Lebanese-French trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf leads the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi's 2025 performance season, running from September until December.
The eclectic programme spans the venue's auditorium and outdoor amphitheatre, with events ranging from Chinese acrobatics and Maltese folk chant to a children's film festival, as well as a showcase by London's Science Museum and a staging of Verdi's Rigoletto.
Here are some of the shows confirmed for the season.
1. Mid-Autumn Festival: A Moment to Remember, September 27
Traditional Chinese acrobatics meet contemporary circus when the Dezhou Acrobatic Troupe from China brings 25 performers to Abu Dhabi. The energetic 90-minute show splits across 12 acts including hoop diving, aerial sequences and choreography.
Auditorium, 8pm; tickets from Dh150
2. Edith par Jil Aigrot, October 11
French singer Jil Aigrot, the singing voice of Edith Piaf in Oscar-winning biopic La Vie en Rose, takes the stage herself to perform some of the chanteuse's most celebrated songs. Backed by three musicians, the set includes La Vie en Rose and Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien
Auditorium, 8pm; tickets from Dh150
3. Shakespeare for Kidz: A Midsummer Night's Dream, October 19-21
Theatre company Shakespeare 4 Kidz brings the bard's most celebrated works to a new generation in this family-friendly production. Staged over three mornings, the show is set between ancient Athens and a forest where feuding fairies, music and humour come together in a story about friendship and magic.
Auditorium, 9am; tickets from Dh135
4. Schlingel Abu Dhabi, October 23–25
Germany's Schlingel Festival, founded in 1996 and dedicated to children's films and teenagers, arrives in Abu Dhabi with screenings of international films. Meet-and-greets with filmmakers offer opportunities to discuss the works. A full programme will be revealed closer to the date.
Auditorium and amphitheatre; timings to be revealed soon; tickets from Dh25
5. Faces and Voices of Malta: A Mediterranean Odyssey, October 26
Malta's traditional folk music form of ghana – pronounced “ana” – comes to the outdoor amphitheatre in its first UAE staging. Two vocalists and three guitarists present the tradition, combining narrative lyrics with guitar accompaniment to highlight the island's intangible heritage.
Amphitheatre, 7pm; tickets from Dh75
6. Ibrahim Maalouf & The Trumpets of Michel-Ange, October 31
The Lebanese-French trumpeter presents songs from his latest album, Trumpets of Michel-Ange, with a five-piece trumpet ensemble. The suite of songs traces a life cycle beginning from marriage proposal to the children departing home as adults. Laced by Maalouf's signature quarter-tone trumpet, built specifically to capture Arabic scales, the show weaves jazz improvisation and traditional Arabic melodies in what should be a life-affirming performance.
Auditorium, 8pm; tickets from Dh250
7. Mellowing by Christos Papadopoulos, November 8
A collaboration with Berlin company Dance On Ensemble, Mellowing by Greek choreographer Christos Papadopoulos presents a cast of professional dancers over the age of 40 in a show dubbed as an “exploration of movement”.
Auditorium, 8pm; tickets from Dh150
8. Science Museum Live, November 14 to 16
London’s Science Museum brings demonstrations and experiments to Abu Dhabi in an interactive production designed for families. Scientific concepts are broken down through live performance and multimedia, making the stage show accessible to younger audiences.
Auditorium, 8pm; tickets from Dh150
9. Rigoletto, November 22
St Petersburg Opera stages Verdi’s Rigoletto, directed by Yuri Alexandrov. Based on Victor Hugo’s play Le Roi s’Amuse, Verdi’s 1851 opera follows a jester at the court of Mantua whose cruelty rebounds on his daughter Gilda, leading to betrayal and tragedy.
Auditorium, 8pm; tickets TBA
10. Ars Nova Napoli, December 12
Italian group Ars Nova Napoli close the season with southern folk songs and original works. Known for their viral street performances in Naples, the ensemble mixes guitars and percussion to create a nostalgic and soulful sound.
Amphitheatre, 7pm; tickets from Dh75
