Abu Dhabi’s live entertainment calendar gets a big injection of Broadway energy this autumn as Beetlejuice The Musical opens at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, bringing Tim Burton’s cult classic story to the capital from Thursday 20 November to Sunday 30 November 2025. The show is part of the musical’s global touring schedule and is being staged as a full-scale production rather than a stripped-down concert version, which means big sets, bold lighting and a high-energy cast. The venue’s indoor set-up and adjustable seating will help the producers lean into the musical’s visual tricks and fast scene changes while keeping audiences comfortable in November’s warm evenings. Families, couples and groups who enjoy darkly comic stories are expected to anchor demand, especially around the weekends. Opening night on Thursday 20 November 2025 is scheduled for a 6:30 PM curtain at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (suitable for couples, solo, and families with older children).
From hit film to international stage phenomenon
The stage version of Beetlejuice adapts the 1988 film that turned Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Tim Burton’s offbeat sensibility into a global cult favourite, but it reshapes the story with new songs, expanded character arcs and a more emotional focus on teenager Lydia Deetz. Composer and lyricist Eddie Perfect and book writers Scott Brown and Anthony King created the musical for Broadway, where it premiered in 2019 before returning for a second run and touring North America. Now the production’s international tour brings it to Abu Dhabi, supported by regional partners focused on raising the standard of English-language theatre in the Gulf. The Abu Dhabi run is being marketed as a chance to see a full Broadway-style staging, complete with elaborate sets, illusions and a large ensemble, rather than a small touring version.
Story, humour and spooky staging
On stage, Beetlejuice follows Lydia, a grief-stricken goth teenager, who discovers that her new house is haunted by a recently deceased couple and a loud, unpredictable “bio-exorcist” ghost who wants humans out so he can have the place to himself. The musical leans into sharp one-liners, wild physical comedy and fourth-wall-breaking jokes, while also giving Lydia intimate ballads about loss, identity and family. Big production numbers, including reworked versions of “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” and new show tunes like “Dead Mom” and “Say My Name”, drive fast-paced scenes and intricate choreography. The tone mixes cartoonish horror with heart, so one moment you might see dancing skeletons and the next you are watching a serious conversation about grief. Because of language, innuendo and jump-scare style effects, the show is generally recommended for ages 13 and above and is not ideal for very young children (children/family-friendly mainly for teens, suitable for couples, solo).
Dates, timings and what to expect on opening night
Beetlejuice The Musical is scheduled to play at Etihad Arena from Thursday 20 November to Sunday 30 November 2025, with opening night on Thursday 20 November 2025 set for a 6:30 PM start. Ticketing details indicate that doors typically open about an hour before showtime, giving guests space to pass security, buy snacks and find their seats without stress. The performance itself runs for roughly two and a half hours including an interval, so you should expect to leave the arena around 9:00 PM if the show starts on time. For those coming in from Abu Dhabi city, that timetable allows enough room for a light early dinner before driving out, or you can eat along the Yas Bay waterfront after the curtain call. Aim to arrive at Etihad Arena at least 60 to 90 minutes before opening night’s 6:30 PM curtain so you can clear security calmly, explore the concourse and settle into your seats without rushing.
Tickets, price ranges and seat choices in AED
Current public listings for Beetlejuice The Musical at Etihad Arena show standard tickets starting from around 145 AED for entry-level seating tiers, with mid-range and closer-to-stage categories priced higher depending on date and demand. Earlier presale campaigns for the Abu Dhabi run mentioned promotional prices from about 99 AED, although those lowest bands may be limited to specific offers or early phases of the sale. As with other major arena shows, dynamic pricing is possible, so weekend dates and prime-view seats can increase closer to November if demand spikes. Families budgeting for teens should plan on adult-level prices for most seats, since this is not marketed as a discounted children’s show. Based on current information, you can expect most standard seats to start from approximately 145 AED per person, with occasional promotional offers dipping closer to 99 AED when available (children/family-friendly for 13+, suitable for couples, solo).
Getting to Etihad Arena and parking on Yas Island
Etihad Arena sits on the Yas Bay waterfront, about 30 minutes by car from central Abu Dhabi via the E10 or E12 routes, and around 60 to 75 minutes from many Dubai neighbourhoods depending on traffic. The venue’s own guidance highlights that there is a mix of free and paid parking in different zones around the arena, with the exact car park usually printed on the event ticket and signposted on approach roads. Independent venue guides note that parking capacity overall is generous, but that some car parks involve a short walk along the waterfront, especially when several events happen on the same evening. In addition, Yas Island operates complimentary Yas Express shuttle services that connect hotels, attractions and some off-island pick-up points, alongside public bus route 102 from the Abu Dhabi Bus Station next to Al Wahda Mall, making it possible to avoid driving altogether if you prefer. On busy show nights, parking near Etihad Arena can feel tight at peak times, so it is smart to allow extra margin for congestion and to consider taxis, ride-hailing or the free Yas Express and public bus options instead of expecting to park directly at the door (children/family-friendly if you plan for prams and walking time, suitable for couples, solo).
Atmosphere on Yas Bay and extra time before or after the show
Beyond the performance itself, opening night gives visitors a chance to experience Yas Bay in full evening mode, with its waterfront promenade, restaurants and casual cafés clustered within walking distance of Etihad Arena. Many visitors choose to arrive early, have a coffee or an early dinner and then stroll towards the arena as doors open, which can help break up the drive from Dubai, Sharjah or Al Ain. After the show, the boardwalk usually stays lively for some time, making it easy to decompress with a drink or dessert while post-show traffic thins out. For those planning a date night, the combination of a high-production musical and a late walk by the water can make the evening feel closer to a mini city break than a simple night out. If you are driving in from other emirates, building in an extra hour to enjoy Yas Bay before curtain time can transform Beetlejuice from “just” a theatre trip into a full evening out (suitable for couples, solo, older children and teens with parents).
Weather, clothing, traffic and closing tips
Forecasts for Thursday 20 November through Sunday 23 November 2025 in Abu Dhabi currently point to mostly sunny or hazy conditions, with daytime highs close to 31 to 32 degrees and evening temperatures dropping into the low twenties, and there are no strong indications of rain or stormy weather for those opening weekend days. Light, breathable clothing works well for the walk from parking to the arena, but it is worth bringing a thin layer or scarf, because indoor air conditioning can feel cool once you sit still for a long musical. Traffic onto Yas Island tends to peak between late afternoon and early evening on major event nights, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, and departure traffic after 9:00 PM can create short delays at key exits and roundabouts. Public transport options, including bus 102 from Abu Dhabi city and the complimentary Yas Express shuttles linked to Yas attraction and hotel bookings, provide alternatives for visitors who would rather not navigate parking at all, though it is important to check the latest timetables and allow for walking time from drop-off points. Ticket categories and door prices remain subject to change as November approaches, so any price figures should be treated as approximate guidance rather than fixed numbers. Make your booking and travel plan early, because opening night and weekend performances are expected to be in high demand and could lead to heavier traffic and fuller car parks around Etihad Arena, something several local commentators and guides such as www.few.ae are already highlighting for big Yas Island evenings (children/family-friendly with planning, suitable for couples, solo).
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