Upcoming performances, international artists, comedians and more in Dubai
Get your diary out and slot these great shows in…
A number of great shows are taking place in Dubai in 2022 and if you can’t keep track, don’t worry as we have rounded up all the must-see musicals, theatre performances, comedy shows and more taking place in Dubai.
Here are all the upcoming performances, international artists, musicals and more you need to add to your diary…
June
Hive’s Theatre Festival 2022

Credit: Getty Images
When: All weekends in June
Where: Zabeel Ladies Club, Oud Metha
This month-long theatre event is the largest children’s festival in the Middle East region, directed and produced by The Hive. The plays you will see at this festival are all on novels by popular British novelist, Roald Dahl. Expect popular works to come to life in 25 plays performed over the weekends in June. Take the full family along as it is free to attend. Read more here and for updates, stay tuned to @liveathive. Reserve here.
Hive’s Theatre Festival 2022, Zabeel Ladies Club, Oud Metha, Dubai, @liveathive
Henry V
When: June 24 and 25
Where: Courtyard Playhouse
National Theatre Live brings the best of British theatre to screens across the world and this month you can watch a William Shakespeare classic, Henry V. Although new to the throne, Henry V launches England into a bloody war with France but faces resistance. Can the new inexperienced ruler prove to his people that he is fit to guide a country into war?
Courtyard Playhouse, The Courtyard, Al Quoz, Dubai, Tel: (0)50 986 1760, courtyardplayhouse.com
Creeps
When: June 24 to 26
Where: The Junction, Alserkal Avenue
This play is an adaption of Lutz Hubner’s play Creeps. If you love reality show, this play is one to see. It follows three glamourous young women who are taking a shot at television superstardom. It revolves around their studio audition with an ‘invisible producer’ and how it changes their lives forever. There’s plenty of comedy but the girls find themselves on an insightful journey on their quest to find their dream job and discover themselves and the meaning of friendship in the unlikeliest of circumstances and places. Tickets will be available soon on platinumlist.net
Whitney – The Ultimate Tribute To A Legend
When: June 25
Where: Theatre by QE2
This show celebrates the life and work of American singer Whitney Houston. She is known for her stunning soprano voice and stage presence selling over 200 million albums worldwide before her death in 2012. She was hailed as the most awarded artist of all time by Guinness World Records collecting more than 600 awards throughout her career. Marcia Lynette will reflect Houston’s incredible life and talent on stage belting out hits such as I Wanna Dance With Somebody, I’m Every Woman, I Will Always Love You, Saving All My Love and much more. Early bird tickets start from Dhs150. Book here.
Theatre by QE2, QE2, Port Rashid, Dubai. Tel: (0)58 838 3107. theatrebyqe2.com
July
Boeing Boeing
View this post on Instagram
When: July 1 to 3 at 7:30pm, matinee show 2.30pm on July 3
Where: The Junction Dubai
Smash hit Boeing Boeing has run successfully on Broadway and has been adapted to multiple movies and you can now see you performed live at the performing arts space. The play follows Bernard and the shenanigans that take place in his flat in the 1960s. Bernard is a bachelor who is simultaneously engaged to three women – Gloria, Gabriella, and Gretchen – who are all flight attendants for different airlines and don’t know each other exists. He’s managed to keep them a secret from each other until things go wrong. A speedy Boeing jet gets thrown in the mix and completely throws off his planning. The three women end up arriving in Paris simultaneously and as you can imagine, chaos ensues for the now super-nervous Bernard. Book your tickets here.
The Junction, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, Tel: (0)4 338 8525. @junctiondubai
Louis Tomlinson World Tour
When: July 2
Where: Coca-Cola Arena
Formerly one-fifth of the superstar boy band One Direction, Louis Tomlinson, is set to perform at the Coca-Cola Arena on July 2. When he takes to the stage in Dubai, fans can expect to hear tracks from his debut album, Walls, as well as a string of his solo hits such as Just Like You, Back To You and Just Hold On. You can purchase tickets here.
Oleanna by David Mamet
When: July 2 and 9
Where: Courtyard Playhouse
Oleanna by David Mamet is the Courtyard’s first full-length production since the theatre opened its doors in 2013. The two-character only play follows two unique and captivating characters – a female college student and her professor. The student is concerned about failing her class and is frustrated because she doesn’t understand the professor’s overly verbose lectures. The professor offers to help his student and by doing so, bends the rules if she agrees to meet with him to discuss the material, one-on-one… The performance is open to adults over the age of 15. The show is free to attend but you need to RSVP here.
Courtyard Playhouse, The Courtyard, Al Quoz, Dubai, free to attend, Tel: (0)50 986 1760, courtyardplayhouse.com
August
Alan Walker and KSHMR
When: August 26
Where: Coca-Cola Arena
DJ Alan Walker is returning to Dubai and will be joined by DM genius, Niles Hollowell-Dhar or as he is more common KSHMR and Duo Zach Montoya and Brayden James, who together form Syence. Ticket prices start from Dhs199 and can be purchased here.
Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Dubai, 8pm, Tuesday May 3, prices start from Dhs199. coca-cola-arena.com
September
Romeo and Juliet
When: September 9 to 11
Where: Dubai Opera
Romeo and Juliet (a ballet by Sergei Prokofiev) is based on William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. A synopsis of the tragic love story: A young man and woman named Romeo and Juliet fall passionately in love but their families are embroiled in a bloody feud. They secretly wed but tragic events force Romeo to battle and kill Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin. The consequence? He is expelled from the city and Juliet’s parents force her to marry Paris. As a drastic measure, she takes a potion that makes her appear to be dead so she can flee with Romeo. Unfortunately, Romeo fails to get this message and goes to grieve at her grave. To escape his grief, he takes a vial of potion that kills him. Juliet finds Romeo dead upon awakening. She is devastated and stabs herself.
Romeo and Juliet, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, Sept 9 1o 11, prices start from Dhs325 per person, Tel: (0)4 440 8888. dubaiopera.com
Michael Lives Forever: A Tribute to Michael Jackson
When: September 23 and 24
Where: Dubai Opera
A huge Michael Jackson tribute is taking place at Dubai Opera in September. Come Together with other moonwalkers to watch the tribute artist, Rodrigo Teaser perform the best of MJ’s hits including Billie Jean, Thriller, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, The Way You Make Me Feel, Black or White and much more. According to a Dubai Opera poster, it will be the world’s largest homage to the King of Pop. Besides music that will see your feet being a Slave to the Rhythm, there will be time-travelling choreography and costumes – yes, the ankle-length silver single striped trouser, standout jacket – the works.
Michael Lives Forever, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, 8pm on Sept 23 and 24, prices start from Dhs295 per person, Tel: (0)4 440 8888. dubaiopera.com
Crusty Demons
When: September 23
Where: Coca-Cola Arena
Crusty Demons are renowned for making the impossible happen and are known to make headlines around the world. Think world record jumps and countless stunts that were previously thought impossible. Riders here push to go bigger, faster, higher, and more insane than ever before (gulp). Expect to see freestyle motocross, new tricks, and carnage by internationally-renowned riders, Quad FMX, Globe of Death, a Guinness World Record attempt and more. Oh, and of course, there will be lighting and special effects.
Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Al Wasl, Dubai, Tel: (800) 223 388. coca-cola-arena.com
October
Jazz Classics with Dubai Opera Big Band
When: October 1
Where: Dubai Opera
Love the Dubai Opera Big Band? We do, and they’re back in October to wow you with some good ol’ jazz classics. Think music by the legendary Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Nat King Cole, Nina Simone and many more. Tickets can be purchased here.
Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, Oct 1, prices start from Dhs150 per person, Tel: (0)4 440 8888. dubaiopera.com
Footloose The Musical
View this post on Instagram
When: October 5 to 8
Where: Dubai Opera
Footloose The Musical is toe-tapping its way to Dubai Opera for a four-day run from October 5 to 8. Footloose The Musical follows the story of a young city boy (Jake Quickenden) who thinks his life is over when he’s forced to move to a rural small town in the southwest of America. When he discovers that dancing and rock music are banned by the strict Reverend Moore (Darren Day), he takes matters into his own hands… and gets the whole town on its feet. Tickets start at Dhs275.
Footloose the Musical, Dubai Opera, October 5 to 8, from Dhs275. dubaiopera.com/events/footloose-the-musical
Justin Bieber – Justice World Tour
When: October 8 and 9
Where: Coca-Cola Arena
Justin Bieber will be performing in Dubai at Coca-Cola Arena on October 8 and 9 bringing his record-setting Justice World Tour to the city. The 28-year old hit Canadian singer rose to fame back in 2009 when he was discovered by an American record executive and signed with RBMG Records. Some of his popular tunes include Peaches, Stay, Ghost, Honest, Love Yourself, Stuck with U and many more. Purchase tickets here.
Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Al Wasl, Dubai, Tel: (800) 223 388. coca-cola-arena.com
Riverdance – 25th Anniversary Show
View this post on Instagram
When: October 27 and 30
Where: Dubai Opera
Riverdance is dancing their way to Dubai yet again, this time to celebrate their 25th anniversary. The grammy-winning spectacle will take on Dubai Opera with powerful and stirring reinventions from October 27 to 30. Reserve your spot here.
Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, Oct 27 to 30, prices start from Dhs325, Tel: (0)4 440 8888. dubaiopera.com
November
OneRepublic
When: November 12
Where: To be announced
American pop-rock band OneRepublic will be performing in Dubai on November 12. At the moment, the location for the concert has not yet been announced and we are waiting for the tickets to be released. It is expected, with superstars like this, that the concert will be in Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.
OneRepublic Live in Concert, venue and time to be confirmed, Nov 12, @onerepublic
Calum Scott Bridges World Tour
When: November 19
Where: Hard Rock Cafe Dubai
You might also like
UK artist, singer and songwriter, Calum Scott will be returning to Dubai this November with his brand new album Bridges. Expect to hear him and his band perform hit singles including hits like If You Ever Change Your Mind, The Way You Loved Me, and Goodbye, Again. Ticket prices will be announced when they go on sale on Thursday, June 23 at 11pm on Ticketmaster.ae. Do note, that you will have to be 21 and above to attend the concert.
Calum Scott Bridges World Tour 2022, Hard Rock Cafe, Dubai Festival City Mall, Festival City, Dubai, Nov 19, Tel: (0)4 232 8900. @livenationme
The Magic of Rob Lake
When: November 25 and 27
Where: Dubai Opera
Love magic and illusions? You don’t want to miss Rob Lake at the Dubai Opera this November. Lake is one of the world’s most celebrated illusionists and performs some crazy illusions and entertains millions across network television and audiences in casinos, arenas, and theatres worldwide.
Images: social and supplied