Our picks: 9 things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend
What’s On has a full list of all the things to do for the 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 December 15
See some Colombian art
Check out the colours of Colombia at this new exhibition at the Abu Dhabi Art Hub in Mussafah. Colombian Art Month will feature five artists: Emir de Avila, Laura Mastrascusa, Andres Felipe Perez, Sofia Ruiz and Sandra De La Cruz.
Abu Dhabi Art Hub, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Thur 9am to 7pm, free. Tel: (02) 5515005. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Art Hub. adah.com
Eat some French food
Try the new lunch menu at French restaurant Brasserie Angelique that includes chicken vol au vent and quiche Lorraine.
Jumeirah At Etihad Towers, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 3.30pm. Tel: (02) 8115666. Taxi: Etihad Towers. jumeirah.com
Go to the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival
Honouring the Father Of The Nation, the late Sheikh Zayed, this heritage festival celebrates the rich history and culture of the UAE. There’ll be folklore events, Emirati singers, horse shows, military marching band parades and a classic car exhibition.
Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, free, until January 1. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: Al Wathba. zayedfestival.com
Friday December 16
Check out the Street Feast
The Street Feast is back and will feature over 60 food trucks – serving over 150 dishes – along the Corniche. Vendors confirmed to attend include La-inspired taco truck Calle Tacos, camel burgers and wraps from Yumtingz and Goan fusion truck Gobai.
Various locations including Abu Dhabi Corniche, Abu Dhabi, Dhs30, Dhs15 under 12s. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Corniche. abudhabievents.ae
Fly a kite at Saadiyat Beach
Take the family for a day out at the beach all while supporting a good cause. Operation Smile UAE’s second annual Operation Fly a Kite will see families spend the day at the Saadiyat Public Beach. In addition to kite-flying there will also be zumba and karate classes for kids from My First Gym, a yoga session from Inner Seed, environment talks, a sand sculpting competition, raffle draws and more. Entry fees are inclusive of beach entry, kites packs and bottle of water.
Saadiyat Public Beach, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 8am to 5.30pm, Dhs300 to Dhs50. Tel: (02) 6584790. Taxi: Saadiyat Public Beach. facebook.com/operationsmileuae
Go to the spa
The Metamorphosis package at Remède Spa in the St Regis Abu Dhabi will see you spend over two and a half hours at the spa. The package includes a 60-minute customised body wrap, bespoke 60-minute massage and 30-minute facial. Each treatment can be customised to suit your needs and is valid throughout the month of December.
St Regis Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, Abu Dhabi, Dhs985. Tel: (02) 6944553. Taxi: St Regis Abu Dhabi, Corniche. stregisabudhabi.com
Saturday December 17
Check out some camels
The Al Dhafra Festival is back and features a traditional camel auction (where prized animals have been sold for up to Dhs3.5 million), camel races and camel milking competitions. There’ll also be a children’s village, traditional food and photography competition.
Madinat Zayed, Al Gharbia, Abu Dhabi, free entry, until Dec 29. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: Al Gharbia. aldhafrafestival.ae
Eat brunch at Li Jiang
Friday isn’t the only day to indulge in a feast of food. Check out the new Saturday brunch at Li Jiang, which serves up a range of Asian cuisine including Thai beef salad, dim sum, kung pao chicken, nasi goreng, laksa and lemongrass crème brûlée.
Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs170 to Dhs370. Tel: (02) 8188282. Taxi: Ritz-Carlton. ritzcarlton.com
Eat raclette at Jones the Grocer
Move over fondue, raclette is the new way to eat gooey cheese. The traditional Swiss meal sees a round of semi-soft raclette cheese melted and scraped onto your plate. The cheese is paired with a platter of cold cut meats from the deli, pickles and skin-on boiled potatoes. Diners will also receive three glasses of grape. The promotion will be held at three Jones outlets in the capital including Khalidiyah, Al Muneera and Al Raha.
Pearl Plaza Tower, Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, Dhs140 per person. Tel: (02) 6395883. Taxi: Opposite BMW Showroom. jonesthegrocer.com