Dubai Youth Performing Arts Festival Kicks Off Tomorrow
Dubai, UAE, 27 November 2025: The first edition of the Dubai Youth Performing Arts Festival will kick off tomorrow, Friday, 28 November, at Al Shindagha Historical Neighborhood. Organized by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the festival offers a platform for emerging creatives to develop their skills in theatre, music, and traditional performing arts. It supports young artists producing original works that enrich Dubai’s cultural landscape, advancing the Authority’s mission to position the emirate as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
Bringing together the Dubai Youth Theatre Festival, Dubai Youth Music Festival, and Dubai Folk Arts Festival, the program will present eight theatrical productions inspired by real-life stories and performed by local associations and groups competing for festival awards. The opening play, ‘Al Hawa Gharam’, iswritten and directed by Abdullah Al Muhairi and performed by Dubai National Theatre. Day two features ‘Sa’er,’ written by Abdullah Al Muhairi, directed by Abdulaziz Habib, and presented by Khorfakkan Arts Theatre. On day three, audiences will see ‘The Dolls Maker,’ written by Salem Al Tamimi, directed by Abdullah Khalil, and performed by Dubai Ahli Theatre. The fourth day will showcase ‘The Night Chekhov Was Killed,’ written by Medhat Mostafa, directed by Mohammed Qaid, and presented by Art Box Group.
The festival, which runs until 5 December, continues on day five with ‘Al ‘Aref La Yu‘raf,’ written by Abdullah Al Muhairi, adapted by Shabaan Sbeit and Mohammed Belal, directed by Mohammed Belal Mubarak Khamis, and performed by Youth Theatre for Arts. On day six, the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy will stage ‘The Pearl Diver,’ written by Julia Johansson and directed by Elie Moussa, and Art Maze will present ‘Ashes,’ written and directed by Shireen Al Shoufi. The program concludes with ‘Matchbox,’ written by Mohammed Saleh Al Saidi, directed by Mazen Al Zadjali, and performed by Al Ain Theatre. All productions are in the running for categories including Best Integrated Theatre Performance, Best Actor and Actress, Best Direction, and Best Script.
Aligned with Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy, the event will also feature performances by folk arts groups such as Al Yzwa Group, the Dubai Society for Folklore Arts, the Dubai Society for Folklore & Rowing Arts, and Youth Theatre for Arts, all competing for the Dubai Folk Arts Festival awards. Meanwhile, the Dubai Youth Music Festival will highlight 15 young musicians from across the UAE competing in 10 categories, including Best Male Solo Vocalist, Best Female Solo Vocalist, Best Oud Player, Best Emirati Instrumentalist, Best Piano and Qanun (Zither) Player, among others.
During the event, Dubai Culture will honor artist Ahmed Al Jasmi, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Theatrical Association, as ‘Theatre Personality of the Year.’ Folk arts expert Obeid Ali will be recognized as ‘Folk Arts Personality of the Year,’ while musician Tala Badri, Founder of the Centre for Musical Arts in Dubai, will be named ‘Music Personality of the Year,’ acknowledging their contributions to the local cultural scene. A series of accompanying activities will be held, including an oud-playing workshop, shadow theatre performances, and more.
Earlier, an open call launched by Dubai Culture attracted 18 theatre submissions from community groups and production centers, 64 musical creatives, and four folk arts groups, highlighting the growing significance of the Dubai Youth Performing Arts Festival and its role in strengthening the emirate’s cultural and creative industries.
