IIFA Awards returns to Abu Dhabi with spotlight on South Indian cinema; SRK among hosts

On September 28, the festival will hold its flagship ‘IIFA Awards’, hosted by Shah Rukh Khan (and co-hosted by Karan Johar and Vicky Kaushal), which will celebrate the finest in Bollywood. As the centerpiece of the event, this night will see top stars of Hindi cinema gather to recognise the standout performances, films, and technical achievements of the past year. Rounding out the festival on September 29 will be ‘IIFA Rocks’, an evening dedicated to music and fashion. With high-octane performances, show-stopping styles, and plenty of surprises in store, ‘IIFA Rocks’ will feature India’s leading singers and designers.

In recent years, South Indian cinema has become the new flavour not just of India, but of the world. Take RRR, the Telugu-language juggernaut that’s been impossible to miss. Directed by SS Rajamouli, this epic action-drama dominated box offices and also won an Oscar for Best Original Song for the viral sensation Naatu Naatu, composed by M.M. Keeravani; it also got a Golden Globe award. The sight of global audiences grooving to a Telugu banger was a moment no one could have predicted a few years ago.

Earlier, Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Malayalam film Jallikattu had charged its way to the Oscars in 2021 as India’s official entry for Best International Feature. Meanwhile, films like Super Deluxe and Kumbalangi Nights have been praised for their quirky, layered storytelling. From Cannes to Venice, South Indian filmmakers are grabbing the limelight.

A star-studded calendar of events

The IIFA Festival is just one highlight of Abu Dhabi’s upcoming 2024-2025 entertainment season, featuring a mix of music, sport, culture, and food events catering to people with diverse interests. Launching this month, the Abu Dhabi Calendar is filled with a carefully curated selection of events designed to inspire and entertain. Music lovers can look forward to the highly anticipated return of Coldplay in early 2025. Abu Dhabi’s New Year’s Eve celebrations will feature the legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, known for blending opera with pop, performing at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental.

Backstreet Boys will perform in October. November will see a concert by Take That at Etihad Park, and Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati Tour at Yas Island. AR Rahman will also bring his music to life at the Etihad Arena, and the month of December will see Maroon 5, Muse, and Eminem lighting up the stage during the Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024.

Anime fans will have a dedicated event with the debut of ‘Animenia’ in October, which promises to celebrate Japanese pop culture with cosplay, gaming, and exclusive fan experiences. For those with an appetite for the arts, the ‘Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial’ in November will feature over 70 local and international artists transforming public spaces across the city.

Celebrating culture and heritage

Culinary enthusiasts will have plenty to look forward to as well, starting with the MICHELIN Guide Food Festival Abu Dhabi, which will gather culinary talent from across the globe in November. Food lovers can also enjoy gourmet experiences like ‘Secret Dinners at Louvre Abu Dhabi’, where mystery dishes inspired by museum artworks will take center stage.

The region’s thriving food culture continues into 2025 with the ‘Coffee Festival’, celebrating brews and tastings from around the world, and the return of ‘BRED Abu Dhabi’, a neo-culture festival that blends music, fashion, street food, and sports. In October, the ‘Traditional Handicrafts Festival’ will recognise local artisans, while November’s ‘Abu Dhabi Art Fair’ will present an array of works from UAE-based and international artists.

The city’s heritage will be on full display at the ‘Al Hosn Festival’ in January. For classical music lovers, 2025 will see Abu Dhabi host ‘International Jazz Day’, a UNESCO initiative celebrating jazz’s power to unite people globally. In addition, the ‘Abu Dhabi Classics’ series will feature performances from acts like the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Swan Lake on Ice. The Culture Summit Abu Dhabi will return in the spring of 2025 as a platform for global experts to discuss the future of culture, art, and heritage.

Adventure sports, family fun and winter celebrations

Abu Dhabi is no stranger to high-adrenaline sports events, and the upcoming season is packed with action. The ‘NBA Abu Dhabi Games’ return in October for two preseason games, followed by the much-anticipated ‘UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway’ in Abu Dhabi Showdown Week. Formula 1 enthusiasts will be treated to the climax of the racing season at the ‘Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024’ in December. Meanwhile, fans of high-speed cricket can enjoy the ‘Abu Dhabi T10 2024’ tournament, showcasing world-class talent in fast-paced matches at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. Equestrian lovers will also get their fill of horsepower with the return of the prestigious ‘President’s Cup’ in February 2025, featuring more than 100 horses in this international competition.

Abu Dhabi’s family-friendly offerings promise to be equally exciting. October brings ‘Disney On Ice’, followed by the much-anticipated ‘Life of Pi’ in November. Later in December, ‘Yas Winter Fest’ will transform Yas Island into a festive wonderland complete with a snow park, carnival rides, and outdoor winter cinema. Liwa Village and the Liwa International Festival are set to draw thousands to the breathtaking desert landscape of Al Dhafra, where live music, high-octane thrills, and culinary adventures create a unique cultural experience.

Whether you’re a fan of film, food, music, or sports, Abu Dhabi’s 2024-2025 calendar offers endless possibilities for celebration, entertainment, and discovery. The IIFA Festival sets the tone, but the rest of the season guarantees that ‘passion truly is the occasion’.