Abu Dhabi’s October calendar is packed with reasons to head out, with live music, comedy, combat sports, family-friendly activities and cultural performances all taking centre stage. Catch Arabic music favourites, laugh along with international comedians or spend the day with your furry friends at a pet festival. Here are nine Abu Dhabi events worth adding to your October calendar.
Abu Dhabi Events This October
1. Yemenies Orchestra
Step into an evening of rich Yemeni musical traditions as the Heritage Symphonic Orchestra performs under the direction of Maestro Mohammed Al Qahoom. The performance pairs time-honoured melodies with the scale and grandeur of a symphonic ensemble, creating a fresh setting for music steeped in history. Al Qahoom’s arrangements give these cherished sounds a contemporary orchestral dimension while keeping their original character at the heart of the performance.
Where: Space42 Arena
When: October 9th
Cost: Starts at AED 195 per person
2. Royal Pet Festival 2026
Pet lovers can look forward to two days of furry fun at the Royal Pet Festival 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The family-friendly event has pets, animal enthusiasts and leading pet brands for a packed programme of activities and showcases. Look out for international dog and cat shows, agility competitions, pet fashion, grooming demonstrations, K9 displays and plenty of pet products to explore. It’s a lively day out for families and animal lovers looking to spend time with their four-legged friends.
Where: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
When: October 10th to 11th
Cost: Starts at AED 35 per person and AED 15 for kids
3. Morgan Jay
Morgan Jay merges stand-up comedy, music, and spontaneous crowd work for a night of unpredictable entertainment. Known for his R&B melodies and sharp punchlines, the Los Angeles-based comedian has over one billion views on social media. With a guitar, he turns audience interactions and everyday moments into improvised songs, making each show unique. Expect an energetic blend of live music, quick wit, and unscripted moments, all in English.
Where: Etihad Arena
When: October 11th
Cost: Starts at AED 250 per person
4. Tamer Hosny And Tamer Ashour
Two powerhouse voices of Arabic pop are heading to Abu Dhabi as Tamer Hosny and Tamer Ashour take over Etihad Arena for a night of big hits and sing-along moments. The duo will bring some of their most-loved tracks to the stage, pairing Hosny’s upbeat, charismatic style with Ashour’s soulful and emotional sound. Expect crowd favourites such as ‘Yana Ya Mafish’, ‘180 Darga’ and ‘Omry Ebtada’ from Hosny, alongside Ashour’s ‘Zikrayat Kaddaba ‘, ‘Ekhtarna Leh’ and ‘Enta Ekhtart’.
Where: Etihad Arena
When: October 17th
Cost: Starts at AED 150 per person
5. Power Slap 2026
Abu Dhabi is set for a high-impact night as Power Slap 2026 brings its explosive slap-fighting format to Space42 Arena. The headline bout sees ‘Da Hawaiian Hitman’ face ‘Dumpling’ in a rematch for the Super Heavyweight Title, putting plenty on the line. Expect hard-hitting matchups, intense face-offs and dramatic finishes as elite competitors go head-to-head under the Power Slap format.
Where: Space42 Arena
When: October 23rd
Cost: Starts at AED 150 per person
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6. UFC 333: Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev
Gear up for a major night of MMA action as UFC 333 brings a stacked fight card to Etihad Arena. Alexander Volkanovski puts his UFC featherweight title on the line against undefeated No. 1-ranked contender Movsar Evloev in the headline bout. Meanwhile, Petr Yan defends his bantamweight championship against former champion Merab Dvalishvili in their highly anticipated trilogy. Abu Dhabi Showdown Week offers a variety of fan experiences, fighter appearances, and mixed martial arts activities, extending the excitement beyond fight night.
Where: Etihad Arena
When: October 24th
Cost: Starts at AED 3,200 per person
7. Russell Peters
Get set for an evening of big laughs as Russell Peters heads to Etihad Arena for a one-night-only comedy show. The veteran comedian is known for his quick-fire delivery, sharp takes on culture and effortless crowd work, turning familiar situations into hilarious stories. A Rolling Stone pick among the 50 Best Comics of All Time, Peters has also made history with sold-out shows at venues including Madison Square Garden, London’s O2 Arena and Toronto’s Air Canada Centre.
Where: Etihad Arena
When: October 25th
Cost: Starts at AED 275 per person
8. Year Of Family: Aquathlon Challenge
Get active with the Year Of Family: Aquathlon Challenge, offering a mix of swim and run events for different ages and abilities. Participants can take on aquathlon distances combining running and swimming, with options ranging from 200m to 800m swims alongside run sections. Younger participants can also join dedicated swimming categories, including a 100m untimed race for children aged four to 12.
Where: Al Ain Adventure
When: October 26th
Cost: Starts at AED 50 per person
9. Elham Al Marzooqi & Sooyeon Jun
Classical music takes centre stage as cellist Elham Al Marzooqi joins pianist Sooyeon Jun for an elegant recital at Zayed National Museum. Presented as part of Abu Dhabi Festival 2026, the performance brings together works by Bach, Vivaldi, Brahms, Schubert, Saint-Saëns and Rachmaninoff, alongside cinematic favourites by Morricone and Gershwin. The programme moves between Baroque masterpieces, Romantic compositions and familiar film themes, creating a varied musical journey across eras and styles.
Where: Performance Area, Zayed National Museum
When: October 30th
Cost: Starts at AED 100 per person
So pick your favourites, book your tickets, and discover what makes Abu Dhabi’s October events worth stepping out for.
Cover Image Courtesy: Russell Peters/Instagram and Mohammed Al Qahoom/Instagram