The weekend is over, and what a weekend in the capital it was with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the festive season in full swing. Don’t be too sad about heading back to the office because there are so many exciting things to do in Abu Dhabi in your off-hours this week. After you clock out, we have the best events and activities in the capital from festive family fun to the latest restaurants to dine at.
Wondering what the best things to do this week in Abu Dhabi are? We’ve got you covered.
For the best places to eat and drink in Abu Dhabi click here.
Christmas is coming. For the top things to do in Abu Dhabi for Christmas 2021 click here.
And for the best New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi, click here.
See a Christmas tree lighting at Yas Links Abu Dhabi
There is something very special about a Christmas tree lighting. So, don’t miss the festive tree lighting ceremony at Yas Links. There will be Christmas treats for everyone. We hear that Father Christmas could be joining the fun.
For everything to know about Yas Island click here.
Mon Dec 15, 6pm-7pm. Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 404 3077).
Dance away at the newly launched WHITE Abu Dhabi
One of Dubai’s hottest clubs has just launched in Abu Dhabi. That’s right, WHITE Abu Dhabi officially opened on Thursday December 9 in the capital. Experience the multi-sensory clubbing experience, including special performances by TikToker Masked Wolf on Sunday December 12 and Tuesday December 14.
To read more about the opening of WHITE Abu Dhabi click here.
Yas Bay, Yas Island @whiteabudhabi.
Make a gingerbread house at Mangroves Ballroom
Gather your loved ones to make a sweet gingerbread house during a fun and festive afternoon at the Anantara Eastern Mangroves. Get creative decorating your delicious structure with all of the candies, sweeties and snowy frosting.
To see more gingerbread house making classes in Abu Dhabi click here.
Dhs150. Wed Dec 15, 6pm-8pm. Anantara Eastern Mangroves, Al Kheeran (56 503 5121).
Visit the Elf Toy Factory at Yas Mall
Yas Mall has been turned into a Winter Wonderland as we await Santa’s arrival in the capital. The Yas Island attraction has family-friendly Christmas experiences for all, including snowball photo-ops, gingerbread house making classes and a special ride on the Santa Express Train to the Elf Toy Factory. Don’t miss your chance to go to the Santa’s Grotto and share your Christmas wishlist because there are festive prizes to be won.
Fri Dec 10-25. Yas Mall, Yas Island, www.yasmall.ae/en/home.
See sweet things at The Dessert Museum
Have a sweet tooth? Want to fill your Insta feed with even more pastel prettiness? The Dessert Room has a pop-up at the Mother of the Nation Festival (MOTN) on the Abu Dhabi Corniche. The sweet space from Manila is as delicious as it sounds with art installations, experiences and more photo opportunities than you can shake a lollipop at.
Thu Dec 9-19, 4pm-midnight (Sun-Thu), 2pm-midnight (Fri-Sat). Abu Dhabi Corniche www.motn.ae.
Explore Yas Bay Waterfront
There is so much to explore (with even more on the way) at the newly opened Yas Bay Waterfront. Enjoy a walk on the boardwalk before chowing down on one of the many new eateries in the capital. You can easily make a day out of it by heading to one of the lounges. Siddharta Lounge, Asia Asia, Hunter and Barrel, Paradiso, Café del Mar and Lock, Stock & Barrel were part of the grand opening.
Click here to learn about the restaurants coming to Yas Bay Waterfront.
Yas Island, yasbay.ae.
Photograph the Insta-worthy EL&N café
EL&N London has come to the UAE for the first time with a pop-up at the Mother of the Nation festival. Head to MOTN to see (and snap) the pretty pink space and all of its flowers. The décor is just the start because the food and drinks promise to be as Instagrammable. For Mother of the Nation, the pop-up café is serving exclusive “croffles,” a croissant-waffle hybrid topped with various sweets.
For more about EL&N’s Abu Dhabi pop-up click here.
From Dhs25 (general admission), Thu Dec 9-19, 4pm-midnight (Sun-Thu), 2pm-midnight (Fri-Sat). Abu Dhabi Corniche motn.ae.
Visit Santa’s Grotto at The Galleria Al Maryah Island
The Galleria Al Maryah Island has totally transformed this festive season into a Winter Wonderland to celebrate Christmas in Abu Dhabi in the jolliest way. Kids of all ages can go see Father Christmas at Santa’s Grotto and mail letters to the North Pole. That is just the start of the exciting festive activities happening across the mall.
Click here for more festive things to do with the family in Abu Dhabi.
Thu Dec 9-25. The Galleria Al Maryah Island, thegalleria.ae/winterwonderland (02 493 7400).
Enjoy the new Akiba Dori
The Japanese street food concept is the latest spot to join the Yas Bay Waterfront. Just look for the colourful neon signs then head inside the funky space to enjoy a buzzy Akihabara-inspired dining experience. Tuck into sushi, sandos, curries, gyoza and more. Try to save room for dessert, including the signature lotus cheesecake.
Opens Sun Dec 12. Yas Island, akibadori.com.
For all of the latest and greatest happening in Abu Dhabi, click here.
