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Events Calendar

Middle East Events 2028: The Year's Calendar

Middle East events in 2028 center on the UCI Road World Championships in Abu Dhabi, the first time cycling's world title races come to the UAE. Around them sits the familiar luxury calendar of Formula 1 nights, Riyadh Season, the Dubai World Cup and the even-year art biennales in Diriyah and AlUla.

Updated

At a glance

Events 2028 at a glance

Headline event
UCI Road World Championships, Abu Dhabi, Oct 22–29
Ramadan (approximate)
January 28 – February 25
Eid al-Adha (approximate)
May 5
Even-year events
Diriyah Biennale, Desert X AlUla, Bahrain Airshow, MEBAA
Calendar status
Most 2028 dates not yet published

Middle East events 2028

Middle East events 2028 at a glance

Most organizers publish dates about a year ahead, so much of the 2028 calendar is listed here by its usual month and labeled Expected. The fixed points are clear: the UCI Road World Championships in Abu Dhabi from October 22 to 29, the Bahrain International Airshow in November, and the closing weeks of the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, which runs until March 1.

Ramadan falls roughly from late January to late February, overlapping part of the Gulf's winter season of golf, tennis and racing, so expect some dates to sit around it. Saudi Arabia is also due to welcome a new ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournament from 2028, with the host city still to be announced. For other years, see the Middle East events calendar.

The track of the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi beneath a violet sky at dusk.
Photo: Cesar I. Martins from Jundiai, Brazil · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Major events in 2028

MonthEventPlaceStatus
JanuaryDakar RallySaudi ArabiaExpected
JanuaryGulf golf swing: Abu Dhabi, Dubai Desert Classic, Bahrain, QatarAbu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, DohaExpected
JanuaryArt Basel QatarMsheireb, DohaExpected
January–MarchIslamic Arts Biennale continues (to Mar 1)Western Hajj Terminal, JeddahConfirmed
January–FebruaryAlUla Moments season; Bahrain Spring of CultureAlUla; BahrainExpected
FebruaryWorld Governments SummitDubaiExpected
FebruarySaudi Cup; HH The Amir Sword FestivalRiyadh; DohaExpected
FebruaryQatar National Sport Day (Feb 8)QatarConfirmed
FebruaryWomen's tennis in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai; UAE TourUAE; QatarExpected
FebruarySaudi Founding Day (Feb 22); Kuwait National and Liberation Days (Feb 25–26)Saudi Arabia; KuwaitConfirmed
MarchBahrain Grand PrixSakhir, BahrainExpected
MarchSaudi Arabian Grand Prix (venue may move to Qiddiya Speed Park)Jeddah or QiddiyaTo be confirmed
MarchDubai World CupMeydan, DubaiExpected
AprilArt DubaiMadinat Jumeirah, DubaiExpected
MayArabian Travel MarketDubaiExpected
JuneMawazine; Gnaoua Festival; Fes Sacred MusicRabat; Essaouira; FesExpected
JulyEsports World CupRiyadhExpected
During the yearNew ATP Masters 1000 tennis tournamentSaudi Arabia, city to be confirmedTo be confirmed
During the yearTAFISA World GamesRiyadhTo be confirmed
During the yearFIFA U-17 World Cup (Qatar) and U-17 Women's World Cup (Morocco)Qatar; MoroccoTo be confirmed
During the yearDesert X AlUla (even years)AlUlaTo be confirmed
SeptemberSaudi National Day (Sep 23)Saudi ArabiaConfirmed
OctoberRiyadh Season opensRiyadhExpected
To be confirmedTurkish Grand PrixIstanbul ParkExpected
OctoberUCI Road World Championships (Oct 22–29)Abu DhabiConfirmed
OctoberTürkiye Republic Day (Oct 29)TürkiyeConfirmed
NovemberBahrain International Airshow (Nov 15–17)Sakhir, BahrainScheduled
NovemberAbu Dhabi Boat Show; Frieze Abu Dhabi; Dubai Design Week; Cityscape GlobalAbu Dhabi; Dubai; RiyadhExpected
NovemberDP World Tour ChampionshipDubaiExpected
NovemberWRC Rally Saudi ArabiaJeddah regionExpected
November–DecemberQatar Grand PrixLusail, QatarExpected
Late yearDiriyah Contemporary Art Biennale (even years)Diriyah, RiyadhTo be confirmed
DecemberMEBAA Show, business aviation (even years)DubaiExpected
DecemberAbu Dhabi Grand PrixYas Marina CircuitExpected
December28th Gulf Cup football (reported Dec 9–22)Iraq, Basra likelyTo be confirmed
DecemberUAE, Bahrain and Qatar national days (Dec 2–3, 16–17, 18)UAE; Bahrain; QatarConfirmed
December–JanuaryDubai Shopping FestivalDubaiExpected

