From food festivals and concerts to new openings and the iconic Dubai World Cup
With a new month comes a whole host of cool new things to do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. From glamping spots and wellness spaces to restaurants, there’s plenty of new openings to look forward to. Plus, you can look forward to concerts, festivals and so much more.
Here are 15 fabulous things to do in the UAE this March.
Throughout March: Check out a cool new restaurant in Alserkal
Window, the new concept from FYTE Hospitality (the team behind Kokoro), has just opened its doors in Alserkal Avenue. This intimate, chef-driven spot focuses on live-fire cooking, with ember-charred vegetables, flame-grilled meats and smoke-infused dishes crafted with precision. The space is quietly expressive, featuring natural textures, warm woods and a central hearth that gives it a calm, neighbourhood vibe.
What: Window
Where: Alserkal Avenue
Visit: @window.dxb
Until March 15: Enjoy a spectacular iftar in Dubai
Expo City’s Hai Ramadan experience is one of the city’s most memorable, complete with vibrant markets and cultural activities that really immerse visitors in the meaning of this special month. For iftar, dine under the dome’s beautiful projections and enjoy an international buffet. Arrive before sunset to catch a spot to watch the Iftar cannon. For little ones, there’s a free PlayStation gaming space.
What: Hai Ramadan
Where: Expo City Dubai
Price: Iftar Dhs285 per adult, Dhs185 per child (4 to 12), under 3s free
Visit: @expocitydubai
Until March 18: …And try a delightful Ramadan experience in Abu Dhabi
Layali Ramadan returns to Saadiyat Island for its second season, turning the open-air venue into a calm, lantern-lit Suhoor setting throughout the Holy Month. From 9pm to 3am each night, families and friends can settle in under the stars for long conversations, late-night bites and that unhurried Ramadan feeling. Weekends bring added cultural touches inspired by Emirati heritage, inviting guests to connect with local traditions in a way that feels warm and accessible. It is thoughtful, not theatrical.
What: Layali Ramadan
Where: Saadiyat Cultural District
Price: free entry
Visit: @saadiyatnights
March 18: Get some laughs as Mo Gilligan headlines Dubai Opera
Mo Gilligan, one of the UK’s biggest breakout stars, lands in Dubai as part of his 2026 world tour this March. Gilligan’s rise has been nothing short of a success. What began as viral clips shared online has evolved into a global comedy career, complete with sold-out arenas and an ever-growing fan base. His electric energy, humour and relatable storytelling are exactly what audiences can expect when he hits the Dubai stage.
What: Mo Gilligan live in Dubai
Where: Dubai Opera
Price: From Dhs250
Visit: dubaiopera.com
March 19 to April 5: Dine around a fun foodie pop-up
Dubai’s much-loved beachfront festival, e& Beach Canteen, is returning for 2026, bringing sunshine, street food and seaside vibes to Nessnass Beach from 19 March until 5 April. While the restaurant pop-ups are at the heart of Beach Canteen – this two-week extravaganza has become so much more than just great eats, transforming the sands into a buzzing hub of flavours, activities and entertainment. Think food stalls galore, beach-friendly fitness classes, creative workshops and live performances alongside plenty of games and kids’ zones.
What: e& Beach Canteen
Where: Nessnass Beach, Jumeirah
Price: free entry
Visit: @beachcanteenofficial
From March: Check out a gorgeous new glamping site
Hatta is one of the UAE’s most treasured spots when city-dwellers are craving a return to nature. And it’s already impressive glamping options are set to be further enhanced with the arrival of Caravan Hatta, a destination of 50 Airstream trailers, later this month. Created by Our Habitas, the Tulum-born hospitality brand, each of the trailers will come with sweeping views over the valley or lake, and will combine locally sourced materials with organic textiles, further adding to the grounding experience. Away from their airstream address, guests will be able to enjoy a wealth of experiences at The Lake House, which serves as the property’s central gathering point. An infinity pool backed by mountain views will sit at the beating heart, but a wider roster of cultural and wellness experiences will also be central to Caravan Hatta. Think creative workshops that draw from Hajar traditions, a nature-inspired hot and cold therapy area with a barrel sauna, outdoor cold plunge and hot tub, plus sound healing, yoga and meditation.
What: Caravan Hatta by Our Habitas
Where: Hatta
Price: Rates TBC
Visit: @habitascaravanhatta
March 22: Hear legends headline the Coca-Cola Arena
Hip-hop icons Wu-Tang Clan are headed to the Coca-Cola Arena on Sunday March 22 as part of the group’s international Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber run. Expect a career-spanning set that swings from Protect Ya Neck to Gravel Pit, with the Clan’s full-force stagecraft and wall-to-wall crowd participation.
