As the mercury falls, the UAE gears up for a busy season of arts, entertainment and sporting excellence. Here are the dates for your diary for September.

WHAT’S ON THIS MONTH

Want to see what’s happening in September? Check out the video below…

Video credits: Voice/Laura Coughlin; Illustration/John Marsland; Animation/Surajit Dutta.

Games 15 

The biggest, and anticipated to be the best, Games 15 will give fans early access to the latest games and demos from Sony, PlayStation, XBox, Ubisoft and many more. From XBox you can expect exclusive previews for the likes of Halo 5, Forza 6, Gears Of War 4, as well as Scalebound and Quantum Break. Ubisoft will present its new addition to the Assassin’s Creed franchise, and the latest from Tom Clancy, Rainbow Six. Those of you looking forward to the influx of virtual reality gizmos will be able to step into the Matrix with Playstation’s Project Morpheus, a revolutionary VR headset. With more and more upcoming releases announcing VR compatibility, this is news that console gamers shouldn’t miss when the convention rolls around.

September 10 to 12

Dubai International Marine Club, Dubai, Dhs1,000 for ESL, Expo & VIP for three days, Dhs500 for ESL & Expo for three days, Dhs250 for ESL & Expo for one day. games-me.com

Dubai International Dance Festival 

The eighth edition promises to be bigger and better than ever, bringing together dance enthusiasts and professionals from across the globe for a week of performances and social events.

September 14 to 21

Various venues across Dubai, Dhs399. Tel: (050) 6513839. dubaidancefestival.com

Spandau Ballet 

More than three decades after they formed to the delight of teen girls everywhere, the reunited British ’80s super-group bring their Soulboys Of The Western World gig to Dubai. Expect screaming.

September 17

Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 7pm, Dhs300. Tel: (04) 3321000. Metro: World Trade Centre. doneevents.com

Ellie Goulding 

With her long-anticipated third album about to drop and whispers that she might have recorded the theme for the upcoming James Bond film Spectre, Ellie’s star power is shining brighter than ever.

September 24

Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, price TBC. Tel: (04) 3321000. Metro: World Trade Centre. dwtc.com

30 Seconds To Mars 

Originally due to appear in the Emirates in April, fans of the group, and of front man Jared Leto, will breathe a sigh of relief when they finally take to the stage for their rescheduled gig.

September 25

 Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, 6.30pm, Dhs295. Tel: (04) 3321000. ticketmaster.ae