10 shows coming to Dubai Opera in December, from The Nutcracker to King Farouk

Catch the best of musical and dance performances to year-end celebrations at the city's premier concerts and theatre venue

Dubai Opera has hosted impressive shows at its downtown venue in the past year. Photo: Alamy

December will be a special month at Dubai Opera.

The venue has hosted impressive shows in the past year, including Footloose The Musical and performances by Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo and French crooner Enrico Macias.

But the city’s premier platform for world-class opera, concerts and theatre is ending the year with a bang.

Here are 10 events being held at Dubai Opera in the next month:

Comedy Night with EKO: December 2

Moroccan comedian EKO, whose real name is Abdul Rahman Ouaabed, will mark his UAE debut at Dubai Opera on December 2. The show is organised by Tunes Arabia and will feature stand-up comedy and singing.

EKO became an instant favourite in the Moroccan comedy scene when he made his debut at the festival Marrakech of Laughter.

Since then, he has become an international name, performing in venues around the world including the Royal Theatre, where he presented his show Ch’tatata to an audience of 1,400.

From 8pm; tickets from Dh250

Guy Manoukian: December 9

Lebanese composer and pianist Guy Manoukian's repertoire consists of modern takes on Umm Kulthum and Abdel Halim Hafez. Photo: Dubai Opera

Lebanese-Armenian composer Guy Manoukian has become a staple on Dubai Opera’s calendar.

He will be returning to the venue on December 9 after a particularly busy year, performing in a sold-out concert at L'Olympia in Paris and packed houses at the Sydney Opera House, Greek National Opera, and London Palladium.

Manoukian's new show Ya Ashikata Al Wardi promises to bring a renewed vigour to his signature fusion of modern and classical melodies from the East.

From 8pm; tickets from Dh275

Hooverphonic: December 10

Belgian pop group Hooverphonic will be performing at Dubai Opera on December 10.

For nearly three decades, the trio found success in Europe and Francophone countries through their catchy and psychedelic pop tunes, which include hits such as Mad About You, 2 Wicky, and Badaboum.

The group's music has appeared on popular US television series CSI, Entourage and Cold Case.

From 8pm; tickets from Dh275

Le Trio Joubran: December 11

Palestinian group Le Trio Joubran — three brothers who are all maestros on the oud — will play their biggest UAE show to date on December 11.

Samir, Wissam and Adnan have won numerous awards for their new spin on the instrument, including the Arab Muhr Award at the 2009 and 2011 Dubai International Film Festival, and the Palestinian Order of Merit and Excellence in 2013.

The show at Dubai Opera will present some of their most popular compositions, including those that feature Mahmoud Darwish’s poetry.

From 8pm; tickets from Dh195

King Farouk: December 12

A regal celebration of the golden age of classical Arabic music, the event will feature music and performance vignettes based on the 19th-century period during King Farouk's reign in Egypt.

Egyptian stars will take part in the production, including actors Yousra and Sawsan Badr, as well as singer Najma Abdulla.

From 8pm; tickets from Dh350

Kamal Musallam and Mercedes Lujan: December 13

Guitarists Kamal Musallam and Mercedes Lujan will be presenting an unforgettable blend of Arabic and Flamenco music on December 13.

Musallam is renowned for his idiosyncratic fusion of Arabic sounds and rhythms with jazz.

The guitarist and oud player released eight albums since he moved to the UAE in 2002, including two official Grammy Award Selections.

He has also collaborated with Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, Billy Cobham, Bobby McFerrin and George Benson.

Meanwhile, Lujan is one of the foremost flamenco guitarists in the contemporary scene.

She has accompanied several luminary flamenco singers and artists, including Rocio Marquez, Sorderita, Luis Aguile and Chano Lobato.

From 8pm; tickets from Dh190

The Nutcracker: December 16 and 17

The Sugar Plum Fairy and all her friends will visit the UAE this year, for a limited run of The Nutcracker at Dubai Opera.

Performed by the acclaimed Moscow Ballet company La Classique, this two-act show, created by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, was first performed in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in Russia's St Petersburg.

It has since gone on to become one of the world's most popular dance shows, performed by myriad ballet companies around the world, particularly around the festive period.

Showtime is 8pm; tickets from D250.

The Sound of Christmas: December 21 and 22

Christmas jingles will be given the big band treatment on December 21 and 22.

Led by UK artist Adam Long, the Dubai Opera Big Band will perform all the top songs of the season, including Santa Baby, Jingle Bell Rock, Winter Wonderland, Feliz Navidad, All I Want for Christmas Is You, and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.

Tickets also include a complimentary Santa hat and a welcome glass of Christmas beverage.

Showtime is 8pm; tickets from Dh215.

Kadim Al Sahir: December 23 and 24

With an epithet like the Caesar of Arabic Music, Kadim Al Sahir needs little introduction.

The Iraqi crooner has sold more than 100 million albums and has one of the highest concert attendance rates of any artist from the region.

The Zidini 'ishqan singer will be returning to Dubai Opera for a double concert on December 23 and 24.

Showtime is 9pm; tickets from Dh550

New Year’s Eve Celebration: December 31

Where better to celebrate the turn of the year than in the heart of Downtown Dubai?

A gala dinner and disco-themed party will take place in the auditorium of Dubai Opera with performances by internationally acclaimed dancers and the 2020 finalists of Britain's Got Talent Jasmine and Aaron.

DJ Bliss and DJ Keza will also take to the decks to keep the party in full swing.

Tickets include a three-course set menu along with free-flowing beverages, and when it’s time to mark the New Year, you can head out outside the venue to enjoy the famed Burj Khalifa fireworks.

Event starts at 06.30pm; tickets from Dh1,850

Remembering the biggest shows at Dubai Opera as it turns six — in pictures

Dubai Opera is celebrating its sixth anniversary this month. Alamy

The performing arts centre can accommodate up to 2,000 people. Pawan Singh / The National

A model of the sail-shaped Dubai Opera at Cityscape Global 2015. Reem Mohammed / The National

Placido Domingo was the star of the opening night ceremony at Dubai Opera. Photo: Dubai Opera

Accompanied by a live backing band, the hologram Umm Kulthum performed many of the late singer’s greatest hits at Dubai Opera in December 2019 and August 2020. Photo: Dubai Opera

'The Little Prince' opened at Dubai Opera on January 22, 2020 and ran for five shows. Photo: Dubai Opera

The stage adaptation of the 1964 musical 'Mary Poppins' ran at Dubai Opera over the course of a month in May, 2017. Pawan Singh / The National

'Phantom of the Opera' ran at Dubai Opera for almost a month in October 2019. Photo: Dubai Opera

The record-breaking musical 'Les Miserables' had its Gulf premiere at Dubai Opera in November 2016. Photo: Dubai Opera