Start with the destination’s calendar, then open the organiser’s listing before booking. A calendar helps you discover an event; the individual listing is where you should check its venue, entry conditions and latest date.

This directory brings together six official starting points. It is a planning resource, not a complete list of every GCC event. Links checked 9 October 2026.

Choose your country

UAE

UAE Government events. Search by event name, emirate or category. Check the year as well as the day and month; older listings remain searchable.

Bahrain

Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. Begin with the authority’s cultural programme, then consult the individual venue for visiting arrangements. This is a cultural calendar, not every commercial event in Bahrain.

Kuwait

Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre. Use the centre’s What’s On and season-calendar links for its programme. This venue calendar is not a nationwide directory.

Oman

Experience Oman events. Filter by governorate, category and dates. Check whether past events are included in the results.

Qatar

Visit Qatar calendar. Filter by interests, dates and free or paid entry; follow the event’s booking or organiser link.

Saudi Arabia

Visit Saudi things to do. Select events and narrow by destination. Check that an experience or attraction result is actually a dated event.

Two forthcoming dates to start a longer-range plan

IIFA, Abu Dhabi: organisers announce 22–23 January 2027 at Etihad Arena; the awards-night listing is 23 January. Use IIFA’s announcement to distinguish the wider programme from a particular ticket.

Web Summit Qatar, Doha: the organiser lists 31 January–3 February 2027. Follow Web Summit Qatar for its ticket options and developing programme. A photograph of a past speaker on an event website does not establish that person is attending the next edition.

These dates were checked 9 October 2026; availability has not been tested at checkout.

Five details worth saving before you book

  1. The full date: include the year and the event’s local start time.
  2. The exact venue: a programme may use several spaces in the same city.
  3. The correct ticket: distinguish a single session, a day pass and a multi-day pass.
  4. Who can attend: check age limits, companion rules and any trade-only registration.
  5. What happens if plans change: read the organiser’s cancellation and refund terms before paying.

For a family or group outing, share the organiser’s link alongside the date instead of forwarding an undated poster alone. Reopen that link before departure to check for changes.

For Qatar-specific news, see our October 2026 events roundup. That article records a dated programme; the official calendar above is the better starting point for a later month.

Practical guides

For detailed planning, read our IIFA 2027 visitor guide and Bahrain heritage guide.