The K-pop festival lights up Etihad Park on 22 November 2025.

The capital is closing out the year with a milestone for K-pop fans. Following a blockbuster 2025 that welcomed Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and Usher, the capital will host the first Middle East edition of DREAM Concert Abu Dhabi at Etihad Park on 22 November 2025. Long celebrated in South Korea and around the world, the festival now arrives in the UAE with a promise of stadium-sized production and crowd-pleasing setlists.

For thirty years, DREAM Concert has been a launchpad and a victory lap for the genre’s biggest names. First staged in 1995, it has grown into the longest-running K-pop festival on the planet, beloved for its mix of star power and scale. The 31st edition brings that legacy to Abu Dhabi, giving regional fans the chance to experience the energy and community that have made the event a global fixture.

The official DREAM Concert lineup includes a roll call of chart-topping acts, precision choreography and the kind of production values that define modern K-pop.

iii

Taking to the stage in Abu Dhabi is iii — the six-member girl group that made its debut last month with their album, Re:al iii. The band takes its name from the word “inspiration”, which has three “i”s and is expected to wow the Abu Dhabi crowd with their presence at DREAM Concert in the capital. 

ALL(H)OURS

Next-gen favourites ALL(H)OURS show rookie hunger with veteran focus. Their sets move fast, built on tight formations, bold rap breaks and instantly sticky choruses. Social buzz and stage confidence have made them ones to watch, and their live energy scales from intimate fan moments to full-throttle finales. It is punchy, modern K-pop designed for big rooms and bigger reactions.

ATEEZ

ATEEZ bring high-octane precision and cinematic storytelling to every stage. Their razor-sharp choreography, booming hooks and cohesive concepts have turned world tours into mass sing-alongs. That fierce, battle-ready aura also fuels KPop Demon Hunters, where their spirit inspires the fictional idol group The Saja Boys. Expect explosive transitions, tight rap lines and a crowd that knows every chant by heart.

Bang Ye-dam

Bang Ye-dam, popularly known as Korean Justin Bieber, is heading to Abu Dhabi as part of the DREAM lineup. He catapulted to fame after competing on K-pop Star 2 as a solo artist and was formerly also part of TREASURE. Some of his hit songs include Wayo, Only One, and Miss You. With over one million followers on Instagram, he’s guaranteed to get the crowd buzzing in the capital.

Red Velvet

Red Velvet remain K-pop’s masters of duality, pairing bright, playful pop with sleek R&B. Their layered vocals and refined visuals have shaped a generation of girl groups, while the lore of KPop Demon Hunters threads them in through heroine Rumi (“Ejae”). Onstage, they glide from velvet-smooth harmonies to sugar-rush choruses, reminding fans why their catalogue is a modern classic.

tripleS

Rising collective tripleS twists the idol blueprint with a modular concept and fan-guided unit lineups. The result is fresh chemistry each era, fusing alt-pop textures, airy harmonies and nimble choreography. Their rotating sub-units keep the sound evolving while the visuals lean clean and fashion-forward. It is forward-thinking K-pop that still lands with earworm hooks and sleek performance polish.

Xikers

Hailing from South Korea, the ten-member boy band Xikers will also be one of the headlining acts at DREAM Concert. The band made their debut in 2023 with House of Tricky: Doorbell Ringing. Known for blending brilliant music with epic dance skills, Xikers is one act to look forward to in Abu Dhabi.

DREAM Concert’s format pairs larger-than-life group performances with special stages and surprises, turning a single night into a panoramic snapshot of the scene. Etihad Park, with its open-air setting and festival infrastructure, sets the stage for a show built on light, sound and spectacle.

The UAE has been riding the K-pop wave in full force in recent years. From fan clubs to sold-out concerts, the appetite for Korean music and culture here has only grown stronger over the years. The announcement of the DREAM concert adds to the excitement.

Glowsticks at the ready, this is the date to mark on your calendar.

GO: Visit https://dreamconcert.ae for more information.