You know that moment on a Thursday afternoon when your work buddy asks what you’re doing this weekend and your mind goes blank? Well worry no more, friends, because What’s On has the perfect solution, whatever mood you are in.

THURSDAY 

Ramadan and Eid Festival 2014
Unique gift items, tasty Arabic food and traditional song and dance form the core of the popular annual Ramadan and Eid Festival 2014, a month-long exhibition at ADNEC. Visitors can find excellent bargains on clothing, toys and books during Ramadan and Eid and with an estimated 65,000 visitors attending, it’ll no doubt be a hive of activity and a great place to keep cool during the summer nights.

Halls 1 to 5, ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, Ramadan 8:30pm to 2:30am, Eid 4pm to midnight. Tel: (02) 4446900. Taxi: ADNEC. adnec.ae

Celebrate Ramadan at Le Royal Meridien
Iftar is served in the hotel’s airy and modern venue Café Palmier, followed by a traditional suhoor in the massive Layali El Hilmiya tent.

Le Royal Meridien, Al Markaziyah, Abu Dhabi, iftar – from sunset, suhoor – 9pm to 3am, iftar – Dhs145, suhoor – Dhs175. Tel: Café Palmier – (02) 6742020, Layali El Hilmiya – 800 101101. Taxi: Le Royal Meridien. leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com

Buy affordable art
If you’re looking for some new works to display in your home but don’t have a big budget, then we suggest you check out Abu Dhabi Art Hub’s 5th, annual Affordable Art Sale, featuring artists from the UAE and beyond. The most you’ll pay for a piece is Dhs2,000.

Abu Dhabi Art Hub, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, July 15 to 31, Dhs250 to 2,000. Tel: (02) 5515005. Taxi: 7th Street, by Emirates Driving School, adah.ae

Iftar at the Palace
The ultimate luxury iftar experience is held at the Emirates Palace’s custom built pavilion overlooking the beach from one side and the façade of the palace on the other. Enjoy an Emirati buffet serving tradition Ramadan beverages, or a selection of a la carte options for suhoor.

Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, from sunset, Dhs265, Tel: (02) 6907999. Taxi: Emirates Palace. emiratespalace.ae

See a fusion of styles on Yas
Ever wonder what happens when you mix together photography, technology, paint, varnish, and glitter? Monaco artist Fiona Ai Bubble’s first UAE exhibit is your chance to find out. Titled “Crossroads #16 – Crystallization,” the exhibit shows a range of colour-splashed, sizable works. The show is organised by Swiss Art Gate UAE in collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s Yas Viceroy hotel.

Until Aug 9
Light Box and Bridge Gallery, Yas Viceroy, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 10am to 10pm, free. Tel: (04) 3958782. Taxi: Yas Viceroy. swissartgateuae.com 

FRIDAY

Ramadan fun at World Trade Center Mall
Head downtown for family entertainment every night throughout Ramadan, including weekend performances featuring characters from kids’ TV show Khousa Bousa. There’s also an arts and crafts corner, a live cooking show from Moroccan chef Assia Othman and a quiz night with prizes up for grabs.

World Trade Center Mall, Al Danah, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 5082400. Taxi: World Trade Center Mall. wtcad.ae

Liwa Date Festival
It’s the last day of the 10th, annual date festival in Abu Dhabi’s western region. There’s Dhs5m up for grabs in prize money at the date beauty contest (yes, you read that right), a date auction, plus demonstrations on how to nurture and grow palm trees.

Liwa Date Festival, Liwa, Al Gharbia, Abu Dhabi, July 12 to 18 8pm to 1am. Tel: (02) 6576094. Taxi: Liwa near Mezaira’a roundabout. Al liwadatesfestival.ae

Yas Waterworld summer deals
Abu Dhabi’s waterpark have launched a new annual pass for families of four, which includes 10 per cent discounts on food and beverages at the park, the souvenir shop and on PearlMasters, Yas Waterworld’s interactive treasure hunt.

Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Daily 10am to 8pm, Dhs2,500. Tel: (02) 4142000. Taxi: Yas Waterworld. yaswaterworld.com

Iftar and anime
Love Japanese culture? Abu Dhabi Anime Club is meeting tonight for iftar and will be showing a movie.

Kingsgate Hotel, Salam Street, Abu Dhabi, July 18, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs75. Tel: (050) 8171058. Taxi: Kingsgate Hotel, Salam Street. facebook.com/AbuDhabianimeclub

SATURDAY

Grab some friends for a bargain iftar
Break your fast in Flavours, the Sheraton’s international restaurant. Offering a buffet from the Middle East and beyond, make sure you come with friends and family as there are great discounts for groups.

Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Corniche East, Abu Dhabi, from sunset, Dhs155. Tel: (02) 6773333. Taxi: Next to Corniche Hospital. sheratonabudhabihotel.com

Holiday Inn’s iftar deal
The Silk Route Cafe is presenting a traditional Middle Eastern iftar buffet, with Dhs5 for every booking going to the IHG Shelter in a Storm charity programme.

Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, Al Reehan, Abu Dhabi, from sunset, Dhs135. Tel: (02) 6574856. Taxi: Holiday Inn. holidayinn.com

Adopt a moggie
The sad fact is that many pets get abandoned in the UAE, especially during the summer. So do some good and give a mog a new home. Waggs and Purrs is holding a cat and kitten adoption day, today.

British Veterinary Center, Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, Aug 19, 1pm to 4pm. facebook.com/Wags.and.Purrs.Rescue.Group/info

Saharaa Ramadan Tent.
A variety of Arabic and Lebanese dishes are what’s on offer at the InterContinental’s Saharaa Ramadan tent. Light entertainment will be provided by an oud player and a Darwish dancer.

Intercontinental, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, daily 9pm to 3am, Dhs55. Tel: (800) 423463. Taxi: Intercontinental. dining-intercontinental-ad.ae

Learn about the history of the world
Make sure you find time to see this incredible exhibition, A History Of The World in 100 Objects, at Manarat Al Saadiyat. It’s a collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and the British Museum.

Until Aug 1
Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, daily 9am to 8pm. Tel (02) 6575800. Taxi: Manarat Al Saadiyat. saadiyat.ae

Look in to the shadows
Rosewood Abu Dhabi has teamed up with Abu Dhabi Art Hub to display stunning carvings by Basam Al-Selawi and Maysoon Masalha. When lit, the shadows reveal incredibly detailed silhouettes of camels, people, mosques and more. You can buy the pieces on display as well.

Until Aug 2
Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Tel: (02) 8135550. Taxi: Rosewood, Al Maryah Island. rosewoodhotels.com, adah.ae