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 March 9

Check out modern art

Get a sneak peek at the artwork that will be housed in the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, with a new exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The Creative Act will be divided into three sections including Performance, Process and Presence and will feature over 25 works of modern art from 18 international artists.

Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 8pm. Tel: (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae


Savour Indian street food

Head to Café Palmier in the Le Royal Méridien hotel to sample Indian street food at this special buffet. The menu features everything from dosas, samosas to chaat stations as well as a tandoor and plenty of grilled meats. The event will be hosted until March 15.

Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Dhs155 with soft drinks, 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (02) 6742020. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. Leroyalmeridienabudhabi


Go to the spa with mum

Head to the Eastern Mangroves hotel for a special mother and daughter treatment this month that will see you choose a 60-minute massage (options include Arabian, Thai, stress release or oriental foot reviver), as well as have access to the steam and sauna room. Afterwards you can enjoy afternoon tea and cake for two at the Mangroves Lounge.

Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa By Anantara, Eastern Ring Road, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 5pm, Dhs699 per mother and daughter. Tel: (02) 6561000. abu-dhabi. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves. anantara.com


Friday March 10

Run a 5 or 10K

Work up a sweat by taking part in the ADCB Zayed Sports City 5 and 10K run. The fun run will take part on closed roads within the sporting complex and is suitable for the whole family.

Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya, Abu Dhabi, 7am start, prices vary. Tel: (050) 1094055. Taxi: Gate 16 or Gate 12, Zayed Sports City. premieronline.com


Eat a load of food

Part a la carte and part buffet, the new Andiamo brunch at Roberto’s Abu Dhabi features an open oyster and cocktail bar, risotto bosco finished in a giant parmesan wheel and live DJ. The menu includes everything from slow cooked artichoke filled with burrata cheese, charcoal grilled sea bass with bell peppers, slow-cooked beef short ribs and tiramisu.

The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, Fridays, Dhs295 with soft drinks, Dhs395 with cocktails and house wines, Dhs495 with Italian bubbles. Tel: (02) 6279009. Taxi: The Galleria on Al Maryah Island. robertos.ae


Eat from a food truck

#TruckersDXB is making a pit stop in Abu Dhabi. Head to the Sheraton Abu Dhabi hotel to check out a gathering of food trucks on the beach. Other entertainment will include live music, bouncy castle, face painting and a craft market.

Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, 4pm to 11pm, free entrance. Tel: (02) 6773333. Taxi: Sheraton Corniche. facebook.com/truckersdxb


Check out a new exhibition at Qasr Al Hosn (last chance)

Find out more about the on-going renovation and development project to restore Qasr Al Hosn. It’s your last day to see what’s in store for the historic fort at this exhibition. Expect nine separate exhibition zones as well as art installations, workshops and performances.

Qasr Al Hosn, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 9am to 8pm, free entrance, until March 10. Taxi: Qasr Al Hosn Fort on Hamdan Street. qasralhosnfestival.ae


Saturday March 11

Go to an opera

The NSO Symphony Orchestra will be putting on the Abu Dhabi premier of The Brothers Grimm by the nineteenth-century composer Engelbert Humperdinck. Conducted by Andrew Berryman, international performers will join local talents including 80 children right here from the capital for the performance.

The National Theatre, Al Etihad, Abu Dhabi, March 10 and 11, Friday 7.30pm, Saturday 2.30pm, Dhs75 to Dhs250. Taxi: National Theatre, on Airport Road. nsouae.org, ticketmaster.ae


Go to the swimming festival

Amateur swimmers of all ages can take part in races around Emirates Palace Marina that range from 1,600m to 100m.

Emirates Palace, West Corniche, Abu Dhabi, 6am, Dhs150 to Dhs200. Taxi: Emirates Palace. Tel: (02) 4418122. premieronline.com, swimabudhabi.com


Look at some art

Head to the Emirates Palace auditorium foyer to see an award-wining art exhibition by Sara Al Ahbabi. Hosted as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival, Here’s What They Think of Me is a series of images features a selection of staged photographs challenging stereotypes about the artist has come across in her lifetime here in the UAE.

Emirates Palace Auditorium, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, free entrance, until March 31. Tel: (02) 6909000. Taxi: Emirates Palace. abudhabifestival.ae