Comeback concerts, soaring sights, and plenty of restaurants – relive the year’s highlights.
As we say goodbye to one year and hello to another, we reveal FACT’s 2025 Year in Review.
Can you call yourself a UAE resident if you didn’t complain about the traffic? Bonus points if you got tickets to the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025. If you managed not to take a photo of Dubai’s viral pistachio-and-kunafa chocolate bar, we salute you. Oh, and a golden visa will be coming your way if you finished Dubai Bling season three and copped a Labubu.
The UAE’s food industry continued to get the recognition it deserved. The MICHELIN inspectors awarded Abu Dhabi three MICHELIN Stars and Dubai with 19 MICHELIN Stars. And it’s fair to say, we made our mark as a culinary capital.
Rage Bait was Oxford University Press’ Word of the Year. Vibe coding entered our slang, Chat GPT became Gen Z’s therapist, and Katy Perry orbited the stars.
Here’s our love letter to the last twelve months, and 25 things we loved in the UAE in 2025.
Comedy in the UAE
The UAE knows how to put a smile on your face. Between Abu Dhabi Comedy Season and Dubai Comedy Festival, comedians from around the world came to the UAE. Dave Chapelle, Jo Koy, Kevin Hart, Michael McIntyre, Pete Davidson and Trevor Noah brought the laughs to the capital, while Andrew Schulz, Hassan Phills, Mo Amer, Morgan Jay, and Tom Segura kept us laughing in Dubai.
Concerts in the UAE
The UAE hit the high notes as it welcomed world-class acts. Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Nights welcomed the singing sensation Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Lopez. Other massive concerts included Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Usher, Timbaland and Travis Scott. Plus, the Formula One line-up included Benson Boone, Katy Perry, Post Malone and Metallica.
Dubai Bling
Netflix sensation Dubai Bling was back, and the drama was bigger and bolder than ever before, The show follows a group of Arab and expat millionaires and the cast includes Emirati DJ Bliss; Indian-born and Dubai-based Farhana Bodi; owner of Forever Rose and Forever Rose Café, Ebraheem Al Samadi; British Iraqi influencer Safa Siddiqui; and CEO of a luxury real estate agency, Zeina Khoury. Promising more bling, more drama, and an extra dose of sass, Mona Kattan joined the mix last year, with Iraqi actress and singer Jwana Karim and Mahira Abdelaziz joining the cast for season three.
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports. In 2025, it welcomed more than 96 million guests and is expected to break a world record for the number of passengers. The top destinations for travellers include India, Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Eid Al Etihad
UAE National Day was recently renamed Eid Al Etihad. In 2025, the country celebrated its 54th year. Festivities took place across the seven emirates with food, fireworks and a whole lot of fun. Parades took place at City Walk, LEGOLAND Dubai and Yas Marina Circuit. Plus, Emirati restaurants showcased the very best of the country’s cuisine.
Entertainment Bars
The sporting season is upon us, and it’s time to embrace your competitive spirit. Entertainment bars have been popping up all over Dubai to make your nights unforgettable, from bowling alleys with stunning views to karaoke havens that scream camaraderie and places for digital darts, cricket and golf. Next year, things will be even bigger, with the opening of Kapitol, a mega entertainment complex at Rixos Premium Dubai.
FACT Dining Awards
There ain’t no party like a FACT Dining Awards party. Taking place in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh and London, it rewards the best restaurants in the region. The GCC events took place in autumn 2025 and welcomed the biggest chefs. NIRI Restaurant & Bar at Mamsha Al Saadiyat received Restaurant of the Year in Abu Dhabi, Manāo at Wasl Vita received Restaurant of the Year in Dubai, Zuma was awarded Restaurant of the Year in Riyadh, and Ikoyi was named Restaurant of the Year in London.
Fix Dessert Chocolatier
Dubai knows how to go viral. So, it comes as no surprise that Fix Dessert Chocolatier became a social media sensation – we’re talking millions of TikTok views and counting. Created by Sarah Hamouda, it’s more than just a chocolate bar. The bars are handmade and covered in colourful painting-life designs. The fillings include biscuit, filo pastry, tea and vanilla custard and the bars are only available for purchase via the Careem app, at Dubai International Airport and at a pop-up in London’s Harrods.
Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is an annual sports event that brings thrilling races to the capital. The championship races take place from 5 to 6 December across 5,281 kilometres and 58 laps in Yas Marina. Catch the world’s biggest drivers and look out for A-list acts at the F1 Yasalam After-Race concerts.
GCC Grand Tours: The Unified Gulf Visa
Imagine having the power to visit Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE with a single visa. The GCC countries have now confirmed that the unified Gulf tourist visa, now known as the GCC Grand Tour, will be rolled out from December. The pilot phase of the GCC Grand Tours Visa will first launch in the UAE and Bahrain. If successful, the scheme will then be rolled out across all six GCC countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Hot Hotel openings
The UAE saw exciting hotel openings this year, including Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, and SO/Ras Al Khaimah. Come November, everyone was talking about Ciel Dubai Marina, the world’s tallest hotel, soaring 82 floors and 377 metres above the waterfront. The tower pairs record-breaking height with a sky-level infinity pool that frames sweeping views of the city and the Arabian Gulf.
Labubu
From the viral Dubai Chocolate to Tamagotchis and Crocs (love them or not), the internet loves a good trend, and 2025’s must-have was Labubu. These spiky-toothed, wide-eyed toys are part of The Monsters series, created by Hong Kong-based illustrator Kasing Lung. Think Chucky from the Child’s Play series meets Snowball from The Secret Life of Pets — everyone wanted one. Produced by PopMart and sold in blind boxes, these collectables became status symbols, seen on the likes of Central Cee, Dua Lipa, Lisa from Blackpink, and Rihanna.
