26 amazing things to do in the UAE in the second half of 2026
The restaurants, resorts and epic events we can’t wait for in the next six months
The second half of 2026 is shaping up to be one of the UAE’s busiest stretches yet, and we’re not just talking about the weather cooling down. From a brand-new rail line finally connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi, to a wave of hotel debuts, desert raves and cult food concepts touching down, there’s a serious lineup of things to do between now and December. Whether you’re the type to book tickets the second the event drops or you’re simply plotting your next staycation, here are the moments worth circling on the calendar.
A luxury island resort and beach club will welcome guests as Zuhha opens
From the team behind Abu Dhabi's Zaya Nurai Island, Zuhha brings 70 beachfront resort villas and a rustic-luxe beach club to a private island just 12 minutes from the Dubai mainland. Expect a spa and healing centre, floating padel and tennis courts, and an all-day dining restaurant with a ceviche bar. It's set to open in late 2026. Where: The World Islands, Dubai Visit: @zuhhaisland
All aboard Etihad Rail as it adds services to Dubai
The UAE's long-awaited passenger rail network is now operating, with journeys between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. But the line continues its expansion on 30 September, when Dubai's Jumeirah Golf Estates station joins the line alongside Al Dhaid in Sharjah. Trains hit speeds of up to 200km/h, cutting the journey around the emirates down significantly compared to the drive. It's a genuinely new way to move around the country, and one that's been years in the making. Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates Station, Dubai Visit: @etihad_rail
Check into Dubai’s gorgeous new resort
Six Senses makes its UAE debut this year with an all-suite, beachfront resort on Palm Jumeirah's West Crescent. Expect 61 suites, a coral-inspired design language, and a 60,000-square-foot wellness club with a longevity clinic and biohacking room. Bookings are already open for stays from 1 October. Where: West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Visit: @sixsensesthepalm
Head to the desert for an epic Keinemusik gig
The Berlin trio's first full desert show in the UAE has been rescheduled to 21 November, when Bab Al Shams Arena transforms into Pacha ICONS' biggest production in the region yet. Expect the sculptural Kloud stage set against open dunes for a genuinely one-off night. Where: Bab Al Shams Arena, Dubai Visit: @pachaicons
Chicago the Musical lands at the Coca-Cola Arena
The longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history takes over Coca-Cola Arena for eight performances across five days from December 16 to 20, marking the venue's first-ever Broadway theatrical production. Expect All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango and Razzle Dazzle delivered in full razzle-dazzle style. Tickets from Dhs99. Where: Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Dubai Visit: @cocacolaarena
Singing along with Christina Aguilera
Xtina returns to the capital for a rescheduled arena show, now confirmed for 25 September. Expect the hits, from Genie In A Bottle to Fighter, delivered with the full-scale production Etihad Arena shows are known for. Tickets start from Dhs295. Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi Visit: @etihadarena
The Emirates Dubai 7s brings festival fever to the Sevens Stadium
The region's biggest sports and entertainment festival returns for HSBC SVNS action from 27 to 29 November, mixing world-class rugby sevens with cricket, netball, live DJ sets and the kind of pitch-side singalongs the event has become known for. Where: The Sevens Stadium, Dubai Visit: @dubai7s
A new style of stay checks into Hatta
With Caravan Hatta, Our Habitas' UAE debut brings fifty airstream-style caravans to the Hajar Mountains, overlooking Hatta Dam. Think low-impact design, a communal Lake House with an infinity pool, and programming built around Hatta's outdoor and cultural heritage. Where: Hatta, Dubai Visit: @habitascaravanhatta
Chef Yannick Alléno brings a Michelin pedigree tasting menu to The Palm
L'Abysse, the two-Michelin-starred chef's Japanese-French omakase concept, already established in Paris, Monaco and Osaka, makes its Dubai debut at One&Only The Palm this October. Expect precision sushi shaped by ageing, temperature and seasonal seafood, filtered through Alléno's contemporary French lens, alongside sister restaurant STAY. Where: One&Only The Palm, Dubai Visit: @labysse_dubai
Hear the engines roar at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026
F1's season finale returns to Yas Marina Circuit from 3 to 6 December, complete with the Yasalam after-race concert series. It's the biggest weekend on the capital's calendar, drawing racing fans and music lovers in equal measure. Tickets for all four days start from Dhs2,395. Where: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi Visit: @abudhabigp
Summer in Nashville brings country vibes to Media City Amphitheatre
The UK's biggest country music festival returns to Dubai for a second 2026 outing on 31 October, following an epic edition in 2025 that saw rodeo bulls, axe throwing and free cowboy hats land in Media City. Expect boot-stomping anthems, smoky barbecue and tributes to country legends. Tickets start from Dhs25 Where: Dubai Media City Amphitheatre Visit: @summerinnashville
Abu Dhabi’s wellness scene elevates with the opening of Olympia Resort
Modon Hospitality's active-lifestyle resort on Hudayriyat Island is set to open later this year. The property centres on a Reboot Recovery Lounge with altitude training and biohacking tools, hypoxic guestrooms and access to 28km of cycling tracks, football and tennis courts, and the island's upcoming Velodrome. Where: Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi Visit: @olympiaresortad
First Avenue Mall brings a string of new restaurants to Jumeirah
