Wasla Festival 2026 in Dubai

Wasla Festival 2026 in Dubai is a one-night, one-stage music festival at Jubilee Park, Expo City Dubai, on Saturday 28 November, with Marcel Khalife, Le Trio Joubran, TootArd and Fatima on the bill. Wasla means connection in Arabic, and the festival is built around that idea: four acts from different generations and styles, sharing one stage in support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

Doors open at 4:30pm and the music starts at 6pm, with the evening running until around 11pm. The tagline is “Connecting Voices. Changing Lives.”, and the festival describes itself as music without borders.

The line-up

Marcel Khalife

Born in 1950 in Amsheet, Lebanon, Marcel Khalife is a composer, singer and oud player who has been performing since 1972. He studied oud at the Beirut National Conservatory, formed the Al Mayadine Ensemble in 1976, and is often called the Bob Dylan of the Middle East for the way his songs became anthems across the Arab world. Much of his best-loved work sets the poetry of Mahmoud Darwish, and the festival lists “My Mother” (Oummi) alongside his name. He was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2005, and his larger works include Concerto Al Andalus and Andalusia of Love.

Le Trio Joubran

Le Trio Joubran are three brothers, Samir, Wissam and Adnan Joubran, from Nazareth, who play together on three ouds. The trio formed in 2004 and has released albums including Randana, Majâz, AsFâr and The Long March. They have twice won the Muhr award for best soundtrack at the Dubai International Film Festival, and in 2019 they featured on Coldplay’s single “Arabesque”. The festival lists their piece “Masâr”, and watching three ouds weave around each other live is one of the highlights of any bill they are on.

TootArd

TootArd were formed in 2010 by brothers Hasan and Rami Nakhleh, who grew up in Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, and the line-up includes saxophonist Amr Mdah. The name is Arabic for “earth berries”, and the band calls its sound “mountain rock reggae”: a mix of desert blues, reggae, psychedelic rock and vintage Middle Eastern retro-pop. Their albums include Laissez Passer and Migrant Birds, and the festival lists their song “Moonlight”. Expect the most dance-friendly set of the evening.

Fatima

Fatima is the contemporary voice on the bill, a vocalist the festival describes as fusing soulful R&B, jazz and contemporary Middle Eastern influences. Her set brings a modern, groove-led contrast to the oud-led acts.

The organisers have not published a running order or set times, so plan to be there from the 6pm start if you want to see all four.

The cause: supporting UNHCR

This year Wasla is held in support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its work protecting displaced families with shelter, healthcare, education and the essentials they need to rebuild their lives. The theme fits the line-up: several of the artists have spent their careers writing and playing about home, travel and belonging, which gives the night a more reflective edge than a standard concert. The festival credits BRAG among its partners.

Jubilee Park on the night

Jubilee Park is the large open-air events space at Expo City Dubai, the former Expo 2020 site, and is one of the city’s main outdoor concert venues in the cooler months. For Wasla, staff will guide you to your assigned section and seat number, so it is a seated evening rather than a standing crowd. Have your digital or printed ticket ready to scan at your entry gate and keep it to hand, as checks continue inside.

The festival is in Arabic and English, and the venue asks guests to dress with elegance and style. Overly casual or provocative clothing, such as flip-flops, is discouraged, and guests who do not comply may be refused entry.

What to leave at home

• Bags larger than 30 x 30 x 15 cm, power banks, laptops and tablets.
• Outside food and drink, apart from baby food and medically required items.
• Glass, umbrellas, folding or inflatable seats, perfume over 20ml and drinks containers of any kind.
• Professional cameras, lenses over 35mm, tripods, selfie sticks, drones and lasers; professional photography and recording are not allowed.
• Bikes, scooters and skateboards, plus political or religious flags and banners.

The event will be professionally filmed and photographed, and entry means agreeing to appear in festival and partner promotion.

Who it suits and getting there

Wasla is for all ages. Guests aged 3 and over need a ticket, children aged 2 and under can sit on a parent’s or guardian’s lap without one, and anyone under 18 must be with an adult aged 18 or over. That makes it a rare chance for families to share a night of classic Arabic music, and for younger fans of TootArd or Fatima to see two of the region’s great oud acts. People of Determination need a valid POD ticket, which includes a companion pass; these are limited and allocated first come, first served.

By car, head south on Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), take exit 20 onto Expo Road (E77), continue along Boulevard 2020 and turn onto Street 8; the venue is on the right. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are an easy alternative. For more evenings like this, see our concerts in Dubai, art and culture picks, what is on in November and more things to do in Dubai.