7 cool cultural things to do this weekend
Your curated guide to the best art exhibitions, theatre performances and cultural experiences happening across Dubai and Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Image courtesy of Urdu Worlds | Ishara Art Foundation
There’s no excuse to be bored in the UAE, especially if you love art and culture
From gigs by world-renowned comedians to art and photography exhibitions and intimate theatre performances, there’s tonnes going on this weekend, and the only hard bit is deciding what to experience first.
Colors Laughter Nights Ft. Abhishek Kumar Dubai Heights Academy
Dubai Heights Academy, Al Barsha South, Dubai. 21 February 2026
Marking the next edition of Colors Laughter Nights, the acclaimed stand-up comedy series dedicated to India’s best comedians, Abhishek Kumar is taking over Dubai Heights Academy this Saturday with his show Abishek wants to Enjoy Life! Positive, uplifting and all about having fun, you can expect a chortle-inducing set filled with funny anecdotes, clever observations, and even a dash of upbeat music, too.
Visit: colorstvme
Jimmy Carr at Dubai Opera
Dubai Opera, Dubai. 21 February 2026 6.30pm and 9pm
Iconic British comedian Jimmy Carr is back at Dubai Opera this weekend with his new live show, Laughs Funny. A one-night-only, double-show event, it is sure to be filled with witty observations, quick lines, laugh-out-loud jokes and of course Carr’s infectious, world-famous chuckle. If you’re a fan of live comedy, it should go straight to the top of your wish list.
Visit: dubaiopera.com
Surajmukhi Aur Hamlet
The Junction, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. 21 to 22 February 2026
Bringing a light-hearted dose of humour to your weekend, Surajmukhi aur Hamlet is Hindu comedy at its finest. Inspired by the novel Episode in the Life of an Author by French author Jean Anouilh, it follows the chaotic and disaster-strewn world of an inspiring writer, and there’s some serious messages layered amongst the comedic confusion, too. With tickets starting from AED 95, it’s a bargain cultural night out.
Visit: thejunctiondubai.com
This Bloom I Borrow, Aïda Muluneh
Efie Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. Until 5 April 2026
Drawing on African iconography, architecture and textiles whilst effortlessly blurring the boundaries between photography, painting and performance, the work of Ethiopian artist Aïda Muluneh is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Featuring surreal scenes, striking painted models and vibrant colours, you can’t skip going to see them at Efie Gallery before April 5. While you’re there, check out the rare records, books and games in the super cool Rekord Gallery, too.
Visit: efiegallery.com
Hard Like Tears, Soft Like Glass, Shamsa Al Omaira
Iris Projects, Abu Dhabi. Until 30 April 2026
Furthering its commitment to empowering local artists, Iris Projects is proud to present an incredible solo exhibition by Emirati artist and designer Shamsa Al Omaira. Filled with raw emotions and complex contradictions, the collection of paintings, photographs, prints, and sculptures details personal moments such as family bereavements and sickness and prompts us all to reflect on our innermost feelings.
Visit: irisprojects.online
Picasso, the Figure Louvre Abu Dhabi
Louvre, Abu Dhabi. Until 31 May 2026
Dedicated to one of the most revolutionary figures in the world of modern art, the current Picasso exhibition at the Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of the most exciting exhibitions to hit the UAE in a long time. Featuring fascinating collection of drawings, paintings and sculptures, from the Musée National Picasso-Paris, it showcases the development of Picasso’s work from the 1900s to his later years, while the limited-time Picasso Degustation Menu at fine dining restaurant Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi provides yet a further immersion into the icon’s world.
Visit: louvreabudhabi.ae
Urdu Worlds, Zarina and Ali Kazim Ishara Art Foundation, Dubai
Ishara Art Foundation, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. Until 31 May 2026
The UAE’s first contemporary art exhibition dedicated to the Urdu language, Urdu Worlds is a moving deep dive into how words can reveal private lived experiences, encourage cultural understanding and depict the private worlds that we internalise. Curated by Hammad Nasar and featuring the works of print artist Zarina and multimedia artist Ali Kazim, it presents a glorious array of different textures, colours and art forms that will stay with you long after you leave.
Visit: ishara.org