Thursday 5
Watch bikers take on a dune: From January 1 to 6, the Liwa International Festival is in full swing, as Dune bashers challenge one of the world’s tallest sand dunes. On Thursday, it’s the turn of the bikers to test their mettle, so expect a weird and wonderfull assortment of heavily modified two-wheeled beasts.
Free, Moreeb Dune, South of Liwa, www.admc.ae (050 666 8997).
See some art: Was one of your resolutions to absorb more culture? If you want to see some of the oldest Qurans in the world alongside some truly fresh and original art, then we recommend making an appoint with Paris Abu Dhabi. It’ll be the visit of a lifetime.
Visits by appointment only, Al Sahel Towers, Corniche Road, www.parisabudhabi-artgallery.com (02 635 9194).
Improve your child’s maths: We all remember (with a chill in our spine) what it was like to have to learn maths at school. At Whiz Kids Skill Development, your kids will be helped through their difficulties in an engaging, nurturing and supportive environment.
Jumbo Electronics Building, Defence Road, Al Markaziyah (02 641 7450).
Get your kids into basketball: To celebrate the NBA season finally getting underway, why not give your children a chance to see what all the fuss is about? The Abu Dhabi Country Club is a great place to get your little-one into a team for a quick game.
Al Saada Street, Al Mushrif, www.adhfc.com (02 657 7777).
Friday 6
Enjoy a Galette des Rois: Sheraton Abu Dhabi is giving you the chance to celebrate January 6 in traditional French fashion, with a Galette des Rois. This cake of kings is not only delicious for those of you who have a sweet tooth, but also comes with a trinket or crown inside it to add an element of fun to your indulgence.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort (02 677 3333).
Listen to some jazz: Every Friday at the Belgian Café, the Kamal Mussallam jazz band plays on the terrace. From 8pm onwards, you can expect all that the establishment has to offer (have you tried their chips yet? Oh for shame) whilst enjoying some classy music in the pleasant winter air.
Belgian Café, InterContinental Hotel (02 666 6888).
Indulge in Indie music: As part of the string of events surrounding the arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race to Abu Dhabi, the Puma team are hosting Union Jack Attack – where punks in pumps will regale you with the sounds of the UK indie scene.
Puma Social Club, VOR Racing Village, www.volvooceanracingabudhabi.com.
Hire a Jet-Ski: Want to see Abu Dhabi from a different angle, and at high speed? Who doesn’t?! Hire a jet-ski from the Hiltonia and have a blast around the island. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous you could even go and check out the mangroves.
Hiltonia Health Club & Spa, Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900).
Saturday 7
Party like its 1989: However much you might protest – you know deep down you love the energy and optimism of Eighties music. Whether you want to relive your glory days, or you just want to dance to the cheesiest of the cheese, then Eightylicious is just the evening out you need.
Eight Bar & Restaurant (02 558 1988).
Eat cake: Was one of your resolutions this year to eat less sugary treats? Then skip to the next item on the list, because with a selection of confections ranging from dainty cupcakes to huge slabs of cake, Maison Sucre is temptation itself. You should know better than to make promises you can’t keep.
Manara building, Al Khalidiyah (02 639 5111).
Have some Moroccan food: It’s easy to think the only Arabic food around is Lebanese (hummus is awesome, after all), but the Arabic-speaking world has many culinary delights. Why not have a taste of the Maghreb with a delicious tagine at Marakesh.
Millennium Hotel, Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, www.milleniumhotels.com (02 614 6000).
Slurp some oysters: If James Bond were to come to the capital, he would go to Cloud Nine; well, that’s our theory at least. This is arguably the best place in Abu Dhabi to have a cigar, some delectable oysters and wash them down with some bubbly. In a word: class.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Al Markaziyah, www.starwoodhotels.com (02 697 0323).
Sunday 8
Join a library: We should all read more, and the St Andrews Society is giving us the opportunity to do just that. The Daly Community Library puts all membership revenues towards updating their catalogue and renting the premises. There’s a book for every taste.
