Mark Your Calendars: Abu Dhabi Unveils Its Spectacular Events Season

From the inaugural Frieze Abu Dhabi and the vibrant NOMAD Abu Dhabi to the thrill of the Formula 1 ® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the iconic Liwa International Festival, Abu Dhabi unveils an electrifying and diverse events calendar.  

ABU DHABI, UAE, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Abu Dhabi’s events season is officially underway showcasing more than 40 world-class spectacles that will captivate audiences across the emirate through early 2027. 

Experience Abu Dhabi presents one of its most dynamic and exhilarating entertainment and cultural line up to date. Headline events include the Yasalam After-Race Concerts featuring acts like Lewis Capaldi and Alex Warren alongside performances throughout 2026 by Anyma, Tamer Hosny and Tamer Ashour. These experiences complement major global highlights, including Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Frieze Abu Dhabi. 

Expect a range of events across culture, sport, music, family entertainment and lifestyle experiences, promising unforgettable moments for all. This season also highlights renowned global events, including Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Showdown Week and UFC alongside major new cultural experiences, including the opening of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, marking an exciting new chapter for the emirate’s cultural landscape.

Here’s a look at what’s on:

Culture: Art, Heritage and Immersive Experiences

Abu Dhabi’s cultural programme brings together the emirate’s rich heritage and world-class cultural institutions, with landmark exhibitions, immersive experiences, and programmes that invite audiences to discover, engage and connect with culture in new ways.

Unmissable Art and Culture

• Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Returning with new commissions, the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial opens on 23 October in Al Ain Region followed by Abu Dhabi from 15 November, with works remaining on display into 2027. The Biennial brings contemporary art into public spaces across the emirate, creating opportunities for audiences to experience art as part of everyday life.
• Culture Summit Abu Dhabi: Taking place from 8-10 December at Manarat Al Saadiyat and across Saadiyat Cultural District, Culture Summit Abu Dhabi brings together cultural leaders, artists, policymakers and thinkers from around the world. Under the theme Towards a Reimagined Commons, this year’s programme explores the role of culture in shaping shared memories, spaces and futures.
• Guggenheim Abu Dhabi: One of the defining moments of 2026 is the opening of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on 11 December. Designed by the late Frank Gehry, the new museum on Saadiyat Island will be dedicated to modern and contemporary art, adding another major institution to Saadiyat Cultural District and further strengthening its position as a global destination for culture and the arts.  

Vibrant Cultural Festivals and World-class Fairs

• Traditional Handicrafts Festival: Celebrating the skills and traditions that have shaped Emirati cultural identity, the Traditional Handicrafts Festival brings together master artisans, live craft demonstrations and a vibrant cultural market from 23 October – 11 November. The festival offers audiences an opportunity to discover and engage with these living traditions, while supporting their transmission to new generations.
• NOMAD Abu Dhabi: An immersive international art and design fair, NOMAD Abu Dhabi will take place from 18 – 22 November at Terminal 1 of the Old Abu Dhabi Airport. Bringing together collectors, curators and cultural leaders, the fair showcases collectible design, contemporary art and architecture inside a unique historic setting.
• Frieze Abu Dhabi: Making its debut from 19 – 22 November, Frieze Abu Dhabi marks a new chapter for the emirate’s international art scene. Building on nearly two decades of Abu Dhabi Art, the inaugural fair at Manarat Al Saadiyat will connect Abu Dhabi with Frieze’s global network of galleries, artists and collectors.
• Al Hosn Festival: A renewed celebration of Abu Dhabi’s culture, Al Hosn Festival brings generations together through experiences that reflect the authenticity of Emirati traditions, crafts and local flavours. Taking place from 15 – 30 January 2027, the festival celebrates culture, community and shares experiences at Al Hosn Cultural Site

