Our picks: 16 things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend
What’s On has a full list of all the things to do for the weekend in Abu Dhabi, including workshops, deals, sports, entertainment and new openings.
It’s the start of the weekend, folks! But if you’re not sure what you’re doing yet, don’t worry. What’s On has the perfect solution, whatever mood you are in.
Thursday October 27
Get fit at TrainZSC
Run up and down the stairs at the Zayed Sports City stadium to build muscle and increase your cardiovascular strength at a free “vertical training” sessions. You need to register in advance.
Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya, Abu Dhabi, Thur 6pm to 9pm, free. Taxi: Zayed Sports City. trainzsc.com
Scoff chillies at Jones The Grocer
The new menu at Jones The Grocer features nine different chillies in dishes such as fire-roasted tomato and chipotle chilli soup, and buttermilk fried chicken and sriracha slaw burger.
Pearl Plaza Tower, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thur 8am to 11.30pm, Fri and Sat 9am to 11.30pm. Tel: (02) 6395883. Taxi: opposite BMW Showroom. jonesthegrocer.com
Warm up round a bonfire on Sir Bani Yas
Sample traditional African cuisine at an island resort on Sir Bani Yas Island. Every Thursday night the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort will be serving dishes including boerewors, grilled venison and African Mielie Pap (a type of porridge) alfresco style at this traditional barbecue and bonfire.
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villas Resort, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur 7pm to 10pm, Dhs280 with soft drinks, Dhs390 with house drinks. Tel: (02) 8015400. sir-bani-yas-island.anantara.com
Learn more about Korea
Theatre performances, make-up tutorials and movie screenings are on the menu at a cultural festival celebrating Korea.
Various locations including National Theatre, Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 4917227. Taxi: National Theatre. uae.koreanculture.org
Jump to a fitter you
A recently launched exercise class at Peak Fitness will see you do a fast-paced low-impact cardio workout on a mini trampoline. Don’t worry if you’re clumsy, there’s a metal pole attached to the mat you can hold on to for extra stability. In addition to jumping, there’ll also be some weight and core exercise to help tone the entire body. The gym offers three classes including ladies-only, mixed and kids.
Fitness LLC, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, Sun, Tue and Thur, 5pm, Dhs60. Tel: (02) 4433566. Taxi: inside Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
Friday October 28
Anime, manga and more on Yas
Mad for manga? Like to bop to some J-Pop? The du Forum celebrates Japanese culture at a new festival this weekend. ANI:ME is a three-day event from the organisers of Middle East Film And Comic Con and Games Middle East and will feature Japanese anime (comics and animation), manga films, Japanese cinema, computer games, fashion and also food from the Land Of The Rising Sun. Cosplay characters will also be in attendance (and visitors are encouraged to dress up also).
du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur 2pm, Fri and Sat 11am until late, Dhs95 to Dhs555. Tel: (800) 86342. Taxi: du Forum. tickets.virginmegastore.me
Run a kilomarathon
Run 26.2 kilometres under the floodlights of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club for charity.
The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, 7pm. Tel: (02) 6169999. Taxi: Westin Hotel. Westinabudhabigolfresort.com
Chill at new bar Eclipse
Four Seasons Abu Dhabi’s new rooftop lounge has a live DJ on the decks every Friday night.
Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, 6.30pm to 11pm. Taxi: Four Seasons. Tel: (02) 3332222. fourseasons.com/abudhabi
The NeoRun returns to the capital
If you’re partial to a zombie movie or things that go bump in the night, you might want to get out your costumes and face paint for Abu Dhabi’s second NeoRun. Hosted at Zayed Sports City, it’s a fun run that sees runners get splattered with glowing paint as they make their way through a Halloween-themed spooky track (it’s split into zones: one is a haunted house, another is called Demon Dolls). Participants can again, for the second year running, celebrate crossing the finish line at the psychedelic Enigma Party, complete with DJs.
Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya, Abu Dhabi, 7pm, Dhs165 to Dhs185. Tel: (02) 4034200. Taxi: Zayed Sports City. neorun.com
Make a splash at a Halloween pool party
Aloft Abu Dhabi’s Liquid Rain pool party gets a Halloween twist this month. There’ll be live music, water games, entertainers and much more. Guests should get creative with their fancy dress outfits – this is a pool party, after all.
Aloft Abu Dhabi, Adnec, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 3am, ladies free until midnight, Dhs50 afterwards, Dhs100 gents. Tel: (02) 6545193. Taxi: Adnec. aloftabudhabi.com
Eat Indian food
Head to Avasa on Saadiyat Island for a sit-down brunch serving veg biryani.
The Collection, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs149 to Dhs249. Tel: (02) 6742221. Taxi: St Regis Saadiyat Island. theroyalorchidgroup.com
Saturday October 29
Sip some tea, eat some cakes
The Rosewood’s afternoon tea will have you nibbling on English scones,
chocolate tarts and caramel mille feuille.
Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Abu Dhabi, 3pm to 6pm, Dhs120. Taxi: Rosewood, Maryah Island. Tel: (02) 8135552. rosewoodhotels.com
Scoff some new tacos
El Sombrero has six new tacos to try including tempura fish, braised lamb and fried shrimp.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Sun 6pm, Dhs99. Tel: (02) 6773333. Taxi: Sheraton. elsombreroabudhabi.com
Take a spin at a new cycle class
Take a 60-minute spin class at the recently opened DFiT cycling studio in the Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi. The class sees members hop on the bike for a 45-minute spin, followed by ten to 15 minutes of core strength workout (off the bike).
Dusit Thani, Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi, Fri to Wed, Dhs75. Tel: (02) 6988888. Taxi: Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi. dusit.com
Go on a spooky Yellow Boats tour for Halloween
Yellow Boats have launched new 60-minute night tours in Abu Dhabi just in time for Halloween. Until October 31, guests will be able to check out the city by moonlight from a route that will travel around Heritage Village, along the Corniche to Mina Port. Afterwards, you’ll double back to get a good look of Lulu Island before heading back to the Emirates Palace Marina to dock.
Emirates Palace Marina, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, 5.45pm departure, Dhs200, Dhs150 children. Tel: (04) 4328543. Taxi: Emirates Palace. theyellowboats.com
Celebrate Diwali
The Indian festival of lights falls on October 30 this year, and Dalma Mall is celebrating all weekend with an exhibition of artistic floor designs (known as rangoli), plus dancers and flash mobs and stilt walkers in traditional Indian dress.
Dalma Mall, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, Thur to Sat, 4.30pm to 10pm. Tel: (02) 5501717. Taxi: Dalma Mall. dalmamall.ae