Dubai’s winter stage calendar turns seriously star-studded when WICKED THE MUSICAL arrives at Dubai Opera in Downtown for a limited run from Wednesday, 28 January 2026 to Sunday, 15 February 2026. For quick coordination, use Dubai Opera, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, call 04 440 8888, or email boxoffice@dubaiopera.com. This production is co-presented by Dubai Opera and Broadway Entertainment Group, and it plays inside the Main Auditorium, so it suits anyone planning a polished night out (couples, solo, visitors).
Why this Oz story still surprises people
If you only know Oz through Dorothy, WICKED flips the perspective in a way that feels fresh, even if you think you know the ending. Glinda and Elphaba start as unlikely friends, and then ambition, misunderstanding, and real affection pull them in opposite directions. Meanwhile, the show leans on big theatrical craft, so you notice how the staging carries emotion even when the dialogue turns sharp. It’s also a global touring powerhouse, which matters because Dubai gets the full-scale spectacle rather than a trimmed version. And because the story balances humour with ache, it lands well for first-timers and musical fans alike (couples, solo, theatre lovers).
Performance dates and showtimes across the run
Dubai Opera schedules the run with a mix of weeknight starts and weekend matinees, which helps you choose the mood you want. Wednesday, 28 January 2026 starts at 19:30, then Thursday, 29 January 2026 also starts at 19:30, and Friday, 30 January 2026 starts at 20:00. After that, Saturday, 31 January 2026 offers two options, 15:00 and 20:00, so families often pick the afternoon while couples lean toward the later curtain (family-friendly for ages 6+, couples, solo).
February keeps that rhythm, so you can plan around workdays and schooldays without feeling squeezed. Sunday, 1 February 2026 runs at 14:00 and 19:00, then the weeknight pattern returns with Tuesday, 3 February at 19:30, Wednesday, 4 February at 19:30, and Thursday, 5 February at 19:30, followed by Friday, 6 February at 20:00. The second weekend repeats the double-slot approach with Saturday, 7 February at 15:00 and 20:00, and Sunday, 8 February at 14:00 and 19:00, then the final stretch closes with Tuesday, 10 February at 19:30, Wednesday, 11 February at 19:30, Thursday, 12 February at 19:30, Friday, 13 February at 20:00, Saturday, 14 February at 15:00 and 20:00, and Sunday, 15 February at 14:00 and 19:00. If you want the calmest arrivals, the 19:30 weeknights usually feel smoother than Friday and Saturday evenings.
Tickets, seating, and what the price range means
Ticket pricing typically starts around AED 275, and you’ll see higher categories rise to roughly AED 850, depending on date and seat zone. Treat these numbers as approximately, because prime weekend slots and central views tend to move fastest. If you want strong sightlines without overthinking it, aim for a centred view rather than the far edges, especially if you care about facial acting and not just the big moments. If you’re going as a family (ages 6+), the earlier weekend matinees often feel easier, because you avoid the late-night drive back to Sharjah or Abu Dhabi. For purchasing, stick to DUBAI OPERA BOX OFFICE and PLATINUMLIST as the most reliable options for this run.
Before-show ideas around the Opera District
Because Dubai Opera sits in the Downtown core, you can build a full evening without adding extra driving. Many people arrive early for a simple pre-show walk, then keep dinner close so they don’t gamble with traffic. Plan to be in the Opera District at least 45 to 60 minutes before curtain, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, because the area pulses with Dubai Mall movement. If you want the cleanest rhythm, book a nearby table that finishes early, then head into the venue with time to breathe (couples, solo). A calm arrival almost always makes the first act feel better.
Getting there and coming back from nearby Emirates
For drivers, Dubai Opera notes access via Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, and you can enter P3 basement parking from the boulevard, with signage guiding you once you’re inside. Dubai Opera also warns that its parking closes on non-performance days, so you should rely on it only when you hold a show ticket and you arrive with enough margin. On heavy nights, many guests pivot to a taxi or ride-hailing drop-off, then walk the last stretch instead of circling for a spot.
If you’re coming from Abu Dhabi, the E11 drive can feel straightforward, yet Downtown congestion rises close to showtime, so leave extra buffer and aim to park or drop off before the 19:30 surge. If you’re coming from Sharjah, the E11 and E311 corridors can tighten in the early evening, so the safest play is an earlier departure plus a light meal nearby rather than a tight arrival. For public transport, the Metro to Burj Khalifa or Dubai Mall area plus a walk can beat traffic on peak nights, especially for Friday 20:00 and Saturday 20:00 shows (solo, couples).
Dress code, age guidance, and late entry rules
Dubai Opera keeps the vibe elegant, so avoid overly casual items like flip-flops, especially if you want a friction-free entry. Children under 6 are not permitted inside the Main Auditorium, and children aged 6 and above require a valid ticket, which helps parents plan honestly. The show runs for approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes including an intermission, so treat it as a full evening rather than a quick performance. Also, Dubai Opera typically does not admit latecomers once the show begins, and it may only allow entry during intermission, so punctuality genuinely matters here.
Weather outlook for each show date
For the opening stretch, current Dubai forecasts point to comfortable winter warmth rather than anything extreme. Wednesday, 28 January 2026 looks mixed sun and cloud around 28°C by day and about 22°C at night, while Thursday, 29 January 2026 looks mostly sunny around 27°C and about 21°C at night. Friday, 30 January 2026 trends cooler with heavier cloud around 25°C and about 16°C at night, and Saturday, 31 January 2026 sits near 24°C with an evening near 16°C, followed by Sunday, 1 February 2026 around 24°C with a night near 16°C. These are mild conditions, but air-conditioning indoors can feel sharp, so a light layer still helps.
For the remaining performance dates, you should treat any day-by-day specifics as changeable until the final week, because long-range precision drops quickly. Still, Dubai’s early February pattern usually stays comfortable, so Tuesday, 3 February 2026 and Wednesday, 4 February 2026 typically feel like pleasant evenings after warm afternoons, and Thursday, 5 February 2026 and Friday, 6 February 2026 often carry similar temperatures with slightly cooler late-night air. Saturday, 7 February 2026 and Sunday, 8 February 2026 usually stay ideal for walking around Downtown, while Tuesday, 10 February 2026 through Sunday, 15 February 2026 generally keep that same winter rhythm, with warm days and mild nights. Rain usually stays limited in Dubai winter, yet a brief shower can make Downtown walkways slick, so closed-toe shoes help more than you’d expect.
A calm plan for a smooth theatre night
Dress for a mild winter evening and bring a light layer for strong indoor air-conditioning, then aim to arrive early because Downtown traffic often thickens around 18:00 to 20:00 on peak days. If you drive, follow Dubai Opera guidance for the P3 basement parking entrance on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, and consider a taxi drop-off when the roads feel slow, because that often saves time and stress. Dubai’s winter mornings can bring fog alerts that reduce visibility, so if you plan a late return toward Sharjah or Abu Dhabi, keep your route flexible and drive cautiously. Ticket and door prices can change, so treat AED figures as approximately, and buy only through DUBAI OPERA BOX OFFICE or PLATINUMLIST. According to ongoing local listings curated in a practical way, the editor of www.few.ae frames this run as one of the season’s most plan-worthy theatre nights.
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