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 September 8

Watch modern dance

Badke©DannyWillems03

The UAE premier of Badke at NYU Abu Dhabi sees ten Palestinian dancers perform a traditional dabke dance on stage – with a twist. Created by Hildegard De Vuyst and Belgian choreographers Koen Augustijnen and Rosalba Torres Guerrero, the performance is influenced from capoeira, martial arts and even the circus. Shows will be hosted on Thursday and Friday.

The Art Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur 8pm, Fri 5pm, free with prior reservation. Tel: (02) 6284000. Taxi: NYU campus on Saadiyat Island. nyuad-artgallery.org


Eat at a new hotel

There’s a new business lunch on offer at Four Season Abu Dhabi that will see you eat a two-course meal in 45-minutes. Hosted at all-day-dining outlet Crust, guests can choose between a selection of soups or salads with main course. The menu includes red quinoa and watercress salad, cobb salad with grilled chicken and lamb meat balls with maize mash and spicy tomato dip.

Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thur noon to 3.30pm, Dhs55 per person. Taxi: Four Seasons. Tel: (02) 3332222. fourseasons.com/abudhabi


Check out Yalla Laughs

This free comedy night features a diverse line up of jokers hailing from the UK, US, Canada, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka who talk about anything and everything.

Up & Below, Courtyard by Marriott, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 8pm, free entry. Taxi: Ramada Downtown near Abu Dhabi Mall. facebook.com/yallalaughs


Go to Mad

Mad-on-Yas

Check out the White Experience at Mad on Yas Island tonight, with entertainment from Diane O’Sullivan and the White Warriors.

Mad Yas Island, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (055) 8346262. Taxi: Mad on Yas. facebook.com/MadOnYasIsland


Friday September 9

Watch Eddie Griffin do stand-up

Eddie Griffin

You can catch not one, not two, but four American comedians doing stand-up in Abu Dhabi this month, as part of the emirate’s Abu Dhabi Summer Season. On the bill at Comedy Superstar are Eddie Griffin from 1990s TV show Malcolm & Eddie, Hollywood actor Eddie Murphy’s brother Charlie, Aries Spears, star of MADtv, and Carlos Mencia, who appeared alongside Ben Stiller in The Heartbreak Kid.

Al Raha Beach Theatre, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi, 8pm, Dhs145 to Dhs245. Tel: (04) 3148222. Taxi: Al Raha Beach Theatre. platinumlist.net 


Hang out at The District

iAmDistrict_0084

During September the du Forum becomes The District, an educational destination open seven days a week and aimed at 14 to 22-year-olds. It’s home to five areas, called The Park, The Alley, The Yard, The Street and The Block. Inside you’ll be able to take part in acting classes, attend fashion design shows, learn about smart phone photography and attend 3D design workshops.

du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, daily from midday to 10pm. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: du Forum. visitabudhabi.ae


Go to an Eid Fair

Load up on presents for Eid at this exhibition featuring foodstuffs, gift items and clothing.

Adnec, Al Safraat, Abu Dhabi, 8am to 6pm. Tel: (02) 4446900. Taxi:Adnec. adnec.ae


Party at Al Maya Island

Head over to Al Maya Island for an all-day pool party. DJs Stew Magoo, James Murray and Chad Phunk will be on the decks. Guests must be aged 21 and up.

Al Maya Island, Abu Dhabi, 11am to 9pm, tickets Dhs100, ladies free entry before 1pm. Tel: (056) 6257552. facebook.com/BPM.AL.MAYA


Saturday September 10

New Arab Comedy Festival at Yas Mall

Yas Mall

There’s a brand new Arabic comedy festival in Abu Dhabi. The two-day event, which is being hosted as part of the Abu Dhabi Summer Season line up, includes the UAE’s very first Emirati female comedienne Taim Al Falasi, Palestinian actress Manal Awad and Saudi social media stars Fadi Al Shehri, Ibrahim Saleh and Ibrahim Khairallah. Please note the show will be hosted in Arabic.

Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 8pm, Dhs100 to Dhs200. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: Yas Mall. ticketmaster.ae


Eat a burger

US import Five Guys have opened up an outlet in Marina Mall.

Marina Mall, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 11pm. Tel: (02) 6668327. Taxi: Marina Mall. fiveguys.me


 Get some henna at the mall

The Galleria, Abu Dhabi

Head to The Galleria on Al Maryah Island to check out the live henna station for Eid. There’ll also be a falconry stand, arts and crafts area, calligrapher and Arabic coffee for the taking.

The Galleria, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, Sept 9 to 13, 5pm to 10pm, free entry. Tel: (02) 6166999. Taxi: Galleria Mall, Al Maryah. thegalleria.ae


 Monday September 12

Celebrate Eid at Yas Mall

There’ll be live magic shows including The Levitating Man and The Caricaturist, as well as flash mobs, traditional ayallah dances and a falcon display.

Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, From September 12 to 14, timings vary. Tel: (02) 4146401. Taxi: Yas Mall. yasmall.ae


Free fireworks display on Yas Island

Yas Island Joy of Eid Fireworks_1

This free fireworks display will be hosted on the first day of Eid Al Adha in honour of Yas Island’s current charity initiative the Joy Of Eid, which is raising money to build schools in Pakistan and Mauritania. Park in the area adjacent to nightclub MAD for the best view.

First day of Eid, Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 9pm, free. Taxi: next to MAD on Yas Island. yasisland.ae

– For more about Dubai & Abu Dhabi straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook.