UAE Season 2026/27: The Biggest Events from October to May
From October 2026 to May 2027 the UAE hosts the biggest events of its season: the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix on 3–6 December, the XCAT finale in Dubai on 12–13 December, Dubai Shopping Festival from 4 December to 17 January and the Dubai World Cup on 27 March. Here is the month-by-month calendar — and we can get you into every event. Same-day confirmation.
From October to May the UAE runs on its big season: the heat lifts, and for seven months Dubai and Abu Dhabi become one of the densest event destinations in the world — Formula 1, world tours, golf, tennis, horse racing, festivals. Here is the 2026/27 season month by month, with the dates announced by the organisers.
OCTOBER 2026
Global Village — from 14 October. Season 31 of Dubai's Global Village opened on 14 October and runs until May 2027: country pavilions, street food and shows every night.
UFC 333 — 24 October, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Two title fights in one night on Yas Island.
Dubai Fitness Challenge — 31 October to 29 November. A month of city runs, rides and outdoor workouts.
NOVEMBER 2026
Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship — 5–8 November, Yas Links. A DP World Tour event on a seaside course.
DP World Tour Championship — 12–15 November, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai. The season finale of golf's DP World Tour.
Hans Zimmer Live — 13 November, Etihad Arena. The music of Dune, Interstellar and Gladiator, live with orchestra.
Real American Freestyle — 14 November, Etihad Arena. A night of freestyle wrestling headlined by Khamzat Chimaev.
Taste of Abu Dhabi — 13–15 November. The capital's food festival with chefs from its best restaurants.
Emirates Dubai 7s — 27–29 November, The Sevens Stadium. Rugby sevens, concerts and one of Dubai's biggest parties of the year.
Also in November: Dubai International Rally (5–8), Dubai Premier Padel P1 (8–15), Emirates Dubai Sailing Grand Prix (21–22), Tarkan live in Abu Dhabi (27).
DECEMBER 2026
Andrea Bocelli — 2 December, Abu Dhabi. The legendary tenor opens race week.
Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — 3–6 December, Yas Marina. The world championship finale, followed by Yasalam after-race concerts: Imagine Dragons, Lewis Capaldi, Zara Larsson.
Dubai Shopping Festival — 4 December to 17 January. The 32nd edition: 45 days of offers, raffles, concerts and fireworks across the city.
XCAT Offshore World Championship — Fujairah 5–6 December, Grand Finale in Dubai 12–13 December. Catamarans racing at up to 200 km/h, metres apart.
Mariah Carey, Christmastime — 12 December, Etihad Arena. The Queen of Christmas brings her holiday show to Abu Dhabi.
New Year's Eve — 31 December. Fireworks at Burj Khalifa, gala dinners on Palm Jumeirah, midnight on a yacht.
JANUARY 2027
Michelin 24H Dubai — 8–10 January, Dubai Autodrome. Twenty-four hours of endurance racing.
Dubai Marathon — 17 January.
Hero Dubai Desert Classic — 21–24 January, Emirates Golf Club. One of the Gulf's most famous golf tournaments.
FEBRUARY 2027
Ramadan — expected from around 8 February. Days are calmer and evenings come alive with iftars, Ramadan tents and night markets. Exact dates depend on the moon sighting.
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships — 14–27 February. WTA and ATP tennis in Dubai.
UAE Tour — 15–21 February. The only WorldTour stage race in the Middle East.
MARCH 2027
Eid Al Fitr — expected around 9–10 March. The holiday weekend after Ramadan.
Gold Polo Cup — 3–20 March. Dubai's polo season.
Dubai World Cup — 27 March, Meydan Racecourse. One of the world's richest horse races and the season's biggest social day.
APRIL–MAY 2027
Art Dubai — 9–11 April, Madinat Jumeirah (previews 7–8 April). The region's leading art fair.
May closes the season: Global Village shuts its gates, and the water offers the best yacht and sunset days before summer arrives.
HOW WE HELP
Obsidians Concierge takes care of everything around the event: tickets and hospitality in the category you want, chauffeur service, hotels, yachts, restaurant tables and plans in between. Hans Zimmer, Real American Freestyle, Andrea Bocelli, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, XCAT, Mariah Carey and New Year's Eve are already on the Events page of our site. One concierge on call 24/7 — in English, Russian, Chinese and Uzbek.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
When is the best time to visit the UAE for events? November to March: that is when Formula 1, Dubai Shopping Festival, New Year's Eve, the big golf and tennis tournaments and the Dubai World Cup take place, and the weather is right for the city and the beach.
When is the 2026 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix? 3–6 December at Yas Marina Circuit, with the race on Sunday 6 December. Yasalam after-race concerts follow.
When is Dubai Shopping Festival 2026–2027? From 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027, 45 days.
When is Ramadan in 2027? Expected from around 8 February, with Eid Al Fitr expected on 9–10 March. Exact dates depend on the moon sighting.
How do I attend season events with Obsidians? Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram, or send a request on the site — a concierge replies within 15 minutes. Same-day confirmation.
Dates follow the organisers' announcements and may change. Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr dates are expected dates.
Questions and answers
What are the biggest UAE events of the 2026/27 season?
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (December), the XCAT finale in Dubai (12–13 December), Dubai Shopping Festival (4 December–17 January) and the Dubai World Cup (27 March 2027).
When is the best season to visit Dubai?
October to May: comfortable weather and the biggest concerts, sport and festivals.
How do I get the best seats?
Obsidians books tickets and hospitality for the season’s events, with same-day confirmation.
When is the Dubai World Cup 2027?
On 27 March 2027 at Meydan Racecourse.
Can I combine several events in one trip?
Yes: tickets, hotels, a yacht and transfers in one programme and one invoice.