Chicago The Musical 2026 in Dubai

Chicago The Musical 2026 in Dubai brings one of Broadway’s most famous shows to Coca-Cola Arena for eight performances from Wednesday 16 to Sunday 20 December. Presented by Marquee Global Events and Orbis Global Events, the production promises Broadway brilliance through jazz, scandal and iconic choreography, and it is billed as the first Broadway theatrical production to play the arena. With five days of shows in the run-up to the holidays, there are several chances to fit it into a festive week.

The story of Chicago

Chicago is set in the Jazz Age city of the 1920s. Roxie Hart, a nightclub dancer desperate for fame, shoots her lover and lands in the Cook County Jail. There she meets Velma Kelly, a vaudeville star accused of a double murder, who has been using her notoriety to stay in the headlines. Both women hire the smooth lawyer Billy Flynn, and both set out to turn their trials into a media circus, competing for the spotlight in a city where celebrity and scandal sell newspapers.

It is a sharp satire about fame, crime and the press, played with dark humour, and it feels as fresh now as when it opened.

Based on real cases

The story has roots in fact. The musical is based on a 1926 play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, a reporter who covered the Chicago courthouse beat. Roxie Hart was inspired by Beulah Annan and Velma Kelly by Belva Gaertner, two women tried for murder in 1924. Both were acquitted, and the newspaper frenzy around them gave Watkins her material.

The creators and the history

Chicago has music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, the team behind Cabaret, with a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Fosse also directed and choreographed the original Broadway production, which opened in June 1975 and ran for 936 performances.

The show’s second life began with the 1996 Broadway revival, choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse. It won six Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, and became the longest-running revival in Broadway history and the longest-running American musical on Broadway, overtaking Cats in 2014. The London revival that followed in 1997 became the longest-running American musical in West End history, and the 2002 film adaptation won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The songs and the dancing

Chicago is written in a vaudeville style, with many numbers staged like old-time variety acts. The ticket page highlights three songs that many people know before they ever see the show:

• All That Jazz, Velma’s opening number and the show’s calling card.
• Cell Block Tango, in which the murderesses of the jail explain why “he had it coming”.
• Razzle Dazzle, Billy Flynn’s guide to winning over a jury with showmanship.

Other favourites include “Roxie”, “Mister Cellophane”, “All I Care About” and “Nowadays”. Then there is the choreography: the turned-in knees, rolled shoulders, bowler hats and sharp isolations of Fosse’s style, which are as much the star of Chicago as any character.

At Coca-Cola Arena

Coca-Cola Arena, in the City Walk area, is Dubai’s largest indoor entertainment venue, more often used for concerts and comedy than for musicals, which is what makes this run unusual. Performance times vary across the eight shows, so check the time for your chosen date when booking. The cast has not been announced on the ticket page.

Tickets and entry

• The show is for ages 12 and over, and government-issued photo ID may be required. Younger teenagers must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.
• Tickets are issued in the Platinumlist app, with the QR code available 48 hours before the show.
• There is no re-entry once your ticket is scanned, and sales are final unless the event is cancelled or rescheduled.
• Buy only through official channels, as resold tickets may be cancelled.
• Smoking, drugs and weapons are prohibited, and camera and recording use may be restricted.

Getting there

By car, take exit 47 from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Al Safa Street and follow the signs for City Walk. By Metro, take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station and walk a few minutes to the arena. Most taxi drivers know the venue well.

Who it suits

Chicago is made for musical theatre fans, anyone who loves the 2002 film, and people who want a stylish, grown-up night out in December. The 12-plus age rule makes it a good choice for teenagers who are into dance or musicals, but its themes of murder, adultery and corruption are handled with wit rather than gore. If you have only seen the film, the stage version is leaner and more theatrical, and the dancing lands differently live.

For more ideas, see our guide to shows and theatre in Dubai, browse things to do in December, or find more things to do in Dubai.