Things to do this weekend in Abu Dhabi

What’s On has a full list of all the things to do this 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, March 10

Eat a bento box for lunch

Vegetarian, seafood, meat or Cuban-style bento boxes are on the menu for lunch at Asia de Cuba.

Nation Riviera, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thur noon until 3pm, Dhs65 to Dhs95. Tel: (02) 6993333. Taxi: Opposite St Regis, Corniche. asiadecuba.com

 Listen to global music

Father-daughter duo Alim Qasimov and Fargana Qasimov from Azerbaijan will perform mugham, a type of indigenous classical music from the country as part of the Umsiyat global concert series. Expect an energetic evening of sung poetry and musical improvisation. Please note the location of the concert has changed, and will now be hosted at the Abu Dhabi Theatre on the breakwater.

Abu Dhabi Theatre, Corniche Breakwater, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 10pm, Dhs30 to Dhs200. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Theatre. ticketmaster.ae, abudhabievents.ae

Go to the circus

Watch high wire acts, lion tamers, clowns and flying trapeze artists perform at the Great Vegas Circus.

Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Baniyas, Abu Dhabi, 6pm and 9pm, Dhs75 to Dhs200. Tel: (056) 9365999. Taxi: Bawabat Al Sharq Mall. basmall.ae

FRIDAY, March 11

Watch the Red Bull Air Race

The Red Bull Air Race hosts the 2016 season opener in Abu Dhabi. Expect 24 of the world’s best, and most daring, pilots navigate a specially created course of obstacles on the Corniche. Think bridges to slaloms, at high speed and low altitude, with danger levels so high the competition previously had to be halted for three years for safety improvements. The Hilton Abu Dhabi will be hosting a special hospitality lounge on the beach, where guests can catch live video and audio coverage of the race, enjoy food from an international buffet and listen to music from Radio 1’s Saif and Sound. Rates for the lounge access vary from Dhs499 for qualifying to Dhs899.

Corniche, Abu Dhabi, March 11 and 12, Fri 12.30pm, Sat noon, tickets Dhs499 to Dhs3,600. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Corniche, Hilton Abu Dhabi. redbullairrace.com, bit.ly/RedBullAUH

Go hiking on Sir Bani Yas Island

Check out this special outdoor hike that will have you camping underneath the stars of Sir Bani Yas Island. Keep your eyes peeled to see some of the free roaming animals on the island (think gazelles, giraffes, Indian spotted deers, the Arabian oryx and more) during a 10km hike towards the campsite. Once you’re there, there’ll be a BBQ and bonfire before you camp out for the night. Hiking will resume the next morning after breakfast, with a 20km hike inside the wildlife park. Participants should bring their own SPF sunscreen, camping gear and headlights. Hats and hiking shoes are essential.

Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 4pm for water taxi transfers at Jebel Dhanna jetty, Dhs350 inclusive of water taxi, food and access to wildlife park. Tel: (02) 8015400. sir-bani-yas-island.anantara.com

Go to Toast Europe

You’ll find food stalls, live music, henna-painting, kids’ entertainment and more at this family-friendly festival.

du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 3pm to 10pm, Dhs100. Taxi: du Forum. facebook.com/toasteventsuae

SATURDAY, March 12

Head to the Color Run

One of the most fun events on the Abu Dhabi sporting calendar returns for a third year. The Color Run, in association with Daman, is dubbed the ‘happiest 5K on the planet’ and involves a gallop (or walk) around Abu Dhabi’s 5.5km Formula One track. There’s just one difference – participants must show up wearing white, and then throw powdered paint over each other during a lap of the track, at five designated colour stations. Think India’s Holi festival, but with more exercise. Plus the organisers are promising surprises at the finish line (expect live music and dancers) and this year the event takes place as the sun goes down over Yas Marina.

Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 8pm, Dhs140. Taxi: Yas Marina Circuit. thecolorrun.ae

Try the new Asian brunch at Sontaya

There’s a new a la carte brunch in town, with a focus on Southeast Asian cuisine. Sontaya’s Asian Fusion Brunch takes place every Saturday and on the menu you’ll find beef satay, duck spring rolls, vegetable fritters, tom yung goong soup, massaman beef curry, chicken wings and wok-fried seafood in hot basil. Finish it all off with a jasmine ice parfait with compress of tropical fruit, vanilla crumble and mango sorbet.

St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Sat 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs299. Tel: (02) 4988888. Taxi: St. Regis Saadiyat. stregissaadiyatisland.com

Check out The Station

Inaugural fashion pop-up The Station will see the Galleria’s promenade transform with designer booths, gourmet food trucks and art exhibitions. They’ll also be weekly workshops, beauty stations, live music and more. Catch the pop-up until March 19.

The Galleria, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Sat 4pm to 10pm, Thur and Fri 4pm to midnight. Tel: (02) 6166999. Taxi: Galleria, Al Maryah Island. thegalleria.ae