Celebrate six decades of music at the Enrico Macias Abu Dhabi concert.

If you've been waiting for a concert that truly deserves the word "historic," this is it. Music legend Enrico Macias is coming to the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 12 December 2026, for a rare and emotional evening that celebrates a lifetime of extraordinary artistry.

Tickets start from just AED 250. This is expected to be one of his final international appearances — and possibly his last show ever in the UAE. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a living legend on stage.

🎤 Why the Enrico Macias Abu Dhabi Concert Is Unmissable

Let me be direct: Cultural Foundation hosts many wonderful performances. But Enrico Macias is something else entirely. This isn't just a concert. It's a farewell to a legend.

For more than six decades, Macias has touched hearts around the world with his timeless voice and songs filled with love, nostalgia, and human connection. This exceptional concert brings together his greatest classics and most beloved melodies, performed live in an intimate and elegant setting.

As this tour is expected to be one of his final international appearances, and possibly his last show ever in the UAE, the evening promises to be a truly historic moment for fans across the region. The performance will transport audiences through generations of unforgettable music.

The season at Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi wraps up with French-Algerian music legend Enrico Macias, who will perform a concert celebrating six decades of music. This concert is presented in partnership with Art For All.

🌍 The Man Behind the Music: A Life of Art and Activism

Enrico Macias was born Gaston Ghrenassia in 1938 in Constantine, Algeria, to violinist Sylvain Ghrenassia and his wife Suzanne. He began his career at the age of fifteen as a guitarist in the Cheikh Raymond Leyris Orchestra. His father-in-law, Raymond Leyris, was a band leader in Algeria and the man Macias calls his "master" — a musician who bore a musical tradition stretching back many centuries.

Leyris's assassination during the Algerian War of Independence had a profound effect on Macias, who departed for France in July 1961, eventually settling in Paris. He adopted the stage name Enrico Macias in 1962 following his debut recording of "Adieu mon pays" — a farewell song to Algeria he wrote when he and thousands of other Jews were forced to leave their homeland.

Macias became immensely popular in France during the 60s and 70s with his upbeat renditions of songs like "Paris, tu m'as pris dans tes bras," "La femme de mon ami," "Les gens du nord," "L'Orientale," "El Porompompero," and "Solenzara”. Outside of France, he has been particularly successful in Turkey, Greece, Spain, and Italy. He has performed internationally at Carnegie Hall (1968, 1972), Royal Albert Hall, London (1971), and on Broadway (1974), and has toured Israel and South Korea.

In 1979, at the invitation of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Macias became the first Jewish performer to appear in concert in Egypt in more than 30 years. "They knew my music, but they did not know my face," he said of the Egyptians, who received him with excitement at the Festival of the Nile that year.

In 1997, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan named him Roving Ambassador for Peace and the Defence of Children. His music reflects his strong commitment to the promotion of human rights, peace, and tolerance, and draws attention to the plight of refugees around the globe.

🎶 The Classic Songs You Might Hear at the Concert

Enrico Macias's catalogue is a treasure trove of French chanson, Middle Eastern melodies, and Mediterranean rhythms. Here are some of the timeless songs that have defined his career:

💫 Must-Hear Tracks:

• "Adieu Mon Pays" — His debut recording from 1962, a farewell song to Algeria written when he was forced to leave his homeland. It remains one of his most personal and powerful works.
• "Paris, Tu M'as Pris Dans Tes Bras" — A love letter to the city that took him in, one of his most beloved French songs.
• "El Porompompero" — A joyous, infectious Spanish-language song that showcases his playful side and has become a concert staple.
• "Les Gens Du Nord" — A tribute to the people of northern France, one of his most enduring hits.
• "La Femme De Mon Ami" — A classic tale of forbidden love and friendship, delivered with his signature emotional depth.
• "L'Oriental" — A song that perfectly captures the fusion of French and Arabic influences that defines his sound.
• "Enfants De Tous Pays" — A beautiful plea for peace and unity among all children of the world.
• "Ma Patrie" — A song of longing and belonging from a man who lost his homeland but found a new one.
• "Le Feu Des Gitans" — A fiery, passionate track celebrating his Sephardic and Mediterranean roots.

