Shakira and Christina Aguilera Abu Dhabi Concerts Cancelled

Entertainment Organisers have confirmed the cancellation of a UAE performance by US pop singer Christina Aguilera alongside a major Abu Dhabi festival headlined by Shakira, against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Iran has escalated attacks on Emirati maritime vessels in recent weeks following the collapse of a ceasefire last month. In response, the United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday a full suspension of trade and financial transactions with Iran, citing a recent Iranian missile strike targeted at its shipping fleet.

Following these developments, organisers of November's Offlimits music festival—where Shakira was set to perform—officially called off the event on Tuesday and pledged full ticket refunds.

“We look forward to bringing the OFFLIMITS community together again in 2027,” stated a message published on the event's website, which did not explicitly detail the grounds for the cancellation.

In a parallel update, ticketing portal Ticketmaster confirmed that Christina Aguilera’s September 25 show has been cancelled without a rescheduled date, according to local Emirati outlets. Both events were previously slated for April before being postponed.

Gulf nations, notably the UAE—traditionally viewed as an island of stability in the region—continue to navigate the economic fallout of recurring Iranian strikes. While the frequency and severity of these attacks on Emirati territory have somewhat receded, the region's tourism and cultural sectors remain noticeably impacted.