Grammy-winning global icon Alicia Keys. SUPPLIED

Abu Dhabi is set to welcome 2026 with the unmistakable voice of global music icon Alicia Keys, who has been confirmed as the New Year’s Eve headliner at Saadiyat Nights. The special performance on December 31 marks the return of the 17-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, pianist, and producer to Saadiyat Island following her sold-out appearance at the venue in 2024. The concert is part of Saadiyat Nights, Abu Dhabi’s flagship open-air concert series, which has become a seasonal highlight for music lovers in the UAE. With a career spanning more than two decades, Keys is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of her generation. Since the release of her landmark debut album Songs in A Minor in 2001, she has sold more than 65 million records worldwide, amassed over five billion streams, and earned the title of the No. 1 RIAA-certified female R&B artist of the millennium. Her catalogue includes some of the most iconic songs of the 21st century, from the piano-led ballads If I Ain’t Got You and No One to the anthemic Empire State of Mind and Girl on Fire. Known for her emotionally charged performances and powerful connection with audiences, Keys’ New Year’s Eve show is expected to deliver a mix of soulful classics and crowd-favourite hits. Alicia Keys joins a stellar Saadiyat Nights lineup that includes Ludovico Einaudi, Lewis Capaldi, John Mayer, Max Richter, Ricky Martin, Mariah Carey, and Bryan Adams, with more international acts yet to be announced. Tickets for Saadiyat Nights are now available via Ticketmaster.ae. CAM/Expat Media
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