St Andrew’s Church, Airport Road (02 446 4752).
Enjoy live Music at Vincent’s: Vincent’s is one of the best kept secrets in the capital, with ludicrously comfortable leather armchairs and some surprisingly talented bands. If you haven’t been there already, you should get a move on.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah (02 621 0000).
Have an eccentric night out: Tired of frequenting the same haunts all year round? Tambayan is a weird and wonderful bar, resplendent in Filipino theme and decorated with all sorts of knick-knacks.
Al Ain Palace Hotel, Al Markaziyah, (02 679 4777).
Take a kick-boxing class: Kickboxing will help you tone up quickly, and kick some serious behind. The Hiltonia Health Club offers classes in this sport, just for kicks, so you can get fit and some cool self-defence skills. You’ll kick yourself if you don’t.
Hiltonia Health Club & Spa, Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 692 4324).
Monday 9
Go hashing: For those not in the know, ‘hashing’ is an expat institution wherever there are areas of natural beauty. The UAE is no exception, and the Abu Dhabi Island Hash House Harriers is a great community which will help you see the island in a whole new light while staying fit. Plus, these groups always attract off-beat and interesting individuals.
Various locations. (050 669 2667).
Teach your kids ballet: Ballet is perhaps one of the finest examples of western culture; give your children, aged three and over, a taste of this great art at Turning Pointe.
www.turningpointe.ae (800 32623).
Buy some sportswear: Adidas is offering up to 25 percent off selected items in its UAE stores. Get yourself kitted out with some nice sporty clothing then go and put it to use. After this season of indulgence it will do you some good, as will the retaul therapy.
Al Wahda Mall (02 443 7270).
Teach your kids some manners: It may seem old-fashioned, but if you want to give your kids the tools they’ll need to navigate complex social situations, you should consider signing them up for some classes in etiquette.
Etiquette House (050 612 7443).
Tuesday 10
Laugh! Once again Heroes bar is playing host to a must see stand-up comedy event. With three men on stage who’ll have you rolling in the aisles, and a snug venue you will have fun.
Tickets are Dhs130, Heroes, Crowne Plaza, www.timeouttickets.com.
Check out a new make up line: Bobby Brown is known for its eye-catching, shimmering make-up. After all the partying you’ve got up to in the run up to the New Year, you might be running low on make-up – so why not have a look at the latest stuff on offer.
Paris Gallery, Abu Dhabi Mall (02 645 4858).
Learn to play the Oud: Why not be a little unorthodox and take some lessons in a traditional instrument of this region – the Oud. The House of Oud offers personal tuition in this lute-esque instrument.
Dhs1000 per month (02 641 5699).
Help raise money for kids: The Special Care Centre helps children with disabilities get the additional attention they need. This group of volunteers needs assistance in getting donations.
Villa 17, Behind the Union national bankl, Al Markaziyah (02 641 8418).
Wednesday 11
Have a lady’s night at Left Bank: Every Wednesday is lady’s night at Left Bank. Members of the more fragrant race can enjoy five delicious mixed beverages for Dhs5 in this trendy venue. The drinks are very girly, so there’s no risk of partners trying to steal them.
9pm-10.30pm, Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1680).
Quit smoking: It’s the New Year, and that means a chance to make a fresh start. Quitting smoking is probably the most often made (and often broken) resolution around, but if you really mean it this time why not get a little help along the way? You can do it!
American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, Khalidiya (02 666 4866).
Improve football skills: The Manchester United Soccer School will help your kids improve their footballing skills. If you little-ones have dreams of being the next Wayne Rooney, why not give them the best possible start? They might make you famous.
The Dome@Rawdhat, Airport Road, (02 449 8480).
Give to charity: The Royal Society of St George organises entertaining events every month, and getting involved with them is a great way to do good whilst meeting new people. Give them a ring and see all the ways you can help.
(050 481 7686).
