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

Thursday October 26

See Vince Vaughn in Brawl In Cell Block 99

Owing millions of dollars to Mexican smugglers, bruiser Bradley Thomas (Vince Vaughn) has only one option – kill their nemesis imprisoned in Red Leaf, a notorious maximum security prison, or the gang will carry out a threat so terrifying we can’t write it down. This is Vince Vaughn at his absolute peak.

Emirati Music Series : Saeed Al Salem & Orchestra

The Emirati singer performs for one night only, tonight. Al Salem blends the Emirati sound and Khaleeji traditional rhythms with his very own philosophy and musical convictions.
Umm Al Emarat Park, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, Thur 8pm, Dhs5 park entry fee. Tel: (800) 555. Taxi: Mushrif Park. abudhabievents.ae

Check out one of the world’s biggest judo tournaments

More than 300 competitors from around 49 countries are going head to head in a weekend-long competition. Grand Slam Abu Dhabi is one of the biggest international judo competitions in the world.
IPIC Arena, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, check website for timings. Taxi: Zayed Sports City. ijf.org

Take in an exhibition – Personification

Abu Dhabi Art Hub have joined forces with Le Royal Meridien for a new exhibition that looks at nature, animals and the human desire for peace. The artists displaying are Jake Catah from the Philippines and Reem Al Subiy from Saudi Arabia.
Until October 31
Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 10pm, free. Tel: (02) 6742020. Taxi: Le Royal Méridien. leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com

Friday October 27

Run a kilomarathon – and raise money for charity

Not quite got the legs to run a full marathon yet? If 26.2 miles is too far, you can run a more gentle 26.2 kilometres at the annual Westin Kilomarathon Run, which takes place at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. It’s a night run where you’ll complete six laps of a floodlit, garden course, but there’s also three- and one-lap fun run options available. Your entry fee goes towards a good cause – the 2017 Road To Awareness fundraising campaign that has been helping kids in need in countries such as Nigeria, South Africa and Mozambique since 2008.
October 27
The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, 7pm, Dhs80 to Dhs175. Tel: (02) 6169999. Taxi: Westin. westinabudhabigolfresort.com, premieronline.com

Scary times at Spooktacular on Yas

Celebrate Halloween four days early at Yas Waterworld. Kids can go trick or treating and take part in a costume competition.
October 27
Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri 10am to 10pm. Tel: (800) 92723. Taxi: Yas Waterworld. yasisland.ae

Eat truffles at Villa Toscana

October sees restaurants all over the world – and in Abu Dhabi – add truffle dishes to their menu, and you can try a selection at Italian restaurant Villa Toscana. You’ll find them in pasta dishes, risottos and more. There’s a set menu available, plus a la carte options, with main dishes starting from Dhs75.
October 20 to 31
St Regis Abu Dhabi, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi, daily 7pm to 11pm, from Dhs75. Tel: (02) 6944553. Taxi: St Regis Corniche. stregisabudhabi.com

Watch live cricket

Abu Dhabi Cricket are hosting two of the sport’s heavyweights this month – Sri Lanka and Pakistan. This weekend it’s the Twenty20 match-ups, taking place Thursday and Friday.
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, timings and prices TBC. Tel: (02) 5588331. Taxi: Zayed Cricket Stadium. abudhabicricket.ae

Check out a Dragon boat festival

  
Now in its tenth year, watch teams of Dragon boat racers work their way up and down Maqta Creek on Friday and Saturday. There’ll also be a barbecue at the Shangri-La hotel during the festival.
October 27 to 28
Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, Fri from 8am, Sat from 10.30am. Tel: (02) 5108818. Taxi: Shangri-La. shangri-la.com

Ferrari World lights up for Diwali

Ferrari World’s Festival Of Lights is back – the annual celebration of Indian festival Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights) will feature live performers including a Bollywood dancing troupe, dhol drummers, food stations, DJs and more.
Until October 28
Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, from Dhs275. Tel: (02) 4968000. Taxi: Ferrari World. ferrariworldabudhabi.com

Saturday October 28

Stock up at the Ripe Market

Get some fresh vegetables, teas or superfoods and attend a fitness workshop at the weekly market in Al Mushrif.
Umm Al Emarat Park, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, Sat 3pm to 9pm, Dhs5 park entry. Tel: (04) 315700. Taxi: Mushrif Park. ripeme.com

Cycle your way to health

Cycle For Health UAE, an event organised by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi with Healthpoint and the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre. It takes place in Zayed Sports City – on the day you’ll find a 1.9km-long course for beginner cyclists to hurtle around. It’ll take you on a loop of the stadium at Zayed City, plus closed roads. There are bikes and helmets available on the day for you to use for free and the event is very much aimed at families and beginners who want to find out more about the benefits of pedal power. There’ll be lessons for kids taking their first steps on a bike. There’ll also be free health screenings on the day, workshops on exercises you can try, plus healthy food cookery demos. Not enough for you? You can also grab a bite from a healthy food truck, plus there’s bouncy castles to keep children entertained when they’re not getting to grips with riding.
Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, Sat 9am to 1pm, free. Taxi: Zayed Sports City. clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae

Hit the market stalls at the Made In Abu Dhabi Festival

Around 45 local vendors are setting up shop this weekend at the Eastern Mangroves Promenade. For sale, you’ll find clothes, accessories, traditional and artisan crafts, kids’ toys, home ware and decor and more. There’s arts and crafts and a bouncy castle for the kids.
Eastern Mangroves Promenade, Al Salam Street, Abu Dhabi Fri to Sat 11am to 6pm. Taxi: Eastern Mangroves. 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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