What’s On has a full list of all the things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend, including brunch, deals, sports, entertainment, new openings.

It’s 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

Summer Season kicks off today
Today marks the start of Summer Season in Abu Dhabi – a series of concerts, comedy events, live shows and discounts and raffles in the city’s malls. On the line-up is Dutch illusionist Hans Klok, TV’s Mythbusters, Barney the Dinosaur Live, Sesame Street Live, Shaun The Sheep and lots more.
Until Sept 5
abudhabievents.ae

Shaun The Sheep Live

Laugh at a stand-up comedy night
Head to the rooftop at Marriott Courtyard for some giggles with the Yalla Laugh comedy crew.
Marriott Courtyard Hotel, Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi, 8pm. Tel: (052) 2442371. Taxi: Marriott Courtyard, World Trade Center Mall. yallalaughs.com

Themed nights at The Olive Branch
If you can’t decide what cuisines you want to try, you can tuck into seven of them over the course of a week at the Mafraq Hotel. Its restaurant The Olive Branch is now holding seven themed nights, with each of them costing Dhs111. Thursdays is Mexican night, Arabic dishes are available on Fridays and Indian is served on Saturdays.
Mafraq Hotel, Al Mafraq, Abu Dhabi, daily 7pm to 11pm, Dhs111.Tel: (02) 6596666. Taxi: Mafraq Hotel. mafraq-hotel.com

The Olive Branch

Try dishes from Sicily at Porto Bello
The Italian restaurant in Al Wahda is launching a new Sicilian-inspired menu. The dishes will be served throughout June.
Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 11.30pm. Tel: (02) 4439999. Taxi: Next to Al Wahda Mall. millenniumhotels.com

Porto Bello

Summer workshops at Mushrif Central Park
Take your kids to the park’s indoor exhibition hall over the next two months for workshops (where they can learn silk painting, magic tricks, how to make gingerbread houses and more) and a soft play zone. It’s suitable for kids aged five to 12.
Until Aug 1
Mushrif Central Park, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, Thur, Fri, Sat, 10am to noon, 1pm to 3pm, 4pm to 6pm, Dhs30 for workshops, Dhs150 for two hour sessions. Tel: (02) 6669559. Taxi: Mushrif Central Park. mushrifcentralpark.ae

FRIDAY

Closing pool party at Centro Yas Island
Head to Yas for the last pool party of the season at Centro, with DJ Chris Delaney spinning the wheels of steel.
Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, noon to 10pm, Dhs100, ladies free. Tel: (02) 6564444. Taxi: Centro Yas Island. rotana.com, platinumlist.net

Check out an art festival
See 80 pieces created by 31 Abu Dhabi-based artists at Honalfan, a month-long art festival from AD Arts Collective.
Until June 18
Abu Dhabi National Theatre, Al Ittihad, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thur 9am to 1pm, 6pm to 9pm. Taxi: Abu Dhabi National Theatre, near Dusit Thani and Abu Dhabi Media. facebook.com/ADArtsCollective

Nayma Yasir

Liquid Rain closing party
The season closer for this rooftop pool party at Aloft Hotel will have DJs, water games and special entertainers.
Aloft Abu Dhabi, Adnec, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 3am, Dhs150, ladies free. Tel: (02) 6545115. Taxi: Adnec. aloftabudhabi.com

Marina Brunch
Dig into dishes from The Yacht Club, Chamas and the Belgian Café at this Friday brunch.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, Fri noon to 4pm, Dhs290 to Dhs330. Tel: (02) 6666888. Taxi: InterContinental Abu Dhabi. ihg.com

Watch Jurassic World
The dinosaur blockbuster movie series is back on the big screen this weekend with its fourth installment, starring Chris Pratt of Guardians Of The Galaxy fame.
uae.voxcinemas.com, cineroyal.ae, novocinemas.com

 

SATURDAY

World Music Day at WTC
The World Trade Center Mall in Abu Dhabi has joined forces with Alliance Francaise for World Music Day this Saturday. The event runs from 12.30pm to 10pm in the mall’s public square and a variety of local performers will be playing music from a wide spectrum of genres.
World Trade Center Mall, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Sat 12.30pm to 10pm. Tel: (02) 5082400. Taxi: World Trade Center Mall. wtcad.ae

Learn to act
Wannabe actors should check out Miranda Davidson Studio’s intensive two-day acting course at The Space.
The Space, twofour54, Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, 11am to 5pm. Tel: (056) 4421266. Taxi: Twofour54, by Park Rotana. facebook.com/thespaceAD

Go to a night zoo
To escape the heat, Al Ain Zoo is switching over to night hours and is open from 4pm to 10pm in June. Guests can enjoy horse rides, reptile encounters and giraffe feedings. In addition, there are free bird shows and crocodile feedings. The zoo will be closed during the holy month of Ramadan.
Al Ain Zoo, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, 4pm to 10pm, Dhs20, Dhs10 children. Tel: (03) 7992000. Taxi: Al Ain Zoo. alainzoo.ae

Al Ain Zoo

Check out wearable gadgets on Yas
If you want to start wearing your technology, then head to the Yas Viceroy on Saturday for the first Wearable Tech Show in the region, where you’ll be able to get all the lowdown on the latest smart watches and more.
Until June 14
Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Sat and Sun from 1.30pm, free. Tel: (02) 6694755. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. wearabletechshowuae.com

Try a new sport
Head over to Al Forsan Sports Resort to take advantage of a special summer offer that sees Dhs100 get you one sporting experience. Choose from karting, paintballs, a 60-minute wake or kneeboarding session, archery or laser shooting.
Until August 31
Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, Dhs100. Tel: (02) 5568555. Taxi: Al Forsan Sports Resort, Khalifa City, behind the golf club. alforsan.com

Go-karting at Al Forsan

Ripe Market moves inside
Ripe Market, Abu Dhabi’s weekly organic food, arts and craft fare, has left its outdoor location at Mushrif Central Park and moved inside until October. You’ll find it every Saturday at The Collection from 10am.
The Collection, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Sat 10am to 2pm, free. Tel: (04) 3807602. Taxi: The Collection, next to the St Regis, Saadiyat Island. ripeme.com

New summer menu at Iris
Yas Island’s alfresco bar and restaurant Iris has launched a new season-inspired menu that is available until the start of Ramadan, when the outlet is closed. The new artisanal menu includes international entrées and dishes such as cannelloni wrapped with hass avocado and red tuna tartare on kadaif.
Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Mon to Fri 6pm to 3am, Sat 4pm to 3am. Tel: (055) 1605636. Taxi: Yas Marina. irisabudhabi.com

Feel the heat at a hammam
This traditional Turkish treatment will see you steamed, scrubbed and rubbed with foam at the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa. After steam softens the skin, you’ll be exfoliated to get rid of dead skin cells and then receive a foam massage using olive oil soap.
Until August 31
Eastern Mangroves Hotel And Spa By Anantara, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 5pm, Dhs255. Tel: (02) 6561146. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves. abu-dhabi.anantara.com