Lights, Engines, Encore: Katy Perry, Metallica & Benson Boone Headline the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix After-Race Concerts
Source: Ethara
Reported By: Matthew Kennedy
April 25th, 2025 — The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix isn’t just the final showdown on the calendar—it’s a crescendo of speed, spectacle, and now, once again, world-class music. As the twilight race returns from December 4–7, 2025, organizers Ethara have unveiled an electrifying slate of after-race concerts that rivals any music festival: Katy Perry, Metallica, and Benson Boone will each take the stage at Etihad Park, delivering the kind of global entertainment the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has become famous for.
With its signature twilight finish, sprawling cultural program, and reputation for drawing international A-listers, Abu Dhabi’s race weekend has long transcended the sport itself. The 2025 edition promises an immersive four-day experience—equal parts Grand Prix and grand celebration.
Headliners That Span Generations and Genres
Thursday, December 4 – Benson Boone
Launching the festivities is Benson Boone, the breakout American artist with a nostalgic pop sensibility and a rapidly growing fanbase. Known for hits like “Beautiful Things” and “Slow It Down,” Boone brings the freshness of Gen Z stardom with the soul of a seasoned balladeer.
Saturday, December 6 – Metallica
Midway through race weekend, Metallica ignites the night. The heavy metal titans and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees will bring decades of hard-rock anthems to Yas Island, promising a performance that will be as thunderous as the F1 engines themselves.
Sunday, December 7 – Katy Perry
After the chequered flag waves, Katy Perry closes the weekend with her signature theatrical flair. The pop superstar, behind multi-platinum chart-toppers like “Firework,” “Roar,” and “Teenage Dream,” brings a technicolor finale to what is already the most glamorous stop on the F1 calendar.
A fourth Friday night performer is yet to be revealed, keeping anticipation high for the complete lineup.
More Than a Race—A Weekend Destination
Abu Dhabi’s Grand Prix is more than a sporting event—it’s a four-day lifestyle escape. Guests can enjoy complimentary access to world-renowned attractions such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, along with cultural landmarks including Qasr Al Watan and Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The concerts are exclusive to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holders, with Golden Circle upgrades offering unparalleled proximity to the performers. It's an opportunity to experience intimate access to global icons, set against the architectural drama of Yas Marina Circuit.
Last year’s edition set the bar high with a record 190,000 attendees and earned F1’s “Best Event Spectacle” award. In 2025, the race returns with greater momentum, heightened expectations, and unmatched entertainment value.
“A Celebration of Culture, Speed, and Sound”
“The Yasalam programme is a highlight of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race weekend. We are delighted with the lineup for 2025 and look forward to welcoming fans from all over the world for four days of unmissable entertainment on and off the track.”
David Powell, Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer at Ethara
As the only twilight race in the F1 circuit, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix offers cinematic visuals: golden-hour grid drama fading into night under the Yas Island lights. But what sets it apart isn’t just how it looks—it’s the way it feels. The roar of the track gives way to the pulse of live music. The adrenaline of racing blends seamlessly with curated culinary, cultural, and artistic programming.
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix reaffirms its place as the most anticipated finale in international motorsport—and now, with Katy Perry, Metallica, and Benson Boone added to the mix, it might just be the most sonically spectacular as well.