Not to be confused with the Motor City mall of the same name, this new Jumeirah Road development is lining up its Dubai debut of celebrity-loved LA spot Jon & Vinny's, alongside Tora Tora, Mareel, Lost in Tokyo (pictured), Ladurée, Nala and Soraya. Where: Jumeirah Road, Dubai
H by Huna continues to bring us cool cafes
Where Ounass stage debuted earlier this year, H by Huna will continue to expand in the coming months with a trio of new openings. Le Café LPM, La Petite Maison's all-day café spin-off will present a patisserie counter, French breakfast staples and easy, unhurried dining that shifts from morning coffee to evening drinks. A new Em Sherif Deli and a chic cafe from the team behind Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab's KIRA, Cafe Kira (pictured) complete the picture. Where: Across H by Huna, Jumeirah, Dubai Visit: @hunaliving
Check in at the capital’s coolest new hotel
The capital's first Mondrian lands on the Abu Dhabi Canal, bringing 210 design-led rooms, 80 serviced apartments and six food and beverage concepts, including Italian favourite Fi'lia and late-night lounge Palais Doumani. With views over Reem Island and Maryah Island, it's set to be one of Abu Dhabi's most exciting new stays in recent years. Where: Downtown Abu Dhabi Visit: @mondrianabudhabi
Tuck in at Hikiniku to Come
Asia's cult Wagyu Hamburg concept opens its first GCC location this September, courtesy of FYTE Hospitality, the team behind Kokoro. Freshly ground, charcoal-grilled Wagyu patties served with rice, halal-certified for the region and cooked in full view at a central grill counter. Where: CMPLX, Al Quoz, Dubai Visit: @hikiniku.to.come_dxb
Elrow makes its colourful return to Dubai
Elrow's theatrical, confetti-soaked "Nowmads" edition touches down again this October 24, promising oversized set design, roaming performers and a lineup still being finalised. Past editions have welcomed names like Fisher and Idris Elba, so expect big things. Tickets start from Dhs299. Where: Dubai Media City Amphitheatre Visit: @elrowofficial
An OG Dubai hotel gets a new lifestyle destination
Le Meridien Dubai and Solutions Leisure team up for a new three-in-one venue, set to open later this year. A new outpost of Lock, Stock & Barrel promises epic events and live entertainment. Lock, Stock The Yard is an outdoor extension where live sports, community events and laidback social experiences unfold. Then there’s The Lanes, a family entertainment concept complete with bowling, arcade games, food trucks and an outdoor play area.
This is Michael takes to the Etihad Arena
On August 22, one of the world's biggest Michael Jackson tribute productions, having sold over 500,000 tickets globally, brings performer Lenny Jay's uncannily accurate vocals and choreography to Yas Island for a two-hour, 20-song celebration of the King of Pop. Tickets start from Dhs160. Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi Visit: @etihadarena
Dubai Marina gets a new wellness club
rom the team behind Platform Studios and FitnGlam, Arkhe is a members-only social wellness club combining fitness, recovery and longevity facilities with a concierge-style, community-driven approach to health. Doors open on September 1, with membership applications now open. Where: Dubai Marina Visit: @arkhe.club
An electronic music extravaganza takes over Dubai Parks & Resorts
Romania-born mega festival Untold returns for a four-day run from 5 to 8 November, its second edition at Dubai Parks and Resorts after drawing more than 190,000 people in 2025. Expect 100+ artists across six stages, spanning EDM, techno, hip-hop and afrobeats. While the line-up is still under wraps, early bird passes are already on sale for Dhs399. Where: Dubai Parks and Resorts Visit: @untoldfestivaldubai
A London-loved Indian restaurant lands in DIFC
Gymkhana, the Michelin-starred Mayfair institution, inspired by the elite social clubs of colonial India, brings its tandoori lamb chops, kid-goat methi keema and game-forward biryanis to Gate Village. It's Gymkhana's third international home after London and Riyadh. Where: DIFC, Dubai Visit: @gymkhanarestaurants
A noughties boyband lands at Expo City as Blue perform live
British pop icons Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe mark 25 years together with a one-night-only stop on their anniversary tour, bringing All Rise, Too Close and One Love to Expo City on October 25. Tickets start from Dhs299. Where: Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre, Expo City Dubai When:
K Pop Fever takes over the Etihad Arena
On September 26, a live production built around the global K-pop phenomenon, K-POP Fever brings a 12-strong cast of singers and dancers performing hits inspired by BTS, BLACKPINK and KATSEYE, plus tracks from the K-pop Demon Hunters soundtrack, with full-scale choreography and effects, to Abu Dhabi. Tickets from Dhs95. Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi Visit: @etihadarena
We’ll be belly laughing at Dubai Comedy Festival
The region's biggest comedy showcase returns for its 8th edition, running 9 to 18 October across Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Opera and New Covent Garden Theatre. Expect 40+ shows, 50+ comedians and performances in multiple languages, following a 2025 edition that welcomed names like Tom Segura, Joanne McNally and Mo Amer. Where: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai Opera & New Covent Garden Theatre, Dubai Visit: @dubaicomedyfest
Perfect your swing at Five Iron Abu Dhabi
The capital's first Five Iron Golf is on its way to Yas Bay Waterfront, set to become one of the brand's largest locations globally at close to 24,000 square feet. Twelve Trackman simulators, Callaway club fitting and a waterfront terrace round out the offering. It's set to open next month. Where: Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi Visit: @fiveirongolfuae
Scroll through the gallery to discover the upcoming events, restaurants, hotels and festivals that we can’t wait for.
