MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)

From hunting and equestrian traditions to artificial intelligence, contemporary art and some of the world's biggest names in music and comedy, Abu Dhabi is heading into one of its busiest periods of its events calendar.

The capital is set to host exhibitions, cultural festivals, international conferences and large-scale entertainment from late August through the winter, attracting audiences that range from industry specialists and investors to families, music fans and pop culture enthusiasts.

Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition
The programme of events begins with the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from August 28 to September 6.

The exhibition, which showcases hunting, equestrian sports, outdoor pursuits and cultural heritage, provides an early marker for a season in which traditional Emirati culture sits alongside some of the region's most technology-focused gatherings. ADIHEX 2026 will feature 15 sectors and follows an edition that attracted almost 380,000 visitors, according to organisers.

Middle East Film & Comic Con
Pop culture takes over ADNEC from September 11 to 13 with the 14th edition of Middle East Film & Comic Con. The event is a meeting point for some of the region's most dedicated pop culture fans with WWE legend and Hollywood actor John Cena among this year's headline guests. Cena is scheduled to appear on September 12 and 13, joining One Piece star Mackenyu and a line-up of comic creators and entertainment personalities.

One of the biggest draws will be the cosplay competition, which offers a Dh60,000 prize pool and serves as the UAE preliminary for the World Cosplay Summit, giving the winning team a chance to compete in Japan in 2027.

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
Just two days later, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair opens at ADNEC, running from September 13 to 18. The fair, founded in 1981, has grown into one of the region's major publishing and literary platforms, gathering authors, publishers, readers and content creators. Its 2026 programme includes discussions on publishing, literature, translation and the international movement of Arabic books.

Livability and Investment Exhibition
LIVEX, the Livability and Investment Exhibition, will take place at ADNEC from September 29 to October 1, gathering government leaders, investors, businesses and innovators to examine Abu Dhabi's future as a place to live, work and invest.

AI Everything Abu Dhabi
AI Everything Abu Dhabi runs from October 5 to 7 at ADNEC, beginning with a leadership summit before moving into an exhibition featuring AI companies, start-ups and technologies. The programme is designed to examine the application of AI across sectors including government, healthcare, energy, mobility, finance and security, reflecting Abu Dhabi's growing focus on the technology as part of its economic and development agenda.

Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit
The Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit is scheduled for October 20 to 22, with leaders from government, science, technology, policy and investment on the agenda. The summit is built around four areas: longevity and precision health, digital health and AI, health system resilience and sustainability, and investment in life sciences.

Abu Dhabi Festival
The 23rd edition of Abu Dhabi Festival will take place from October 10 to December 19 under the theme "The Wisdom of Culture", with a programme offering music, performance and cultural activity. One of its most notable additions this year is the Children's Biennale, which will debut in November at Umm Al Emarat Park.

Described by organisers as the Arab world's first dedicated outdoor children's art biennale, the programme invites children to create artworks with teaching artists using sustainable materials, with the resulting works displayed around the park.

Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial
The second Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial opens in Al Ain on October 23 before launching in Abu Dhabi on November 15. Curated under the artistic direction of Elvira Dyangani Ose, the biennial explores the theme "Home: A Glossary for a Communal Sense of Place" through commissioned works and public art projects installed into spaces across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

While the cultural programme expands across the emirate, Abu Dhabi's major business calendar will also reach a peak.

Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference
ADIPEC, one of the world's largest gatherings for the energy industry, returns to Abu Dhabi from November 2 to 5. The 2026 edition is expected to see more than 2,250 exhibitors and 239,000 attendees, according to organisers, with discussions focused on energy security, investment, technology and the changing global energy system.

Abu Dhabi Comedy Season
For event-goers looking for entertainment rather than industry discussions, the autumn calendar is no less busy. The third Abu Dhabi Comedy Season will bring international comedians to Etihad Arena, including Morgan Jay on October 11, Russell Peters on October 25, Mo Amer on November 6 and Maz Jobrani on November 7.

Etihad Arena
Etihad Arena's wider programme adds to the line-up of international entertainment. Christina Aguilera is scheduled for September 25, The Corrs for September 27, Riverdance for October 31 and November 1, Hans Zimmer for November 13 and Tarkan for November 27. Andrea Bocelli will then perform at the arena on December 2 as part of Yasalam Classics, bringing his 30th Anniversary Romanza World Tour to Abu Dhabi.

OFFLIMITS Music Festival
OFFLIMITS returns to Etihad Park on Yas Island on November 21 for its second edition, with Shakira headlining a line-up that also includes the Jonas Brothers, Ne-Yo, Biffy Clyro, Kaleo, Scouting for Girls, Toploader, Bayou, Yara Mustafa and YAZ, with further artists still to be announced.

Liwa International Festival
The festival season then moves towards the desert. Liwa International Festival is scheduled to run from December 11 to January 2 in Al Dhafra Region, combining motorsport, cultural celebrations and family entertainment around the dunes of Liwa. The festival has become a major winter destination, marked by motorsport competitions, desert activities, heritage programming and entertainment.

The previous edition attracted more than 700,000 visitors, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

Sheikh Zayed Festival
The Sheikh Zayed Festival is also expected to form part of the winter calendar at Al Wathba, continuing Abu Dhabi's long-running combination of heritage, entertainment and family programming.

The festival's most recently completed season ran from November 2025 to March 2026, featuring cultural performances, heritage experiences, international pavilions, family activities and entertainment.