Abu Dhabi's biggest comedy event is back for a third edition, and there's a fresh draw for Filipino fans: beloved Eat Bulaga! duo Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola will perform live on 22 November at Etihad Arena.
The pair are longtime stars of the Philippines' iconic lunchtime variety show, famous for their quick banter, recurring characters and comedy rooted in everyday Filipino life. For millions of viewers who grew up with Eat Bulaga! as a lunchtime fixture, seeing the duo's Tondo-meets-Naga chemistry on a live stage is a rare treat. Tickets start at Dhs95 and are available through the Etihad Arena website.
They're joining a strong international bill running through October and November. LA-based Morgan Jay, a semifinalist on NBC's Bring the Funny known for auto-tuned, crowd-driven sets built on viral social clips, opens the season on 11 October. Palestinian-American storyteller Mo Amer, whose material draws on immigration and life between two cultures, takes the stage on 6 November, followed a day later by Iranian-American Maz Jobrani, who mines family dynamics and cultural stereotypes for laughs. Russell Peters, no stranger to UAE audiences and the first comedian to sell out both London's O2 Arena and Madison Square Garden, rounds out the headline names.
All shows take place at Etihad Arena, the waterfront venue on Yas Island that has become the capital's go-to spot for major tours. Timing works in travellers' favour too: October and November bring Abu Dhabi's cooler months, so a comedy night pairs easily with Yas Island's theme parks, the Corniche and a beach weekend.
If you're a Filipino expat in the Gulf, a fan of any of the headliners, or just planning a city break with some laughs built in, this is a good excuse to book. Dates are spread across two months, so you can build a trip around the act you most want to see. Tickets for the full season go through ticketmaster.ae, with the season's updates on @adcomedyseason.
