Alicia Keys confirmed for a special New Year’s Eve performance at Saadiyat Nights
The 17-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist returns to Abu Dhabi after last year’s sold-out show
Saadiyat Nights is Abu Dhabi’s flagship open-air concert series, bringing international music icons to Saadiyat Island for a season of large-scale live performances set against the emirate’s cultural landscape. Held outdoors under the winter sky, the series has become a significant fixture on Abu Dhabi’s entertainment calendar.
Curated as a destination experience, Saadiyat Nights blends live music with elevated dining options and views across Saadiyat Island, positioning the venue as both a concert stage and a cultural gathering point. Over recent seasons, the series has welcomed a diverse roster of performers spanning pop, soul, classical, and contemporary music, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a regional hub for live entertainment.
For a special show at Saadiyat Nights, the capital will ring in the new year to the soulful sounds of Alicia Keys, who returns to Saadiyat Island for a performance on 31 December, marking her return to Abu Dhabi following last year’s sold-out show at the venue.
The performance will headline the New Year’s Eve celebrations, offering audiences the opportunity to welcome 2026 with one of the most influential artists of her generation. Alicia will perform selections from her acclaimed repertoire, delivering the soulful ballads, soaring hits and piano-driven melodies that have defined her unmistakable sound. Her live performances are renowned for their emotional honesty, vocal brilliance, and electrifying connection with the audience, a tradition she will bring once again to Abu Dhabi as the city welcomes a new year.
She joins a standout line-up for the 2025-2026 season, which includes Ludovico Einaudi (10 January), Lewis Capaldi (17 January), John Mayer (24 January), Max Richter (29 January), Ricky Martin (31 January), Mariah Carey (7 February), and Bryan Adams (11 February), with more international stars still to be announced.
Where does Saadiyat Nights take place?
Saadiyat Nights takes place on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, with the open-air venue set near the island’s cultural district and landmarks.
When does Saadiyat Nights take place?
The event takes place over two months starting in December 2025
Tickets for Saadiyat Nights 2025-2026 are now available.
Visit: ticketmaster.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.