Compelling Milestones and Celebrations on the Calendar

• Maritime Heritage Festival: The Maritime Heritage Festival celebrates Abu Dhabi’s rich coastal heritage, bringing the traditions of fishing, pearl diving, seafaring, and coastal life to new generations. Now in its fifth year, the festival returns to the Corniche from 20-29 November for 10 days of live performances, artisan demonstrations, traditional storytelling and coastal cuisine.
• Al Ain Museum One-Year Anniversary: Marking one year since reopening following extensive redevelopment in October, Al Ain Museum continues to serve as a centre of knowledge on the history and heritage of Al Ain Region. Originally founded in 1969 by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the museum was the nation’s first and now spans more than 8,000 square metres. It features newly discovered archaeological sites and exhibits exploring the ancient falaj irrigation system that made settlement in the region possible.
• Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi One-Year Anniversary: Celebrating its first year, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi continues to take people on a journey spanning 13.8 billion years of history. Visitors can discover rare fossils and marvel at Stan the T. rex, one of the world’s most complete dinosaur skeletons, alongside the museum’s unique treasures and captivating stories from our planet’s past.
• Zayed National Museum One-Year Anniversary: Marking its first anniversary, Zayed National Museum remains a landmark institution in Saadiyat Cultural District, tracing 300,000 years of human history on the land and honouring the life and vision of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, through six galleries exploring the nation’s history and heritage.

Entertainment: Music, Sport & Big-ticket Experiences

From chart-topping performances to world-class sporting action, Abu Dhabi’s entertainment line-up brings major names and events to the emirate, creating memorable experiences across some of its iconic venues.

Thrilling Headline Events

• Abu Dhabi Showdown Week (UFC): UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, returns to Abu Dhabi this October for a week of action-packed events. At Etihad Arena, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his title against Movsar Evloev, while champion Petr Yan faces Merab Dvalishvili in a trilogy fight on 24 October. Beyond the main events, fans can catch open workouts, weigh-ins and fan zones across the city.
• Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Since 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has welcomed fans from around the world to Yas Island each year. This year’s edition takes place from 3–6 December, combining high-speed racing with one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest weeks of live entertainment. The Yasalam After-Race Concerts will feature Lewis Capaldi, Imagine Dragons, The Chainsmokers and The Script, while Anyma will headline the Official After-Party on 4 December, with more artists to be announced.
• Liwa International Festival: Taking place every December in Al Dhafra desert, Liwa International Festival brings together, adventure, motorsports, music and family entertainment around the iconic Tal Moreeb, the UAE’s tallest dune at 300 metres. Previous editions have featured hot air balloon rides, farm-to-table dining, Monster Jam shows and freestyle drifting. As part of the festival, Liwa Village returns with its own mix of Emirati heritage and entertainment, from a lively marketplace and traditional performances to family-friendly activities set against the backdrop of the dunes.

Events for the Super Fans

• Saadiyat Nights: Saadiyat Nights returns for its fourth season, bringing a line-up of legendary musicians and live performances to Abu Dhabi’s iconic open-air amphitheatre on Saadiyat Island. Set against the island’s coastal backdrop, this concert series welcomes internationally acclaimed artists for memorable evenings of live entertainment under the stars.

Fun, Fashion and Laughter

• Abu Dhabi Comedy Season: Abu Dhabi Comedy Season returns to Etihad Arena on Yas Island, starting from October, bringing together a series of international comedy performances. This year’s line-up features Russell Peters, Morgan Jay, Mo Amer and Maz Jobrani, with more acts to be announced.
• Mother of the Nation (MOTN) Festival: Named in honour of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation Festival returns with a programme of family activities, global cuisine, live entertainment and art installations across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Region and Al Dhafra Region. Previous editions have included interactive workshops, outdoor cinema and inflatables zone, alongside more than 40 food concepts from regional and international vendors.

With more than 40 events spanning culture and entertainment from now through early 2027, Abu Dhabi’s calendar offers a diverse programme experiences for residents and visitors to discover and enjoy.



For more information on events, dates, and tickets: visitabudhabi.ae/en/events

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. 

By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: dct.gov.ae and visitabudhabi.ae.

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Navratri Day 2: Odisha Shakti Peeths Witness Special Rituals as Goddess Brahmacharini Is Worshipped

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 12 (UDN): Navratri celebrations have gathered momentum across Odisha, with prominent Shakti Peeths and temples witnessing special prayers and religious rituals on the second day of the nine-day festival. Devotees are worshipping Goddess Durga in her second form, Maa Brahmacharini, seeking blessings for peace, strength, prosperity and spiritual growth.

 Representational Image 

Temples across the state have been decorated for the auspicious occasion, creating a devotional atmosphere as devotees arrive to offer prayers and participate in traditional ceremonies.

