These are the Broadway and West End musicals to book now.
The UAE’s theatre scene is flourishing. It began with the arrival of Hamilton at Etihad Arena last year, and now culture vultures in the country can’t get enough of musicals, performances and productions. From Broadway breakouts like MAMMA MIA! to West End sensations like Les Misérables, these are the top UAE theatre shows to see this year.
Disco Dancer – The Musical: 12 & 13 September 2025
Carvaan Live’s Disco Dancer: The Musical revives the 1982 cult hit with a high-energy staging reimagined by Salim and Sulaiman. Expect top tracks like “I Am a Disco Dancer” and “Yaad Aa Raha Hai,” live vocals, dazzling lights and precision choreography. Fresh from ovations in London and Mumbai, the show lands at Dubai Opera on 12 and 13 September. A family crowd-pleaser, it blends Bollywood nostalgia with big-stage spectacle.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
La Bohème: 18 to 20 September 2025
La Bohème returns to Dubai Opera with the full sweep of Puccini’s romance and ruin, delivered by the prestigious Hungarian State Opera. The production emphasises scale and detail, and the orchestra carries the familiar melodies that have moved audiences for over a century. The story of Rodolfo and Mimì remains devastating in its simplicity. Love sparks, poverty intrudes, and sacrifice becomes inevitable. Expect soaring arias, luminous ensemble work and a finale that lands with force.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Swan Lake: 25 to 28 September 2025
Back by overwhelming demand after a sold-out run last year, Swan Lake returns to claim its place as ballet’s ultimate crowd pleaser. Performed by the Hungarian National Ballet, prepare to be captivated by the timeless tale of passion and magic in one unforgettable performance. Tchaikovsky’s score glows in the pit, while the stage pictures shift from moonlit lakeside to courtly splendour. The dual role of Odette and Odile remains the measure of any ballerina, building to a heart-in-mouth close.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Slava’s SnowShow: 14 to 16 October 2025
Get ready for a winter wonderland at Mall of the Emirates. Slava’s SnowShow is coming to the New Covent Garden Theatre in Dubai. The fairy tale story explores the metaphysical art of clowning and has already wowed over 12 million guests worldwide. Told through a series of surreal, silent vignettes, the performance unfolds without words, utilising movement, music, and visual magic to evoke profound emotions. At its heart is a yellow-suited clown navigating a dreamlike landscape filled with oversized props, mysterious figures, and moments of wonder and solitude.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Grease The Musical: 24 October to 2 November
It’s time to get automatic, systematic and hydromatic because Grease The Musical is coming to Dubai Opera. Most people will know Grease, thanks to the 1978 movie of the same name. The film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing and Jeff Conaway. Set in the 1950s, it first shows Danny and Sandy having a summer romance. They part ways and then find themselves in the same school, Rydell High School. The score includes Grease Lightnin’, Hopelessly Devoted to You, Summer Lovin’, and You’re the One That I Want. Get ready for some spectacular singing, dancing and a dose of summer loving.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.netfor more information.
Beetlejuice The Musical: 20 to 30 November 2025
If we say Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice three times, we might just summon the musical to the UAE. Beetlejuice The Musical is scheduled to take place at Etihad Arena from 20 to 30 November. It’s based on Tim Burton’s cult classic film, Beetlejuice and tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a teenager dealing with grief and a distant father. She moves into a haunted house and meets Beetlejuice. He is determined to break free from his curse. The catch: Lydia is the only one who can see him and lift the curse. The production combines Tim Burton’s dark world of black comedy and gothic adventures. A mix of song and dance numbers have been added to the show, too.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Björn Again: 21 November 2025
Dubai Opera turns into a glitter-soaked disco as Björn Again brings ABBA’s greatest hits to the heart of Downtown Dubai. The world’s premier tribute act delivers pitch-perfect harmonies and sequinned swagger, reviving the feel-good spirit of the seventies. Expect instant sing-alongs to “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “Take a Chance on Me”, and “Waterloo.”
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Once Upon a Time in Dubai: 20 December 2025 to 11 January 2026
The UAE’s first-ever musical, Once Upon a Time in Dubai, is set to take place in December 2025, marking a historic moment for the city and the UAE’s theatre scene. It’s the first time a show of this calibre has been produced in the region, setting a benchmark for future theatre performances. Set against the backdrop of Dubai itself, “Once Upon a Time in Dubai” will follow Will, an artist from London, as he relocates to Dubai, where he aims to create a musical extravaganza. The show is expected to attract 150,000 attendees, and an international tour is already in the works.
GO: Visit https://onceuponatimeindubai.com for more information.