Law changes
Each year, the UAE amends its laws to improve life in the country. The age for getting a driving license was lowered to 17. Single-use plastic bags were banned in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. E-scooters were banned on public transport, and stricter penalties were introduced for cyber offences. Changes to Labour Laws include an increase in maternity leave to 60 days from the previous 45. Plus, it became easier to secure a Golden Visa.
Marvellous Musicals
Award-winning musicals made their way from Broadway and the West End to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. From Grease The Musical and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Dubai Opera to Beetlejuice The Musical and Les Misérables at Etihad Arena. Plus, Once Upon a Time in Dubai, the UAE’s first-ever musical, is set to take place in December 2025, marking a historic moment for the city and the UAE’s theatre scene.
Matcha
The coffee culture in the UAE is thriving. But lately, matcha has been wowing crowds. Originally from Japan, this health-conscious, trendy green drink is fast becoming Dubai’s daily beverage of choice. FACT’s favourite spots across Dubai to enjoy matcha include Blu Matcha, Café Kitsuné, Knot Bakehouse, Konkrete, KUMO, ONDA and Rascals Deli.
Megaprojects
The UAE has marvellous megaprojects, and we are expecting more to be announced in 2026. Developments include Sharjah’s Kalba Waterfront Project, which is scheduled to open in Sharjah’s Eastern Region. Dubai’s Las Vegas-inspired island, aptly titled The Island, signed a record-breaking development deal. Plus, Dubai Reefs aims to be the world’s largest ocean restoration megaproject.
Millie Bobby Brown
Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island went big with its brand ambassador. The new Chief Island Officer was the Hollywood actor, Millie Bobby Brown, who is currently starring in the final season of Stranger Things on Netflix. Previous ambassadors include Jason Momoa, Kevin Hart and Ryan Reynolds.
Music festivals
Dubai welcomed back its first mega festival, UNTOLD Dubai. Running in November 2025 at Dubai Parks and Resorts, it was a showstopping event, and FACT was the official media partner. The headliners included Dutch DJ Armin Van Buuren, J Balvin, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Sugababes, Swae Lee and Yungblud. Plus, Elrow XXL took place in May 2025, and Club Social took place in April 2025.
Restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi opened new restaurants, ranging from casual to classy. The highlights included the FACT award-winning Barbassi at Mina Zayed, Blu Pizzeriá on Saadiyat Island, 3Fils at The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Ibn AlBahr on Reem Island, Novikov Abu Dhabi at the Gallera Al Maryah Island and Saikindō at the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi.
Restaurants in Dubai
Dubai is home to award-winning concepts, from FACT Dining Awards Dubai to MICHELIN Star winners. Major openings included Carbone at Atlantis The Royal, Maison Mer at Nikki Beach Dubai and TATTU at Ciel Dubai Marina. Japanese restaurants continued to trend, with KIGO setting up shop at the Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, Tezukuri opening in Downtown Dubai, and Yubi claiming the title of the UAE’s first homegrown handroll bar at 25 Jump Street. Homegrown hits included Sunset Hospitality Group’s HANU, INÁ at J1 Beach, Kraken by Grégoire Berger, Piehaus, Savryn, and Three Bros by the famed Orfali brothers.
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi
Spanning a massive 17,000 square meters, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is an immersive space where interacting with the artwork is positively encouraged. Guests step into a world of creativity and innovation, surrounded by massive, ever-evolving exhibits that blur the boundaries between perception and reality. In Massless Suns and Dark Suns, spheres of light and darkness converge to challenge the way we see the world. A simple touch ignites a radiant glow, triggering a ripple effect that spreads across the space. Expanding on this interplay, the Levitation Void introduces a suspended presence—an energy-born void that defies the laws of gravity.
The Heart of Europe
The World Islands is an archipelago of artificial islands shaped like a world map. Located four kilometres off the coast of Dubai, The Heart of Europe development is well underway with phase one of the megaproject already home to Côte d’Azur Monaco, Sweden Beach Palace and the climate-controlled Rainy Street, where it rains on command!
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi
Saadiyat Cultural District is now home to a new museum and scientific research centre, showcasing natural history spanning 13.8 billion years. Spanning over 35,000 square metres, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is the largest of its kind in the region. Inside, the narrative begins in the atrium amidst a herd of sauropods before spanning 13.8 billion years, from the Big Bang and the formation of the solar system to the rise of biodiversity across land and sea. Star exhibits include Stan, the famed Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton that ruled Earth 67 million years ago. Elsewhere, a 25-metre-long female blue whale specimen illustrates the evolution of the largest animal ever to live.
Usher
American superstar Usher brought his Past, Present, Future Tour to Abu Dhabi, Jeddah and London. The UAE show, part of the Club Social event at Etihad Park, brought together 25,000 fans, including FACT Magazine. Following the tour, we caught up with the singer in Paris to discuss fame, fortunes and fragrances.
Zayed National Museum
The long-awaited Zayed National Museum opened its doors on 3 December in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster, the structure takes inspiration from the wings of a falcon — a nod to a cherished Emirati tradition — and will serve as the national museum of the United Arab Emirates. Created in honour of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the landmark institution charts the history of the land from deep prehistory to the present day, blending archaeological artefacts and historic objects with audiovisual storytelling, sensory experiences and contemporary installations.
