IIFA Awards 2027 in Abu Dhabi

IIFA Awards 2027 is a weekend dedicated to Indian cinema, held in Abu Dhabi. The International Indian Film Academy programme combines the awards ceremony with a wider run of events and celebrations built around film, culture and entertainment. It sits in the Desi Events category and counts as a concert-style night out for fans of Bollywood.

The programme brings together leading film talent, industry figures, international media, brands and audiences. Names taking part include Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Rashmika Mandanna, Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Karan Johar, Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday and Maniesh Paul, with more guests to come. Across the weekend, the events are described as a landmark series centred on the stories and stars of Indian cinema.

The venue is Etihad Arena, a large indoor arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Yas Island is the capital's entertainment district, home to theme parks, Yas Marina and a cluster of hotels, restaurants and waterfront spots, so it is easy to turn the evening into a longer outing. For anyone living in Dubai, it is a drive of roughly an hour to an hour and a half by car, which makes it a realistic trip for a weekend of this kind.

The weekend suits Bollywood followers, families of film lovers and anyone curious about how Indian cinema is celebrated on a big stage. Expect a large crowd and an event-style atmosphere rather than a quiet evening. The series includes public, ticketed events as well as invitation-only ones, so not every part of the programme is open to general ticket holders.

IIFA is known as a travelling celebration of Indian film, and Abu Dhabi has hosted it before, which gives the weekend a natural home in the UAE capital. Plan your transport in advance, as Yas Island draws big crowds on major event nights.