It’s the end of week, and we’re ready to get out there and enjoy all Abu Dhabi has to offer. It is the final weekend of the MOTN festival and it is going out in style with plenty of foodie pop-ups to try and a musical grand finale. The festive season in Abu Dhabi is in full swing. And with days until Santa Claus comes to town, there are many ways to celebrate the holidays now, including writing letters to Santa, seeing the big man in red and festive brunches.
Looking for something to do with the kids? There is always tonnes of family fun in Abu Dhabi, and the capital has plenty of family-friendly festive events and activities on now.
Weekend plans? Sorted. Here are best things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Christmas is almost here. For the best 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.
For the best places to eat and drink in Abu Dhabi click here.
Dance to Craig David
The popular British singer-songwriter is part of the grand finale performances at the MOTN festival. David is bringing his latest TS5 tour to Abu Dhabi as part of the gig on Friday December 17 at the Mother of the National festival. Get ready to sing.
To read more about Craig David performing at MOTN click here.
From Dhs75. Fri Dec 17 (Craig David), 7pm (doors open). Abu Dhabi Corniche, motn.ae.
Gobble up a festive Lindt brunch at Nahaam
Feast at this special brunch in collaboration with Lindt chocolates. Of course, there’s plenty of sweet treats on offer, and little ones can join chocolate-making classes. The fun and feasting doesn’t stop there with live stations including takoyaki, risotto, a tuna-cutting ceremony and nitrogen ice cream. Don’t miss out because there’s a 25 percent off offer for this weekend only.
To read more about the best brunches in Abu Dhabi click here.
Dhs370 (soft drinks), Dhs495 (house beverages), Dhs625 (premium grapes), Dhs695 (bubbly). Fri Dec 17, 12.30pm-4pm. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Corniche Road (02 811 5666).
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. Children can go see Father Christmas at Santa’s Grotto and mail letters to the North Pole.
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).
Instagram EL&N café
EL&N London is now in the UAE for the first time with a MOTN pop-up. The festival is closing this weekend so now is your final chance to see and snap the pretty pink space. The ‘grammable pop-up café is serving exclusive “croffles,” a croissant-waffle hybrid topped with various sweets, just for MOTN.
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.
Tuck into festive eats at Expo
Expo 2020 Dubai is celebrating the festive season in the most delicious way. Pavilions across the world’s great show are offering limited-edition holiday foods and specials, from Alkebulan The African Dining Hall’s all-you-can-eat offer to Kutif serving up a five-course set menu of festive Indian delicacies. Get those steps in to make room for all of the festive food.
For more about Expo 2020 Dubai’s festive specials click here.
Visit Father Christmas at Yas Mall
There’s a Winter Wonderland at Yas Mall with plenty of fun Christmas experiences for the entire family, such as 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 wish list because there are festive prizes to be won.
To find out more about Yas Mall’s Winter Wonderland click here.
Fri Dec 10-25. Yas Mall, Yas Island, yasmall.ae/en/home.
Try High Joint in Abu Dhabi
Dubai-born burger spot High Joint is in the capital for the very first time thanks to a pop-up at the Mother of the Nation festival. The 10-day event closes on Saturday December 18, so these are your final few days to try the top-selling High Jamz Burger and fried chicken in the capital.
To read more about the High Joint pop-up in Abu Dhabi click here.
Until Sat Dec 18. MOTN, Corniche Road motn.ae.
Enjoy a Cinderella brunch and theatre show
Looking for a unique brunch in Abu Dhabi? Bring the family to Erth’s Cinderella brunch this Friday. That’s just the start of the excitement because Cinderella and friends will have a meet-and-greet.
To find out more about Erth’s festive Cinderella specials click here.
Fri Dec 17 (brunch). Erth Abu Dhabi, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street (02 441 5900).
See a camel beauty pageant at the Al Dhafra Festival 2021
Who’s a pretty camel? That is up for debate at the 2021 Al Dhafra Festival. The unique beauty contest is on now until Thursday December 23 and will see camel owners trying to with 705 prizes worth a staggering Dhs11.415 million over 75 rounds featuring purebred camel competitions. The Al Dhafra Festival is a celebration of Emirati culture, and visitors are likely in for a memorable experience.
To find out more about camel beauty pageants click here.
Until Thu Dec 23, 2022. Al Dhafra.
Go to a Festive Market at The Lounge
Looking for a way to get into the holiday mood? The Westin has a festive market in its lounge all this month, with confectionary and ginger treats.
For more about the Westin Abu Dhabi click here.
Open daily throughout December. 7am-7pm. The Westin Abu Dhabi, Khalifa City (02 616 9702).
Eat like a caveman at Hunter & Barrel
Chow down like a hunter-gatherer (without the trouble of sourcing food) at this Australian grills casual restaurant. The meaty spot just opened in Abu Dhabi with a prime feasting location at trending Yas Bay Waterfront. Pull up a chair at the communal table to dig into the popular charcoal-grilled meats and veggies.
To read more about Hunter & Barrel’s opening click here.
Open daily 11am-1am. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, yasbay@hunterandbarrel.ae, yasbay.ae/dine_in/hunter-barrel (050 452 5958).
For all of the not-to-be-missed events and activities happening in Abu Dhabi, click here.
