January 2026
TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER Welcome to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) Tourism Stakeholder Newsletter, providing you with timely and relevant updates on the tourism industry in Abu Dhabi each month. Tip: click the images for more information
TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2026
New Year’s Eve Celebrations & Fireworks Abu Dhabi City
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
12 AM | 01 JAN 2026
Abu Dhabi City Yas Waterfront Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi Corniche Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Hotel St. Regis Saadiyat Island Hotel Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Abu Dhabi Hotel
Al Ain Region Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri Abu Dhabi Hotel Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Hotel Saadiyat Beach Club Erth Hotel Abu Dhabi Hudayriyat Island Sheikh Zayed Festival (Al Wathba)
Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium
Al Dhafra Region Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Hotel Tal Moreeb, Liwa
New Year’s Eve with John Legend
New Year’s Eve with John Legend
31 DEC 2025
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
visitabudhabi.ae
TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2026
KEY UPCOMING EVENTS & MICE – ABU DHABI CITY BUSINESS
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi
World Future Energy Summit 2026 ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi
Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony 2026 ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi
11 - 15 JAN 2026
13 JAN 2026
13 - 16 JAN 2026
CULTURE
Manar Abu Dhabi – The Light Compass Jubail Island & Souq Al Mina
Al Hosn Festival
And After Exhibition
Al Hosn
UNTIL 04 JAN 2026
Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim: Two Clouds in the Night Sky Exhibition
Cultural Foundation
17 JAN- 01 FEB 2026
Sheikh Zayed Festival Al Wathba
Cultural Foundation
UNTIL 22 FEB 2026
UNTIL 22 MAR 2026
UNTIL 22 FEB 2026
Golden Ink: A Journey Through Arab and Islamic Manuscripts House of Knowledge, Qasr Al Watan
UNTIL 07 APR 2026 visitabudhabi.ae
TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2026 FAMILY & LIFESTYLE
Marsana NYE 2026
MOTN – Abu Dhabi
Marsana Beach
Romeo and Juliet by Russian State Ballet Mari El
Corniche Beach
Cultural Foundation
31 DEC 2025 - 01 JAN 2026
Cinderella by Russian State Ballet Mari El
UNTIL 04 JAN 2026
Fontana Circus
09 JAN 2026
Cem Yilmaz
Marina Mall
Etihad Arena, Yas Island
Cultural Foundation
10 JAN 2026
Family Fun Fair Kite Festival Yas Gateway Park, Yas Island
UNTIL 14 JAN 2026
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson Cultural Foundation
17 JAN 2026
17 JAN 2026
Nja Mahdaoui: The Choreographer of Letters Bassam Freiha Art Foundation
23 - 24 JAN 2026
UNTIL 25 JAN 2026 visitabudhabi.ae
TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2026 FAMILY & LIFESTYLE
The Shape of Meaning Bassam Freiha Art Foundation
Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire Exhibition
Peppa Pig Etihad Arena, Yas Island
Louvre Abu Dhabi
UNTIL 25 JAN 2026
UNTIL 25 JAN 2026
Stranger Things: The Experience
30 JAN - 01 FEB 2026
Rays, Ripples, Residue Exhibition
Etihad Arena, Yas Island
421 Arts Campus
UNTIL 25 FEB 2026
WinterFields Deerfields Town Square Shopping Center
UNTIL 26 MAR 2026
Constructing the Orient: Fragments of a Western Dream Bassam Freiha Art Foundation
UNTIL 29 MAR 2026
UNTIL 31 MAY 2026
Quantum Dome Project: A Collective VR Experience Louvre Abu Dhabi
UNTIL 30 JUN 2026 visitabudhabi.ae
TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2026 MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
Saadiyat Nights: Diana Ross and Seal
Saadiyat Nights: Ludovico Einaudi Saadiyat Island
Philipp Kirkorov & Mari Kraimbrery Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Saadiyat Island
09 JAN 2026
10 JAN 2026
Boom Diwan with Nduduzo Makhathini, Liany Mateo, and Elé Howell in Abu Dhabi
10 JAN 2026
Songs of the Bulbul: Aakash Odedra Company NYU Abu Dhabi
NYU Abu Dhabi
14 JAN 2026
Saadiyat Nights: Lewis Capaldi Saadiyat Island
14 JAN 2026
Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
17 JAN 2026
17 JAN 2026 visitabudhabi.ae
TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2026 MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Linkin Park Etihad Arena, Yas Island
17 JAN 2026
The Tasty Biscuits and Friends: The Tasting Sessions Live The Black Box, The Arts Center, NYU Abu Dhabi
20 JAN 2026
AR Rahman
Saadiyat Nights: John Mayer Saadiyat Island
Etihad Arena, Yas Island
23 JAN 2026
23 JAN 2026
24 JAN 2026
Saadiyat Nights: Ricky Martin
