Abu Dhabi festival promises world-class performances, cultural excellence

ABU DHABI

The 23rd edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival, one of the Middle East’s premier cultural events, is set to dazzle audiences from April 12 with a spectacular celebration of music, dance, art and creativity.

The Festival, held under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, will bring together over 1,000 artists from 19 countries across Abu Dhabi and international stages.

Returning under the theme “The Wisdom of Culture,” the 2026 Festival aims to celebrate culture as a unifying force, reflecting creative expression and shared humanity. This year, the United States is honoured as the Festival’s Country of Honour, commemorating 250 years of American independence alongside more than five decades of diplomatic friendship with the UAE. The edition also marks the 30th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), the Festival’s parent organisation.

Festival highlights promise a breathtaking array of performances, with ten world-renowned orchestras, ballet, opera, recitals and concerts featuring award-winning global artists. Grammy-winning pianist and composer Jon Batiste will inaugurate the Festival at the Emirates Palace Auditorium with a soulful evening blending jazz, storytelling and virtuoso musicianship. World-class cellist HAUSER will perform at Etihad Arena, fusing classical and contemporary music in his inimitable style.

Other marquee performances include the American Ballet Theatre, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s Verdi Opera Gala and the Arab-Spanish multidisciplinary collaboration Algarabia, which fuses flamenco and Arab poetic traditions, with its world premiere in Spain preceding its Arab World debut in Abu Dhabi. International stars such as pianists Minsoo Sohn and Giorgi Gigashvili, violinist Lisa Batiashvili and soprano Sondra Radvanovsky will bring further depth and brilliance to the Festival’s musical programme.

The Festival will also honour UNESCO’s World Jazz Day with a performance by Tunisian oud virtuoso Dhafer Youssef, blending North African musical traditions with jazz and European classical forms for an evening of rich, transformative sound.

Abu Dhabi Festival 2026 will culminate in a special Emirati Recital Series, spotlighting local talent such as mezzo-soprano Fatima Al Hashimi, oud players Saif Al Naqbi and Mubarak Al Dhaheri, qanun virtuoso Noura Al Mazrouei, and cellist Elham Al Marzouqi, blending classical, contemporary and traditional repertoire in a celebration of Emirati artistry.

Beyond performance, the festival extends internationally through its Abroad Programme, with exhibitions, co-productions and world premieres highlighting UAE culture on global stages. Notable projects include the Proximities exhibition at Seoul Museum of Art, presenting over 100 works by 47 Emirati artists, and concerts by the New York Arabic Orchestra at Washington, D.C., and the UN Chamber Music Society at Carnegie Hall.

Education and youth engagement remain central to ADMAF’s mission. The Festival Academy, Youth Matinees, Back to School initiatives and a new Children’s Biennale will provide workshops, masterclasses and hands-on creative experiences for emerging artists and families, fostering a lifelong love for the arts. The Biennale, held in partnership with Umm Al Emarat Park and Singapore National Gallery, will feature eco-friendly, collaborative artworks and interactive family programmes, creating the first dedicated outdoor children’s biennale in the Arab world.

“Under the theme ‘The Wisdom of Culture’, the Festival connects people with the world, inspires us to listen, and empowers us to express our identity. Culture transforms creativity into progress and innovation, echoing the shared voice of humanity,” said ADMAF founder Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo.

Sponsors including Mubadala Investment Company and GS Energy reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision, highlighting the festival as a dynamic platform for global artistic exchange and community engagement.

With three decades of legacy, a focus on emerging talent and a programme bridging continents and art forms, the 23rd Abu Dhabi Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music, performance and cultural dialogue.