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. Remember, the Holy Month of Ramadan is expected to start Saturday, May 27

Thursday May 25

Eat seafood at De La Costa night at Aqua

The Rosewood’s all-day-dining outlet Aqua has a seafood night every Thursday, and it’ll still run through Ramadan. Called De La Costa, the menu features ceviches, tartares, shucked oysters, mussels, scallops and prawns, plus grilled catch of the day.
Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, Abu Dhabi, Thur from sunset, Dhs120. Taxi: Rosewood, Maryah Island. Tel: (02) 8135550. rosewoodhotels.com
Take in a collage

UAE artists are exhibiting collages at the Al Qattara Arts Centre this month in the emirate’s Garden City.
Until June 15

Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Thur 8am to 9pm, Fri 4pm to 9pm, free. Tel: (03) 7118225. Taxi: near Al Ain Sports Club. visitabudhabi.ae
Rudy Rahme art exhibition

See paintings and sculptures by the respected Lebanese artist throughout Ramadan and the Eid weekend.
Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 10pm, free. Tel: (02) 6950517. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com
Light up the mall

Take part in a lamp-making workshop at WTC this month – you creation will be used to decorate the mall for Ramadan.
World Trade Center Mall, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Thur, Fri, Sat, 4pm to 8pm, free. Tel: (02) 5082400. Taxi: World Trade Center Mall. wtcad.ae

Friday May 26

Learn about art

Head to Saadiyat Island for The Creative Act, a series of free drop-in art classes. There are sessions every Friday during May, June and July.
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri 2pm to 6pm, free. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae
Adopt a pet
Abu Dhabi’s pet hotel Cloud9 is having an adoption day today – there are dogs, cats and bunnies all looking for new homes and loving owners.
Street 23, Villa 2, Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, Fri noon to 4pm. Tel: (02) 5564111. Taxi: near the fire station. cloud9pethotel.com
See Brad Pitt in Abu Dhabi

Not literally, but you can spot the the Hollywood A-lister on your small screen in the capital this weekend – he filmed scenes for his new flick War Machine in our emirate. A satirical take on the war in Afghanistan, Pitt stars as General Glenn McMahon, a four-star US general tasked with cleaning up the Middle East’s military mess, only to be challenged by a truth-seeking journalist (played by Tilda Swinton). The black comedy was filmed across 20 different locations in the UAE with the streets around Abu Dhabi transformed in order to create a fictional US embassy and surprisingly realistic backdrops of war-torn Kabul. It’s released on Netflix today.
netflix.com
Bayn: The In-Between exhibition

A lot has happened to the UAE since it was formed 45 years ago – and a group of artists have tried to sum up the nation’s incredible transformation at Bayn: The In-Between, an exhibition at Warehouse421 in Mina Port. The exhibition at the capital’s art hub features pieces by nine Arab talents from the region.
Until June 18
Warehouse421, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, Tue to Sun 10am to 8pm, free. Taxi: Warehouse421 next to COOP in Mina Zayed. warehouse421.ae
Scrub it up at the spa
Heavenly Spa is offering a complimentary Feel Well body scrub (almond, cinnamon and Himalayan sea salt) if you book a 90-minute massage.
Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Sas Al Nakhl, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 10pm. Tel: (02) 6169999. Taxi: Westin, Khalifa City. westin.com

Saturday May 27


Run around Marina Mall
Finding running outside a bit hot now? Daman activelife and Gulf Multi Sport are hosting an indoor run at Marina Mall today. Registration closes Friday, 9.15pm and you can choose to take part in 1.5km, 3km and 5km runs.
Marina Mall, Breakwater, Abu Dhabi, Sat 8.15am (check-in time), free. Taxi: Marina Mall. gulfmultisport.com, webscorer.com
Visit an art souq

Etihad Modern Art Gallery’s annual art souq and exhibition returns for a fourth year, giving you the chance to buy pieces by local talents including Emirati Taqwa Alnaqbi.

Until July 27
Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Thur 10am to 10pm. Tel: (02) 6210145. Taxi: opposite Al Bateen Mall. etihadmodernart.com
Italian cinema on Saadiyat

Cinema Space has a screening of the 2014 Italian film Leopardi, Il Giovane Favoloso, directed by Mario Martone. It’s the story of the 19th century poet Giacomo Leopardi. Cinema Space are also showing the 1946 classic It’s A Wonderful Life, directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart, on the same day at 3pm, same location.
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 8pm, free. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. cinemaspace-losingsightofshore.splashthat.com
Vist the Ramadan and Eid festival
Head to Adnec to take in some shopping (think traditional Arabic dresses and jewellery), Arabic food, toys and games at this annual exhibition celebrating the Holy Month. Some 500 vendors have taken part in previous years and it’s the perfect way to learn more about this important time of the year.
May 27 to June 28
Adnec, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 1am. Tel: (02) 4446900. Taxi: Adnec. adnec.ae
Tennis lessons for rookies at ZSC
Zayed Sports City Academy is hosting adult evening tennis lessons for newbies during the Holy Month, starting tomorrow.
May 28 to June 13
Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thur 10pm to 11pm, Dhs600 for six sessions. Tel: (02) 4034222. Taxi: Zayed Sports City. zsc.ae
Facials for less
The In Balance Spa is offering three of its facials (Purifying, Vitamin and Age Defying) for half price throughout summer. The offer is valid until July 31.
Novotel & Ibis Gate Hotels, Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, daily 2pm to 11pm, Dhs200 to Dhs250. Tel: (02) 5089714. Taxi: Novotel & Ibis Gate Hotels, near Maqta Bride. novotel.com