All the music festivals coming up in the UAE

TIME OUT DUBAI

Monday 9 January, 2023

Lover of live music? 2023 will be your year.

Along with loads of concerts and gigs lined up throughout the year, there are also loads of UAE music festivals happening this year.

Though swapping mud for sand, the city knows a thing or two about hosting a pumping music festival.

You might also like: UAE events to look forward to in 2023

Grab your calendar and start pencilling in all the UAE music festivals 2023…

COREUNITY

A music and wellness festival is coming to Hatta from January 13 to January 15. Created by the Core Direction team (who do unusual yoga classes around the city), there will be live music from local DJs each evening, along with yoga classes, workshops and group hikes. One for families, there’s also a dedicated kid’s area. Pitch up your tent and prepare for two nights of alfresco dancing.

From Dhs199. Jan 13-Jan 15. Hatta Wadi Hub coreunityfest.com (04 852 2200).

Desert Groove on the Grass

uae music festivals 2023

Groove on the Grass is going into the desert of Ras Al Khaimah on the last weekend of January. The boutique festival will see over 20 artists performing on two stages under the stars, including WhoMadeWho, Andhim and Viken Arman. Along with a huge line-up of music, there will also be holistic activities, food trucks and market stalls. A traditional camping music fest, you can only buy two-day passes for this event.

Dhs375. Fri Jan 27 – Sun Jan 29. Dunes Resort, Ras Al Khaimah rak.platinumlist.net

Lost Nomads

International music festival company, Farra World are bringing a new festival to Dubai’s Soul Beach on Saturday February 11. With a capacity of 5,000 people and a range of huge names in music on their books, including Black Coffee, Carl Cox, Chase and Status and Steve Aoki, this looks set to be a good one. Stay tuned to Time Out Dubai for details.

Sat Feb 11. Soul Beach, JA The Resort, Jebel Ali.

Elrow XXL

Elrow Dubai

Heads up, ravers. Elrow is coming back to Dubai for a huge outdoor festival next year. What began as a social club in Madrid 148 years ago, Elrow is now a global techno and house music festival. Elrow XXL Dubai will be hitting the city on Saturday February 18 at D3 Dubai Design District and is set to host over 10,000 people. Idris Elba, Sonny Fodera, Armand Van Helden and Wade are confirmed so far. The famous Rowmudas Triangle stage will also be coming to Dubai, which is one of the largest stages Elrow has ever produced.

From Dhs300. Sat Feb 18 2023. Elrow XXL, D3, Dubai Design District, platinumlist.ne

In Classica

An international classical music festival is coming to Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena in February and March. Classical musicians from across the globe will be coming to the city to perform. The opening ceremony will see Japanese violinist Fumiaki Miura playing to crowds. Highlights throughout the festival include the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan and the Savaria Symphony Orchestra.

From Dhs150. Feb 12 – Mar 10. Coca-Cola Arena, Downtown Dubai. coca-cola-arena.com

ULTRA Music Festival

EDM music festival ULTRA is making its Middle East debut this year. After being postponed due to the pandemic, it will take place in March 2023 at Yas Island’s open-air Etihad Park. The two-day day festival will have two stages — the Main Stage and the house and techno stage by ULTRA Worldwide’s brand RESISTANCE.

Mar 4-5, Etihad Park, Yas Island, ultraabudhabi.com

Wireless Festival

UK festival Wireless Festival is coming to Abu Dhabi. Wireless Festival will be taking place on March 11 2023. While no details of the line-up, or tickets have yet been announced, chances are we’ll see some of the world’s most decorated musical artists take to the stage in Abu Dhabi.

Mar 11. Yas Island.