In December 2026 Dubai gets something Russian-speaking residents and visitors have been waiting for a long time: the Bolshoi Theatre is coming to Dubai Opera. The theatre calls it the Bolshoi’s first official tour of the UAE. In five days there is an opera, a big symphony concert and The Nutcracker, the great New Year ballet.
If you’re in Dubai then, it’s a rare chance to see the Bolshoi without travelling to Moscow. If you’re still planning a holiday, it’s a good reason to come in early December. Below are the programme, prices, the theatre’s rules and my advice on fitting it all together.
In short
| Date | What | Starts | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 December | The Tsar’s Bride (opera) | 19:00 | 350 AED |
| 3 December | Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, conductor Valery Gergiev | 20:00 | 350 AED |
| 4–6 December | The Nutcracker (ballet) | 14:00, 19:00, 20:00 (varies by day) | 495 AED |
Where: Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai. Prices are from the theatre’s site on 17 October 2026, before service fees.
The Tsar’s Bride, 2 December
The tour opens with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera The Tsar’s Bride, a story of passion, jealousy and revenge at the court of Ivan the Terrible. It is based on Lev Mey’s play about Marfa Sobakina, the tsar’s third wife, who died two weeks after the wedding. The opera doesn’t promise historical accuracy. It does promise real drama.
This is one of the Bolshoi’s “golden repertoire” productions. The monumental historical sets were the last work of the celebrated designer Fyodor Fedorovsky; for the current production they were recreated in 2014 under Alyona Pikalova. If you’ve never been to a Russian opera, it’s a good first choice: beautiful, easy to follow and very Bolshoi.
The Bolshoi Orchestra and Gergiev, 3 December
The next evening is a symphony concert, the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra’s first appearance at Dubai Opera. It is the oldest musical ensemble in Russia: its history begins in 1776, together with the company that became the Bolshoi, so in 2026 it turns 250. Today it has more than 300 musicians.
Valery Gergiev, head of the Bolshoi Theatre, conducts. The concert runs about two hours with an interval. For classical music lovers, this is probably the strongest night of the tour.
The Dubai Opera stage in concert mode, with the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra. Photo: Xenia Baknina, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
The Nutcracker, 4–6 December
The highlight of the tour is Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker in Yuri Grigorovich’s production. The Bolshoi Ballet’s soloists dance, the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra plays and Pavel Klinichev conducts. Grigorovich turned a “children’s” Christmas ballet into a story about growing up and dreaming of perfect love, and this version has been on the Bolshoi stage for decades.
There are three days of performances, with matinees at 14:00 and evening shows at 19:00 and 20:00; check the exact schedule for each day when you choose tickets. With children, this is the one to pick: a matinee doesn’t break their routine, and afterwards you can walk around Downtown before dark.
The Nutcracker on the Bolshoi stage, archive photo. Photo: Sakhovsky / RIA Novosti, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Dubai Opera: the venue
Dubai Opera opened on 31 August 2016 with a concert by Placido Domingo. The Downtown building is shaped like a traditional Arab dhow, and the hall seats about 2,000 people. It can transform from a theatre into a concert hall or a flat-floor space for banquets and exhibitions. World opera and ballet companies, musicals, classical stars and pop acts all play here.
How the hall works, where to sit and what else is on this season are in my Dubai Opera guide. For the area around the theatre, see my guide to the best walks in Dubai: the fountains and the Burj Khalifa promenade are a few minutes away on foot.
Theatre rules to know in advance
- Children. Under-twos are not admitted (except at selected family shows). Every child over two needs a ticket, and under-18s must come with an adult.
- Dress code. The theatre asks you to look elegant: no shorts, flip-flops or revealing clothes. National dress is welcome.
- When to arrive. Doors open two hours before the start. Latecomers are admitted according to the rules of each performance, so allow time for Downtown traffic.
- Food and drink. You can’t bring your own. Drinks bought at the theatre bars usually can’t be taken into the hall.
- Photos and video. Professional cameras aren’t allowed in the hall; you’ll be asked to check them in.
- Refunds. If you can’t go for personal reasons, tickets are not refunded or exchanged. Refunds or exchanges apply only if a performance is cancelled or rescheduled.
How to buy tickets
The theatre recommends buying only on its official site, dubaiopera.com, at the box office on Opera Plaza (daily, 11:00 to 20:00) or from partners it names itself, such as Platinumlist. Resold tickets can be cancelled without a refund, so don’t trust third-party resellers.
You can buy up to 10 tickets at a time online. If you’re abroad, choose an e-ticket: courier delivery only works inside the UAE.
If it’s easier, I can help with tickets: choose seats, buy them from an official seller (you can pay from anywhere in the world), arrange a transfer from your hotel and back, and book a table for dinner before or after the show.
How to fit it into your trip
Early December is one of the best times to visit: the heat is gone, the country celebrates National Day on 2 December, and the city is already decorated for New Year. A simple plan:
- The day before the opera: a city tour. Get to know Dubai so you don’t feel lost in Downtown in the evening: my Arabian Dream tour.
- The evening of the show: dinner near the theatre. Downtown has plenty of restaurants with fountain views; ideas are in my guide on where to eat in Dubai.
- After The Nutcracker: a walk around the festive city. Holiday plans are in my post on New Year’s Eve in Dubai.
Denis Matsuev also plays Dubai Opera in December, on 16 December, with his “Classics & Jazz” programme. If you love Russian classical music, you can take both evenings.
Common mistakes
- Waiting until the last minute. The Bolshoi’s first tour is an event, and the best seats go early.
- Buying from resellers. A resold ticket can be cancelled without a refund.
- Bringing a baby. Children under two won’t be let into the hall, even on your lap.
- Being late because of traffic. Downtown is busy in the evening; leave with time to spare, and if you use the valet, arrive at least 30 minutes before the start.
More Russian culture in Dubai: Dubai Opera guide · Russian theatre and stand-up · Russian artists in concert · Christmas shows for kids · Orthodox churches in the UAE.
Want to see the Bolshoi in Dubai without the hassle? Message me on WhatsApp: I’ll help you choose the performance and seats, and sort out tickets, transfers and a plan for the day.
Practical answers
Frequently asked questions
When is the Bolshoi performing in Dubai?
From 2 to 6 December 2026 at Dubai Opera: The Tsar's Bride opera on 2 December, the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra with Valery Gergiev on 3 December, and The Nutcracker ballet from 4 to 6 December.
How much are Bolshoi tickets in Dubai?
According to Dubai Opera on 17 October 2026: The Tsar's Bride and the orchestra concert from 350 AED, The Nutcracker from 495 AED. The best stalls and box seats cost considerably more and sell first.
Where can I buy genuine tickets?
Only on dubaiopera.com, at the theatre box office or from official partners the theatre names itself, such as Platinumlist. The theatre warns that resold tickets can be cancelled without a refund.
Can I take a child to The Nutcracker?
Yes, from the age of two: younger children are not admitted to Dubai Opera, and every child over two needs their own ticket. The 14:00 matinee suits younger school-age children better.
What is the dress code at Dubai Opera?
The theatre asks guests to dress elegantly and not to come in shorts, flip-flops or revealing clothes. National and traditional dress is welcome.
How do I get to Dubai Opera?
The theatre is in Downtown Dubai on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, next to Burj Khalifa. A taxi is easiest, with drop-off at Opera Plaza; there is paid parking on level B2 (entrance C) and a valet service that stops 30 minutes before the start.
