Thursday 4
Soothe your skin: Perfect after long, hot days in the Abu Dhabi sun, Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La is offering an August special called Sunlight Soother. It involves a blend of cucumbers and yoghurt with aloe vera that’s guaranteed to heal and calm your skin. A scalp massage and nourishing hair cream bath is included too.
Dhs500. Chi, The Spa, Shangri-La (02 509 8900/8907)
Bag some bargain art: Today’s the first day of Ghaf Gallery’s Ramadan Art Bazaar, where you can pick up work from local painters at huge discounts. Though it’s on all month, the good stuff will probably be gone before the weekend’s out, so grab the plastic and head down.
Ghaf Gallery (02 665 5332)
Give to charity: Ramadan is the month of giving and charity, and everyone should do their part. If you’re in the giving spirit, there are plenty of places that need your help. Why not volunteer for Takatof, donate to the Doctors Without Borders or Red Crescent society, or sign up for one of Gulf For Good’s many campaigns
Practise a civilised sport: An ancient noble sport, dating back to days of old where high society spent countless afternoons honing their skills and enjoying civilised conversation. This is exactly what pong isn’t; but you’ll want to head down to PJ O’Reilly’s Pong Tournament anyway, because it looks like it’ll be loads of fun.
8pm. PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien (02 674 2020)
Friday 5
See some creative kids: When telecoms company Yahsat asked the city’s schools to knock out some arty tributes to the UAE’s first major satellite launch, they responded with some seriously impressive efforts (check them out on page 22). The finest are now on permanent display at the firm’s Al Falah HQ, and are free for all to behold.
Yahsat HQ, Al Falah (02 510 0000)
Treat yourself to a new abaya: If you want something special to wear at family gatherings, Iftars and other social events throughout Ramadan, why not invest in one of Sumayyah Al Suwaidi’s sensational Seen abayas? Available in a range of feminine colours and designs they’re modest, stylish and creative all at once.
Grafika, Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7111). www.seencouture.com
Order in: Not fasting? There are plenty of places that’ll happily deliver to your door. Mirabel in Al Markaziyah serves up some mean sandwiches, and if you’re in the mood for Chinese there’s always the solid (but overpriced) Restaurant China.
Get some cut-price pampering: Bargain lovers who are in need of a little TLC would do well to head to Paris Gallery’s Serenity Spa, where there’s a 20 per cent discount on all spa treatments until August 18.
Serenity Day Spa by Paris Gallery, Khalidiyah Centre (02 667 8880)
Saturday 6
Treat your hands and feet: One of Abu Dhabi’s swankiest pampering spots, Espa at The Yas Hotel is offering a 25 per cent discount on its luxury manicure and pedicure treatments until the end of August. A prime excuse to give your hands and feet some much-deserved attention.
Espa, The Yas Hotel (02 656 0862)
Be a beautified VIP: If you’re looking for a new way to socialise with the girls, why not book one of Tips & Toes’ VIP suites? You and your friends can relax in the classic suite, themed like a plush French boutique, or the opulent Moroccan-themed suite while you take advantage of the tailor-made pampering packages.
Khalifa City A, book through hotline 04 399 0550.
Watch Jackie fly: Karate kid fan? Can’t get enough of the old kung fu master takes boy under his wing and builds his skills and character plot? Well neither can Jackie Chan. It isn’t a silver screen masterpiece but none of his films are. We’ll still watch them, though, because the man is awesome.
Kung Fu Master is in cinemas now
Feast in the company of 14,000: Every evening during Ramadan, 14 huge tents on the grounds of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will play host to what must surely be the biggest Iftar in the city. Entry is free, with non-Muslims welcome to join in the feed.
Sunday 7
See Harry Potter come of age: It seems like only yesterday Daniel Radcliffe was just an irritating schoolboy with loads of money. Now he’s all grown up and getting growly in the final film in the Potter franchise, in cinemas now.
Get dressed for Eid: Marks & Spencer has launched its Ramadan and Eid collection for women and youngsters, so you can bag yourself a nice new dress this season.
Marks & Spencer, Fotouh Al Khair Centre (02 621 3646)
Teach the kids to skate: Little angels raising heck with all that free time? Throw them on to the ice rink. The Abu Dhabi Ice Rink will be open throughout Ramadan and lessons are still available (with timings regularly announced on the website). Ramadan timings at the ice rink are 9am-1am, with the restaurant serving food from Iftar until 2am.
Zayed Sports City (02 403 4200)
Enjoy Suhoor: Visit Hilton’s Suhoor tent for an evening of food, shisha and Arabic music.
Dhs30 cover charge 9pm-late. Hilton (02 681 1900)
Monday 8
Break fast with a local legend: Über-enthusiastic cultural guide and Emirati-about-town Ali Al Saloom is hosting a special one-off Iftar at the Ghaf Gallery tonight. Aside from a spread of fantastic food, you’ll also have to chance to meet the man himself, as he delivers insights into Emirati life and offers tips on cross-cultural etiquette.
Dhs250. 6pm. Ghaf Gallery (02 641 9914)
Float around on an icy breeze: If you want to try skydiving without the risk of death, Spacewalk has you covered. The 875kph winds will hold you aloft while you do your best impression of a plane.
Spacewalk, Abu Dhabi Country Club (02 446 3653)
Keep the kids happy: Want to soften the little ones’ end of holiday misery? Buy Dhs300 worth of back to school products at Bhs and get a free cuddly toy.
Bhs, Abu Dhabi Mall (02 645 8400)
Go late-night bowling: Take the family to Khalifa Bowling Center for a late-night session that continues right the way through until the wee hours.
Khalifa International Bowling Centre (02 403 4200)
Tuesday 9
Pick up some designer sweets: Want to treat someone this month? Collect a box of The Yas Hotel Designer Sweets, a mouth-watering selection of beautifully designed fine patisseries, cakes, petit desserts, cupcakes and cookies.
The Yas Lounge at The Yas Hotel (02 656 0000)
Have an award-worthy curry: Had your fill of ouzi and umm ali already? TOAD award-winning Indian restaurant Ushna is offering a special set menu during the Holy Month, including a unique, spicy take on Emirati harees and a date and almond pudding.
Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1769)
Get a free bag: Take the teens on a shopping trip to Tammy and get a free gift. Spend Dhs300 and get a bag worth Dhs79 for free.
Tammy, Khalidiyah Mall (02 635 4000)
Feed up, solve the world’s problems: While it’s likely to have one of the biggest Iftar spreads in the city, CuiScene at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr also has charity among its priorities. Throughout Ramadan, 15 per cent of everything that goes in the cash register will be pledged to the UAE Red Crescent. Aww.
Dhs195. CuiScene (02 654 3333)
Wednesday 10
Watch a digital showdown: Tonight sees another round of head-to-head PlayStation action at the Armed Forces Officers Club’s Open Sports Festival. What do you mean PlayStation isn’t a sport? You try not eating all day then hurling a discus.
AFOC (02 441 5900)
Play football indoors: No need to give up your football training during Ramadan, as The Dome’s air-conditioned pitch inside its unique inflatable bubble is staying open throughout Ramadan.
9am-midnight. The Dome (02 449 8480)
Shop till you, umm, stop? Now’s the time to grab all those awesome Ramadan bargains that pop up in the wee hours of the morning; head to page 16 for some great ideas.
Have an Asian Iftar: For the bargain price of Dhs69, the Salam Street branch of Royal Orchid is serving up a range of South East Asian dishes for you to break your fast with. Sunset-midnight. Salam Street, behind ADCB head office and ADNOC, Tourist Club Area (02 677 9911)
