What happened? ADNEC Group has announced 297 events across its Abu Dhabi and Al Ain venues during the second half of 2026.
Who is affected? Residents, visitors, businesses, professionals and international delegates will all have access to a diverse calendar covering entertainment, business, technology, culture and global conferences.
Why does it matter? The programme strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a major international events destination while bringing more visitors, business activity and global attention to the emirate.
- Location: Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
- Organisation: ADNEC Group, a Modon company
- Period: July to December 2026
- Major events: Comic Con, Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, AI Everything, ADIPEC and Abu Dhabi International Boat Show
- International events: UN Crime Congress and 2026 UN Water Conference
- Business impact: More opportunities for exhibitions, investment, networking and industry partnerships
Abu Dhabi is heading into a busy events season, with 297 events scheduled across ADNEC Group’s UAE venues during the second half of 2026. The programme includes major public events such as Middle East Film & Comic Con, alongside industry gatherings covering artificial intelligence, energy, healthcare, defence, food security and sustainability.
ADNEC Group said 21 per cent of the exhibitions in the programme will be held in the Middle East for the first time, while four international associations will also make their regional debuts.
September brings Comic Con, book fair and UN Crime Congress
September is set to be one of the busiest months at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The Middle East Film & Comic Con will take place from September 11 to 13, bringing together fans of films, television, gaming, comics, collectibles and pop culture.
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair follows from September 13 to 18, creating a major platform for publishers, authors, readers and the wider creative community.
Other events include the Ajban Defence Industry & Technology Exhibition from September 21 to 22 and Education Interface from September 22 to 23.
One of the month’s biggest international gatherings will be the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, scheduled at ADNEC from September 26 to October 1. The event is expected to bring governments, experts, academics and civil society representatives together to discuss global approaches to crime prevention and justice.
October puts AI and food innovation in the spotlight
October will shift much of the focus towards technology, artificial intelligence, food and healthcare.
AI Everything Abu Dhabi will begin on October 6 with an AI Summit focused on policy, strategy and the future of artificial intelligence. The AI Expo will follow from October 6 to 7.
Running alongside it, Global Food Week will take place from October 6 to 8. The programme will also include the Abu Dhabi International Date Palm Exhibition, highlighting the agricultural, cultural and economic importance of dates in the region.
Later in the month, students and young professionals can look to Najah Abu Dhabi, while healthcare and pharmaceutical professionals will have the Drug Information Association Middle East and Africa Conference and the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit.
The month will close with the Arabian AI & Agentic Summit on October 26, bringing together technology and government leaders to discuss the next stage of AI development.
November brings ADIPEC and the Abu Dhabi Boat Show
November will feature some of Abu Dhabi’s biggest annual business and industry events.
ADIPEC, one of the world’s largest energy industry gatherings, will return from November 2 to 5. The event is expected to attract tens of thousands of professionals from across the global energy sector.
The month will also feature the 46th ICMM World Congress of Military Medicine, the International Real Estate and Investment Show, Jewellery and Watch Show Abu Dhabi and Revive ME 2026.
For Emirati jobseekers, Tawdheef x Zaheb will run from November 17 to 19. ADNEC Group said the event will connect more than 100 companies with Emirati talent.
Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show will return from November 19 to 22. The 2026 edition is planned as the largest yet and will feature boats, marine technology, water sports and leisure experiences.
The show’s growing international reach is already evident. Its 2025 edition featured 1,068 exhibitors and brands from 56 countries, according to ADNEC Group.
UN Water Conference will close the year
The events calendar will end on an international note in December with the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
The conference will take place in Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 10 and is co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal. Its main objective is to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation for all.
The conference will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and is expected to bring together governments, businesses, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
The UN says billions of people worldwide still lack safely managed drinking water and sanitation, making water governance a major global development issue.
Why This Is Important?
For Abu Dhabi residents, the calendar means more entertainment, cultural activities, exhibitions and professional events taking place locally.
For businesses, the packed schedule offers opportunities to meet international investors, suppliers, industry leaders and potential customers. Large-scale events can also support hospitality, transport, retail and other visitor-focused sectors.
ADNEC Group’s recent events also show how large these gatherings can become. Its 2025 ADIHEX edition attracted more than 379,000 visitors, while the 2026 edition was described as the largest in the event’s history.
With events ranging from pop culture and books to AI, energy, healthcare and global policy, Abu Dhabi’s second-half calendar reflects the emirate’s broader push to attract international visitors and business activity.
FAQs
How many events will ADNEC host in the second half of 2026?
ADNEC Group plans to host 297 events across ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and ADNEC Centre Al Ain during the second half of 2026.
When is Middle East Film & Comic Con in Abu Dhabi?
Middle East Film & Comic Con is scheduled for September 11 to 13, 2026, at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
When is ADIPEC 2026?
ADIPEC 2026 will take place from November 2 to 5 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
When is the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show 2026?
The Abu Dhabi International Boat Show is scheduled for November 19 to 22, 2026.
When is the UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi?
The 2026 UN Water Conference will take place from December 8 to 10 in Abu Dhabi.
From Comic Con and the Book Fair to AI summits, ADIPEC and two major UN gatherings, Abu Dhabi has a packed events calendar ahead. The 297-event programme is set to bring together residents, visitors, businesses and international delegates across the final months of 2026.
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