About

Abu Dhabi Festival

Introduction

Since its inception in 2004, Abu Dhabi Festival has grown into one of the world’s leading cultural platforms, showcasing over 600 performances, 120 world premieres, and 100 commissioned works, spanning more than 30 countries and counting. As a flagship initiative of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), the Festival reflects Abu Dhabi’s position as a global capital of culture, fostering creative exchange and celebrating the values of Bilad Al Khayr - the Land of Blessings, inspired by the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed.

Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who granted the Festival his patronage from 2007 to 2011, and its Founding Honorary Patron His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Festival bridges nations and cultures, serving as a hub for dialogue, artistic innovation, and cultural diplomacy.

Rooted in the UAE’s commitment to tolerance, respect, and peace, Abu Dhabi Festival champions artistic excellence and positions Abu Dhabi as a global hub for creativity and culture. With partnerships spanning continents and programming that continues to break boundaries, it unites diverse audiences and inspires a shared journey of discovery, transforming lives through the power of the arts.

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Recognised as the “Best Classical Music Festival in the Middle East” by BBC Music Magazine, this honour is a symbol of the Festival’s steadfast commitment to uniting people and cultures, fostering global dialogue and enriching the cultural landscape in Abu Dhabi and across the world.

Mission & Vision

Abu Dhabi Festival acts as a time of celebration, gathering and exchange for the different communities ADMAF serves - from the Seven Emirates of the UAE to the rest of the word.

The Festival is a time and the place where the year’s work is shared, where new encounters are orchestrated and new ideas are forged, where long-trusted partners visit, new collaborations shape and where artists and audiences connect.

• Commission, produce, preserve and present the greatest music and art experiences in the UAE and beyond.

• Nurture invaluable cultural dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding to build a more peaceful future through the arts.

• The Festival positions Abu Dhabi as a leading destination for culture and the arts.

Celebrating Japan as the Country of Honour in 2025

The 22^nd edition of Abu Dhabi Festival commemorates over 50 years of friendship and diplomatic relations between the UAE and Japan.

For more than two decades, Abu Dhabi Festival has nurtured creativity and innovation in empowering the nation’s youth. Commissioning, producing, and presenting music and art world legends and emerging talents alike.

Abu Dhabi - A World of Harmony

The Abu Dhabi Festival returns for its 22nd edition under the inspiring theme, “Abu Dhabi - A World of Harmony.” The home of our Festival, Abu Dhabi, is a city in which countless cultures meet and exchange, creating new ideas and possibilities, in unity and in harmony. From Abu Dhabi rises a universal call to beauty, to mutual respect, resonating with the United Arab Emirates’ “Year of Community.”