From stand up comedy to rappers, theatre and concerts, there’s so much still to come…

Dubai welcomes some brilliant shows, concerts and events each month and as more and more get announced, it’s hard to keep up with all the city’s happenings. Which is why we’ve rounded them up for you, in one handy guide.

So, whether you’re looking for ballet or big gigs, theatre or comedy, we’ve rounded up 12 unmissable shows you need to see in Dubai this year.

June 26 to June 28: ABBA Reunion at the QE2

Take a Chance on the QE2 this June, as the West End show ABBA Reunion makes its way to Dubai for the first time. Running from Wednesday June 26 to Friday June 28, fans of the four-piece Euro-pop group are invited to glam up in their best disco wear and throw it back to the 1970s and 1980s for an evening of ABBA’s greatest hits. With amazing costumes, incredible instrumentals and a show full of the famous dance moves, you’ll sing (and dance) along to smash hits including Mamma Mia, Waterloo and Dancing Queen as you get taken on a trip down memory lane.

QE2, Port Rashid, Dubai, 8pm to 11pm, Wednesday June 26, to Friday June 28, tickets from Dhs180. theatrebyqe2.com

July 18 and 20: Fetty Wap at BOA

Willie Maxwell II, better known as Fetty Wap will be performing on Thursday July 18 and Saturday July 20 at Al Habtoor City superclub, BOA as part of their epic summer line-up. Best known for his debut single Trap Queen Fetty is no stranger to Dubai, having played here multiple times last year. Entrance is free, and ladies can also take advantage of some brilliant ladies’ night deals at the luxe club. Two more mystery acts will also soon be announced.

BOA, V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton, Al Habtoor City, Thursday to Sunday, 8pm to 3am. Tel: (056) 501 2039. boadubai.com

July 25: The Laughter Factory presents Jason Manford

Award-winning English comedian, Jason Manford, is back in the UAE this summer as part of his ‘Muddle Class Tour’ courtesy of The Laughter Factory. The comedian will be performing live in Dubai at Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach Road on July 25, 2019. It will be his first time performing in Dubai since his performance New Year’s Eve 2017-2018.

Jason Manford, The Laughter Factory, Dubai 9pm on July 25 at Movenpick Hotel JBR, Abu Dhabi 9pm on July 26 at Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi, Dhs230, Tel: (050) 878 6728, thelaughterfactory.com 

August 14: The 1975 at Coca-Cola Arena

Indie pop rockers The 1975 will grace the stage at Dubai’s new Coca-Cola Arena on Wednesday August 14, with tickets on sale now, priced from Dhs200 and available from the1975dxb.com. The band, consisting of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Matthew “Matty” Healy, lead guitarist Adam Hann, bassist Ross MacDonald, and drummer George Daniel, will come to Dubai as part of their world tour, which commenced earlier this year. When they take to the stage in Dubai, fans can expect to hear some of their best-loved hits including Chocolate, Love Me and Give Yourself A Try.

The 1975, Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Dubai, Wednesday August 14, from Dhs200. the1975dxb.com

August 29: Westlife at Coca-Cola Arena

Irish boyband Westlife will take to the soon-to-open Coca-Cola Arena in City Walk on Thursday August 29 as part of their 20th Anniversary tour. Westlife first broke into the harts with their debut single, Swear It Again, and went on to have a string of hits including What Makes A Man, World of Our Own and Flying Without Wings. Tickets are on sale now, with early bird tickets priced from Dhs250.

Westlife at Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Dubai, Thursday August 29, from Dhs250. livenation.me

September 25 to 28: Much Ado About Nothing at Dubai Opera

Dubai audiences will get to enjoy their second dose of Shakespearean theatre at Dubai Opera, when Much Ado About Nothing is staged from September 25 to 28. Written around 1598, within a few years of As You Like It and Twelfth Night, Much Ado is considered to be one of William Shakespeare’s best comedic plays. Tickets are on sale now, starting from Dhs150.

Much Ado About Nothing, Dubai Opera, September 25 to 28, from Dhs150. dubaiopera.com

October 16 to November 6: Phantom of the Opera at Dubai Opera

It’s largely regarded as one of the most popular musicals in the world, and this October The Phantom of the Opera is set to make its Dubai debut. Taking to the stage at Dubai Opera in Autumn of 2019, the show will run from Wednesday October 16 until Wednesday November 6. The show, created by Andrew Lloyd Webber, will come to Dubai straight from London, and Dubai Opera will be the only location to host the iconic show in the GCC. Since it premiered as a musical in 1986, The Phantom of the Opera has been seen by 130 million people worldwide and amassed over 70 awards, so we can’t wait to see it arrive in Dubai.

The Phantom of the Opera, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, October 16 to November 6, from Dhs250. Tel: (04) 440 8888. dubaiopera.com

October 25: Eminem at du Arena

Eminem will play a massive gig in Abu Dhabi at Yas Island’s Du Arena on October 25 as part of his Kamakaze World Tour. The rap superstar was last in the capital when he was a part of the F1 after-race concert line-up in 2012. The artist has produced some of the most iconic rap of his generation including Lose Yourself, Not Afraid, The Real Slim Shady and Without Me. Ticket prices start at Dhs395 and are already available for you to purchase.

Du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, October 25. Doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets start at Dh395. ticketmaster.ae

November: Party In the Park at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre

We have it on full authority that this year’s What’s On Party In The Park will be the best yet. We’ve already handed in our wish list, but keep an eye on whatson.ae for the first artist announcement coming soon.

Party In The Park, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, November date TBC. whatson.ae/partyinthepark

November 14: Mica Paris at Dubai Opera

Aretha Franklin fans, get excited. A one night only tribute event is coming to Dubai Opera later this year, as British soul singer Mica Paris takes on some of Franklin’s best-loved songs at the stunning venue. The concert will take place Thursday November 14 2019, so stop ‘Day Dreaming’ and get your tickets – which are on sale now from Dhs150.

Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, 8pm, Thursday November 14, from Dhs150. Tel: (04) 4408888. dubaiopera.com

November 29: Travis Scott at du Arena

Hip hop superstar Travis Scott will headline at the Yasalam After-Race Concert at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019. Scott will perform at du Arena, Yas Island, on Friday, 29 November, the second of four after race concerts. Anyone that caught his ASTROWORLD tour in person or on social media will know that it was a spectacular production, so visitors to the F1 can expect nothing less from his performance in Abu Dhabi later this year. Fan’s can expect some of his world-famous hits such as ‘Sicko Mode’, ‘Antidote’ and ‘Yosemite’. 

Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, November 28 to December 1, prices vary. yasmarinacircuit.com

December 6: Kylie Minogue at Dubai Rugby Sevens

Australian-British pop sensation, Kylie Minogue, has been confirmed as the headline performer on Friday, December 6 at the Sevens Stadium as party of the Dubai Rugby Sevens 50th anniversary weekend. The Grammy Award-winning artist will have fans Spinning Around from 9.30pm after the second day of the world-famous tournament. Expect to hear some of her biggest hits from the last 30 years, such as Can’t Get You Out Of My Head, On A Night Like This and Love At First Sight. Tickets for the event on Friday, December 6 will cost Dhs400 or Dhs500 for the whole weekend.

Dubai Rugby Sevens 2019, Sevens Stadium, Dubai, Thursday December 5 to Saturday December 7, Thursday free, Friday Dhs400, whole weekend Dhs500, under 12s free. dubairugby7s.com

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