Unmissable things to do in Abu Dhabi this February

When it comes to great places to let your hair down and enjoy an amazing night out it doesn’t get much better than Annex. The three-storey venue is a hotbed for the who’s-who of Abu Dhabi cool kids to be seen and have a great time. Giving you even more reasons to head along and check it out, a brand-new brunch and weekly music night have been announced at the super-cool venue. Taking place every Friday, the Amapiano brunch will take place celebrating the latest music craze from South Africa the brunch takes its name from. On the day you can expect a mix of deep house, jazz and lounge music alongside free-flowing beverages and bites for three hours from 5pm to 11pm for Dhs288 per person. Continuing the musical vibe, on Tuesdays (also known as hump day, right?) the all-new unplugged evenings will take place from Tuesday February 9. On the night you can see some of Abu Dhabi best up and coming musical talents take to the stage to perform live as the sun sets over the city. Head along between 6pm and 11pm and you can tuck into unlimited drinks and bites for Dhs158 per person.

Annex, Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen www.annexabudhabi.com (02 418 2432).

Tuck in to the newest afternoon tea in town

Whether you’re a cream or jam on first type of afternoon teagoer the one thing we’re all in agreement about is that there are few things better than the carb-fest that is afternoon tea. Tiny sandwiches stacked on a tier, cakes, scones slathered in jam, hot cups of tea. We love it, all of it, and keep it coming. Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi, located under the dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi, has launched the ‘Le Goûter’ at Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi afternoon tea curated by Pierre Gagnaire. At the afternoon tea you can enjoy a range of cakes, petits fours and pastries but, controversially for some purists, no savoury treats. You’ll also get your choice of tea to enjoy while you take in the views from the terrace looking out to the Arabian Gulf, if you can take your eye off the tier of cakes that is. The afternoon tea is available daily from 3pm to 6pm for Dhs140 per person and must be booked in advance.

Dhs140 per person. Daily 3pm-6pm. Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island (02 205 4200).

Experience Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival before it ends

Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival is a cultural event held every year in in Al Wathba. The annual festival celebrates the UAE’s culture, traditions and heritage and runs until Saturday February 20, 2021. Visitors can experience Emirati culture through art, crafts, food and performances throughout the festival. Performances, workshops, events and markets will also be held for visitors, as well falconry displays, camel races and fireworks. In addition, the grand pavilions offer live displays of Emirati traditions and showcase landmarks, taking visitors on a voyage back in time to the history of the UAE.

Dhs5. Daily, 4pm onwards. Until Feb 20. Al Wathba, www.zayedfestival.ae.

Explore the first-ever digital exhibition at NYUAD

Embracing technology and connecting the world with culture, The NYUAD Art Gallery has launched it’s first-ever digital exhibition. The Not In, Of, Along, or Relating to a Line exhibition is free and open to the public from Wednesday January 20 to Saturday July 10. On show, the exhibition features contemporary art co-curated by chief curator at NYU Abu Dhabi and executive director of the NYUAD Art Gallery Maya Allison and NYUAD faculty member and artist Heather Dewey-Hagborg. Visit the exhibition digitally and you can see four commissions and 14 artworks on display. The theme for the exhibition focused on the restrictions and freedoms that a digital landscape offers with the commissions exploring the pandemic’s role in our technological lives.

Free. Until July 10. Visit www.nyuad-artgallery.org/not-a-line/.

Learn to go skydiving (safely indoors)

CLYMB Abu Dhabi has introduced courses in both skydiving and climbing. If vertical excitement is their thing – and let’s face it most kids are known to climb on the furniture and throw themselves off kitchen counters – they can sign up to the UAE’s indoor adventure hub’s dedicated skydiving and climbing lessons. Every Tuesday at 6pm and Saturday at 1.30pm, kids aged 14 and under can join the Kids the Junior Flying Club where they will learn some master skills in indoor skydiving. Little daredevils will be taught all the crucial skills needed to throw themselves out of a plane including techniques, positions and hand signals, from the basics to the more advanced moves, used to communicate while skydiving. Hearts in your throats much mums and dads? Each pass will be valid for three months and will offer 20 flights in total, with five flights per session. Aspiring climbers aged 14 and above can embark on their climbing journey by signing up for the hands-on bouldering and auto-belaying group courses. Wannabe Spidermen (and women) will be taught climbing techniques, as as they bravely take on various routes and challenges. The climbing classes take place every Thursday from 4pm to 8.30pm, every Friday from 1pm to 5.30pm and on Saturdays 1pm to 5.30pm.

For more information, visit www.clymbabudhabi.com.

Celebrate Chinese new year with amazing food at Dai Pai Dong

Dai Pai Dong will celebrate the new year on Friday February 12 with a three-hour brunch running from noon to 11pm (choose your slot) for Dhs388 per person. You can tuck into a range of signature dishes including the oh-so-delicious dumplings. Carrying on the celebrations, from Saturday February 13 to Thursday February 25, the restaurant is offering an eight-course family-style menu including whole steamed fish and more for Dhs298 per person from noon to 11pm. Rounding off the festivities, a lantern festival will be held on Friday February 26 with a special menu including traditional dishes and celebratory rice balls, with the three-hour brunch package running from noon to 11pm (again, pick your timings) for Dhs388 per person. We can’t wait to get stuck in.

Prices and times vary. Dai Pai Dong, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5588).

Enjoy an all-inclusive ladies’ night for under Dhs100

Ready for a night out this month? You’re in the right place, ladies. And whether you’re in the mood for dressing up or chilling out, there’s a ladies’ night with your name on it. Even better, these ones all come with all-inclusive food and drinks deals, all for under Dhs100. For everything you need to know about ladies’ nights in Abu Dhabi, click here.

Get active or explore the ancient site at Jebel Hafit Desert Park

Jebel Hafit Desert Park is now open in Al Ain. The park showcases the natural beauty and historical significance of the highest peak in Abu Dhabi and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests can spend the night camping or enjoy a number of activities as well as exploring the Neolithic tombs that date back 5,000 years. Plus you can also take a camel or horse ride, hire a bike and go hiking. Photographic opportunities are also available to get pictures of Jebel Hafit and the surrounding area. Entry to the park costs Dhs10. For adults and Dhs5 for children under the age of 12. Activities vary in price. Bike hire starts from Dhs25, camel and horse rides from Dhs30, guided hiking from Dhs55 and a guided buggy tours from Dhs120.

For more information visit https://jebelhafitdesertpark.backhotelite.com.