The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has announced the headline programme for the 23rd edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival, set to begin in April 2026.
Held under the theme The Wisdom of Culture, celebrating culture as a guiding light that unites Abu Dhabi and the world. The upcoming edition brings together over 1,000 artists from 19 countries across a programme that spans music, performance, visual art and education.
“Abu Dhabi Festival 2026 adopts ‘The Wisdom of Culture’ as its theme, reflecting the richness of Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage and reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that this vibrant culture serves as a lasting bridge for dialogue, exchange and the meeting of civilisations.”, said H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and patron of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF).
Opening the Festival on 12 April, Grammy Award–winning musician Jon Batiste will perform at Emirates Palace Auditorium, followed by a large-scale concert by cellist HAUSER at Etihad Arena on 2 May.
Throughout April and May, the programme will feature orchestras, ballet, opera, recitals and concerts at key cultural venues, including Emirates Palace and The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi.
Among the highlights are performances by the American Ballet Theatre, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s Verdi Opera Gala, and a series of recitals by internationally recognised soloists. ADMAF will also present world and regional premieres, including Algarabía, a multidisciplinary production blending flamenco and Arab poetic traditions, first premiering in Spain before arriving in Abu Dhabi.
Beyond the performances, ADMAF continues to expand its international presence through the Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad programme. This includes Proximities, a major group exhibition showcasing works by Emirati artists from three generations, opening at the Seoul Museum of Art and marking one of the most comprehensive presentations of UAE contemporary art in Korea to date.
A key milestone in 2026 is the launch of the Children’s Biennale at Umm Al Emarat Park, the first outdoor biennale of its kind in the Arab world. Developed in celebration of the UAE’s Year of
The initiative centres on creative participation, sustainability and intergenerational engagement.
12 April to 16 May 2026
Children’s Biennale: October 2026
Multiple venues across Abu Dhabi, including Emirates Palace, Etihad Arena, The Arts Centre at NYU Abu Dhabi, Umm Al Emarat Park and international venues through Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad.
Visit: abudhabifestival.ae
Mariam Khawer is a Dubai-based writer and PR professional whose work spans food, art, and travel across the region. When she isn’t chasing deadlines, she’s likely at a gallery opening, testing out a new restaurant, piecing together one of her mixed-media art projects or at home with her four cats, who keep her on her toes.
