Sunburn Festival, Asia’s largest electronic dance music brand, is heading to Abu Dhabi. The festival’s first UAE edition is scheduled for December 2026, marking what the organisers describe as a historic expansion into the Middle East.
The event is being staged through a collaboration between BookMyShow, the Indian entertainment ticketing platform, and Ethara, Abu Dhabi’s live events company. Sunburn is ranked eighth globally by DJ Mag.
The Abu Dhabi edition is being billed as a twin-flagship model, running simultaneously with the festival’s established India edition. The organisers say this is a first in festival history.
Over nearly two decades, Sunburn has hosted acts including Martin Garrix, David Guetta, DJ Snake, Swedish House Mafia, Armin van Buuren, Marshmello, Alan Walker, and The Chainsmokers.
No venue, ticket pricing, or specific lineup has been confirmed. A registration form is live on the festival’s website for those wanting early updates.
The announcement positions Abu Dhabi as an increasingly active player in large-scale global entertainment.
The emirate has over recent years drawn a series of major international events, and the Sunburn expansion fits a broader pattern of international music and cultural franchises treating the UAE as a viable second home market.
