Plan your social calendar around these unmissable UAE events
Life
by Alice Holtham-Pargin
2 hours ago
If you're spending April and May in the UAE, there are some huge events to fill your social calendar with. From a high-fashion horse race to some of the most iconic names on the DJ circuit, we've planned out your next few weeks of fun.
These are the tickets to book now for the big gigs, festivals, events and performances coming to the UAE in April and May. April 5: Dubai World Cup
Don your most fabulous fashion fits and get ready for a day at the races as Dubai World Cup returns to Meydan on Saturday April 5. Yes, the nine-race card – the final race day of the season – might be the main event, this equine extravaganza is as much about fashion as it is sports. There are a variety of packages on offer, with access to the vibrant Apron Views the most popular option for AED350, as well as several hospitality packages, including a brunch package in the Bubble Lounge for AED849.
From AED350. Get your tickets April 5: Adriatique at Terra Solis
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Some 14,000 revellers showed up when Adriatique headlined at Ushuaia Dubai Harbour at the end of last year – so it's welcome news that they're set to return this April. The Swiss musical maestro's Adrian Shala and Adrian Schweizer, who have become a global name thanks to their incredible live shows of high-energy sound and cutting-edge visuals, will bring a next-level digital show to the desert stage of Terra Solis on April 5.
From AED250. Get your tickets April 10 to 20: Les Miserables at Etihad Arena
A slightly different tempo to much of the musical mastery we're looking forward to in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the coming weeks is Les Miserables. The renowned musical will head to Yas Island's Etihad Arena for a 10-date run from April 10. The Arena Spectacular features a cast and orchestra of over 65 people, who will present Victor Hugo's enthralling tale of broken dreams and unrequited love in this timeless showcase.
From AED130. Get your tickets April 12: Ants x Ushuaia Dubai Harbour Experience
Since October, Ushuaia Dubai Harbour Experience has been bringing a taste of Ibiza to Dubai Harbour with headline sets from Calvin Haris, Adriatique and Black Coffee. And on April 12 the party continues as the globally renowned electronic music brand Ants returns to Dubai for the first time since 2018. Bringing with it a huge headline line-up of Marco Carola, Andrea Oliva and Calussa, it's set to be a big night of cutting-edge house and techno with some seriously sensational visuals.
From AED200. Get your tickets April 12: The Script Live
Irish pub McGettigan's belated St Patrick's Day party will be suitably headlined by Irish rock band, The Script, at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on April 12. The all-day music festival will begin from midday, with local musicians, food trucks and pop-up bars taking over the amphitheatre for a day of fun in the sun. After sunset, the Coronas will take to the stage before Danny O'Donoghue's bring tunes including Man Who Can't Be Moved and Breakeven to the city.
From AED249. Get your tickets April 18 to 20: Usher, Snow Patrol, The Kooks, Raye and London Grammar at Etihad Park
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Abu Dhabi's three-day music festival Club Social returns from April 18 to 20, bringing together some huge A-Listers for a weekend of music, art and dancing at Etihad Park. On Friday April 18, rockers Snow Patrol will bring hits like Chasing Cars and Just Say Yes to the UAE capital, performing alongside the guys behind She Moves In Her Own Way , The Kooks. On Saturday, we'll be singing and dancing along to the addictive tunes of Usher, and then on Sunday, Raye and London Grammar close the show.
From AED295. Get your tickets April 26: Ed Sheeran, One Republic and Kaiser Chiefs at Etihad Park
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OFFLIMITS is the name of Abu Dhabi's exciting new one-day music festival, bringing some of the biggest names in pop music to Etihad Park. Created by Theory Eleven, one of the biggest pop stars on the planet – Ed Sheeran – will be Thinking Out Loud as he performs a two-hour set of his most iconic songs in the UAE capital. Also on the bill, Stop and Stare hitmakers One Republic; the rockers behind I Predict A Riot , Kaiser Chiefs; and 1990s dance music favourites, Faithless.
From AED495. Get your tickets May 2: Kevin Hart at Etihad Arena
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A frequent face on the UAE's comedy circuit, actor and comedian Kevin Hart returns to Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on May 2. This time around, the Grammy and Emmy-nominated funnyman promises endless laughs with his new material, Acting My Age. He's one of a huge number of headliners of Abu Dhabi Comedy Season, running from the end of April until June, which will also see Michael McIntyre, Pete Davidson and Trevor Noah perform.
From AED295. Get your tickets May 3: Rampa at Playa Pacha
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The Balearic beach club at FIVE LUXE plays host to some of the world's biggest DJs as part of its Pacha ICONS music series. After Ramadan, it returns with a bang, with Black Coffee headlining on April 3, Camelphat on April 11, and Rampa – one third of need-no-introduction Keinemusik – will perform on May 3.
From AED300. Get your tickets May 17: Elrow at Expo City
The annual Elrow extravaganza returns to Dubai for an unmissable season closing. This time it's taking place at Expo City, but you can expect all of the usual high-octane fun this Ibiza-born event is known and loved for. This year's stage is the 'Rowlympic Games' bringing the grandeur of Roman architecture as a backdrop to confetti cannons, high-spec production, and a DJ set list that includes Bora Uzer, Ilario Alicante and Patrick Topping.
From AED200. Get your tickets May 30: Kygo at Coca-Cola Arena
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The megastar DJ behind hits like Firestone and Higher Love sees out the season with a huge gig at City Walk's Coca-Cola Arena. A pioneer in the tropical house music scene, he's collaborated with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Selena Gomez, and will bring some of his biggest tracks from his twelve year career – as well as fresh sound from his latest album, KYGO to the live show.
From AED395. Get your tickets – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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