Things to do in Abu Dhabi
What’s On has a full list of all the things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend, including deals, sports, entertainment, brunches, new openings, concerts and exhibitions.
THURSDAY
Celebrate Chinese New Year at Ferrari World
Abu Dhabi’s themepark is celebrating Chinese New Year until the end of the month. There’s an authentic Chinese show, featuring dragon dancing, kung fu artists and circus performers, an aerial balloon show, where the performers are lifted into the air, ribbon dances and a kids’ area.
Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs195, until Feb 28. Tel: (02) 4968000. Taxi: Ferrari World. ferrariworldabudhabi.com
Meet The Fillers
Are we human or are we fillers? Meet the Killers tribute band, The Fillers, as they sing the rock band’s biggest hits tonight in the capital.
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, 19th & 24th Street, Abu Dhabi, 7.30pm, from Dhs100. Tel: (02) 4459600. Taxi: Abu Dhabi City Golf Club. thefillersmusic.com
Listen to Ronnie Scott’s band
Both non-members and members can check out the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Quintet performance at The Club this evening.
The Club, Al Meena, Abu Dhabi, Dhs125 for members, Dhs150 for non-members. Tel: (02) 6731111. Taxi: British Club, Meena Port. The-club.com
See Silouettes at the Park Hyatt
Fancy catching some live music on Saadiyat Island? There’s a new band in town performing six nights a week at the Park Bar at the Park Hyatt. Classic Silhouettes Duo hail from Barbados and are singer Rochelle and keyboardist and songwriter Brad Griffith (curiously, they are not married or related, despite sharing a surname). They will be performing hits from the 1960s, ’70s, ’90s along with classic r ‘n’ b tunes.
Park Hyatt Hotel And Villas, Saadiyat Island, Mon to Sat, 7pm to 11.30pm, until March 21. Tel: (02) 4071234. Taxi: Park Hyatt, Saadiyat Island. abudhabi.park.hyatt.com
FRIDAY
New brunch at Circo
The recently opened Italian restaurant at the InterContinental is now hosting Tavolata e Bollicine, a new concept for Friday brunch. Guests can sample a platter of appetisers to share, featuring salmon tartar, oysters, carpaccio, risotto, pizza and pasta, before selecting a main course from the a la carte menu. Afterwards, diners can end the meal by visiting the dessert and Italian cheese station.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, noon to 4pm, Dhs250 including juices and mocktails, Dhs350 including Prosecco. Tel: (02) 6666888. Taxi: InterContinental Abu Dhabi. ihg.com
Send the kids to Fun Works
If you’re shopping in Yas Mall and the kids are acting up because they’re bored, you can now drop them off at Fun Works, a new amusement park for nippers which is home to Wizz Works, a soft play area set over five levels which has more than 200 activities inside to keep little ones entertained. There’s also bouncy cars and Loop Works, a ride where kids pilot rotating, looping planes.
Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 10pm. Tel: (02) 5651242. Taxi: Yas Mall. funworks.ae
Race karts and win cash at Al Forsan
Think you could win a race in a go-kart? Al Forsan is holding a Grand Prix this year, and the first round of racing is this Friday. Anyone can enter, as long as you’re 16 years old or over, and there’s a Dhs16,000 in prize money up for grabs. Important note: you must register to take part by 7pm, Thursday February 26 to take part in tomorrow’s event. The second round takes place March 13, the third round April 3.
Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Sas Al Nakhl, Abu Dhabi, entry fee Dhs400, 8pm. Tel: (02) 5568555. Taxi: Al Forsan. alforsan.com
LAST CHANCE – Grandpa Says
This nostalgic solo art and poetry exhibition by Dubai-based, New Delhi poet and artist B’lu features 50 contemporary works of mixed media. Called a ‘little Vincent Van Gogh,’ she uses palette knives to paint and included poems with each of her works. It’s the last day of the exhibition today.
The Space, twofour54, Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, 9am to 8pm, free to attend, works for sale from Dhs5,000 to Dhs25,000. Tel: (056) 3681166. Taxi: twofour54, Khalifa Park. facebook.com/thespaceAD
LAST CHANCE – Go to the Circus
Head to Dalma Mall for the Great Vegas Circus. There will be lion tamers, acrobats, clowns and more and it all comes to an end tomorrow.
Next to Dalma Mall, Musaffah, Abu Dhabi, until Feb 27, Dhs100 to Dhs250. Tel: (056) 9365999. Taxi: Dalma Mall. eventoh-em.com
Run for research
The twentieth edition of the Terry Fox Run is aimed at raising awareness about cancer and will see participants run, walk, rollerblade and cycle along the Corniche – from the city to the Mina Port and back for a total of 8.5km.
Abu Dhabi Corniche East Plaza, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, 10am, no charge but donations are accepted. Tel: (02) 6909000. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Corniche, junction near Khaleej Al Arabi Street.
See the light
Extended till March 26 due to popular demand, the pre-opening exhibition of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Seeing Through Light, features works from Angela Bulloch, Monir Shahroudy and Robert Irwin.
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, free, until March 26. Tel: (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island. saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae
SATURDAY
Check out some pop-up shops
La Loupe, a fashion collective, is hosting a one-day pop-up shop event in the capital. La Loupe works with over 50 plus local brands based here in the UAE, selling items such as jewellery, clothing, leather goods, food, toiletries and even artwork. Brands on offer include Bait Zait natural skincare products, India Circus textiles and sub-continent inspired goods, artwork inspired from the region by Satami and Pearlesque, a vintage jewellery retailer.
La Loupe Pop-up, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (050) 1118754. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves. facebook.com/laloupeauh
Check out new exhibition Nordic Outflight
Travel usually makes for the best photos, and you won’t find many better than those taken by Swedish photographer Agneta Ekstrand and mixed media artist Fabian Edelstam. More than 20 pieces by the two talents are on display at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr this month, and several of the images have a local flavour and even feature the UAE’s royal family, including Sheikh Zayed. Ekstrand’s expertise lies in still life photography and her images on display are of colourful orchids, while Edelstam is a mixed-media artist, mixing photos with oils and paints on canvas to striking effect.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain, Abu Dhabi, free, until March 13. Tel: (02) 6543333. Taxi: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. fairmont.com
Dive into the Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival
The UAE is no stranger to the odd swimming pool and this month you have the chance to show off your aqua skills at the Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival. It’s being held at Emirates Palace and swimmers will be taking part in eight events including the Abu Dhabi Mile (for swimmers aged 16 and over), 100m, 300m and 500m Junior Splash Dashes for kids aged eight to 14, and adult relay events. The organisers are hoping that some 1,000 amateur swimmers will take part at the Palace from all over the UAE.
Emirates Palace, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, Feb 28, free (for spectators). Tel: (02) 6909000. Taxi: Emirates Palace. swimabudhabi.com
Get pampered while you sunbathe
Beaches – no longer are they just for sunbathing and sandcastles, you can get a pampering there as well. The ESPA spa at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal has opened a new serenity beach offering express spa treatments including foot and hand massages in your lounge chair, along with healthy refreshments, from 10am to sunset. The serenity beach is open to guests aged 16 years and above who have reserved a spa treatment, massage or facial.
Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to sunset. Tel: (02) 8188051. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton. ritzcarlton.com
