Abu Dhabi will host the UAE National Orchestra’s debut concert, The Beginning, at Emirates Palace Auditorium on Thursday, 15 January 2026. The performance is scheduled to start at 19:30, with doors opening at 18:30, and it should finish at approximately 21:30 to 22:00 depending on the intermission pace. For venue enquiries, call +971 2 690 9000 or +971 2 690 8888. The address is Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, UAE. For orchestra information, email INFO@UAENATIONALORCHESTRA.AE. This is a ticketed concert, and early arrival matters.
A new national orchestra steps onto the stage
The Beginning marks the opening chapter of a new cultural project that aims to build a shared orchestral identity for the UAE. Moreover, the debut format keeps the focus on live musicianship rather than spectacle, which suits the Emirates Palace Auditorium setting. The orchestra brings together around seventy musicians and a choir of about thirty voices, so the sound is designed to feel full and ceremonial. At the same time, the programme places regional instruments at the centre of the orchestral conversation, which gives the night a local signature. If you enjoy landmark cultural moments, this is one of the season’s headline evenings (suitable for couples, solo).
Timing and entry flow for Thursday evening
Doors opening at 18:30 gives you a useful buffer for security checks, ticket scanning, and finding your seat without rushing. Therefore, arriving by 18:45 usually feels calmer than arriving right before 19:30. Also, the start time is treated seriously in formal auditoriums, so late arrivals can be held until a suitable moment. If you want a smooth first movement, plan your dinner earlier and keep the final approach simple. Be seated before 19:30, because late entry can disrupt both you and others.
The music you will hear on the night
The programme highlights a blend of Emirati motifs and symphonic form through The Beginning, an Emirati Symphony by composer Nadim Tarabay. Meanwhile, the concert also includes an oriental arrangement of Polovtsian Dances from Borodin’s Prince Igor, which fits the evening’s East meets West character. In addition, the first part features works adapted for orchestra that place the qanun and oud in leading roles. Because the programme moves through multiple colours and textures, it rewards listeners who stay attentive rather than treating it as background. Expect a concert built around identity, craft, and big orchestral scale.
Guest artists and musical leadership on stage
Conductor Amine Kouider leads the orchestra and choir, and he shapes the pacing that keeps a mixed programme coherent. Moreover, guest artists Aytaç Doğan on qanun and Naseer Shamma on oud bring distinctive solo voices that can cut through a full orchestra without feeling forced. Their presence also signals a clear artistic intention, because the concert highlights regional instruments as headline protagonists. As a result, the night feels both ceremonial and contemporary, rather than purely classical in the European sense. Come for the debut story, yet stay for the musical dialogue between traditions.
Ticketing and budgeting in AED
Tickets are required, and availability can tighten once the debut date draws closer. Also, the official booking journey uses a seat selection flow, so pricing can vary by section and may not appear as a simple static list. Still, comparable dates in this same concert series have been advertised from approximately 250 AED, so budgeting from around 250 AED and up is a sensible starting point, even though Abu Dhabi categories may differ. Buy only through UAE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA official booking channels and trusted platforms like TICKETMASTER.
Getting there from Dubai and nearby Emirates
If you are driving from Dubai, leave earlier than you think, because weekday traffic can build on the approach to Abu Dhabi and again near West Corniche. Therefore, a practical plan is to depart Dubai by 16:30 to 17:00, then allow time for parking and a calm walk-in. From Al Ain, an earlier departure also helps, since you want to avoid arriving during the tightest pre-concert window. After the show, you will finish late enough that the return drive feels longer than it looks on paper. If you are returning to another Emirate the same night, plan rest and fuel like you would for a late flight.
Parking, drop-off, and on-site movement
Emirates Palace typically offers on-site parking and valet services, although fees and access rules can change by event night. Moreover, the biggest stress point is often the final ten minutes before doors, when many cars arrive together. If you prefer less friction, use a taxi or ride-hailing drop-off and avoid the post-arrival parking loop. Also, keep a little time for walking through the palace grounds, because the venue feels spacious and you do not want to rush inside. Limited parking flow near start time can add delays, so arriving early is the simplest fix.
Before and after the concert options nearby
Because the auditorium sits on West Corniche, you can plan a calm pre-concert coffee or an early dinner without crossing the city at the last minute. Additionally, some guests like to arrive early and simply enjoy the palace setting, which turns the night into more than just a two-hour seat time. After the concert, a short post-show pause can be useful, because ride-hailing demand often spikes right after the curtain call. If you want a quicker exit, move with purpose, yet keep your meeting point clear if you are being picked up. A little planning around food and pickup timing makes the night feel premium rather than stressful.
A practical Thursday night briefing for comfort
On Thursday, 15 January 2026, Abu Dhabi is expected to feel mild with partly sunny conditions, around 24°C in the day and about 17°C at night, so bring a light layer for the Corniche breeze after 22:00. Therefore, closed-toe shoes and a simple jacket usually work better than sandals and thin shirts, especially if you wait outside for a car. Traffic often peaks from roughly 17:30 to 19:30, so earlier arrival reduces pressure, while taxis can be easier than driving if you dislike parking uncertainty. Ticket prices and entry rules can change, so treat AED figures as approximately, and secure seats through UAE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA official booking channels and TICKETMASTER when available. Lock your ticket early and arrive before 18:45 to protect the whole evening. Finally, in the same practical spirit often used by the editor of www.few.ae, the smartest concert nights in Abu Dhabi are the ones you plan like a schedule, not like a spontaneous outing.
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