April in the UAE is already shaping up to be busy. Now it has a headline act to match.
Shakira is officially set to lead the lineup at OFFLIMITS Music Festival 2026, bringing her world tour to Etihad Park on Yas Island on April 4. For music fans across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, this announcement lands as one of the biggest concert updates of the year.
It marks Shakira’s return to the Abu Dhabi stage and confirms OFFLIMITS’ place as one of the region’s most ambitious live music events.
Shakira’s return puts Abu Dhabi in the global spotlight
Shakira arrives in the capital as part of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, a run that has packed arenas and stadiums worldwide. Known for her energy, movement and unmistakable stage presence, she brings a show designed for big outdoor crowds.
This is not a stripped-back performance. It is the full Shakira experience. Expect a hit-heavy setlist that spans decades, from Whenever, Wherever and Hips Don’t Lie to Waka Waka and newer tracks that have dominated streaming charts.
For UAE fans, it is a rare chance to see a global pop icon perform at festival scale, rather than a standard arena show. The setting at Yas Island only adds to the sense of occasion.
Things that make OFFLIMITS Music Festival stand out
OFFLIMITS is not built around one sound or one audience. That has been its strength since day one.
Billed as the UAE’s largest open-format music festival, OFFLIMITS blends international music acts with large-scale art installations, visual design, and immersive spaces spread across multiple stages. It is loud, colourful, and intentionally unpredictable.
Unlike single-artist concerts, OFFLIMITS encourages movement. You walk, explore, discover, and stay longer than planned. It feels closer to a global festival experience than a typical regional event.
After a debut edition headlined by Ed Sheeran, the festival returns in 2026 with a bigger name at the top of the bill and expectations firmly raised.
for Dubai and Abu Dhabi audiences
Major concerts in the UAE are no longer rare. But festivals of this scale still feel special.
For Dubai residents, Yas Island remains an easy weekend trip. Many fans already plan concert days as mini getaways, combining shows with dining, beach clubs or a night stay. OFFLIMITS fits neatly into that pattern.
For Abu Dhabi, the festival reinforces the city’s growing reputation as a live entertainment hub. With Etihad Park now hosting some of the world’s biggest names, events like OFFLIMITS help keep the capital firmly on the global tour map.
This also speaks to the wider UAE events calendar, where music, culture and lifestyle increasingly overlap.
Shakira’s numbers tell their own story
Few artists can claim Shakira’s global impact.
She has sold over 95 million records worldwide, won four Grammy Awards and 15 Latin Grammys, and holds the title of the most-streamed female Latin artist of all time. Her influence stretches across languages, cultures, and generations.
On stage, she combines sharp choreography with live vocals and a connection that feels personal, even in large venues. It is one of the reasons her shows consistently draw diverse crowds, from long-time fans to younger audiences discovering her music through social media.
At OFFLIMITS, that energy is expected to carry through the entire festival grounds.
Ticket details and what to know
OFFLIMITS Music Festival takes place on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Etihad Park, Yas Island.
Tickets are scheduled to go on sale on Saturday, January 24, at 11 am, with prices starting from Dhs595. Sales will be available exclusively through OFFLIMITS’ official ticketing platform.
Given the scale of the event and Shakira’s global following, demand is expected to be high. Those planning to attend are advised to book early, especially for premium access areas.
The festival runs across the day, offering multiple performances, food and beverage zones, and curated spaces designed to keep crowds engaged well into the night.
What to expect on festival day?
OFFLIMITS is built as a full-day experience rather than a single headline moment.
Attendees can expect a rotating lineup across stages, visual installations, and a crowd that blends hardcore music fans with casual festival-goers. Shakira’s headline set is expected to close the night, turning Etihad Park into one large, moving crowd.
For many, it will be less about standing still and more about soaking in the atmosphere, sharing moments and making a day of it.
A key date for the UAE events calendar
With Shakira confirmed, OFFLIMITS Music Festival 2026 becomes one of the most talked-about music events in the UAE this year. It brings global star power to Abu Dhabi while offering a festival format that continues to grow in popularity across the region.
For fans planning their spring schedules, this is one date worth circling early.
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