Shaq shares 'confidential' Abu Dhabi event calender

NBA superstar and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has recently stirred up buzz by sharing what he calls a 'private and confidential' events calendar for Abu Dhabi’s 2024-2025 season. The calendar highlights an impressive lineup of performances featuring global icons like Coldplay, Andrea Bocelli, and more, along with various cultural festivals.

Shaq shares 'confidential' Abu Dhabi event calender

Shaq's post, which reads, “Yo @IAmSteveHarvey, I just got the inside scoop! Can’t wait to see what’s coming — this lineup is gonna be LEGENDARY!” quickly caught attention. In the past, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has collaborated with Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Harvey, and Emirati actor Ahmed Al Jasmi to promote various events.

Yo @IAmSteveHarvey, I just got the inside scoop! Can’t wait to see what’s coming—this lineup is gonna be LEGENDARY!

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL: https://t.co/AL69U1Aypn

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) September 18, 2024

At the same time, DCT Abu Dhabi is rolling out its new campaign, "Passion is the Occasion". This fully integrated effort is being showcased across billboards, radio, television, and social media, aiming to attract both locals and tourists to the diverse offerings in Abu Dhabi. Steve Harvey leads the first video of this campaign, providing glimpses of the 2024-2025 events lineup. This includes not only Andrea Bocelli but also the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 and the UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway MMA event. Cultural highlights include the Liwa Village, Liwa International Festival, and the Al Hosn Festival.

Abu Dhabi Calendar was also unveiled, celebrating events that inspire people to embrace their passions - across sports, culture, music & entertainment. Users can easily save the most important dates for key performances in 2024-25 season in their Google calendar or iCal.

Meanwhile, the Arabic version of the campaign, featuring Ahmed Al Jasmi, gives an even deeper look into the events planned from September 2024 to May 2025. The creative direction of this campaign was led by Serviceplan Middle East, with PR handled by Memac Ogilvy, supported by Media Spark and DCT's in-house team.

Shaq's calendar leak unveils an exciting array of cultural and entertainment offerings. In addition to the musical highlights, the events will also include the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, hosted by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan. Other performers lined up are the Backstreet Boys, comedian Matt Rife, A.R. Rahman, Maroon 5, Muse, and Eminem. 

There’s also the region's first-ever Afterlife event, with top DJs at the Yasalam Official After-Party. The calendar isn't just about music; it also offers sporting events, including the NBA Abu Dhabi Games, alongside culinary experiences that promise to tantalize food lovers.

Shaquille O’Neal’s connection to Abu Dhabi isn’t new; he has previously partnered with DCT to explore the culinary scene and even attempted to sing in Arabic in a campaign for Yas Island. This latest event calendar only adds to his growing relationship with the city.