Maa Brahmacharini: Symbol of Devotion and Spiritual Strength

The second day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Brahmacharini, a form of Goddess Durga associated with devotion, perseverance, penance and spiritual discipline. Worshipping the goddess is believed to inspire determination, patience and inner strength among devotees.

Special pujas, mantra chanting and other religious observances mark the occasion, while many devotees observe fasts and devote time to prayer as part of their Navratri practices.

The first day of the festival was dedicated to Maa Shailaputri, with devotees offering prayers at temples across Odisha to mark the beginning of the nine-day celebration.

Nine Days Dedicated to Nine Forms of Goddess Durga

Navratri celebrates the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga, collectively known as the Navadurga. Each form represents distinct divine qualities and holds special significance in Hindu religious tradition.

The nine forms worshipped during the festival are Maa Shailaputri on the first day, Maa Brahmacharini on the second, Maa Chandraghanta on the third, Maa Kushmanda on the fourth and Maa Skandamata on the fifth.

Maa Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day, followed by Maa Kalaratri on the seventh, Maa Mahagauri on the eighth and Maa Siddhidatri on the ninth day.

The festival is observed with prayers, fasting, devotional singing and special temple rituals. Devotees believe that sincere worship during these nine days brings divine blessings, positivity and spiritual well-being.

Devotional Atmosphere at Odisha’s Shakti Peeths

Major Shakti Peeths and other prominent temples across Odisha are witnessing religious fervour as devotees gather to seek the blessings of the Mother Goddess. Special rituals, traditional worship practices and the ceremonial adornment of the deities remain important features of the celebrations.

For devotees, Navratri is an occasion to strengthen their spiritual connection, practise self-discipline and seek the goddess’s blessings for their families and communities.

As the festivities continue, the second day serves as a reminder of the values associated with Maa Brahmacharini—faith, dedication, patience and unwavering determination.

The nine-day festival will continue with the worship of the remaining forms of Goddess Durga, culminating in the final day dedicated to Maa Siddhidatri.

JK Tech Names Mahesh Ramakrishnan as New Chief Technology Officer

BENGALURU, India and NOIDA, India, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JK Tech, a specialist AI and data solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Mahesh Ramakrishnan as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The appointment reinforces JK Tech’s commitment to building a future-ready technology organization and accelerating innovation as enterprises move from digital and AI experimentation toward scaled, business-led transformation.

Mahesh brings 26 years of experience across software, product engineering, technology strategy, and emerging technologies. He founded Tataatsu Idealabs and led it for 13+ years, building the natural language processing products CollabLayer and Seer, years before large language models went mainstream. Earlier, he was Global Head of Sell-Side Research Products at Thomson Reuters. At Capco, as Principal Consultant, he headed the Compose product business through its sale to Thomson Reuters. At JK Tech, he is leading JIVA’s move from retrieval to reasoning: agents that work across an enterprise’s structured and unstructured knowledge to solve multi-step business problems.

As CTO, Mahesh will lead the development and execution of JK Tech’s technology vision for its next phase of growth, with a central focus on integrating and scaling JK Tech’s three flagship platforms- JIVA, Ontologos, and Orbiee, into a single, connected technology fabric. His mandate will span strengthening technology foundations, advancing the company’s platforms and solutions, fostering engineering excellence, and building differentiated capabilities that address evolving enterprise needs. Under his leadership, JIVA’s Gen AI orchestration, Ontologos’ semantic and ontology-driven intelligence, and engineering capabilities will converge with Orbiee to create a unified, hyper-personalized ecosystem, bringing intelligence, orchestration, and engineering together to deliver differentiated, outcome-driven experiences for clients.

Sameer Nagpal, President & CEO, JK Tech, said, “Technology is central to JK Tech’s ambition and to the value we create for our clients. Mahesh brings the experience, product mindset, and breadth of technology perspective needed to shape our next phase of innovation. His leadership will help us strengthen our technology foundations, accelerate our capabilities, and translate our vision into solutions that create meaningful business impact.”