Ramadan, Eid and holiday

Ramadan, Eid and holiday dates in 2028

Islamic dates are approximate (moon sighting; may differ by a day by country); each Islamic day begins at sunset the evening before. Jewish holidays in Israel follow a fixed calendar and also begin at sundown the evening before.

Holiday2028 dateWhat it means for visitors
Ramadan (approximate)January 28 – February 25Shorter business hours, daytime dining mostly in hotels, memorable iftar evenings
Eid al-Fitr (approximate)February 26Three to five days of closures and peak regional travel; book early
Day of Arafah (approximate)May 4Hajj season: Makkah open to pilgrims only, Saudi flights very full
Hajj (approximate)May 3–8Saudi hotels and flights heavily booked
Eid al-Adha (approximate)May 5Long public holiday across the Arab world; Türkiye often extends to nine days
Islamic New Year (approximate)May 25Public holiday in several countries (not Saudi Arabia or Qatar)
Mawlid (approximate)August 3Public holiday in several countries (not Saudi Arabia or Qatar)
Passover (Israel)April 11–17Busy domestic travel week; some services reduced
Rosh Hashanah (Israel)September 21–22New Year holiday; many businesses close
Yom Kippur (Israel)September 30The country stops: no traffic, Ben Gurion Airport closes for the day
Sukkot (Israel)October 5–12Festive week, hotels in demand

Biggest events of 2028

The biggest events of 2028

UCI Road World Championships, October 22–29. A full week of world title road races and time trials for elite, under-23 and junior riders, staged across Abu Dhabi. The October timing brings warm but kinder weather, and the city's resorts on Saadiyat Island and Yas Island make easy bases for spectators.

Formula 1. The four Gulf races and the Turkish Grand Prix are all under contract for 2028; dates will follow when the 2028 calendar is published. The Saudi race may move from Jeddah to the new Qiddiya Speed Park, though the year has not been confirmed. See our Formula 1 Middle East guide.

Even-year art. The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and Desert X AlUla both follow an even-year rhythm, with 2028 editions expected but dates to be confirmed. Pair them with a stay in Diriyah or AlUla.

Aviation and the Gulf Cup. The Bahrain International Airshow returns to Sakhir from November 15 to 17, and the MEBAA business aviation show is expected in Dubai in December. The 28th Gulf Cup football tournament is planned for Iraq in December, with dates to be confirmed.

Where to stay

Where to stay for the big events of 2028

Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

★★★★★ Corniche West, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's grandest address, with a long private beach and easy reach of the cycling routes along the Corniche.

Official site ↗

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort

★★★★★ Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

A beach resort on Saadiyat Island near the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a calm base during championship week.

Official site ↗

Rosewood Abu Dhabi

★★★★★ Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi

A sleek tower on Al Maryah Island in the city's financial district, well placed for the urban stages.

Official site ↗

Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel

★★★★★ Diriyah, Riyadh

Set beside the At-Turaif heritage site in Diriyah, ideal for the Diriyah Biennale.

Official site ↗

Banyan Tree AlUla

★★★★★ AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Tented villas among sandstone outcrops, a beautiful base for Desert X AlUla.

Official site ↗

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

★★★★★ Bahrain Bay, Manama

A waterfront tower in Bahrain Bay with skyline views, convenient for the Airshow and the Grand Prix.

Official site ↗

Events, property

Events, property and the year ahead

Abu Dhabi's cycling week adds to a run of world events that have helped make the capital a serious address for buyers; see Abu Dhabi Luxury Real Estate on Saadiyat and Yas. For dates of every holiday from 2027 to 2040, see holidays and national days, and continue to events in 2027 and events in 2029.

About the datesConfirmed means the organizer has published dates. Scheduled means dates appear on an official calendar but may still move. Expected means the event recurs every year (or every other year) and is listed by its usual month. To be confirmed means the event is planned but dates or venue are not yet set. Always check with the organizer before you book.

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Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.