Looking for fantastic things to do in Abu Dhabi in May? May in the capital means the mercury is creeping up and we’re getting ready for an AC soaked summer, but that doesn’t mean you should stay home. A new month is the perfect excuse to get out into the city.
May 2022 is packed with ultra-cool things to do in Abu Dhabi and we’re ready to try them all.
Ready to get out into Abu Dhabi? Here’s the full list of things to do in Abu Dhabi in May.
Looking for family-friendly activities in Abu Dhabi? Click here for the best things to do with the whole gang.
Looking for the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi? Click here for amazing food and drink.
Prefer to get active during your spare time? Click here for the city’s best sports.
Abu Dhabi has some incredible arts and culture. Click here to check it out.
May 1
Eid brunch at Grills@Chill’O
Looking for a brilliant brunch for Eid Al Fitr? Grills@Chill’O is kicking off the Eid holidays with a lovely brunch of Mediterranean dishes with views of the Corniche. The brunch is Dhs250 per person and goes from 12.30pm to 4pm and is one of the top things to do in Abu Dhabi in May. There will also be live music performed by Elias Zayat.
For more fantastic brunches in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Dhs250, 12.30pm-4pm. DATE. 12.30pm-4pm. Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche (02 813 7777).
May 2
Eid celebrations at Hudayriat Island
Eid is even better in Hudayriat, or so we hear. Celebrate with authentic customs and traditions including food, music, events, activities and performances. The event is free to enter and goes from 10am to 10pm from Monday May 2 to Tuesday May 3. This is one of the best free things to do in Abu Dhabi in May.
For everything you need to know about the island, click here.
Free. May 2-3, 10am-10pm. Hudayriyat Island, hudayriyatisland.ae
May 3
Amr Diab Eid concert at Etihad Arena
Amr Diab is coming to the UAE for Eid 2022. The Egyptian pop sensation is returning to Abu Dhabi for a massive concert at Etihad Arena. The Amr Diab concert is happening on Tuesday May 3 from 8.30pm until midnight on Yas Island. Tickets start at Dhs150.
Click here to learn more about the Amr Diab concert.
From Dhs150. Tue May 3, 8.30pm-midnight. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, etihadarena.ae.
Eid at Al Ain Cultural sites
Ready for a wonderful Eid Al Fitr? Watch Al-Ayyala and Al-Harbiya performances at Al Ain Palace Museum and Al Ain Oasis. The sites include Al Jahili Fort, Qasr Al Muwaiji, Al Ain Palace Museum, Bait Mohammed bin Khalifa, Al Qattara Art Centre and Al Ain Oasis.
Free. May 2-3 4pm-6pm. Al Ain Cultural Sites.
May 5
Eid fireworks at Yas Bay Waterfront
Looking for something fun to do this Eid? How do massive Eid fireworks sound (gedditt)? Yas Island has announced a spectacular line-up of fireworks, concerts, exciting events and live shows from Eid until the end of May. The sky is going to go bang every five minutes starting 9pm on Tuesday May 3 to Thursday May 5.
Click here to read more about the Eid fireworks on Yas Island.
Tue May 3-Thu May 5. Yas Bay, Yas Island.
May 6
An Evening with Sinatra at Etihad Arena
Looking for a musical extravaganza in Abu Dhabi? This 20-piece band conducted by Andrew Berryman is presenting a performance of ol’ blue eyes himself: Frank Sinatra. New York-based Marc G. Dalio will perform hits such as Fly Me to the Moon, Sway, The Way You Look Tonight, New York New York, and more. You’ll need a negative 96-hour PCR test to attend. One of the classic things to do in Abu Dhabi in May.
From Dhs125. May 6, 7pm-midnight. Etihad Arena, Yas Island platinumlist.net
May 10
Bowling at Central
Bowling, monster milkshakes, arcade games and music. Sound good? Central is all about mixing fun and food with pizzas, burgers, tacos, poke bowls, salads and desserts. We’re eyeing the PB&J French toast, s’mores and caramel sticky buns, too. Drinks include milkshakes, smoothies, lemonades, hops, grapes and bubbly.
Click here to read more about Central opening.
Open Mon-Thu 4pm-midnight; Fri-Sun noon-3am. Yas Bay Waterfront instagram.com/central_uae.
