December is the busiest month for events in Dubai. Companies hold year-end dinners and staff celebrations, hotels plan their New Year’s Eve (NYE) programmes, and many guests expect the evening to include something of the region’s culture. Live Arabic music can do that well, as long as it is planned around the way the evening actually runs.
This guide is for event planners, HR and marketing teams, and hotel entertainment managers. It covers the practical decisions: timing, line-up, repertoire, sound and booking, based on what we have learned performing at events across the UAE with the Angham Al Oud ensemble.
1. Start with the shape of the evening
Before choosing musicians, sketch the evening hour by hour. Most corporate and NYE events in Dubai follow a similar pattern, and each part needs a different kind of music:
- Arrival and networking: soft instrumental music that lets guests talk, such as solo oud or oud with light percussion.
- Dinner: instrumental pieces or gentle tarab at a low volume, so conversation at the tables stays easy.
- Speeches, awards and announcements: the music stops completely, then returns on a clear cue.
- The main set: a fuller band with vocals, playing songs the guests know and can sing along to.
- Countdown and after midnight: on NYE, a short, well-rehearsed moment around midnight, then either a final set or a handover to a DJ.
Our performance time is usually up to two hours, and it can be split across the evening: for example, a calm set during the welcome and a fuller set before the countdown.
2. Match the line-up to the room and the guests
A bigger band is not always better. The right size depends on the space, the number of guests and how much attention you want the music to take:
- Solo oud, or oud with vocals: receptions, executive dinners and smaller private rooms.
- Duo (oud and tabla): networking areas and medium-sized dinners where you want a little more rhythm.
- Trio: oud and tabla, plus nay, qanun or a singer, depending on the mood of the event.
- Takht sharqi or full band with vocals: oud, qanun, nay, violin and percussion for ballrooms, gala dinners and main stages. Read more about the takht sharqi in Dubai.
Line-ups can also be combined: solo oud at the entrance during arrivals, then the full band in the main hall later in the evening.
3. Plan the speeches and the countdown in detail
Most problems on the night happen at transitions. Share the run-of-show with the band in advance and agree on a few points: who gives the cue before each speech, how long the awards segment will take, and when the music should come back. Under the artistic direction of Wael Salah, the ensemble works directly with the MC and the venue’s sound team, so the music pauses and returns at the right moments.
On New Year’s Eve, decide early who leads the countdown (usually the MC), which song plays straight after midnight, and whether guests will go outside to watch fireworks. If a DJ takes over after midnight, agree on the handover time so the change feels smooth rather than abrupt.
4. Choose a repertoire for an international audience
Corporate guest lists in Dubai often include many nationalities. A balanced programme usually works well: instrumental pieces and taqasim (improvisation on the Arabic maqamat) for the quieter parts of the evening, then well-known Egyptian, Levantine and Khaliji songs for the main set, with touches of Emirati heritage where appropriate. Guests who know the songs can join in, and those hearing them for the first time still enjoy a warm, authentic sound.
If there are songs that matter to your company or your team, tell us beforehand. We welcome requests and agree on the final programme with you before the event.
5. Venue, sound and logistics
- Sound: hotels and event venues usually provide the sound system, and we coordinate with their technical team in advance. For smaller private venues, we can bring a sound system for a modest extra fee.
- Space: plan a small stage or a clear area near the guests, armless chairs for the musicians, and a power point nearby.
- Outdoor terraces: December evenings in Dubai are pleasant but can be breezy and humid. A covered or sheltered spot protects the instruments and keeps the sound clear.
- Arrival on NYE: traffic and road closures are common on New Year’s Eve, especially around Downtown Dubai. Agree on early arrival, loading access and parking with the venue, so everything is ready before the first guests come in.
6. Book early in the season
Year-end parties, UAE National Day celebrations and weddings all fall in the same few weeks, so December dates fill quickly. It is technically possible to book just a day ahead, but for corporate events and NYE we recommend getting in touch as soon as your date and venue are confirmed. Based in Dubai, we perform in all seven emirates.
7. What to send us when you enquire
- The date, venue and emirate
- The approximate number of guests and the main nationalities
- The timings: start and end, speeches, awards and the countdown
- Whether the performance is indoors or outdoors
- Any line-up in mind, and any songs you would like included
With these details, we can suggest a line-up and a timeline that fit your evening.
About Angham Al Oud
Angham Al Oud is led by Wael Salah, an Egyptian oud player and singer and the founder of the Rouh Dubai Choir (Dubai Opera). Since 2019, the ensemble has performed at weddings, corporate events, hotels and cultural evenings across the UAE, including the Liwa International Festival 2026. See everything our Arabic band in Dubai offers.
To plan the music for your year-end or New Year’s Eve event, send us your details through the booking form or on WhatsApp at +971 54 344 6440.