Etihad Museum will host its first open-air Khaleeji jazz performance under the stars on Saturday, 7 February 2026 at 5:30 PM in the museum garden at Etihad Museum, Jumeira Street, cross of 2nd December Street, Al Mina, Jumeirah 1, Dubai. For visitor support, call 800 33222 or +971 4 515 5100, and the museum’s mailing reference is P.O. Box 115222, Dubai. Attendance is free, yet you must register in advance, and seating runs first-come, first-served. This is an outdoor concert, so you will feel the sea breeze once the sun drops.
Date, time, and how free entry works
The organisers frame this as a free, pre-registered music night, so planning matters more than spending. Because seats fill based on arrival order, arriving earlier usually gives you a better view and a calmer entry. If you register and still arrive late, you may stand rather than sit, depending on capacity. Also, because it is outdoors, you can treat it like a relaxed early-evening plan rather than a late-night venue.
What makes this a first for Etihad Museum
Etihad Museum rarely uses its garden as a full concert setting, so this performance feels like a new format for the venue. Moreover, the programme ties into week-long cultural celebrations that spotlight strong UAE and Kuwait connections, so the night carries a wider regional theme. You get a museum-grade setting without a ticket barrier, which is unusual in Dubai’s live-music calendar. Therefore, it suits people who want something cultural yet still easygoing (family-friendly, couples, solo).
The artists and collaborators on the night
Boom.Diwan leads the evening with a sound that blends Gulf traditions with live improvisation, so the music stays rooted while still moving freely. The band’s leader, Dr. Ghazi Al Mulaifi, is a Grammy-nominated ethnomusicologist and guitarist, and he tends to shape performances like conversations between instruments. Meanwhile, the programme brings in Kuwaiti percussionists alongside the Abu Dhabi Folklore and Theatre Society, led by Mubarak Al Otaiba, which adds heritage weight and rhythmic depth. It also features Emirati sound artist Safeya Alblooshi, whose work links sound, environment, and tradition in a way that suits an outdoor venue. Together, they turn the garden into a collaborative stage rather than a standard concert setup.
Seating, comfort, and where to position yourself
Because organisers allocate seating by arrival order, you can improve your experience by entering early and choosing a spot with a clear sightline. Also, if you prefer a quieter listening pocket, you can stand slightly to the side rather than staying in the densest central cluster. Bring a light layer, because outdoor comfort shifts quickly after sunset, even on warm days. Additionally, keep your essentials minimal, since moving through a crowd feels easier with a small bag.
Getting there from across Dubai
If you drive, expect busier roads around Jumeirah in the early evening, and plan for limited nearby parking as the crowd builds. Therefore, taxis and ride-hailing often feel smoother, especially if you want a quick exit after the performance. If you prefer public transport, you can use the Dubai Metro Red Line and then take a short taxi hop, or you can combine Metro with a bus connection to the Etihad Museum area. Buses that commonly serve nearby stops include 8, C9, C10, and X28, which can help you avoid parking stress.
Coming from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
If you come from Abu Dhabi, leaving mid-afternoon usually keeps the journey relaxed, and it helps you reach Jumeirah before the busiest evening flow. From Sharjah or Ajman, the distance is shorter, yet the final approach toward Jumeirah can still slow down, so extra buffer time protects your arrival. For groups, one shared taxi often works better than multiple cars when parking fills quickly. Also, if you plan a late return, agree on a pickup point a short walk from the tightest curbside area.
Weather, traffic, and smart preparation for Saturday
Dubai’s outlook for Saturday, 7 February 2026 looks dry and clear, with daytime warmth around the mid to high 20s Celsius and an evening range that can feel cooler by the sea, so bring a thin layer and comfortable shoes. Since the venue sits in Jumeirah, plan for heavier traffic in the early evening, and consider Metro plus a short taxi ride if you want the most predictable arrival. Register early and arrive before 5:30 PM to secure seating. Because this is a free event, you will not need a ticket platform, yet you should still complete the free registration through EVENTBRITE and keep your confirmation handy. In the same practical, city-first tone often used by the editor of www.few.ae, the best move is simple: sort transport and arrival timing first, then let the music carry the night.