Quick answer
Dubai Comedy Festival closes on Sunday 18 October 2026. The final weekend includes Zarna Garg and Shane Todd on Friday, Neema Naz and Rafi Bastos on Saturday, and Amit Tandon and Vir Das on Sunday.
Key takeaways
- The festival closes on Sunday 18 October 2026
- Performances take place at separate venues across Dubai
- Check each show’s language, age limit and current ticket details
Dubai Comedy Festival is entering its final weekend, with performances across Dubai Opera, New Covent Garden Theatre and Coca-Cola Arena. The seventh edition, which began on 9 October, finishes on Sunday 18 October, leaving residents and visitors a few more days to fit a show into their plans. Dates are confirmed in the official programme and Gulf News coverage.
Which shows are on the final weekend?
Friday 16 October brings Zarna Garg to Dubai Opera with Million Dollar Excuses. Her material draws on family life, cultural differences and everyday situations. The same evening, Shane Todd performs Hold Me Back at New Covent Garden Theatre in Mall of the Emirates, giving audiences another option for a Friday comedy outing.
On Saturday 17 October, Neema Naz and Rafi Bastos are scheduled for separate performances at New Covent Garden Theatre. Check the individual event listing carefully: sharing a venue and date does not mean the comedians are appearing in the same show.
Sunday 18 October includes Amit Tandon’s Hindi-language Aise Kaise at Dubai Opera, while Vir Das performs at Coca-Cola Arena on the festival’s closing day. Plan transport around the performance you choose, as the shows are spread across different venues.
There is also a smaller-room option at Pepperoni Comedy Club. According to Khaleej Times, the festival’s Comedy Showcase continues through 18 October, featuring Reem Edan, Laurie Douglas and Dinara Kerey. Its published schedule lists 9.30pm performances from Monday to Saturday and an earlier 7pm show on Sunday, with doors opening 30 minutes beforehand. All times are Dubai local time.
What should you check before going?
Check each show’s language, minimum age, start time and venue rules. Several headline performances are listed for ages 16 and above, while the Pepperoni showcase is for adults aged 18 and above. Show-specific restrictions matter when choosing an outing for your group.
Use the official festival programme for the latest details and links to authorised ticketing channels. Prices and remaining seats can change, so confirm the current options on the relevant event page.
Save the dates with friends, and browse more UAE Today updates for your next Dubai outing.
Cover image: AI-generated illustration of a comedy stage, not a photograph of a festival venue.
