Your guide to the next three days in the nation’s capital, including new movie releases, exhibitions, festivals and lots more

Thursday October 12

Think pink at The Galleria

The high-end shopping mall on Al Maryah Island has joined forces with Pink Caravan for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Free private screenings and exams are on offer, plus you can chat to breast cancer experts. If you go for a screening, you’ll get a free pink cupcake from Leopold’s Of London, a pink rose from Forever Rose plus a complimentary nail polish from NStyle Beauty Lounge.
The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 4pm to 10pm. Tel: (02) 6777271. Taxi: Galleria. thegalleria.ae

The new season of Abu Dhabi Classics starts today

The capital’s annual classical music festival returns tonight – and you can expect a full calendar of events running until April to be announced in the forthcoming weeks. What we do know is the first concert in the diary. This weekend, you can see Switzerland’s Lucerne Symphony Orchestra with American conductor James Gaffigan and American soloist Nicholas Angelich. They’ll be performing two concerts to mark the seventh edition of Abu Dhabi Classics – you can see them in Al Ain on October 12 at Al Jahili Fort and at Emirates Palace tomorrow. They’ll be performing Edvard Grieg, Beethoven and more. The following night in the capital, expect pieces by Sergei Rachmaninov and Gioachino Rossini.
abudhabimusic.ae

Learn about Korean culture

The annual Korea Festival is taking place in Abu Dhabi during October and November and tonight sees The Republic of Korea Navy Cruise Training Task Group in the capital – and they’re hosting a Korean Cultural Night at the Korean Cultural Center featuring Samulnori (Korean percussion music), B-boy dancing, illusions and K-Pop cover versions.
Korean Cultural Center, Building 5, twofour54, Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 7pm. Tel: (02) 4917227. Taxi: twofour54. uae.korean-culture.org

See a scary snowman

Nordic noir doesn’t get darker than this – detective Harry Hole (Michael Fassbender) and young police recruit Katrine Bratt (Rebecca Ferguson) attempt to track down a serial killer who murders women and leaves a trail of extremely disturbing snowmen as clues. Thanks to this spine-chilling psychological thriller, we have never been more thankful for living in a desert.

There’s a new exhibition on at NYU

Inventing Downtown: Artist-Run Galleries in New York City, 1952–1965 takes a look at the art scene in the Big Apple, in particular examining abstract expressionism in the ’50s and pop art and minimalism popular in the ’60s. There are 200 pieces by more than 50 artists covering a variety of genres, including abstract art, performance art and large installations.
NYU Art Gallery, New York University, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Mon to Sat noon to 8pm, free. Taxi: NYU Saadiyat. nyuad-artgallery.org

Friday October 13

Race at Yas KartZone for free

The go-kart track at Yas Marina Circuit has reopened after a bit of a reboot – there are 32 new karts, a tweaked track and upgraded briefing and changing rooms. Head there this weekend at the timings below and you can ride for free.
October 13 to 14
Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 2pm to 9.30pm, free. Tel: (800) 927. Taxi: Yas Marina Circuit. yasmarinacircuit.com

Cheer on the runners at the annual Pink Runs

October is Breast cancer awareness Month and Zayed Sports city is hosting the seventh edition of the ADCB Zayed Sports city Pink 5K and 10K runs to raise money for the Al Jalila Foundation’s Pink caravan initiative. All participants receive a pink Saucony running T-shirt, a finisher’s medal and refreshments. It’s too late to sign up, but you can still go along to cheer on those taking part.
October 13
Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, 7am, Dhs120 to Dhs180. Tel: (050) 1094055. Taxi: ZSC. premieronline.com

Cheap drinks at Loca

You can celebrate Oktoberfest in a Mexican restaurant this month – Loca is offering 20 per cent off bottles of beer all October to celebrate.
October 1 to 31
The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 2am. Tel: (02) 5823639. Taxi: The Galleria. locauae.com

Oktoberfest at the Beach Rotana

The German pub in Beach Rotana, Brauhaus, has traditional games and food this weekend. There’ll also be live music to accompany dishes such as pretzels, sauerkraut and schnitzels. The band will be playing live daily from 6pm and today is the last day of the festival.
Until October 13
Beach Rotana, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 6pm. Tel: (02) 6979011. Taxi: next to Abu Dhabi Mall. rotana.com

Saturday October 14

Family fun day at the Sportsman’s Arms

Head to the pub in Zayed Sports City for free popcorn, face painting, a colouring station, petting zoo and movies for the kids, and an all-day happy hour for parents.
Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, Sat noon to 6pm, free entry. Tel: (02) 4034235. Taxi: Zayed Sports City. sportsmanszsc.com

Celebrate Oktoberfest at Sofitel Corniche

The Sofitel is serving German drinks and dishes this month to celebrate Oktoberfest at Grills@Chill’O. There’s cheese fondue and a wurst platter to eat.
Until October 15
Sofitel Corniche, Al Markiziyah Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 11.30pm. Tel: (02) 8137777. Taxi: Sofitel. sofitel.com

Check out an animation exhibition

Comic Craze showcases works from the UAE’s flourishing community of comic artists, such as Khalid Bin Hamad, whose sci-fi animation series Empire Of N uses the Japanese animated style of anime to reflect on the Emirati identity.
Al Qattara Arts Centre, Al Ain, Sat to Thur, 9am to 8pm, free entry. Tel: (03) 7118225. Taxi: Al Qattara Arts Centre. abudhabievents.ae

Check out Hajj: Memories Of A Journey

Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, is celebrated at a new exhibition this month at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Hajj: Memories Of A Journey tells the story with artefacts, photos, multimedia displays and art installations. Inside you’ll find pieces from private and public collections but also contributions from the general public – Abu Dhabi’s Tourism & Culture Authority has been collecting souvenirs, gifts and keepsakes from pilgrims in the capital who have made the spiritual trip to the Saudi Arabian city, which will be showcased in a gallery at the mosque (such as souvenirs gifted by family and friends upon their arrival from Mecca).
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, free. Tel: (02) 4191919. Taxi: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. szgmc.ae

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