News you might have missed in Abu Dhabi | 30 September
There’s been plenty happening in Abu Dhabi, from a new Etihad Rail route and sporting events, to upcoming shows and creative opportunities. Here’s what you might have missed.
Aries Spears live in Etihad Arena
If you’re a fan of MADtv, you’ll know Aries Spears for his impressions and quick-fire comedy. He’s bringing his stand-up show to Etihad Arena on 21 November, having spent more than three decades in comedy.
You’ll hear his takes on pop culture and relationships, alongside plenty of crowd work and impressions of famous faces including Jay-Z, Denzel Washington and Shaquille O’Neal. Spears has also appeared on Def Comedy Jam, The Tonight Show and Comedy Central Presents.
Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island
When: Saturday, 21 November 2026
Time: Doors open at 9:00 pm
Price: From AED 120
Book your spot here
World Triathlon returns to Abu Dhabi
Hudayriyat Island is gearing up for a big weekend of triathlon as the World Triathlon Championship Series returns to Abu Dhabi on 13 and 14 November 2026.
You’ll see some of the world’s top triathletes take on the individual sprint races on Friday, before the Mixed Relay Series gets underway on Saturday. There are community races too, so you can join in if watching from the sidelines isn’t quite your thing.
The event is part of a bigger ten-day celebration of triathlon, running alongside the World Triathlon Multisport Championships from 13 to 22 November. More than 4,000 age-group athletes from around the world are expected to take part.
Where: Hudayriyat Island
When: Friday, 13 to Sunday, 22 November 2026
More info here
Run for the Arabian Sand Cat at Yas Bay
Your next 5K could help protect one of the UAE’s desert cats. Run for Impact: Saving the Arabian Sand Cat is coming to Yas Bay Waterfront on 25 October, with 3km, 5km and 10km routes.
Registration costs AED 50, with the money going towards research and conservation work for this elusive species in Abu Dhabi.
Al Ain Zoo will also have activities to get involved in, from 6am to 10am, including face painting, photo opportunities, and wildlife trivia with prizes up for grabs.
The first race starts at 6:45am, followed by the 5km at 7am and the 3km at 7:15am.
Where: Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island
When: Sunday, 25 October 2026
Time: Activities from 6:00 am; races from 6:45 am
Price: AED 50
Book your spot here
Etihad Rail’s Abu Dhabi-Dubai train is now running
You can now get to Dubai in just an hour, as the much-awaited Abu Dhabi-Dubai Etihad Rail passenger service is finally running.
Board at Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi and get off at Al Yalayis Station in Dubai. From there, you can walk straight to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station using the pedestrian bridge connecting the two.
Book your tickets, with prices starting at AED 39 for Comfort Class and AED 109 for Premium Class.
We visited the new Dubai station, so you can get a glimpse of what to expect when you arrive. Check it out here.
Read more in our story here
Book your tickets here
Win up to AED 20,000 with the ADMAF Awards
Open to Emirati creatives aged 18 to 35, the ADMAF Awards are accepting applications across music, theatre, dance, spoken word, visual arts, architecture and design.
The Gulf Capital - ADMAF Creativity Award offers AED 20,000 for work in music, theatre, dance or spoken word, while the Gulf Capital - ADMAF Visual Arts Award offers AED 10,000 for work including film, photography, painting, sculpture and installation. There’s also the TotalEnergies Sustainability Design Award, with AED 10,000 going to the winner. This year’s theme is “Sustainable Design for Connected Communities”.
The winning work from all three awards will be showcased at Abu Dhabi Festival 2027.
Application deadline: 16 November 2026
Apply here
Ghostly Kisses live in Etihad Arena
Ghostly Kisses is bringing her dreamy pop and soft vocals to Abu Dhabi this November. The musical project of Canadian singer-songwriter Margaux Sauvé, she’ll perform at Etihad Arena on 29 November as part of her MENA Tour 2026.
You might know her for tracks including The City Holds My Heart and Heaven, Wait, as well as songs from her 2024 album Darkroom. You’ll get a chance to hear her dreamy sound live, with layered synths, strings, piano and her distinctive vocals.
The Mastercard presale opens 30 September at 12pm, while general ticket sales start on 2 October at 12pm.
Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island
When: Sunday, 29 November 2026
Get your presale tickets here
Give your dog a day out at Woofstock
Woofstock is coming to Abu Dhabi this January, with the dog-friendly festival heading to West Beach, Yas Island, on 30 and 31 January.
Bring your dog along for a weekend of activities, workshops, live music, food and drink, rescue organisations and pet businesses. Previous editions have included dog training and first-aid workshops, puppy pilates, scavenger hunts and even watersports, so there’s been plenty for dogs to do.
The festival is organised by Doggie Adventures UAE and is now in its fourth year. The Abu Dhabi programme and tickets haven’t been announced yet, but you can register on the Woofstock website to hear when they go live.
Where: West Beach, Yas Island
When: Saturday, 30 and Sunday, 31 January 2027
Sign up here
Gandhi & Zayed: The Spirit of Peace
There’s a free evening of music, dance and poetry at Cultural Foundation this Friday, marking Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary and celebrating his shared values with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the fathers of two nations.
Gandhi & Zayed: The Spirit of Peace takes place on 2 October, with music, dance and verses exploring themes of peace, unity and the ideas both leaders stood for.
The evening is presented by Malhaar, a UAE-based centre for Indian classical music and dance.
Where: Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi
When: Friday, 2 October 2026
Time: 5:00 pm
Price: Free
More info here
