Our picks: 15 things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend
There’s plenty happening over the next few days in the nation’s capital, including the HSBC Golf Championship, a new exhibition on Saadiyat, Van Gogh Alive, a Dragon Boat Festival, plus lots more
Thursday January 18
Watch golf’s best on the fairways
Golf’s top stars are here for the HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. We have a full event preview for you to check out, plus an interview with Justin Rose.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 5588990. Taxi: next to the Westin. abudhabigolfchampionship.com
Van Gogh like you’ve never seen him before
See the works of Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch impressionist, in the capital at Abu Dhabi National Theatre in a very unique way – Van Gogh Alive projects the artist’s works onto the gallery’s walls, showing them at a larger scale and in stunning detail. The show features 3,000 images set to a soundtrack of classical musical.
Until February 26
Abu Dhabi National Theatre, Al Itihad, Abu Dhabi, 9am to 10pm, Dhs70. Taxi: National Theatre, near Sky News and Abu Dhabi Media buildings. tickets.virginmegastore.me
See The Post at the cinema
For Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep), being appointed The Washington Post’s first female publisher has its challenges, especially when your inaugural move is to attempt to print the Pentagon Papers, which exposed the American government’s lies during the Vietnam War. Meryl Streep achieves peak Streep, delivering what is sure to be her 21st Oscar-nominated performance and outshining co-star Tom Hanks to such a degree, he might as well have been credited as an extra.
New exhibition: Visions Of Sustainability
Head to Manarat Al Saadiyat for an exhibition about renewable energy, sustainability and more. Artists featured including award-winning sound artist Bill Fontana, plus students from various UAE universities including NYU Abu Dhabi.
Until January 20
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 8pm. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. irena.org
Check out Terraforming
British photographer Duncan Chard has been taking photos for his new exhibition about the UAE for more than years.
Until January 29
Le Royal Meridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, 9am to late. Taxi: Le Royal Meridien. Tel: (02) 6742020. leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com
Friday January 19
Reem Island’s festival returns
Reem Weekend is back, featuring food trucks, an organic market, fitness class demos, a kids’ zone and more.
January 19 to 20
Behind Beach Towers, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri 4pm to 11pm, Sat 3pm to 10pm. Taxi: Beach Towers, Reem Island. Tel: (050) 7113636. reemweekend.com
Family festival at Masdar City
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week has been taking place in the UAE capital this week and there’s a family festival at Masdar on January 19 and 20 running as part of it.
Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, free. Tel: (02) 6533333. Taxi: Masdar City. abudhabisustainabilityweek.com
Run for charity along Abu Dhabi’s Corniche
The annual Terry Fox 8.5km run takes place today at the Corniche to raise funds for local cancer charities. Click here to read Terry’s incredible story.
Corniche, Abu Dhabi, 7am (run starts 9am), free entry but donations accepted. Taxi: Corniche main entrance. terryfox.org
There’s an awesome photography exhibition on Saadiyat…
Check out photos from the past ten years of the Emirates Photography Competition.
Until March 31
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. abudhabievents.ae
…And a new exhibition at The Louvre
The inaugural special exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi, From One Louvre To Another: Opening A Museum For Everyone, traces the history of Musée du Louvre in Paris and will run throughout the first quarter of 2018. It features approximately 145 significant paintings, sculptures, decorative arts and other pieces from the collections of Musée du Louvre and Château de Versailles.
Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (600) 565566. Taxi: Louvre Abu Dhabi. louvreabudhabi.ae
Visit the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival
Learn about the UAE’s founding father at this annual festival – expect spectacular parades, falconry shows and plenty more.
Until January 27
Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, timings TBC. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: Al Wathba, near the cycle track. abudhabievents.ae
Fondue time at Emirates Palace
BBQ Al Qasr, the alfresco-only restaurant at Emirates Palace, has created a new cheese and charcuterie menu for January. On it you’ll find classic French dishes such as raclette, fondue and tartiflette, along with a selection of meats from around the world.
Emirates Palace, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, daily 6.30pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (02) 6907999. Taxi: Emirates Palace. kempinski.com
Saturday January 20
Cheer on the teams at the Dragon Boat Festival
Organised by the UAE Dragon Boat Association, head the Le Meridien for two days of racing, plus a barbecue on the beach.
January 19 to 20
Le Meridien, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat 8am to 3pm. Tel: (02) 6446666. Taxi: Le Meridien. lemeridienabudhabi.com
See In The Making at Warehouse 421
There’s something missing from Warehouse 421’s new exhibition – every object on display is incomplete, or only partly made. Think half-built computers, musical instruments and pieces of sports equipment. In The Making is in Abu Dhabi as part of the UK/UAE 2017 Year Of Collaboration, a series of events and exhibitions put on by both countries.
Until February 11
Warehouse 421, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, timings and prices TBC. Taxi: Warehouse 421 next to COOP in Mina Zayed. warehouse421.ae
Got Talent at Marina Mall (last chance)
Marina Mall is hosting stars from the global reality TV series Got Talent this week. Got Talent Live will see winners and runners-up from the show perform two 45-minute shows daily. Artists on the bill include Kenichi Ebina, who won the 8th season of America’s Got Talent in 2013 and Circus performer and acrobatic dancer, Tatiana Kundik, who performed in 2014’s Ukraine’s Got Talent. It all ends today
January 14 to 20
Marina Mall, Breakwater, Abu Dhabi, daily shows 4.30pm and 7.30pm, free (standing), Dhs10 to Dhs25 (seating). Tel: (800) 6623. Taxi: Marina Mall. marinamall.ae
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