Soul-stirring performances, boundary-pushing ballet, and a dedicated platform for emerging Emirati musicians headline the 23rd Abu Dhabi Festival, returning with a diverse programme that spans the playful, the profound, and the virtuosic.
This year’s edition reflects on five decades of cultural and diplomatic ties with the United States, the festival’s 2026 Country of Honour. Staged under the theme “The Wisdom of Culture,” performances will be held across Abu Dhabi, including Emirates Palace, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Etihad Arena.
“For more than two decades, Abu Dhabi Festival has reflected the UAE’s unwavering dedication to uniting heritage and modernity, tradition and innovation,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the festival’s founding honorary patron. The 2026 programme continues to elevate Arab creativity on the global stage while drawing world-class artists to the capital — a UNESCO City of Music.
Below are the standout highlights of the upcoming edition:
Jon Batiste — April 12
The multi-award-winning US pianist and composer brings his signature blend of jazz, soul, classical, and R&B to Abu Dhabi as part of the Maestro series. Known for his Grammy-winning American Symphony and Oscar-winning score for Pixar’s Soul, Batiste promises an intimate and expressive solo concert.
Venue: Emirates Palace Auditorium
Dhafer Youssef — April 14
Tunisian oud master Dhafer Youssef leads a quintet in a performance that fuses jazz, Arab, and North African traditions with global influences. Expect transcendental vocals, electronic textures, and selections from his deeply personal album Shiraz.
Venue: The Red Theater, NYUAD
American Ballet Theatre — April 17
One of the world’s most celebrated ballet companies presents works by three American choreographers:
- Twyla Tharp’s playful Sextet
- Alexei Ratmansky’s meditative Serenade after Plato’s Symposium
- George Balanchine’s iconic Theme and Variations set to Tchaikovsky
Venue: Emirates Palace Auditorium
Minsoo Sohn — April 19
Korean-American pianist Minsoo Sohn performs Book One of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, transforming a pedagogical masterpiece into a profound emotional journey through all major and minor keys.
Venue: The Red Theater, NYUAD
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra — April 21
In tribute to the 125th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi’s passing, the orchestra — led by Italian conductor Giacomo Sagripanti — performs selections from Nabucco, Otello, La Traviata, and more, joined by acclaimed Italian soloists Maria Agresta and Giorgio Berrugi.
Venue: Emirates Palace Auditorium
Lisa Batiashvili & Giorgi Gigashvili — April 22
The Georgian violin-piano duo presents an evening featuring Beethoven, Bartók, César Franck, and a new work by Israeli-Georgian composer Josef Bardanashvili.
Venue: The Red Theater, NYUAD
Sondra Radvanovsky & Vincenzo Scalera — April 25
American-Canadian soprano Sondra Radvanovsky performs powerful arias by Bellini, Verdi, and Puccini, alongside works by Rachmaninoff, Strauss, and Tchaikovsky’s Letter Scene from Eugene Onegin.
Venue: The Red Theater, NYUAD
Algarabia — April 26
A theatrical fusion of flamenco and Arabic poetry, this cross-cultural production brings together musicians from Spain’s University of Navarra Symphony Orchestra and a multidisciplinary cast of dancers and actors.
Venue: Emirates Palace Auditorium
Hauser — May 2
Croatian cello sensation Stjepan Hauser, of global YouTube fame, delivers an electrifying mix of solo and ensemble performances, blending classical mastery with modern flair.
Venue: Etihad Arena
Emirati Artists Programme
Fatima Al Hashmi & Ina Chareli — May 12
Emirati mezzo-soprano Fatima Al Hashmi opens the national recital series with a programme that moves gracefully between classical pieces and traditional Arabic repertoire.
Venue: The Blue Hall, NYUAD
Saif Al Naqbi, Mubarak Al Dhaheri & Noura Al Marzouqi — May 15
Three Bait Al Oud talents — two oud virtuosos and a qanun soloist — explore the expressive depth of their instruments through classical and traditional works.
Venue: The Blue Hall, NYUAD
Elham Al Marzooqi — May 16
Emirati cellist Elham Al Marzooqi performs classical and contemporary compositions, highlighting the cello’s full expressive range while drawing on her grounding in Arab musical heritage.
Venue: The Blue Hall, NYUAD