🎟️ The Essential Details (Verified for Effortless Planning)

⚠️ Must-Know Rules (Learn From Others' Mistakes)

I'll be direct because I want your experience to be flawless:

• Children aged 6 and above require a ticket to enter the venue. Children below 6 are not permitted.
• Attendees between 6 and 18 years should be accompanied by an adult aged 18 and above.
• Download the Platinumlist application to access your ticket before you proceed to the Theatre.
• Doors open 30 minutes before the show begins.
• Patrons arriving late will only be admitted at a suitable break. Latecomers may be seated in alternate seat locations to avoid disruption.
• The Cultural Foundation has limited free parking slots — arrive early.
• Photography, audio, or video recording — including camera phones — are strictly prohibited inside the Cultural Foundation's Theatre unless otherwise specified.
• No food or drinks are allowed inside the theatre.

For more information, please email info@artforall.ae or call 02 6576348.

📍 How to Get There (Tested Routes)

🚗 By Car: You can drive to the Cultural Foundation from anywhere in Abu Dhabi. Free parking is available, but slots are limited.

🚌 By Public Transportation: The Cultural Foundation is accessible by bus. The nearest bus station is Abu Dhabi Bus Station, located approximately 1.2 kilometers away. You can also catch Bus 034 from Abu Dhabi Bus Station directly to the Cultural Foundation — the journey takes just about 8 minutes.

🚕 By Taxi or Ride-Hailing Apps: A taxi or ride-hailing app will get you there easily. The Cultural Foundation is a famous destination, and most drivers will be familiar with its location.

❓ Quick Answers to Your Burning Questions

What kind of concert is this?
A full live concert celebrating Enrico Macias's more than six decades of music, featuring his greatest classics and most beloved melodies, performed in an intimate and elegant setting.

Where do I buy tickets?
Through the Platinumlist platform, starting from AED 250.

Can I bring my children?
Ages 6 and above can attend, but require a valid ticket. Children under 6 are not permitted. Attendees aged 6-18 must be accompanied by an adult 18+.

How long is the show?
1 hour 45 minutes with a 15-minute interval.

Can I take photos?
No. Photography, audio, or video recording — including camera phones — is strictly prohibited inside the Cultural Foundation's Theatre unless otherwise specified.

Is this really his last UAE show?
As this tour is expected to be one of his final international appearances, and possibly his last show ever in the UAE, this is genuinely a historic farewell.

What languages does he sing in?
Macias sings in French, Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, and Italian. He has said, "It is the music, the atmosphere, the communication that is important”.

🎯 The Bottom Line

If you've been searching for a concert that truly deserves the word "historic," this is it. Enrico Macias at Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi is far more than a concert — it's a farewell to a legend, a celebration of six decades of music, and a chance to witness a living icon on stage one final time.

Saturday, 12 December 2026. Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi. Doors 19:30, Show 20:00. Tickets from AED 250.

Don't wait. This is a rare and emotional event that celebrates a lifetime of extraordinary artistry. As this tour is expected to be one of his final international appearances, and possibly his last show ever in the UAE, tickets will not last.

Book your seat, and prepare to be moved. 🎶

Because some nights aren't just watched —
they deserve to be lived.

⚠️Disclaimer

Event details, prices, schedules, and policies are subject to change at any time. Please verify information directly through the Platinumlist platform or the Cultural Foundation before booking. This guide is for informational purposes only and reflects information available as of 2027. Photography, audio, and video recording are strictly prohibited inside the Theatre. Children under 6 are not permitted. Ages 6+ require a ticket. Ages 6-18 must be accompanied by an adult 18+. Limited free parking available.

responsibly.