What: Wu-Tang Clan live in Dubai
Where: Coca-Cola Arena
Price: From Dhs349
Visit: coca-cola-arena.com
March 26: Shop up a storm at Dubai’s first Primark
Primark fans, get excited: the long-awaited Primark Dubai launch is finally here. Ok, well it’s still a few weeks away, but we do have the official opening dates. The first Primark in Dubai will open at The Dubai Mall on March 26, marking the brand’s UAE debut. When it does, expect to shop an array of budget items for men, women, children and home.
What: Primark
Where: Dubai Mall
Visit: @primark.me
March 26 to April 5: See a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical
Theatre lovers, take note of an upcoming event that’s practically perfect in every way: Mary Poppins is coming to Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena. For those unfamiliar, Mary Poppins tells the story of the somewhat troubled Banks family in the early 1900s in London. Parents George and Winifred are searching for a nanny for their mischievous children, Jane and Michael, when Mary Poppins arrives at their home. Through song, adventure, and a little bit of magic, she brings the family together in the most delightful way.
What: Marry Poppins in Abu Dhabi
Where: Etihad Arena
Price: From Dhs150
Visit: etihadarena.ae
March 27: Sing along with Josh Groban in Dubai
Clear your calendars for a night of big voice, big emotion, and the kind of live show that makes the hairs on your arms stand up. Josh Groban is bringing his GEMS World Tour to Coca-Cola Arena on Friday, March 27, 2026, promising a set that blends the songs that made him a global favourite with newer material that shows why his fan base keeps growing.
What: Josh Groban live in Dubai
Where: Coca-Cola Arena
Price: From Dhs395
Visit: coca-cola-arena.com
March 28: Throw it back with a night of musical nostalgia at Coca-Cola Arena
Two huge acts are bringing a throwback we think you’ll love to Coca Cola Arena: pop group A1 and Canadian acoutic duo Music Travel Love will perform together for the first time on the same night on March 28. Fans can expect an extraordinary musical journey that bridges generations – from the pop anthems that defined their teenage years to the soothing harmonies that capture hearts today.
What: Music Travel Love and A1 live in Dubai
Where: Coca-Cola Arena
Price: From Dhs295
Visit: coca-cola-arena.com
From March: Experience a new kind of wellness at SACRA
Coming soon to Jumeirah 1 is SACRA, the Middle East’s largest Spa & BathClub. A highlight of SACRA is its 50-square-metre banya chamber. It’s one of the largest of its kind in the Middle East, powered by a 55-tonne gas heater. The hydrothermal area includes a Turkish hammam, a Finnish sauna, several speciality steam rooms, jacuzzis, ice baths, cold plunge barrels, a cryotherapy chamber, pressure chamber, a floating area and a salt grotto designed to support respiratory cleansing and skin health. And of course, you will have a wide selection of spa treatments, massages and personalised bodywork.
What: SACRA
Where: Jumeirah 1
Visit: @sacra.dxb
March 28: Don your best outfits for Dubai World Cup
Meydan Racecourse will sparkle brighter than ever on March 28 when the Dubai World Cup celebrates its 30thedition. With a staggering US$30.5 million prize pool (including US$12 million for the main race), it remains one of the richest race days in the world. Expect high fashion, exceptional horses, impossible heels, extravagant hats, and that one-of-a-kind Dubai spectacle that turns a day at the races into a global event, drawing crowds of celebrities, socialites and horse enthusiasts alike. Adding to the grandeur, Dubai Racing Club has teamed up with Zuma for the first-ever Royal Enclosure Majlis by Zuma. At a jaw-dropping Dhs22,000, guests get exclusive Zuma dining, private chauffeurs, luxe lounges, flowing drinks and VIP access to the Parade Ring and Saddling Garden, basically all the race-day perks money can buy.
What: Dubai World Cup
Where: Meydan
Price: General admission from Dhs40, Apron Views from Dhs395
Visit: dubairacingclub.com
March 28: Head to the desert for a huge gig
One of the world’s most in-demand electronic music collectives is heading into the dunes for a night that promises to be nothing short of epic. Pacha ICONS is bringing Keinemusik to the Dubai desert for the very first time, transforming Bab Al Shams Arena into a world-class open-air playground. For this special one-off show, Pacha ICONS is stepping beyond its usual home at Playa Pacha at FIVE LUXE and going big in the city’s golden sands. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, this will be the largest production the brand has ever staged in the UAE, blending sweeping desert views with cutting-edge sound, immersive lighting and cinematic visuals.
What: Pacha ICONS presents Keinemusik
Where: Bab Al Shams Arena
Price: From Dhs300
Visit: pachaicons.com
March 30: See a Queen tribute at Dubai Opera
After more than 1,000 international performances, God Save The Queen, the most acclaimed Queen tribute band on the planet, lands in Dubai for one night only. Led by Pablo Padín, this emotional musical experience brings to life the sound and energy of Queen’s most iconic live shows. Guests can expect to relive timeless anthems with authentic renditions of hits like Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, Somebody to Love and Radio Ga Ga.
What: God Save The Queen
Where: Dubai Opera
Price: From Dhs295
Visit: dubaiopera.com
