Corteo by Cirque du Soleil is coming to Abu Dhabi this June | Things to do in Abu Dhabi

If you’ve never seen a Cirque du Soleil show live, this is the one to start with. This summer, Cirque du Soleil’s production Corteo, lands in Abu Dhabi for the very first time – and it also marks the show’s final bow after more than 20 years of touring the world.

Running from 12–21 June 2026 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Corteo blends acrobatics, live music, comedy and theatrical magic into a two-hour spectacle that works just as well for first-timers as it does for long-time Cirque fans.

Expect flying chandeliers, bouncing beds, playful clowning and gravity-defying stunts, all wrapped inside a dreamlike world imagined by a clown looking back on his life. Instead of one straight storyline, the show unfolds as a series of vivid, emotional scenes - some big and breathtaking, others quieter and surprisingly moving.

One of the most interesting things about this Abu Dhabi run is the two-sided arena setup, where the stage sits in the centre and the audience faces each other. It’s a rare format for Cirque du Soleil and gives the whole show a more immersive, theatre-like feel.

After touring more than 150 cities and being seen by over 12 million people worldwide, Corteo is officially entering its final chapter. Abu Dhabi audiences will be among the last in the world to experience this production live – and it’s also set to be the largest Cirque du Soleil production ever staged in the capital.

Tickets start from AED 150 and are on sale now

Show Details at a Glance

What: Cirque du Soleil – Corteo

Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island

When: 12–21 June 2026

Duration: Approx. 2 hours 10 minutes (including intermission)

Tickets: From AED 150

Performance Dates & Times

• Friday, 12 June:

  • Doors 7:00pm | Show 8:00pm

• Saturday, 13 June:

  • Doors 1:00pm | Show 2:00pm

  • Doors 7:00pm | Show 8:00pm

• Sunday, 14 June:

  • Doors 1:00pm | Show 2:00pm

  • Doors 6:00pm | Show 7:00pm

• Friday, 19 June:

  • Doors 7:00pm | Show 8:00pm

• Saturday, 20 June:

  • Doors 1:00pm | Show 2:00pm

  • Doors 7:00pm | Show 8:00pm

• Sunday, 21 June:

  • Doors 1:00pm | Show 2:00pm

  • Doors 6:00pm | Show 7:00pm