Our picks: 9 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 November 3
Meet the dead at Bu!
The pan-Latino restaurant celebrates the Mexican festival The Day Of The Dead tonight with a special party.
World Trade Center Mall, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 3am. Tel: (02) 3048179. Taxi: World Trade Center Mall. butrinity.com
Eat an anniversary meal at Etihad Towers
In honour of the Jumeirah at Etihad Tower’s fifth anniversary, diners will be able to enjoy five-course celebratory menus from Brasserie Angelique, Bice, Tori No Su, Li Beirut and Ray’s Grill this month. All priced for Dhs225, the menus feature everything from herb crusted rack of lamb at Brasserie Angelique and crab cakes at Ray’s Grill to nutella tart with coffee cream at Bice and Umm Ali at Li Beirut.
Jumeirah At Etihad Towers, West Corniche, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, Dhs225 for five-course set menu. Tel: (02) 8115555. Taxi: Etihad Towers. jumeirah.com
Check out the World Rafting Championships
The IRF World Rafting Championship takes place in the Garden City for the very first time. Featuring the largest turnout in the history of the event, 86 teams from 28 countries (including China, Nepal, Brazil, Japan and the UAE) will be competing at Wadi Adventure for the title of World Champion. The theme park will also host a kid’s carnival, live music and dance performances as well as a craft market and food stalls during the event. Entry is free for guests, including access to the swimming pool and open beach, but rides will cost extra. Until November 5.
Wadi Adventure, Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, 8am to 5pm, free entry. Tel: (03) 7818422. Taxi: Wadi Adventure, Al Ain. wadiadventure.ae
Friday November 4
Check out the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open
Abu Dhabi is making sporting history this weekend with the staging of the inaugural Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. It’s the first women’s professional golf event to be held in the UAE capital. Visitors to the tournament over the weekend can of course expect to see some great golf (the standard on the ladies tour is mightily impressive, with England’s Georgia Hall firing a flawless course record eight-under par round of 64 on Thursday), but as we’ve come to expect with major sporting events held in the capital, there’s plenty of entertainment to be had besides the golf.
The tournament offers an action-packed four days of interactive experiences in the village, golf clinics, health and wellness classes, children’s activities, competitions, cuising and many relaxing spots to just relax and enjoy the panoramic vistas of the picturesque Saadiyat Island.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, until November 5, free to attend. Taxi: Saadiyat Beach Golf Club. fbmladiesopen.com
Korea Festival
A celebration of all things Korean, from music to food to dance and kids workshops. It runs for two days in Abu Dhabi and then runs in Al Ain on November 6.
Various locations including Corniche, Abu Dhabi, 4pm to 11pm, free entry. Tel: (02) 491 7227. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Corniche. uae.korean-culture.org
Go to brunch
The Foundry have tweaked their brunch – they added a tacos and ceviche bar, a clam chowder station, plus plenty of new desserts including red velvet cheesecake.
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, Fri 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs275 to Dhs442. Tel: 02 8184888. Taxi: Southern Sun hotel, near Corniche Hospital. tsogosunhotels.com
Saturday November 5
Head to Ripe Market
Grab some organic fruit and veg every Saturday, plus gluten free products and superfoods.
Mother Of The Nation Park, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, Fri 3pm to 10pm, Dhs5 entry fee. Tel: (02) 6669559. Taxi: Mother Of The Nation Park on Karamah Street. ummalemaratpark.ae
Brunch like an Italian
Carluccio’s has launched a new a la carte brunch in the capital. The Eastern Mangroves outlet of the Italian chain will host a four-hour long brunch on Fridays and Saturdays. Dishes include a full breakfast menu of eggs, arancini, bruschetta, two types of pizza, vegetarian risottos as well as tiramisu and pannacotta that will be served family style, straight to your table.
Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 11am to 3pm, Dhs175 for soft drinks, Dhs245 for house beverages and Dhs295 for bubbles. Tel: (02) 4413814. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves Promenade. carluccios.com
Try out cupping at the spa
A-list actresses including Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and Lena Dunham have all tried the alternative health practice, which is said to help reduce cellulite, promote weight loss and help the body detox. The Cup Kiss full body massage at Tips and Toes will see silicone vacuum cups suctioned onto your skin and then drained. But be warned, bruising is likely.
Tips and Toes, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs275 during the month of November or Dhs45 as a 5 to 15-minute add-on. Tel: (02) 6509054. Taxi: Next to Saadiyat Beach Residences. tipsandtoes.com