Looking back on 2020 it seems to have both gone in an instant and been the longest year in living memory.
Prior to this year regular Zoom calls, strict social distancing and wearing a face mask wouldn’t enter into your mind, unless you really didn’t enjoy going outside.
Few expected 2020 to pan out the way it did but as the world came to grips with a global pandemic and the UAE took amazing steps to keep us all safe, there were loads of big events, stories and things to do to keep us busy, happy and positive in the midst of challenging times.
Remember everything that happened this year? We bet you don’t.
Here are the biggest stories, events, announcements and goings-on, month-by-month in Abu Dhabi this year.
January
Gyms were full of those starting a new health kick, resolutions were being made and broken and we’d just started getting used to writing 2020 in the date column.
In January, the UAE capital was named the safest city in the world for a fourth time, The Etihad Arena was officially named, a new world record was broken for the most nationalities at a dance party, a traditional fish and chips shop opened on Reem Island and Abu Dhabi residents were also preparing for the launch of Abu Dhabi road tolls before the system was delayed until the end of the year, giving us all a little more time to be ready.
Then, right at the end of the month, Jubail Mangrove Walk opened to the public, with its scenic walkways and escape from the city leading to thousands flocking to the attraction ever since.
February
The shortest month of the year had an extra day in 2020, Valentine’s Day was looming large and waistlines (for some of us) were reducing after over-indulging over the festive season.
If you were still staying true to your resolution on new found health-kick we salute you, we certainly weren’t.
Jebel Hafet Desert Park opened its doors, a cycling-inspired artwork was unveiled on the Corniche, Marsa Mina opened, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi announced a new Family Zone and at Time Out we were in love with shawarmas (naturally).
March
The first quarter of the year was nearly gone and from here things took an unexpected turn.
Cue empty streets, more time at home, video calls aplenty, hearing the words self-isolate more often than we’d like and making adjustments to our everyday lives quickly to stay safe.
On March 23 the UAE government encouraged residents to self-isolate at home, quickly after malls, restaurants and attractions closed temporarily, flights were grounded, visas on arrival were suspended, the National Sterilisation Programme was launched and UAE schools and universities announced they would continue distance learning until the end of the year.
We were left astonished by the incredible images of Abu Dhabi’s empty streets and in cities around the world.
Time Out became Time In and we brought you loads of ways to keep busy , stay safe and stay home.
April
In April, Ramadan began, safety measures continued to develop, everyone stayed home and adapted to ever-changing conditions around the world.
We can’t the only ones who had never heard of Zoom until this point… Right?
Who else was taking part in virtual quiz’s too? We know we were.
In Abu Dhabi, Spinneys launched home delivery for alcohol, taxis adopted new safety measures, Abu Dhabi’s dugong population was benefiting, we saw a super pink moon in the night’s sky, Abu Dhabi was named the most livable city in the Arab World and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was moved to December as the F1 season went on hold.
May
By May banana bread had become the hit food of the year, we saw incredible images of empty streets in cities around the world and became masters of this whole working from home thing.
In Abu Dhabi, Kinokuniya opened its first ever branch in Abu Dhabi at The Galleria Al Maryah Island as malls reopened to the public, the UAE announced plans to bring UAE residents home, hotels reopened in the city, Abu Dhabi announced border regulations, Eid Al-Fitr was celebrated, restaurants reopened to the public, Abu Dhabi taxis launched contactless payment, new dates were proposed for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Time Out was in love with these stunning images of the seven emirates.
June
An academic year like no other was ending, the summer holiday season transformed into staycation season and the UAE announced plans to fully open the borders.
In Abu Dhabi, Time Out’s Social Distancing Survey found that most UAE residents were planning a staycation (we did too) and a reduction on their next rental agreement, the National Sterilisation Programme ended, hotel beaches reopened to the public, WizzAir announced plans to double the initial fleet in Abu Dhabi and UAE schools were given a date to return.
Take a breath, we’re at the end of June, half way through 2020.
July
July, the height of summer, the half way point of the year and there was still plenty going on in Abu Dhabi.
Yas Island transformed to Fight Island to welcome the IFC back to the city with massive fights including Usman v Masdival, Abu Dhabi’s public parks and beaches reopened to the public, Soul Beach opened on Saadiyat Island, a drive-in cinema opened at Yas Marina Circuit, Etihad Airway’s resumed flights to a growing number of countries, the UAE was named one of the safest countries in the world and the UAE celebrated Eid Al Adha.
Last but not least, Time Out returned from a spell as Time In and we were delighted to help you get out and enjoy the best of the city and save money while doing it (as always).
August
August, statistically the hottest month of the year, the month residents return from holidays overseas (usually) and students get ready to go back to school.
In Abu Dhabi, more details were announced about the world’s largest snow park coming to Reem Island, the first drive-through Starbucks in the emirate opened at Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, UAE residents enjoyed a long weekend for Islamic New Year, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was confirmed to be closed to spectators and would take place on December 13, CLYMB Abu Dhabi officially broke two Guinness World records, Mosque at Qasr al Hosn, Abu Dhabi won a global architecture award and Abu Dhabi bus service was relaunched and the services were upgraded.
Plus, right at the end of the month, UAE schools returned for another year to the delight of schoolchildren across the country (we’re sure).
We can still hear the parents celebrating even now.
September
September, a brilliant song by Earth, Wind and Fire and the start of the end of the summer in the UAE.
In Abu Dhabi the UFC returned with Fight Island and saw Israel Adesanya defeat Paulo Costa to retain the middleweight title, Jubail Mangrove Walk reopened to the public, plans to welcome tourists back to Abu Dhabi were announced, Abu Dhabi Airport duty free announced a home delivery service and Time Out got wanderlust looking at all the countries that have reopened their borders to international tourism.
October
Halloween would come along to spook us all at the end of the month as the winter months slowly and surely came around and with it cooler temperatures that tempted us all to venture outdoors a little more.
In Abu Dhabi, UFC 254 was held on Yas Island seeing Khabib Nurmagomedov return to the city after a year since his last fight to defeat Justin Gaethje before retiring from the sport (for now), Conrad Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi opened to the public, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi launched two new attractions including a roof walk and zip-line and Qasr Al Watan reopened to the public.
November
When November rolled around we all had one eye on the festive season and started to think about 2021 looming around the corner.
In Abu Dhabi, loads of new attractions and beach camping opened on Al Hudayriat Island, sweeping changes were announced to the law in the UAE to make the country more expat friendly, IKEA opened second branch in the city at Al Wahda Mall, Cove Beach opened becoming the first licensed beach club on Reem Island and at Time Out we shared the best places in the city to light up your Instagram feed.
December
It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the start of December but before things got festive the UAE celebrated its 49th National Day with a public holiday and celebrations.
Across the UAE celebrations were held for National Day, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix came to town behind closed doors, Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve events were announced, Abu Dhabi road tolls were given a launch date for early in the New Year and Abu Dhabi announced that it would resume tourism and entertainment activities.
And that was that… 2021 is nearly here and we wonder what that will bring. Stay tuned to timeoutabudhabi.com for all the best things to do in 2021.
