You know that moment on a Thursday afternoon when your work buddy asks what you’re doing this weekend and your mind goes blank? Well worry no more, friends, because What’s On has the perfect solution, whatever mood you are in.

THURSDAY

NIGHT BRUNCH AT EASTERN MANGROVES
Who said Friday was the only time you can brunch? The Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara has re-launched its weekly Thursday night Pool Deck Barbecue brunch. It’s a casual evening of music and grub including marinated baby chicken and smoked salmon cooked over a bonfire, with views of the mangroves.

Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Thur 7pm to 11pm, Dhs189 to 239. Tel: (02) 6561181. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves. abu-dhabi.anantara.com

OKTOBERFEST ON YAS
Raise your steins – Abu Dhabi’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration is returning to the capital. Live music from German band HofBrauHaus, children’s activities in the KinderGarten, plus authentic food prepared by visiting chefs from Germany and German hops make for a fab family two days on Yas.

du Forum and Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Oct 16 to 17. Tel: (02) 6563000. ticketmaster.ae, crowneplaza.com/abudhabi 

Oktoberfest in the UAE

 

DRINK PINK AT IRIS
The al fresco bar at Yas Marina is doing its bit for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Local charity Pink Caravan has a booth at the venue for a week and is selling merchandise to raise funds, and you’ll get a pink mocktail in return.

Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, until Oct 22, 6pm to 3am. Tel: (055) 1605636. Taxi: Yas Marina. irisabudhabi.com

JAZZ FESTIVAL AT THE ST REGIS
Here’s something you might not know about the St Regis in Abu Dhabi. It’s part of a brand that has always been a huge supporter of jazz music – and the rooftop ballroom at the St Regis New York City has hosted such greats as Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Buddy Rich since as far back as 1927. The St Regis hotels have had a close relationship with the style of music ever since, and this weekend is holding its first festival in Abu Dhabi. Jazz At St Regis is held in conjunction with New York’s Jazz At Lincoln Center and the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, and today is Family Jazz Day at the hotel, supported by ADMAF (Dhs120), while there’s a Journeys With Jazz Gala Dinner on Friday, October 17 (Dhs500).

St Regis Abu Dhabi, Nation Towers, Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 6944444. Taxi: St Regis Nation Tower. stregisabudhabi.com

YAS MARINA RALLY
If you’re wondering why the weekly Train Yas session was cancelled last Tuesday, it’s because Yas Marina Circuit was getting ready for the Yas Marina Rally, which starts today and features top drivers and 15 teams from the UAE, Qatar and Lebanon. It’s the first time the event has taken place in the Middle East and you can pop along and watch for free.

Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Oct 16 to 17, 8pm, free. Tel: (02) 6599800. Taxi: Yas Marina Circuit. adr.ae 

Abu Dhbai rally, Yas Island

SWISS ART GATE EXHIBITION AT EMIRATES PALACE
In need of an art fix? Head to Mezzaluna at Emirates Palace to admire work by Swiss/Irish artist Claudio Viscardi. He’s influenced by Italian Renaissance painters. The event is co-organised by Swiss Art Gate.

Until November 15
Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, daily 12.30pm to 7pm (viewings by appointment only: text you name and requested date and time of visit to (050) 2251783. Tel: (02) 6909000. Taxi: Emirates Palace. kempinski.com. swissartgateuae.com 

PUMPKIN MONTH
It might not feel like autumn yet but at least you can enjoy the season’s flavours, with a menu based on everyone’s favourite spooky, bright orange veg at BiCE.

Jumeirah At Etihad Towers, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 3pm and 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (02) 8115888. Taxi: Jumeirah At Etihad Towers. jumeirah.com

SEE A NEW EXHIBITION
Find out how coral reefs are being destroyed by pollution at The Crochest Coral Reef Project, a new exhibition at New York University Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Campus. The project, started 10 years ago by twin sisters Margaret and Christine Wertheim in Los Angeles, features giant wool crochets that resemble reefs.

NYU Campus, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 9pm, until Dec 4, free. Tel: (02) 6284309. Taxi: NYU Campus Saadiyat Island. nyuad.nyu.edu/en, crochetcoralreef.org.

FRIDAY

TOAST AMERICAS FESTIVAL
You can indulge in the very best of American, Canadian and South American cuisine at this festival, which features a rib hut, ceviche station, and lots of kid-friendly entertainment.

Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, 19th & 24th Street, Abu Dhabi, October 17, 1pm to 8pm. Dhs130. Tel: (02) 4459600. Taxi: Abu Dhabi City Golf Club. adcitygolf.ae.

FERRARI WORLD FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Abu Dhabi’s theme park is holding a ten-day event called Festival Of Lights to celebrate diwali, starting today, featuring live performances. On the agenda is LaserMan, a one-man laser show, modern Bollywood dancers from Dubai, Dhol Drummers, performance group Petro Beats, a henna station and a food stall selling Indian dishes.

Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Oct 17 to 27, Tel: (02) 4968000. Taxi: Ferrari World. ferrariworldabudhabi.com

Ferrari World Festival Of LIght

WATCH DRAGON BOAT RACING
There be dragons in Abu Dhabi this weekend! The Shangri-La Hotel is the place to visit for the 7th annual dragon boat festival. As well as a ton of teams rowing up and down the Maqta Creek, there will also be a DJ, plus a massage kiosk, and kayaking and a barbecue in the evening.

Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat al Beri, Abu Dhabi, Oct 17 to 18, Dhs151 per adult and Dhs73 per child (11 years old and younger), 9am onwards, barbecue 7.30pm. Tel: shangri-la.com (02 510 8818).

GET YOUR KIDS HOOKED ON CLASSICAL MUSIC
The Music Hub is hosting a Concert For Children Of All Ages this weekend. Aimed at nippers aged five to 11, you’ll listen to classical music including pieces by Beethoven.

The Music Hub, Falcon Tower, Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi, Oct 17, 10.30am to 11.15am, Dhs30 for adults, kids free. Taxi: Falcon Tower, opposite Al Hosn Fort. Tel: (02) 6327888. Musichub.ae

WATCH ART COME ALIVE
The Korean Embassy is half way through a month-long cultural festival, and tonight’s event is called The Look, by performance art group The Drawing Show. Stories are told using actors and artists who create paintings on stage.

Abu Dhabi Theatre, Breakwater, Abu Dhabi, Oct 17, 7.30pm. Tel: (02) 6439122. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Theatre.

SATURDAY

SANDY PAWS CHARITY MARKET
The cat rescue centre is holding a charity market event today, where there’ll be selling clothes, books, DVDs, household items, kitchenware, furniture and toys.

Villa 48, Zone 1, Sas Al Nakhl Village, Oct 18, 9am to noon, free. Taxi: Sas Al Nakhl Village. facebook.com/sandypawsuae

MOM’S GUIDE TO SELF-RENEWAL KICK-OFF PARTY
Ladies, it’s time to give yourselves some TLC. Bodytree Studio and Moms Guide To Abu Dhabi are hosting a party today hosted by Esraa Bani, the first RTA-trained Personal Renewal Group Facillitator in the UAE. At the event, mums can learn about the power of self-care and examine self-renewal ideas form like-mind women.

Bodytree Studio, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, Oct 18, 7.30pm to 8.30pm, free. Tel: (02) 4434448. Taxi: turn right onto 11st street from Al Nayhan street, opposite the ADNOC station. bodytreestudio.com