2010
June 24-August 5: Summer in Abu Dhabi A six-week family summer festival with events in a range of venues including the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Details at www.summerinabudhabi.com
July 17-26: Liwa Date Festival An annual celebration of the date, once a vital staple of the local economy and diet and now a treasured cultural icon. Details at www.liwadatesfestival.ae
July 22: Voices of Central Asia: Music of the Steppe The Azerbaijani Alim Qasimov Ensemble play at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the new visitor centre, gallery and theatre complex on Saadiyat Island. Details at www.artsabudhabi.ae
September 22-25: Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition An annual celebration of traditions, featuring Arabian horses, camels, salukis, falconry and folklore at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Detail at www.adihex.net
September 25: UAE jet ski championship Round one of a championship that is staged in Abu Dhabi (at the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club near Marina Mall), Dubai and Fujairah.
October 8: Abu Dhabi Classics season begins A concert by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam opens the 2010/2011 season, which will include the Berlin Philharmonic, Plácido Domingo, Daniel Barenboim, Sir Simon Rattle and Nigel Kennedy. Details at www.abudhabiclassics.com
October 14-23: Abu Dhabi Film Festival Formerly the Middle East International Film Festival, this celebration of regional film culture was founded in 2007 and has gone from strength to strength. Details at www.abudhabifilmfestival.ae
October 14-November 14: Yasalam 2010 Events and concerts billed as the most diverse and ambitious city-wide entertainment programme staged by a Formula One host city. Details at www.thinkflash.ae
October 15: UAE Wooden Powerboat Championship A blend of power and tradition linking fast and furious racing with centuries-old marine skills. Details at www.admisc.ae
November 7: Horse racing The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club Racecourse concludes the eight-round Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Flat Racing Festival. Details at www.adec-web.com
November 14: Endurance horse racing An annual event where participants, including members of the ruling and royal families, compete over distances of up to 160km. Details at www.adec-web.com
November 12-14: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Three days of action culminating in the second Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix, the penultimate race of the 2010 season. Details at www.yasmasrinacircuit.com
November 19-21: Abu Dhabi World Powerboat Championship The twin-engined beasts of Class 1 Grand Prix powerboating take to the waters off the Breakwater for three days of action.
December 1-10: Al Dhafra Camel Festival A celebration of the animals at the heart of Bedouin culture, including a competition for the most beautiful camel, held in the Western Region. Details at www.aldhafrafestival.ae
December 2: National Day Nationwide celebrations and events will mark the 39th anniversary of the foundation of the UAE. Details at www.uaeinteract.com
December 7-11: Abu Dhabi International Motor Show The oldest, largest and most comprehensive motor show in the region, featuring the latest models, motorcycles, hybrids and concept cars. Details at www.admotorshow.com
December 8-18: FIFA Club World Cup 2010 For the second time Abu Dhabi will host the tournament won in 2009 by Barcelona in a thrilling 2-1 defeat of Estudiantes at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Details at www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/
December 31-January 2: Capitala World Tennis Championship Three days of top tennis at Zayed Sports City featuring the likes of Roger Federer, Raphael Nadal and Robin Soderling. Details at www.capitalawtc.com
2011
January 21-24: Abu Dhabi Golf Championship Three of the world's top 10 golfers are already confirmed as part of the 120-strong field that will battle it out on the National Course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club for the US$2.2 million in prizes. Details at www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com
