From Pankaj Tripathi to Sunidhi Chauhan, Indian entertainment takes over Yas Island this January.
- IIFA Weekend and Awards return to Abu Dhabi on 22 and 23 January.
- Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee host the Digital Awards.
- Himesh Reshammiya and Sunidhi Chauhan are among the announced performers.
- The Diwali ticket promotion offered 20% off for two days.
There’s a particular thrill in seeing your favourite film stars beyond the screen, especially when a live performance turns an awards night into a full-scale celebration. For Indian cinema fans across the UAE, IIFA Abu Dhabi is bringing that excitement to Yas Island on 22 and 23 January 2027, with two days dedicated to films, digital entertainment and music.
January is shaping up to be a big month for Bollywood fans in Abu Dhabi. Etihad Arena will host the 27th edition of IIFA Weekend and Awards, bringing together more than 100 stars, filmmakers, industry figures and music personalities, according to the organisers. Expect plenty of familiar faces. The setting is Yas Island, where a night at the arena can easily become part of a wider weekend of dining, entertainment and time with friends.
The celebrations begin on 22 January with the Sobha Realty IIFA Digital Awards, recognising talent across digital entertainment. Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Abhishek Banerjee are named as hosts, while Himesh Reshammiya and Sunidhi Chauhan are among the announced performers. That’s a strong line-up. For fans who follow Indian films and music across cinema releases, streaming platforms and live concerts, the evening brings several sides of the entertainment world together under one roof.
The main IIFA Awards follow on 23 January, giving the weekend a second night focused on Indian cinema. The wider programme also includes the green carpet, where arrivals and fashion moments are part of the spectacle. There’s more than the ceremony itself. Visitors travelling from Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE can plan around the two dates, making Yas Island a natural base for a January entertainment break.
A festive ticket offer was also part of the build-up. IIFA offered 20% off Sobha Realty IIFA Digital Awards 2027 tickets with the code IIFADIWALI20, but the promotion was valid only on 7 and 8 November 2026 and has now ended. The celebration is still ahead. Fans can check current ticket availability and prices through the official Etihad Arena booking page rather than relying on the expired Diwali code.
For Indian cinema lovers, IIFA is as much about the shared atmosphere as the awards themselves, from the anticipation around the green carpet to the moment a familiar song gets an entire arena singing. With two nights on Yas Island, the January edition gives UAE audiences a reason to make a proper occasion of it. Check the event listings and book through Etihad Arena before planning your IIFA weekend.
BOOK NOW: https://www.etihadarena.ae/en/event-booking/iifa-digital-awards-2027
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