Tamaas Festival: Yasmine Hamdan | Al-Qasar | Maruja Limón The East Plaza, The Arts Center, NYU Abu Dhabi
Saadiyat Island
29 JAN 2026
31 JAN 2026 visitabudhabi.ae
TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2026 SPORTS
Make-A-Wish Run 2026
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open 2026
Abu Dhabi Cycling Club Plaza, Hudayriyat Island
Zayed Sports City
25 JAN 2026
UAE University Games 2025-2026 NYU Abu Dhabi
31 JAN - 07 FEB 2026
26 APR 2026
ABU DHABI CALENDAR 2025 - 2026
TRADE CALENDAR 2026
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TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2026
KEY UPCOMING EVENTS & MICE – AL AIN & AL DHAFRA REGIONS CULTURE
Liwa International Festival 2026 Moreeb Dune
UNTIL 03 JAN 2026
Manar Abu Dhabi – The Light Compass
Al Ain WinterLand Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium
Al Qattara Oasis and Al Jimi Oasis
UNTIL 04 JAN 2026
UNTIL 15 JAN 2026
FAMILY & LIFESTYLE
Abu Dhabi Art: Artist Commissions in Cultural Sites Al Qattara Arts Centre
UNTIL 03 JAN 2026 visitabudhabi.ae
TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2026
UPCOMING ROADSHOWS, TRADESHOWS AND MICE EVENTS
Fitur Spain - Trade Exhibition Madrid
21 - 25 JAN 2026
DESTINATION INITIATIVES & UPDATES
Al Ain named Arab Tourism Capital for 2026 Al Ain has been officially awarded the distinguished title of Arab Tourism Capital for 2026 by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism under the Arab League, headquartered in Cairo. This major regional recognition, which is led by the Arab Tourism Organization, reflects Al Ain’s deep cultural heritage, exceptional tourism assets, advanced infrastructure, and Abu Dhabi’s strong commitment to fostering sustainable tourism development. This milestone reinforces Al Ain’s position as a leading cultural and tourism destination, offering a unique mix of natural landscapes, authentic Emirati heritage, rich visitor experiences, and high-quality attractions that appeal to travellers from across the region and the world. Al Ain is the only region in the Arab World to receive the two prestigious consecutive titles Arab Tourism Capital 2026 and Gulf Tourism Capital 2025.
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TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2026
DESTINATION INITIATIVES & UPDATES
DCT Abu Dhabi launches new Holiday Homes system In line with its commitment to innovation and the enhancement of tourism services, DCT Abu Dhabi’s Licensing and Regulatory Compliance Department has launched a New Holiday Homes System, offering a seamless and streamlined experience for sector operators and partners. The system introduces a range of improvements that accelerate request processing, simplify procedures, and provide users with a modern and flexible digital platform, representing a significant milestone in DCT’s ongoing digital transformation journey. The system also supports the holiday homes sector’s growth by enhancing transparency, increasing efficiency, and providing a clear and user-friendly operating environment, further reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-class tourism destination.
Sophia Abu Dhabi Discover Sophia Abu Dhabi, a newly opened contemporary Mediterranean dining destination on Saadiyat Island where flavours from 22 countries come together in harmony. Savor beautifully curated dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and at the heart, the Cig Köfte Bar—an interactive culinary theatre offering a unique dining experience.
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TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2026 DESTINATION CONNECTIVITY
Etihad Airways and Condor announce strategic partnership and new Abu Dhabi routes
Etihad’s A380 set to dawn in the Land of the Rising Sun
Etihad Airways and the German carrier Condor announced a strategic partnership alongside the launch of new daily flights connecting Frankfurt and Berlin to Abu Dhabi starting summer 2026 and an extensive codeshare agreement.
Etihad Airways has announced it will fly its A380 to Narita, Tokyo for summer 2026. The renowned double-decker will begin operating between Zayed Abu Dhabi International (AUH) and Narita International (NRT) on 16 June 2026, in time for the busy summer travel season.
Etihad Airways brings home three awards from the World Travel Awards 2025 Etihad Airways was awarded World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience, World’s Leading Airline Economy Class, and World’s Leading Airline Lounge Business Class for the Etihad Airways Premium Lounge at Zayed International Airport at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2025 held in Bahrain.
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