Talking about his new role, Mahesh Ramakrishnan said, “I see an opportunity to build on JK Tech’s strong technology and domain capabilities and create a clear, cohesive technology vision, one that delivers lasting, measurable ROI for our clients. Most enterprises already hold the answers to their own questions. Those answers sit across databases, documents, mail and decades of code, and getting at one still means waiting for an analyst to build a report. We want to shorten that path, so that people in the business can ask a question and get an answer drawn from both structured and unstructured data. That depends on doing the groundwork on the data properly, and it is where much of our effort is going. JIVA is the platform for it. The knowledge graphs we extract give our agents the meaning behind the data, and with that they can reason through a problem across many sources. We will build it with domain-specific agentic workflows and small language models that run inside a client’s own environment, so their data stays with them and each answer costs less. The same capability lets us read legacy enterprise code and recover the business rules buried in it, often the slowest and riskiest part of any modernization.”

As part of this vision, JK Tech will embed AI into everyday operations across every department, becoming an AI-first organization.

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HireNudge Emerges as Fastest-Growing AI Job Platform for Jobs Abroad

BANGALORE, India, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — India’s aspiration to go abroad is increasing day by day, whether in the form of studying abroad or working abroad. In 2025, over 18.8 lakh Indian students were studying in 153 countries. India also has around 3.54 crore Indians living abroad. According to India’s Economic Survey 2025-26, Indians living abroad sent $135.4 billion back to India in the financial year 2024-25, making India the country that receives the most money from people living abroad.

Despite these global opportunities, finding the right job abroad can be challenging. Candidates often navigate multiple job portals, company career pages, and professional networks while managing resumes and applications.

HireNudge brings essential job-search tools together in one AI-powered platform. With more than 1,00,000 users having searched for job opportunities through the platform, it helps candidates discover international jobs, build ATS-friendly resumes, track applications, and connect with hiring teams.

Making International Job Search Simpler

Finding suitable overseas roles requires more than submitting applications. Candidates need to identify relevant opportunities, present their experience effectively, and connect with the right hiring teams. Managing these steps across different platforms can be time-consuming and make the job search hard to organise.

HireNudge brings these activities together to help candidates manage their international job search more efficiently.

AI-Powered Tools to Simplify the International Job Search

Searching for jobs abroad can be time-consuming, as candidates often struggle to find relevant openings, tailor resumes, manage applications, and reach the right recruiters across multiple platforms.

HireNudge addresses these challenges by bringing essential job-search tools together in one AI-powered platform. Its AI Job Matcher helps candidates discover opportunities aligned with their skills and career goals, while the Resume Builder helps them create ATS-friendly resumes tailored to relevant roles. Candidates can then use the AI Job Tracker to organise applications and monitor their progress, and Employer Outreach to connect with recruiters and hiring teams. By connecting these steps in one place, HireNudge aims to make the international job search more organised and help candidates focus on pursuing relevant career opportunities abroad.

What HireNudge Users Say

“I had been looking for a tool to simplify my international job search, and HireNudge has been helpful in discovering opportunities abroad. Through the platform, I have been able to get international interview opportunities and explore roles beyond my local job market.”

— Khyati Sharma, A HireNudge User from Jaipur

“I have been using HireNudge for the past six months, and it has helped me explore international career opportunities. During this time, I have received six interview opportunities, including opportunities with organisations such as Bosch.”

— Jai Gupta, A HireNudge User from Bengaluru

Conclusion

For millions of Indians, working abroad represents a chance to explore new possibilities, grow professionally, and build a brighter future. Every global career journey begins with finding the right opportunity and having the confidence to pursue it.

HireNudge helps candidates discover international jobs, improve their resumes, and connect with hiring teams. While HireNudge cannot guarantee a job abroad, it can help serious job seekers navigate their search and pursue opportunities with greater confidence. With users sharing positive feedback, HireNudge has been highly rated by its users and aims to support more candidates as they take steps towards their career goals. By making the job search more organised and helping candidates explore opportunities beyond borders, HireNudge hopes to bring more global career dreams within reach. For every aspiring professional, the right opportunity could be the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

Website: https://hirenudge.ai/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hirenudge

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hirenudge

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hirenudge.ai

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hirenudge 

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Jyotiraditya Scindia to Visit Mizoram for Development Projects, Student Interaction and Banking Conclave

AIZAWL, October 12, 2026: Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia is scheduled to visit Mizoram on October 12 and 13 to participate in development programmes, interact with students and engage with banking sector representatives.