May 13
Eat dinner at Otoro
Looking for a new Japanese spot in a brand new area? Otoro is open now with sizzling wagyu steaks, quirky sushi rolls, specialty rolls, and a sharing menu with a dynamic ambiance. The new Abu Dhabi restaurant features an outdoor terrace and open sushi bar. Al Qana is the new spot for some of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi in May.
Click here for exciting new restaurants in Al Qana in Abu Dhabi.
Open daily noon-11pm. Al Qana instagram.com/otoro.ad, alqana.ae.
May 15
Do a HIIT boxing workout at Perform Boxing Studio
Ready to break a sweat this month? Get ready for a HIIT class that could bowl you over. Go for agility training, circuit group sessions, weight loss programmes and one-on-one tutorials. This is one of the most high-intensity things to do in Abu Dhabi in May.
For the best boxing clubs in Abu Dhabi, click here.
Sun-Thu 7am-9pm. Zayed The First Street, Zone 1 (058 587 7269).
May 16
Culture Summit
Looking to listen to some great discussions? Culture Summit 2022 is all about collectivity, culture ecosystems and culture as a lived experience. There will be panel discussions, keynotes, presentations, screenings and conversations. There will be policy makers, researchers, artists and more in attendance. Get ready.
Free. May 16-18, 9am-8pm. Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island (02 444 0444).
May 17
Soak up the beachy vibes at Ten 11 Beach
Love the beach? This casual spot packs in brilliant bites, beachy atmosphere and extra-friendly service. You’re going to feel like you’re walking into a surf shack when you go to Ten 11 Beach. This is one of the top things to do in Abu Dhabi in May.
For where to eat at Mamsha Al Saadiyat click here.
Open daily 7am-midnight. Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island (050 567 4735).
May 20
International Indian Film Academy Awards
The IIFA is returning to Abu Dhabi with a massive weekend on Yas Island. The event is being hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and will feature music, cinema, fashion and culture. There will be a press conference and workshops throughout the event, plus the IIFA Rocks and IIFA Awards. One of the most glamorous things to do in Abu Dhabi in May.
From Dhs330. May 20-21, 7pm-11pm. Etihad Arena (052 952 9839).
May 23
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
Looking for fun and literary things to do in Abu Dhabi in May? Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is staging a literary celebration for bookworms. The hybrid event will have virtual sessions and shows plus over 200 exhibitors and the chance to drop in and buy books in person; talk about brilliant things to do in Abu Dhabi in May.
May 23-29. Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Al Rawdah adbookfair.com
May 26
See Peppa Pig at Etihad Arena
Oh, goody – Peppa Pig is arriving UAE this May for the first time ever at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The fun-loving live theatre show Peppa Pig’s Adventure follows the hugely popular TV character as she takes a camping trip to the woods. The cute kids’ show will be on in Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena from Thursday May 26 to Sunday May 29. And a new show was added for Saturday May 28 at 11am. This is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Abu Dhabi in May.
Click here to read more about Peppa Pig in Abu Dhabi.
From Dhs82. Thu May 26-Sun May 29. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, etihadarena.ae. Get a chance to win tickets to Peppa Pig’s first show in the UAE! Click here.
May 27
Score a goal at indoor football
Looking for sporty things to do in Abu Dhabi in May? It might be the beautiful game, but there’s nothing pretty about wringing out sweat-soaked jerseys when you play outside as the summer approaches. Thankfully, at The Dome players can take their headers and volleys inside. Goal, goal, goal.
Click here for the best indoor sports in Abu Dhabi.
Open 8am-1am. Zone 1, Rowdhat, thedome.ae (02 447 0754).
May 28
Brunch at The Lighthouse
Looking for a cool new Saturday brunch to enjoy this month? Lighthouse brunch is one of the top things to do in Abu Dhabi in May. Head to Saturday brunch at this new, cool, home-grown spot in the capital featuring Lighthouse classics along with a live DJ providing tunes.
Click here for everything you need to know about The Lighthouse in Abu Dhabi.
Dhs275 (soft drinks), Dhs375 (house beverages), Dhs535 (bubbly), Dhs125 (kids under 2 years). Sat noon-4pm. Yas Bay Waterfront (02 236 7831).
May 30
Check into a new wellness resort in Ajman
New wellness retreat, Zoya, aims to be a sanctuary for those wishing to nourish and invigorate their mind, body and soul. With an ethos of tailoring treatment programmes to the needs of guests based on holistic and unique medical approaches.
Click here to read more about Zoya Wellbeing.
Opens Fri April 22. Al Zorah. zoyawellbeing.com.
