Must-see entertainment in United Arab Emirates

  • Cinema Akil

    Downtown Dubai

    Treating cine buffs to smart indie flicks from around the world on a pop-up basis since 2014, this dynamic platform has now taken up permanent residence…

  • Dubai Opera

    Downtown Dubai

    Shaped like a traditional dhow – the sailing vessels that still ply the Gulf – Dubai Opera is the city's newest high-calibre performing-arts venue…

  • Reel Cinemas

    Downtown Dubai

    Reel is one of the top flick-magnets in town, screening mostly Hollywood blockbusters. It has 22 screens, including one featuring a state-of-the-art Dolby…

  • La Perle by Dragone

    Downtown Dubai

    A custom-designed theatre with a 270-degree angle makes for perfect sight lines even in the cheaper seats of this magical show centred on an aquatic stage…

  • Meydan Racecourse

    Downtown Dubai

    Dubai racing’s home is the spectacular Meydan Racecourse, about 5km southeast of downtown Dubai. Spanning 1.5km, its grandstand is bigger than most…

  • Courtyard Playhouse

    Downtown Dubai

    This 70-seat community theatre (plus bean bags on busy nights) puts on a busy schedule of improv, stand-up comedy, kids theatre and live broadcasts from…

  • Al Wathba Race Track

    Abu Dhabi

    Sporting colourful nosebags and matching blankets, camels are the stars of the show at the Al Wathba Race Track, 45km southeast of Abu Dhabi. Races are…

  • Jamjar

    Downtown Dubai

    This community art space exhibits contemporary art by emerging local and international talent as well as being a DIY painting studio. If you're feeling…

  • Vox Mall of the Emirates

    Dubai

    This multiplex boasts 24 screens, including a 4D cinema with motion chairs, and wind, light and water effects; the region's first IMAX laser cinema; a…

  • Blue Bar

    Downtown Dubai

    Cool cats of all ages gather in this relaxed joint for some of the finest live jazz and blues in town, along with a full, reasonably priced bar line-up…

  • Heroes

    Abu Dhabi

    This old-timer doesn't need chi-chi designer interiors or a fancy-pants cocktail list put together by a world-famous mixologist to pull punters in. Heroes…

  • Junction

    Downtown Dubai

    Since 2015 this pint-sized indie performing-arts space has hosted some of Dubai's most exciting cultural programming, from plays to concerts and comedy to…

  • Fridge

    Downtown Dubai

    Part of the Alserkal Avenue cultural campus, this talent-management agency runs a much beloved concert series (usually on Fridays) that shines the…

  • NYUAD The Arts Center

    Abu Dhabi

    This multi-venue arts centre, inside the New York University's Abu Dhabi campus, hosts a regular, eclectic program of dance performances, music concerts,…

  • Movies Under the Stars

    Bur Dubai

    Every Sunday night during the cooler months, clued-in cinephiles invade the rooftop of the Pyramids Building, next to the Wafi Mall, to drop into a giant…

  • PJ O'Reilly's

    Abu Dhabi

    This popular Irish pub, with a poolside outdoor area, is a good spot for those seeking out live music, with bands playing every Wednesday, Thursday and…

  • Roxy Cinemas

    Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah

    Watch your favourite movie kicking back in plush seating and with the latest hi-tech surround sound. International alternative films are also screened…

  • Al Marmoum Camel Racetrack

    Dubai

    If you want to experience a deeply rooted Emirati tradition, head to a camel race. The closest track to Dubai is Al Marmoum, about 40km south en route to…

  • Madinat Theatre

    Dubai

    The program at this handsome 442-seat theatre at Souk Madinat Jumeirah is largely calibrated to the cultural cravings of British expats. Expect plenty of…

  • MusicHall

    Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah

    It's not a theatre, not a club, not a bar and not a restaurant – the lavishly designed MusicHall is all those things. The concept hails from Beirut, where…

  • Jazz@PizzaExpress

    Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah

    It's really a pizza joint tucked amid residential high-rises, but this pretence-free place gets hopping just about nightly with open-mic jam sessions,…

  • Camel Race Track

    United Arab Emirates

    The camel races are the place to head to if you want to immerse yourself in local culture. Madinat Zayed's camel race track is just south of town and…

  • Sheikh Zayed Stadium

    Abu Dhabi

    This 20,000-seater stadium is where all international cricket matches take place. If you're a cricket fan and there's a match on while you're in town,…

  • Reel Cinemas

    Dubai

    This family-geared cinema, with beanbags and kid-friendly snacks, is located at the new Springs Souk shopping mall, a 15-minute taxi ride from the Nakheel…

More destinations you need to see