Thursday 9
Celebrate Chopin: In honour of Frederic Chopin’s bicentenary, French Alliance Abu Dhabi is holding an exhibition of printings, reproductions of manuscripts and multimedia about the composer’s life and works. Until December 23.
French Alliance Abu Dhabi (02 666 62 32)
Share Alice’s adventures: Young Alice had some pretty weird adventures in Wonderland, but they were as boring as watching snooker when compared to her latest exploits. Alice in Cartoonland on Ice, is an ice skating extravaganza, where she gets to meet a host of cartoon legends, including The Simpsons, Tom and Jerry, the cast of Shrek and the Loony Tunes gang. The kids won’t want to miss this.
Dhs30-Dhs100. 4.30pm. Zayed Sports City. www.timeouttickets.com
Get Dizzee in a field: Ever since the line-up was announced a couple of months back, Abu Dhabi’s party people have been driving themselves nuts with frenzied anticipation. Finally, the day of the big dance-up has arrived, with Yas Arena set to be bulging at the seams as David Guetta and Dizzee Rascal wow the crowds with some seriously sexy beats at Creamfields.
Dhs250. 6pm-4am. Yas Arena www.timeouttickets.com (800 35274)
Friday 10
Watch a global footy encounter: African champions TP Mazembe take on Mexico’s Pachuca in the first quarter final of the FIFA Club World Cup today. Mazembe, who also qualified for the tournament last year, are skilful, but play hard, so don’t be surprised to see the ref reaching for his cards with regularity.
Dhs20-Dhs70. 8pm. Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium (800 35274)
Dance in your swimming costume: Like swimming pools? Like hypnotic dance music? Like drinking in the sunshine? Then the pool party at Centro Yas Island is the place you should be heading to today. DJs Chad Phunk and Natalie Brogan will be orchestrating the mayhem from behind the decks, plus there’ll be stilt walkers, fire eaters and Brazilian carnival showgirls to amuse your eyes.
Dhs50, free entry before 3pm. 1pm-late. Centro Yas Island (02 656 4444)
Visit an Arts and Crafts Fair: Need some ideas for yuletide gifts? Bring the whole family down to the Winter Charity Arts and Crafts Fair this weekend to get in the festive spirit and get a spot of Christmas shopping done 11am-9pm.
Abu Dhabi Mall
Saturday 11
Watch some intrepid athletes: The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge is officially billed as ‘the world’s toughest challenge.’ In fact, if your average slob tried it, they’d throw the towel in after mere minutes. Why is it so hard? Well, the competing teams run through deserts, climb mountains and kayak through the seas for five solid days. You can follow their progress online.
www.abudhabi-adventure.com
Channel your football fever: With the FIFA Club World Cup in full swing, chances are you’ll be feeling the urge to slip on some shorts and do a few keepy-uppies of your own. Today is day two of Footie Middle East. a three-day celebration of all that’s beautiful about the Beautiful Game, so stretch out those hamstrings, go along and get involved. Until December 12.
Adnec. www.footiemiddleeast.com (800 23632)
Get your game face on: Fancy doing something more interesting with your pub time than staring into your glass, wondering where your life went? Wii Night at The Tavern offers a quality, alternative evening out, with games consoles to get to grips with when you’re not swilling away the bleak, underwhelming reality of every day life.
From 7pm. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort (02 677 3333)
Drool over metal and glass: Today’s the final day of the Abu Dhabi International Motor Show, where the world’s biggest car manufacturer’s are congregating to show off their latest petrol-powered creations. An ambitious attempt to break the indoor land-speed record is also set to take place, so try not to stand in the way.
5pm-10pm. Adnec, www.admotorshow.com (02 444 6900)
Sunday 12
Clear some trash: Feeling in a philanthropic mood? Then do your bit for the community by helping the Emirates Environmental Group get the city’s public areas clear from unsightly trash.
www.eeg-uae.org (04 433 8622)
Sing some carols: Take your little angels down to the InterCon Abu Dhabi this afternoon for the hotel’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony, where they can enjoy hearing carol singers and playing in a gingerbread house.
5pm-7pm. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
Get bowled over: Start off your week with a mega fun session at Bowling City. And, if swinging balls ain’t your thing, try out the karaoke cabins and video games.
Al Mariah Mall (02 676 0444)
Look at some exotic animals: Want to take a look at some native critters? Head on down to the Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, which is home to a number of UAE animals. There’s also a daily bird show.
Open daily 7am-6pm. Nahyan Al Awwal Street, Al Ain (03 782 8188)
Monday 13
Watch some arch football rivals: There’s no love lost between Man United boss Alex Ferguson and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger. Their teams will be taking each other on at Old Trafford in a top of the league clash, so expect plenty of fireworks.
Midnight. Abu Dhabi Sports
Sip free drinks: Take a trip to the ultra-cool bar that is Pearls and Caviar for its Ladies Night, where females can enjoy freebie raspberry and apple beverages while soaking up the amazing views over the nearby creek. 9pm-midnight. Pearls and Caviar,
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8888)
Drive some balls: Abu Dhabi Golf Club has just opened the city’s first two-tiered driving range, giving you a chance to hit dimpled balls as far as you possibly can while elevated from the ground. Bet you can’t beat the world record of 419m, though.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club. 19th Street, Muroor (02 445 9600)
Pamper yourself: Have a girl’s day out at the Sheranis Wellness Spa. This small, intimate spot offers everything from manicures to facials – so you can get pampered from head to toe.
Open daily 8am-8pm. Khalifa City (02 556 2601)
Tuesday 14
Laugh until you cry: Abu Dhabi’s monthly comedy night returns once more, with gags coming courtesy of Paul Sinha, Brendan Dempsey and Matt Welcome. Last month’s show was a sell-out, so get down early to guarantee a seat.
Dhs115. 9pm, Heroes, Crowne Plaza (02 616 6132)
Step to it: Want to tone up those legs and get the blood pumping? Join a step class and you’ll be super fit in no time.
Dhs30-35. 7pm-8pm. The Leisure Club, Khor Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
Enjoy some old school tunes: Bored of all the new hits? Yearning for a simpler time when the synthesizer was king and fashion was just plain awful? Flashback might just be the solution to your problem, as this popular night brings hits spanning the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s
Free (by reservation only: reservations@eightabudhabi.com). Eight Restaurant & Bar (02 558 1988)
Wet your whistle: The week’s at the halfway point, and, if you’ve any aspirations of making it to Friday, you’d best cool off with a long drink. Hakkasan – a winner at TOAD’s recent Restaurant Awards – has one of the best-stocked bars in the city, plus chic surroundings and some incredible food, should you work up an appetite.
Emirates Palace (02 690 9000)
Wednesday 15
Cheer some champs: They’ll need to clear Hekari United and South Korea’s Seongnam Ilhwa first, but today could very feasibly see local boys Al Wahda FC take on the mighty Inter Milan in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Dhs45–195. 9pm. Zayed Sports City (800 35274)
Eat fish, drink bubbly: Book a table at the InterCon’s spectacular seafood eatery, Fishmarket, and for every 500g of scallops you order, you’ll be given two glasses of bubbly to sup absolutely free.
Fishmarket, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
Ponder on paint: Fancy some culture? Today’s your last chance to catch Ines A Landmesser’s latest solo exhibition, Tomorrow is Now, which poses thought-provoking questions concerning the place of individuals in urban society.
Free. Ghaf Gallery (02 665 5332)
Listen to a lady DJ: Superstar DJ Valery brings the beats to Relax@12 every Wednesday, so sip on a cooling beverage and dance the night away to some banging tunes.
Relax@12, Aloft (02 654 5000)
