Any fan of live music will be more than thrilled with the UAE's 2024 concert calendar. Several major UAE music festivals are scheduled across Dubai and Abu Dhabi between August and November, spanning C-pop, house, rock, and hip-hop — with a massive EDM festival already confirmed for 2025. Here is a quick guide to every event still on the horizon.
August 24–25: Because of You — Chinese Music Fest, Dubai
The Because of You Chinese Music Fest brings some of China's biggest pop stars to the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai across two nights on 24 and 25 August. The lineup features acclaimed C-pop artists including Han Hong, Zhang Liangying, Sun Nan, and the iconic band Shui Mu Nian Hua. Lovers of Chinese pop music will have their money's worth at this first-of-its-kind event in the UAE.
November 2: MIXTAPE Festival, Bla Bla Dubai
Football fans and '90s pop devotees are in for a treat at Bla Bla Dubai's POP MIXTAPE festival. S Club, Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm, Peter Andre, and Gareth Gates headline a one-day lineup that reads like a millennial nostalgia playlist. The event runs on 2 November only, drawing die-hard fans of the pop stars who defined a generation.
November 9–10: Defected Dubai, Soul Beach Jebel Ali
House music fans have two full days to look forward to. Defected Dubai is a beach-and-pool party hosted by JA Resorts at Soul Beach, Jebel Ali, running on 9 and 10 November. The festival promises golden summer house anthems and a sun-soaked outdoor setting, with the full performer lineup still to be announced.
November 23: From the Oyster Comes the Pearl Festival, Dubai
Rock fans get their moment on 23 November at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium with the "From the Oyster Comes the Pearl Festival." Performers include The Mission, The Chameleons, Claytown Troupe, and IST IST — a lineup of post-punk and alternative rock heavyweights that will satisfy anyone who grew up on the genre.
November 23: Wireless Festival Middle East, Yas Island Abu Dhabi
Originally planned for March, Wireless Festival Middle East was rescheduled and will now take place on 23 November at Etihad Park, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Grammy-winning R&B star SZA, hip-hop heavyweight 21 Savage, and rising rapper Yeat headline the bill, alongside Karan Aujla, Indian hip-hop duo Seedhe Maut, and other international acts. Fans from across the region are expected to make the trip for what promises to be one of the standout UAE music festivals of the year.
2025: UNTOLD Dubai Returns
UNTOLD Dubai made a thunderous debut in February 2024, attracting 185,000 attendees across four days at Expo City. The second edition is confirmed for 2025, moving to Dubai Parks and Resorts from 6 to 9 November. Confirmed headliners include Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, and Steve Aoki, with the ZAMNA experience also joining for the first time in the Middle East. Full lineup and ticket details are available at untold.ae.
