5 Best Performing Arts Venues in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

With a capacity of 15,000, open spaces, and natural sloping greens, this is one of Dubai's most popular arenas for festivals and live music. Media City Amphitheatre hosts some huge mainstream acts (e.g. Ed Sheeran, Kanye West, and David Guetta) and is the home of recurring festivals like the Dubai Jazz Festival, Taste of Dubai, and Redfest DXB. The venue is licensed to serve alcohol, usually admits all ages, and is outfitted with an ATM, toilets, and food trucks. Most events also have VIP tickets available (with food and beverage packages, priority viewing and private lounge areas).

Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre is a nonprofit organization that specializes in community-run events. Although most events are local theater, there are also studio facilities, and a gallery for art shows. The center also runs classes that cover a diverse range of subjects from arts and crafts to creative writing, drama, and dance.

Madinat Theatre, an intimate, classically styled space, is smaller in scale and plays international films. Where the Dubai Opera House has picked up the grand classical operas, orchestras, and musicals, Madinat has an eclectic mix of revue-style shows, stand-up comedy, classical concerts and plays to cater to the community's diverse interests. Most of the shows are family-friendly. The group also manage the Madinat Amphitheatre, an outdoor stage that is framed by the waters and glowing wind towers of the Madinat Jumeirah complex. Here they hold festivals and markets, and the occasional evening musical performance.

Founded by the current ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to promote cross-cultural understanding, this center has a range of activities, including cultural meals with open discussion on Emirati culture. The center also organizes walking tours of the historic Al Fahidi district and escorted visits to the Jumeirah and Diwan Mosques.