaway,” “Dreams,” “So Young” and “What Can I Do?” With two Grammy nominations, a BRIT Award and honorary MBEs to their name, The Corrs remain one of the defining bands of the nineties.
Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
When: Sunday, 27 September 2026
Contact: www.livenation.me
Richard Marx: 3 October 2026
There are numerous concerts happening in the UAE this year, but October is about to skew unapologetically nostalgic. Richard Marx is heading to Dubai for a one-night-only show at Coca-Cola Arena, marking what organisers describe as his first performance in the Middle East. Born in Chicago, Marx began his career as a songwriter and producer before his self-titled debut album was released in 1987, kickstarting his rise to international fame. From there, the accolades came fast. He remains the only male artist in history to have his first seven singles reach the Top 5 of the Billboard charts, a stat that neatly sums up the dominance of his run. Fan favourites include “Right Here Waiting,” “Hazard,” “Hold On to the Nights”, and “Satisfied,” songs that still land with the same earnest punch decades later.
GO: Visit http://platinumlist.net for more information.
Blue: 25 October 2026
Get ready for a dose of pure pop nostalgia. The British boy band Blue will reunite for one special night at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre at Expo City Dubai. The four-piece band includes Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe. The group rose to fame in the early 2000s with their distinctive R&B-infused pop sound. They quickly became one of the UK’s biggest boy bands, scoring three consecutive UK number one albums and a string of hits. Their most popular singles include “Too Close,” “If You Came Back,” “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word,” “One Love”, and “All Rise.” The Dubai performance forms part of their Middle East tour.
GO: Visit http://platinumlist.net for more information.
Anuv Jain: 20 November 2026
The UAE’s live music calendar is not slowing down anytime soon. The latest name to join the lineup is Anuv Jain, who is set to return to Dubai for his Dastakhat World Tour. FACT Magazine has partnered with Live Nation Middle East to bring the show to town, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most in-demand gigs of the season. Expect a setlist packed with the tracks that built his cult following: “Baarishein” (the breakout that put him on the map), “Alag Aasmaan” (a soft, soaring singalong), and “Gul” (one of his most replayed releases). More recent fan essentials include “Husn” and “Jo Tum Mere Ho”, both of which have racked up huge streaming numbers
GO: Visit www.livenation.me for more information.
Keinemusik: 21 November 2026
Pacha ICONS is going big next spring, and it is bringing one of electronic music’s most in-demand collectives along for the ride. Keinemusik will headline the upcoming Pacha ICONS show at Bab Al Shams Arena in Dubai on Saturday, 21 November 2026, with the party running from 7pm to 4am. Known for curating high-energy house music nights with world-class lineups and high-end production, Pacha ICONS is stepping away from its usual Playa Pacha home at FIVE LUXE JBR for what’s being billed as its biggest show yet. For this edition, the series will transform Bab Al Shams Arena into an immersive open-air venue, leaning into the drama of the desert for a one-off experience that channels the spirit of Ibiza under the stars.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
OFFLIMITS Music Festival: 21 November 2026
OFFLIMITS Music Festival returns to Etihad Park with a line-up spanning pop, R&B, rock and Arabic talent. Headliner Shakira is joined by the Jonas Brothers and three-time Grammy winner Ne-Yo on the T11 Stage, plus breakout singer Myles Smith. Scottish rock favourites Biffy Clyro and Icelandic blues-rockers KALEO lead the Meteor Stage, alongside indie-pop hitmakers Scouting for Girls and Toploader. Regional voices Bayou and Yara Mustafa add contemporary Arabic flair, while London pop newcomer YAZ rounds out the bill for an all-day party.
GO: Visit www.offlimits.com for more information.
Atif Aslam: 27 November 2026
The UAE, with its towering skyscrapers and bustling cosmopolitan atmosphere, has long been a melting pot of cultures. Among the vibrant tapestry of communities, the South Asian diaspora holds a significant presence. And they’ll be delighted to know that Atif Aslam is coming to Dubai once again. The Pakistani singer will serenade you with his chart-toppers and soulful melodies, including “Dil Diyan Gallan,” “Jeena Jeena,” and “Rafta Rafta.” He has since cemented his place as one of the most decorated artists in South Asia. Speaking to FACT, he shared that Dubai is more like a “second home”. So mark your calendars and prepare for a night that will tug at your heartstrings.
GO: Visit www.coca-cola-arena.com for more information.
Tarkan: 27 November 2026
Turkish pop sensation Tarkan is bringing his global star power to Etihad Arena on Yas Island. He burst onto the scene in 1992 and quickly became a household name worldwide. His debut album Yine Sensiz was an instant success, and follow-up albums like Aacayipsin and Olurum Sana cemented his status as a pop phenomenon. With more than 15 million albums sold, Tarkan’s hits include “Simarik,” “Sikidum,” “Kuzu Kuzu,” “Dudu,” and “Yolla.” Expect a show packed with nostalgia, dance-floor favourites and the charisma that’s made him a legend across generations.
GO: Visit www.livenation.me for more information.
Lewis Capaldi: 3 December 2026
Abu Dhabi’s biggest race week is warming up early. Lewis Capaldi has been confirmed as the opening night headliner for this year’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 after-race concert series. Capaldi’s return to the capital arrives with plenty of momentum. The Scottish singer-songwriter first broke through with bruised-heart balladry that felt disarmingly direct, then turned that emotional honesty into mainstream dominance with “Someone You Loved”, a chart-topper that reached Number 1 in the UK and became a global calling card. Live, he pairs those big choruses with dry humour and a knack for turning a crowd into a choir. A recent Abu Dhabi appearance at Saadiyat Nights showcased that balance with top tracks such as “Before You Go”, “Hold Me While You Wait” and “Forget Me” sitting front and centre in a set designed for mass sing-alongs.
GO: Visit www.abudhabigp.com for more information.
Zara Larsson: 3 December 2026
Zara Larsson brings the high-gloss pop rush to the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 after-race concert series. The Swedish star first stepped into the spotlight as a child, later building international momentum with the sparkling “Lush Life” and the punchy, club-leaning “Never Forget You”. She has since stacked a catalogue made for festival-scale moments, including Clean Bandit collaboration “Symphony”, which became her first UK Number 1. For Abu Dhabi, expect crisp choreography, sky-high hooks, and a setlist that leans into her most recognisable hits.
GO: Visit www.abudhabigp.com for more information.