The Christmas weekend is over and whether you’re heading back into the office or taking the week off, there’s no need to let the post-Christmas blues get to you. It’s the start of a brand new week, which means there are loads of awesome things to do in Abu Dhabi.
So, what are the best things to do this week in Abu Dhabi?
We’ve got you covered with futuristic travel, yummy new openings, New Year’s Eve plans and more.
For the best places to eat and drink in Abu Dhabi click here.
For the very best of Abu Dhabi culture click here.
Christmas is around the corner. Want the most festive ways to celebrate? Click here.
New Year’s Eve requires extensive planning to make the most of it. Click here for all the best NYE celebrations in Abu Dhabi.
Headed to Expo 2020 Dubai? Click here for everything you need to know.
Whizz around Yas in the UAE’s first driverless taxi
The future has arrived in Abu Dhabi, with the UAE’s first driverless taxis rolling into Yas Island. TAXAI is a new type of taxi that uses Geospacial intelligence layered with AI to change the way we commute. Trials to try this cool service are on for a limited period. There are nine different pick-up and drop-off points across Yas, and rides are free for a limited time.
Click here to read more about TXAI.
Free. Yas Island txai.taxi.
Return to the recently reopened Angar
One of the city’s most beloved butter chicken dishes is back at Angar. This laid-back Indian restaurant at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island has reopened and is serving contemporary and playful dishes with traditional flavours. We’ve got our eyes glued on the avocado chaat with smashed avocado, chaat masala and pomegranate seeds. Yum.
Get our exclusive first look at Angar here.
Open Mon-Sat 6pm-11pm. W Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Yas Marina Circuit (02 656 0600).
Cook up a storm at this VaKaVa masterclass
Sandoval will be sharing the secret behind his three signature ceviches in an exclusive masterclass on Tuesday December 28 for Dhs200 per person. The class goes from 6pm to 7pm and there’s a maximum of ten guests. There’s a five-course tasting menu available, too.
Click here to read more about the masterclass.
Dhs200 (masterclass), Dhs350 (tasting menu). Tue Dec 28 6pm-7pm (masterclass); 7pm-11pm (tasting menu). Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Corniche Road (02 811 5666).
Explore Abu Dhabi with this free new audio tour
Looking for a new way to get to know Abu Dhabi? There are five audio tours of the capital to help residents go off the beaten track and discover hidden gems in Abu Dhabi and beyond. DCT Abu Dhabi recently launched the self-guided Abu Dhabi audio tours, and the first 25,000 downloads of the five tours are available for free on the Voicemap app. Now is the ideal time to get exploring.
Click here to learn more about the audio tours.
voicemap.me/tour/abu-dhabi
Visit a new nightlife spot
Looking to spice up your nights out? Vertigo Lounge has landed at West Bay Abu Dhabi overlooking the venue’s wave pool and the Arabian Gulf. At Vertigo you can expect to find pretty views, curated beverages, a specialised food menu and live entertainment from Ukrainian DJ, Elena
Click here to check out the new Vertigo Lounge.
Open daily 6pm-3am. West Bay Abu Dhabi, Radisson Blue Abu Dhabi, Corniche Road (02 692 4375).
Sink your teeth into the new Hunter & Barrel
As the name implies, this new Australian restaurant is all about “hunt, gather and fire” cooking. Pull up a seat at the communal table and get ready to feast on the popular charcoal-grilled meats and sharing platter. The latter includes open-fire prawns, spicy calamari and smoky chicken wings. Mains are signature skewers and steaks, including wagyu tomahawk and a spicy gazelle fillet skewer.
Click here to learn more about the new meat-lovers’ spot.
Open daily 11am-1am. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, yasbay@hunterandbarrel.ae, yasbay.ae/dine_in/hunter-barrel (050 452 5958).
Plan your New Year’s Eve
The New Year is fast approaching, and with less than a week to go before New Year’s Eve 2021, it’s time to make those bookings. There is something for everyone, whether you want a family-friendly meal to ring in 2022 or you want to splash out on a night to remember as we mark another year.
Click here for all the best New Year’s Eve events and parties in Abu Dhabi.
See Cinderella at Erth before it’s over
The Cinderella production is happening at Theatre by Erth until Monday December 27. Tickets start at Dhs96, with showtimes at 10am or 3pm. Kids under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult, and you can bring food and drinks into the theatre. Anyone 13 years and older will need a 96-hour negative PCR test, and those who are 16 and older will also need an “E” (for vaccinated status) or star on the Al Hosn app.
Read more about Theatre by Erth here.
From Dhs96. Until Dec 27, 10am, 3pm. Theatre by Erth abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/82087/Cinderella
Skate into a winter wonderland at Emirates Palace
Whether you’re Bambi on ice or a whizz on the rink, you’re going to want to head to Emirates Palace this week. The oriental gazebo has been transformed into a yule-spirited Winter Village complete with alpine-inspired chalets and festive treats to snack on. You can skate across the open-air Glice skating rink, too. The Winter Village is open until Friday January 7 from 2pm to 10pm daily.
For all the festive things on offer at Emirates Palace click here.
Until Fri Jan 7, 2pm-10pm. Emirates Palace, Corniche Road, epauh-beachclub@mohg.com (02 690 7311).
Battle it out in a game of paintball
Paint isn’t just for the artists among us. There are a million (almost) different ways to enjoy paintball and the only potential hazard is a medley of bruises the following morning, (but that’s only for those breaking cover too soon and too often). Brave enough to enter the fray? We’re eyeing the outdoor paintball at Al Forsan.
For more extreme sports across Abu Dhabi click here.
Prices vary. Daily, 2pm-11pm. Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Khalifa City alforsan.com/sport/paint-ball
For all of the best New Year’s Eve events in Abu Dhabi click here.
