OFFLIMITS Abu Dhabi festival cancelled, returns planned for 2027
Abu Dhabi’s highly anticipated OFFLIMITS Music Festival 2026 has been cancelled, ending plans for one of the UAE’s biggest upcoming music events featuring global stars including Shakira, Jonas Brothers and NE-YO.
The organisers confirmed that the festival will no longer take place in 2026 and said ticket holders will receive refund information directly through the platforms where their tickets were purchased. The team also expressed hopes of bringing the festival back in 2027.
A major UAE music event cancelled
OFFLIMITS was scheduled to take place on November 21, 2026, at Etihad Park on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
The festival was positioned as one of the UAE’s largest open-format music events, combining international performances, multiple genres, immersive experiences and entertainment elements beyond traditional concerts.
The 2026 edition was expected to attract thousands of music fans from across the UAE and the wider region, with a lineup bringing together some of the biggest names in global music.
Shakira, Jonas Brothers and NE-YO were set to headline
The festival’s planned lineup featured Colombian superstar Shakira as the main headliner.
The singer was expected to bring her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour to Abu Dhabi, marking her return to the UAE stage after more than a decade.
Other international artists announced for the event included:
- Jonas Brothers
- NE-YO
- Biffy Clyro
- KALEO
- Myles Smith
- Scouting for Girls
- Toploader
Regional artists were also part of the programme, highlighting OFFLIMITS’ goal of combining global and local talent.
From debut success to cancellation
OFFLIMITS made its debut in Abu Dhabi in 2025, with Ed Sheeran as the headline performer.
The first edition was created as a new type of music festival for the UAE, bringing together different genres, international artists and a large-scale festival atmosphere.
The 2026 edition had already faced changes before its cancellation.
Originally planned for April, the festival was later moved to November before organisers ultimately announced that the event would not go ahead this year.
Organisers plan for the future
Although OFFLIMITS 2026 has been cancelled, organisers said the festival community remains important and indicated that they are working towards a return in 2027.
The decision does not affect the wider growth of Abu Dhabi’s entertainment sector, which continues to attract major concerts, festivals and international events.
With venues such as Yas Island’s Etihad Park regularly hosting global performers, Abu Dhabi remains one of the region’s key destinations for live entertainment.
A changing UAE entertainment landscape
The cancellation comes at a time when the UAE’s music and entertainment industry continues to expand rapidly.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi have invested heavily in creating world-class entertainment infrastructure, attracting international artists and developing new cultural experiences for residents and visitors.
While OFFLIMITS will not take place in 2026, the ambition behind the festival reflects the UAE’s broader goal of becoming a global hub for music, culture and entertainment.
Fans who were expecting to see some of the world’s biggest artists perform in Abu Dhabi will now have to wait, with organisers looking ahead to a possible return of OFFLIMITS in 2027.
