Dubai’s Unmissable Events, Shows & Festivals This Spring

Dubai offers a permanently packed calendar of world-class events throughout the year, encompassing music, sport, art, entertainment and more. Staring down the almost infinite list of shows is enough to make anyone with even an ounce of indecisiveness within them give up. But what a shame it would be to miss out on some of the Emirate’s outstanding offerings. With that in mind, we have collated the coolest upcoming shows and events for all you denizens of Dubai, and those lucky enough to be within driving distance. Flick through our list and let us know which you’re most excited to visit.

Dubai International Boat Show 2024

Dubai Harbour

February 28th - March 3rd

Taking place at the vast Dubai Harbour, this latest edition of the Dubai International Boat Show promises to showcase the latest in luxury superyachts, leisure crafts and yacht tech and accessories. Buyers, sellers and boating enthusiasts from around the globe will flock to the water’s edge for all five days of this world-class event.

Sikka Art & Design Festival

Al Shindagha

February 23rd - March 3rd

Hosted in Dubai’s charming and historical Al Fahidi neighbourhood, this festival will host multiple exhibitions and installations, as well as poetry nights, musical performances, workships, and film screenings. The 12th edition of this family-friendly programme is free to attend for all.

PLUMA by Cirque du Liban

Dubai Festival City Mall

Begins January 17th

In a purpose-built tent in Dubai Festival City Mall, PLUMA brings breathtaking acrobatics and daredevil stunts that will have you picking your jaw off the floor. Set to an electrifying musical score and accompanied by 3D projected visuals, Cirque du Liban’s performers will stun Dubai audiences from January 17th onwards, with ticket prices starting at AED 95.

Alserkal Art Week

Alserkal Avenue, Al Qouz

February 25th - March 3rd

All in the name of pushing contemporary art to the forefront, Alserkal Avenue’s week-long programme will include solo exhibitions, curated talks, gallery tours, installations and more. The programme is free and open to all, inviting any who are curious to immerse themselves in any of the events and exhibitions on the packed programme.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Live in Concert

Dubai Opera

May 12th

Pirates of the Caribbean, and its iconic Hans Zimmer soundtrack, will be brought to life at Dubai Opera this May 12th. The formidable Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by Dubai Festival Chorus, will raise the roof of the stunning venue, led by conductor Anthony Gariele. Audiences will watch along with the film as the full size orchestra belts out the timeless complete score of the franchise sequel, The Curse of the Black Pearl.

Art Dubai 2024

Madinat Jumeirah

March 1st - 3rd

The 17th edition of Art Dubai opens to the public March 1st to the 3rd, taking place in its iconic home at Madinat Jumeirah. The fair will feature local and international perspectives across many artistic mediums from four different categories: Contemporary, Modern, Digital, and Bawwaba, which showcases solo artists from the Global South. There will also be performances, talks, and workshops open to all ticket holders. 1-day and 3-day options are available at AED 100 and 180 respectively. These tickets also entitle visitors to a guided tour of the fair, providing detailed insights into highlighted exhibitions.

Gipsy Kings ft. Tonino Baliardo

Emirates Golf Club

February 24th

Grammy award-winning Catalan group The Gypsy Kings are returning to Dubai this February to play a set at the prestigious Emirates Golf Club, having packed out the Dubai Opera in 2023. Fronted by lead guitarist, composer and platinum recording artist Tonino Baliardo, the band will bring their eclectic blend of Catalan rumba, flamenco, salsa and pop to the stage on February 24th, singing classics like Bamboleo, Djobi Djoba and Volare in their signature mix of Catalan, Spanish, and French dialects like Occitan. 

Dibba Bay Oyster Festival 2024

Multiple Locations

Until February 25th

We’re all familiar with the famous platitude ‘the world is your oyster’. But for some, oysters are their whole world. Calling all those who can’t get enough of these edible pearls of the sea; Taste of Dubai is set to host the Dibba Bay Oyster Festival. Farm-to-table venues in JBR, Fujairah and Umm Suqeim will be offering oysters for as little as AED 8, with several well-known eateries, such as BOCA, Lowe, Geales and Jun’s offering deals to make any oyster lover go crazy. 

For the first time, the festival will also host the ‘Dibba Bay Oyster Shuck Off’, a competition to see which chef has best honed their skills in cracking open those fiendish, uninviting shells to get to the goodies inside.

La Perle by Dragone

La Perle

Permanent Show

Another show of daring stunts from legendary artistic director Franco Dragone, La Perle is the region’s first permanent show of its kind. Taking place in a novel ‘aqua theatre’, actors will perform death-defying dives and race around the inside of a metal sphere on multiple motorbikes - you have to see it to believe it. The water theme of the show honours the UAE’s pearl diving history in spectacular fashion, with gushing waterfalls and torrents of rain flooding the stage and then draining away in seconds, mating this advanced stage tech with incredible acrobatic performances.

Custom Show Emirates 2024

Expo City Dubai

March 1st - 3rd

Dubai’s Custom Show is the Middle East’s biggest custom car and motorcycle convention, showcasing incredibly detailed design alongside high-octane entertainment for enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. Drawing in a packed line-up of spectacles including 4x4 drifting, stunt driving, remote control car racing, and live customisations, day passes can be bought for as little as AED 90; full three day passes are available for AED250.

Dubai Challenge Cup

Al Habtoor Polo Club

March 1st - 10th

This competition is the fourth championship in the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, the fourth-largest tournament of its kind in the world. The only regional tournament recognised and certified by the World Polo Tour and the Hurlingham Polo Association, this highly competitive trophy attracts some of the world’s top players, teams, and ponies, and eminent crowds to match. Dress to the nines and get yourself, family or friends to Al Habtoor Polo Club for polo picnics and live entertainment, or splash out in the VIP Lounge.

Dubai Esports & Games Festival

Dubai World Trade Centre

April 19th - May 5th

The region’s hottest gaming and esports event is back for another action-packed 17 days of events, displays, demos and competitions this April 19th. With over 26,000 visitors to last year’s Dubai Esports Festival (DEF), 2024’s event guarantees big names and big numbers to boot, with several newly released games set to demo at the festival. Details are emerging daily, so be sure to check out the DEF website for more information.