Your guide to all the events taking place in the nation’s capital

Thursday March 29

Check out the Mother Of The Nation Festival

The third Mother Of The Nation Festival concludes this weekend – once again it’s on at the city’s Corniche, but for 2018 it’s moved along the coastline and is now taking place in A’l Bahar – Abu Dhabi Corniche. That’s the part of the Corniche currently being redeveloped into a new 600-metre beachfront with restaurants and a whole lot more. Just like previous years, the festival has plenty of fun for all the family, with more than 100 workshops, performances and activities. Check out our complete guide here.
Until March 31
A’l Bahar – Abu Dhabi Corniche, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, Sun to Thur 4pm until midnight, Fri to Sat 2pm to midnight. Tel: (800) 86823. Taxi: Abu Dhabi Corniche. motn.ae, ticketmaster.ae

Don Quixote – Compañía Nacional de Danza

An Abu Dhabi Festival performance, this famed ballet is a vivid tale of imagination, friendship, love and loyalty that tells the story of Miguel de Cervantes’ romantic knight Don Quixote. It’s a vibrant interpretation that elegantly captures classic Franco-Russian choreography.
March 29 to 30
Emirates Palace Auditorium, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, 8pm, Dhs125 to Dhs350 Tel: (050) 1299103. Taxi: Emirates Palace. abudhabifestival.ae

Ready Player One is in cinemas from today

Steven Spielberg’s new movie, set in a dystopian future, takes virtual reality to a new level, and is full of references to 1980s pop culture (it even features the Delorean car from his classic movie Back To The Future). It opens in UAE cinemas today.

Fashion meets art in Al Ain

The Garden City is hosting an exhibition of fashion illustrations over the next few months. Lines And Stitches features designs by UAE artists and inside you’ll find 21 pieces, along with eight art installations. There will also be workshops, hosted by fashion designers and illustrators from the UAE, every Saturday while the exhibition is running.
Until June 14
Al Qattara Arts Centre, Al Ain, Sat to Thur, 9am to 8pm, free entry. Tel: (03) 7118225. Taxi: Al Qattara Arts Centre. abudhabievents.ae

Friday March 30

Easter celebrations in Abu Dhabi

There’s plenty happening in the capital this weekend if you’re marking the occasion, including events at most of the city’s hotel (think egg hunts and brunches), plus special celebrations at The Galleria and Yas Marina. Click here for our full guide.

Aloft’s Liquid Rain pool and foam party is back

It’s the first Liquid Rain party of the season at Aloft Abu Dhabi. It takes place on the fifth floor of the hotel at Mai Cafe, and this weekend the venue is kitted out to look like a rain forest. DJs Danny CEE, Vens T and Tamer will supply the hits. Don’t forget your swimwear.
Aloft Abu Dhabi, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 3am, Dhs100, ladies free until midnight, Dhs50 after. Tel: (02) 6545193. Taxi: Adnec. aloftabudhabi.com/events

And there’s also a pool party at Hilton Abu Dhabi

Hitonia Beach Club is hosting a Glow Pool Party tonight with Ukranian DJ Miss Odette on the wheels of steel spinning deep house, EDM, hip hop and R&B tracks. You get one drink included in the entry fee.
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, 9pm to 3am, Dhs50. Taxi: Hilton Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 6924247. hilton.com

Race your bike on Yas

The Yas Island Cycle Race returns this weekend, and there’s different distances available for competitors. The main event is 52km long (you’ll ride a 5.2km loop ten times) for men, and 41.6km for women (you’ll do the loop eight times) and there’s also a six-lap option available (31.2km).
Gateway Park, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri 6.30am, Dhs52.50. Taxi: Gateway Park. premieronline.com, facebook.com/Gulfmultisport

Saturday March 31

Watch the Harlem Globetrotters

The legendary American basketball tricksters the Harlem Globetrotters are in town for two nights. You don’t have to be an NBA fan to enjoy the shows, either – the focus here is on comedy and family entertainment.
March 30 to 31
du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri 7pm, Sat 4pm, Dhs79 to Dhs1,575. Tel: (800) 86823. Taxi: du Forum. yasisland.ae

Shang Palace has a new menu

Chinese restaurant Shang Palace has rebooted its menu, and it’s now inspired by the four corners of China. Menu highlights include roasted Beijing duck with pancakes and wok-fried foie gras and deep-fried soft shell crab.
Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, daily noon to 3pm, 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (02) 5098900. Taxi: Shangri-La Hotel. shangri-la.com/abudhabi

New exhibition at the Louvre

Louvre Abu Dhabi has joined forces with the National library of France for its latest exhibition that examines the history of how humanity has viewed planet Earth as a sphere. Globes: Visions Of The World features more than 40 globes and spheres, some of which date back 2,500 years. In total, the exhibition features 160 works from France’s Bibliothèque nationale.
Until 2 June
Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, Dhs60, under-12s free. Tel: (600) 565566. Taxi: Louvre. louvreabudhabi.ae

There’s an art exhibition at the Fairmont

The Fairmont is hosting art by six local talents this month, and a huge name in the world of photography, as part of an inaugural exhibition by a new company created by Abu Dhabi-based artist Emily Gordon. iAM Here & Now is the first exhibition by International Artists Management, founded by long-time capital resident Gordon, to promote local and international talents (you may well have seen her work at the Fairmont before, at one of the No White Walls exhibitions – she’ll also be displaying work at this new event). Exhibiting are Australian landscape and fashion photographer Anthony Horth, plus locally-based talents Rashed Al Mansoori, Unni Kriens, Maryam Abdulla and more.
Until March 31
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi, free. Tel: (02) 6543238. Taxi: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. fairmont.com/abu-dhabi, intlartmgmt.com

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