This weekend Abu Dhabi stages one of the biggest events of its year.

Falcons, horses, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts will descend on Adnec, the vast national exhibitions centre, for the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, better known as Adihex.

It is part trade fair, part celebration of Emirati heritage, and part rodeo, with everything from falconry and equestrianism to hunting equipment, conservation and desert pursuits.

Nearly 380,000 people attended last year over 10 days. This time, policymakers and events executives in the UAE capital may be watching the turnstiles rather more closely than usual.

Adihex marks the beginning of a crucial four months for Abu Dhabi’s events calendar, and potentially one of the clearest tests yet of how far the capital is recovering from the economic and psychological shocks of the Iran war.

A little nervous frisson went through the events business recently when two international stars, Shakira and Christina Aguilera, pulled out of planned appearances in Abu Dhabi.

No security reason was given for either cancellation, and it would be wrong to assume one. But the timing inevitably prompted speculation.

The cancellations came as Washington and Tehran were ramping up the rhetoric, with Donald Trump‘s “Economic D-Day” threatening to turn the six-month conflict into a prolonged war of economic attrition.

Were Shakira and Aguilera canaries in the coal mine?

There is a lot riding on the answer. After six months of war, cancellations, postponements and disrupted travel, Abu Dhabi is approaching the most important part of an events calendar that has become increasingly significant to its economy and international reputation.

Events are big business. Adnec says its activities contributed more than AED9.2 billion ($2.5 billion) to the UAE economy last year, while generating 2.17 million hotel-room nights and supporting more than 70,000 jobs. Its venues hosted 1,149 events and attracted 6.3 million visitors.

Abu Dhabi, like Dubai, has made itself into a place where international industries convene. A packed conference hall provides something economic statistics cannot: visible evidence that thousands of foreign visitors remain willing to get on aircraft and do business here.

Two events matter above all. Appropriately, they showcase the two commodities on which modern Abu Dhabi has built much of its international influence: energy and money.

Crowded calendar

Adipec comes first when the giant energy gathering takes over Adnec from November 2 to 5, with around 239,000 visitors expected and over 2,250 exhibitors. Oil company chief executives rub shoulders with ministers, traders, financiers and the technology companies transforming the industry.

In a normal year it is a demonstration of Abu Dhabi’s central position in global energy. This year it has an additional significance.

Adnoc, the event’s principal sponsor, has spent much of 2026 managing the consequences of the most serious disruption to Gulf energy flows in decades. It will want the world’s energy industry back in Abu Dhabi in force.

So far Adipec remains firmly on the calendar, with programmes in preparation and speakers booked.

The season reaches its climax in early December, kicked off by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. There had been understandable questions over the race after Bahrain’s Grand Prix fell victim to regional turmoil, but it was recently confirmed that the AD race is going ahead as planned.

Beyond the visitors and hospitality revenues, the race provides Abu Dhabi with one of its biggest global television showcases of the year.