The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced that the UK’s Wireless Festival will head to the Middle East for the first time.
As part of a packed list of events, a Wireless event will take place in Abu Dhabi in March next year.
Abu Dhabi’s events calendar was revealed during a TV talk show-style launch event, and will span 180 days with concerts from regional and international artists; sporting and e-sports events; immersive cultural festivals; family shows; opera and dance and theatre productions.
Alongside Wireless Festival, there will also be concerts from major international artists such as Sting, Westlife, A.R Rahman and Andrea Bocelli.
Sporting events include the first National Basketball Association (NBA) games in Abu Dhabi, which will be held at Etihad Arena next month.
Two pre-season games will take place featuring the Atlanta Hawks and 2020-21 NBA championship-winning team Milwaukee Bucks, on October 6 and 8. It will be the first time NBA games have been staged in the Arabian Gulf.
Theatrical events and family shows at Wireless will include Disney’s The Lion King and Disney on Ice.
H.E Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, director general for tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi Calendar has an incredible line up of events to thrill and excite our residents and visitors this season. We’re looking forward to sharing Abu Dhabi with the world by playing host to spectacular musical acts and action-packed global sport spectacles that will attract fans and families from across the globe.
“It’s a jam-packed and incredibly diverse agenda of events which promises to connect friends, excite youth and unite families for unforgettable moments they can enjoy at their own pace.”
Yas Links Abu Dhabi will even host Abu Dhabi’s flagship World Cup Fanzone from November 20 to December 18. The tournament in Qatar will mark the first time the FIFA World Cup has been held in the Middle East.