Our picks: 18 things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend
What’s On has a full list of all the things to do for the weekend in the nation’s capital, including workshops, deals, sports, entertainment and new openings
Thursday June 15
Check out the Ramadan Bazaar at the Sheraton
You’ll find more than 80 stalls at the Sheraton this weekend, plus free movie screenings for kids (and popcorn), food and henna and face painting.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel And Resort, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, Thur to Sat, 6pm to midnight. Tel: (050) 6542129. Taxi: Sheraton Corniche. sheratonabudhabihotel.com
#MoveThisRamadan at the Four Seasons
The Four Seasons is hosting free fitness classes for those of you wanting to exercise during the Holy Month. The 45-minute #MoveThisRamadan sessions take place every Thursday evening.
It’s a full-body stretching class aiming to improve flexibility and detoxify.
June 15, 22
Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Thur 6pm, free but advanced booking required. Tel: (02) 3332222. Taxi: Four Seasons. fourseasons.com
Make a lamp for Ramadan (last chance)
Take part in a lamp-making workshop at WTC – your creation will decorate the mall for Ramadan. Today is the last day.
World Trade Center Mall, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, Thur, 4pm to 8pm, free. Tel: (02) 5082400. Taxi: World Trade Center Mall. wtcad.ae
Compete in a pub quiz
Head to Heroes and test your general knowledge tonight at a pub quiz hosted by Mike Greaves. There’s a prize up for grabs for the winning team.
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi, Thur 8pm to 10pm. Tel: (02) 6166166. Taxi: Crowne Plaza Hotel. ihg.com
Quesadillas and more at the Mercadito evening brunch
Mexican eatery Amerigos on Yas Island also has an evening brunch that is running throughout the whole of Ramadan. The Mercadito features quesadilla, chicken taquitos dorados, steaks and sides such as corn on the cob.
Park Inn By Radisson, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Thur 7pm to 11pm, Dhs144. Tel: (02) 6562222. Taxi: Yas Island. parkinn.com
Friday June 16
Paint and eat at The Club
Artist and photographer Karissa Lewes is hosting an evening of painting and food. You’ll be taught how to create The Hand Of Fatima (an ancient Middle Eastern amulet). Art supplies and canapés are included in the price.
The Club, Al Mina, Abu Dhabi, Fri 6.30pm to 9pm, Dhs225 members, Dhs250 guests. Tel: (02) 6731111. Taxi: British Club, Mina Port. the-club.com
Send dad for some pampering
June 21 is Father’s Day in the UAE and the Khalidiya Palace Rayaan By Rotana is offering a package for dads to celebrate, that’s available all month. The Father’s Day Gift Package includes access to the hotel’s gym for a day, plus a 60-minute aromatherapy massage and a 60-minute Refinery Deep Cleanse men’s facial (that leave his face hydrated and can boost the appearance of dull skin). He’ll get a scalp massage as part of the facial.
Until June 30
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan By Rotana, Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 10pm, Dhs399 . Tel: (02) 6570000. Taxi: Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan By Rotana, near Corniche. rotana.com
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
Visit 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.
Until June 28
Adnec, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, 6pm to 1am. Tel: (02) 4446900. Taxi: Adnec. adnec.ae
Saturday June 17
Devour dim sum
Dai Pai Dong’s dim sum-heavy Yum Cha brunch is back – and with a new chef in the kitchen.
Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, Sat 12pm to 4pm, Dhs155. Tel: (02) 8135552. Taxi: Rosewood, Al Maryah Island. rosewoodhotels.com
Bounce daily at, er, Bounce
Abu Dhabi’s trampoline park has a special offer running during Ramadan – for Dhs299, you can use the trampolines every day during the Holy Month. Pay Dhs499 and you can also use Bounce’s zipline and Super Slide. The standard Dhs299 is also available at the Al Ain branch.
Marina Mall, Breakwater, Abu Dhabi, Sat to Wed 10am to 10pm, Thur and Fri 10am to midnight, Dhs299. Tel: (04) 3211400. Taxi: Marina Mall. bounce.ae
Go shopping at a Ramadan bazaar
Head to Al Reem Island today for family-themed activities and market stalls.
Paragon Bay Mall, Marina Square, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, Sat 8pm to midnight, free entry. Tel: (02) 6193330. Taxi: Marina Square, Reem Island. three60.ae
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
Watch the British Lions at McGettigan’s
if you’re watching the rugby this month, you can see all the games taking place in New Zealand at Al Raha outlet McGettigan’s. The Irish spot has a special menu featuring country-themed burgers. You get a drink in the price as well. Today they play the Māori All Blacks.
Until July 8
Al Raha Beach Hotel, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi, daily 5.30pm to 3am, Dhs99. Tel: (02) 6524333. Taxi: Al Raha Beach Hotel. mcgettigans.com
Bayn: The In-Between exhibition (last chance)
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
Art at NYU
The New York University on Saadiyat’s exhibition But We Cannot See Them, featuring works by five locally-based artists known as The Five, has been extended until September.
NYUAD Arts Center, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Mon to Sat noon to 8pm, free but prior registration is required. Taxi: NYUAD. nyuad-artgallery.org.
See Winnie The Pooh
Head to Saadiyat Island to see The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh, the classic animation from 1977 about the legendary bear who loves his honey, and his pals including Tigger.
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 11am, free. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. cinemaspace-winniethepooh.splashthat.com