The two-day visit marks Scindia’s second trip to Mizoram since assuming charge as Minister for Development of the North Eastern Region. His engagements will focus on infrastructure development, youth interaction and strengthening the role of financial institutions in the economic development of the Northeast.

On October 12, Scindia will arrive in Aizawl and proceed to Tuivamit, where he is scheduled to inaugurate development projects and lay foundation stones for new initiatives. The programmes are aimed at supporting development activities in the state.

The Union Minister will subsequently visit Mizoram University to interact with students, including participants of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region’s (MDoNER) Ashtalakshmi Darshan programme. The interaction is expected to provide a platform for discussions on educational opportunities, youth aspirations and development prospects in the Northeastern region.

On October 13, Scindia will return to Mizoram University to inaugurate the North East Bankers’ Conclave 3.0 and deliver its keynote address.

The conclave will bring together stakeholders from the banking sector to deliberate on ways to improve access to credit, expand financial inclusion and strengthen institutional support for economic activities across the Northeast.

Banking institutions are expected to play an important role in facilitating credit for entrepreneurs, small businesses and other economic stakeholders, particularly in regions where access to formal financial services remains a key development priority.

The visit forms part of the Centre’s engagement with Northeastern states on development initiatives, infrastructure expansion and economic opportunities. The scheduled programmes in Mizoram will bring together government representatives, students and financial sector stakeholders to discuss priorities for the state and the wider region.

TDB Extends Rs.86 Crore RDI Support to Peptris for AI-Based Drug Development

Bengaluru, October 12: The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has entered into an agreement with Bengaluru-based Peptris Technologies Private Limited to provide ₹86 crore in financial assistance for advancing artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery and development.

The funding, extended under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, will support Peptris’ ₹172 crore project, titled VIGOR: Advancing AI-Discovered Molecules from Bench to Clinic. The programme aims to move four drug candidates from Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-4 to TRL-6 through preclinical research, experimental validation and preparation for clinical trials. The assistance will be provided through an Optionally Convertible Debt (OCD) arrangement.

The initiative seeks to address a major challenge in AI-led pharmaceutical research: converting computationally identified molecules into potential therapeutic candidates that can progress through laboratory validation, preclinical testing and subsequent clinical development.

Peptris plans to use its proprietary AI-driven drug discovery platform alongside established drug-development processes to advance the selected candidates. The programme will focus on therapeutic areas with unmet medical needs and is expected to run over three years.

The four candidates included in the development programme are PEPR111, targeting neuromuscular disorders and oncology; PEPRX101, focused on alopecia; PEPR202, targeting neuropathy; and PEPR112, focused on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

According to the project plan, the candidates are currently at TRL-4, with the objective of reaching TRL-6. Planned activities include advanced preclinical studies, investigational new drug (IND)-enabling research, formulation development and preparation for clinical trials. Progression will depend on scientific outcomes and applicable regulatory requirements.

The programme will also draw on global contract research organisation (CRO) networks to support development and validation. By pursuing four candidates under a common framework, Peptris aims to combine AI-enabled molecular discovery with experimental evidence and established pharmaceutical development practices.

Commenting on the agreement, TDB Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak said AI could significantly change the process of identifying and developing new drug candidates. He noted that translating promising discoveries into validated therapeutic candidates requires sustained financial investment, rigorous scientific assessment and a structured development pathway.

Pathak said the RDI Fund was supporting technology-intensive initiatives to bridge the gap between innovation and clinical development while building India’s capabilities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and AI-enabled healthcare.

A representative of Peptris Technologies Private Limited said the financial support would help the company advance its VIGOR programme through important preclinical development milestones. The representative highlighted the integration of AI-based discovery, experimental validation and established drug-development methods as central to the company’s efforts to address unmet medical needs.

The agreement comes amid growing interest in the application of AI across pharmaceutical research, including molecular identification and the development of potential new therapies. However, drug candidates must still demonstrate safety, efficacy and compliance with regulatory requirements before they can be approved for clinical use.

Through the VIGOR programme, TDB and Peptris aim to accelerate the development of selected AI-discovered molecules and strengthen the translation of research into potential therapeutic products. The project’s eventual clinical and medical outcomes will depend on successful development, validation and regulatory clearances.