Our picks: 9 things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend

Written by:
Andy Sherwood
22nd February 2018

Your guide to all the events taking place in the nation’s capital

Thursday March 22

Check out the Mother Of The Nation Festival

The third Mother Of The Nation Festival starts today and it’s set to be a special one – once again it’s on at the city’s Corniche, but for 2018 it’s moving along the coastline and will now take place in A’l Bahar – Abu Dhabi Corniche. That’s the part of the Corniche currently being redeveloped into a new 600-metre beachfront with restaurants and a whole lot more. Just like previous years, the festival will feature plenty of fun for all the family, with more than 100 workshops, performances and activities. Check out our complete guide here.
March 22 to 31
A’l Bahar – Abu Dhabi Corniche, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thur 4pm until midnight, Fri to Sat 2pm to midnight. Tel: (800) 86823. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Corniche. motn.ae, ticketmaster.ae

Watch movies in the park on Yas

There’ll be Arabic, Indian and English movies including the classic 1978 flick Grease, starring Olivia Newton-John on Yas Island this weekend.
March 22 to 24
Gateway Park South, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur, Fri, Sat, doors open 4pm, free. Taxi: Gateway Park. yasisland.ae

Fashion meets art in Al Ain

The Garden City is hosting an exhibition of fashion illustrations over the next few months. Lines And Stitches features designs by UAE artists and inside you’ll find 21 pieces, along with eight art installations. There will also be workshops, hosted by fashion designers and illustrators from the UAE, every Saturday while the exhibition is running.
Until June 14
Al Qattara Arts Centre, Al Ain, Sat to Thur, 9am to 8pm, free entry. Tel: (03) 7118225. Taxi: Al Qattara Arts Centre. abudhabievents.ae

Decked Out is on at Yas Marina

Yas Marina is hosting a series of weekend events this month, and thid Friday and Saturday is all about celebrating Mother’s Day – expect a family portrait photo booth, nail bar, flower stalls, a postcard creation station and more. The movie Mars Needs Mums is showing on Friday at 6.30pm.
March 23 to 24
Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Taxi: Yas Marina. yasmarina.ae

Friday March 23

Have brunch with TV star Pat Sharp

British expats will know the name – Pat Sharp is a TV legend from the 1980s and 1990s, when he presented shows including Top Of The Pops and Fun House. This weekend he is hosting the Funhouse 80s Brunch at the Irish pub in Al Raha.
Al Raha Beach Hotel, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi, noon to 5pm, Dhs229. Taxi: Al Raha Beach Hotel. Tel: (02) 6524333. mcgettigans.com

Attend Festival In The Park

Part of this month’s Abu Dhabi Festival, the capital’s outdoor musical celebration is back with live performances, film screenings and workshops. Learn the best of Bollywood dance in a workshop with choreographer Gilles Chuyen while multimedia artist Zahed Sultan presents his latest audio-visual work ‘Hiwar’, a reinterpretation of traditional Khaleeji songs with contemporary arrangements.
March 22 to 23
Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 8pm, free entry (Dhs5 park entry fee). Tel: (050) 1299103. Taxi: Mushrif Park. abudhabifestival.ae

New brunch at Le Méridien

The Al Zahiyah hotel has launched The Village Kitchen Brunch, an alfresco event taking place on the grass. You can try dishes from most of the hotel’s outlets, including Italian Pappagallo, Greek outlet Acropolis, and two pubs – Captain’s Arms and NRG. There’s a play area for kids with a bouncy castle.
Le Méridien, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs139 to Dhs229. Tel: (02) 6446666. Taxi: Le Méridien. thevillageatlemeridienabudhabi.com

Celebrate The Beauty Of Women

Abu Dhabi Art Hub is celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8, and Mother’s Day on March 21 – more than 15 local and international artists are showcasing pieces at their new exhibition The Beauty Of Women. Art Hub says the exhibition shows “how exquisite and how extraordinary women are in many different ways”.
Until March 23
Abu Dhabi Art Hub, World Trade Center Mall, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 10pm, free. Tel: (02) 5515005. Taxi: WTC Mall. adah.ae

Saturday March 24

There’s an art exhibition at the Fairmont

The Fairmont is hosting art by six local talents this month, and a huge name in the world of photography, as part of an inaugural exhibition by a new company created by Abu Dhabi-based artist Emily Gordon. iAM Here & Now is the first exhibition by International Artists Management, founded by long-time capital resident Gordon, to promote local and international talents (you may well have seen her work at the Fairmont before, at one of the No White Walls exhibitions – she’ll also be displaying work at this new event). Exhibiting are Australian landscape and fashion photographer Anthony Horth, plus locally-based talents Rashed Al Mansoori, Unni Kriens, Maryam Abdulla and more.
Until March 31
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, free. Tel: (02) 6543238. Taxi: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. fairmont.com/abu-dhabi, intlartmgmt.com