Thursday 2
Play some B-ball: NBA Jam-Fest is hitting the capital’s courts for three days of basketball action. Expect games and activities, as well as appearances from the NBA Dance Team, Mascot and Daily Dunk Team, or, for the more competitive among you, there are daily three-point and slam dunk contests.
Free. 2pm-11pm. Flash Forum, Yas Island
See some speedy rugby: There’s more than enough happening in Abu Dhabi to keep you occupied, but one event we recommend leaving the city for is the Dubai Rugby Sevens. The fast-paced seven-a-side
rugby tournament is a huge celebration of the oval-balled game. The three-day event kicks off today and is one any true rugby fan shouldn’t miss out on.
Three-day tickets cost Dhs300. 9am-6pm. Dubai Sevens Stadium, Dubai, www.timeouttickets.com
Join a National Day parade: On this very day, 39 years ago, the UAE was created. As well as being a national holiday, it’s also a day for joyous partying, especially among locals. The centre of the celebrations
will be the Corniche, where you’ll find thousands of cars cruising around painted in the colours of the UAE flag, as well as huge firework displays and a general sense of merriment.
From 6pm. Corniche
See some off-the-cuff theatre: As a cheeky National Day treat, the folks at the French Alliance are putting on a couple of impromptu sessions of improvised theatre. From what we can fathom, the ad-libbed skits will involve a group of five men performing various hijinks with anything that happens to be within arm’s reach. Best keep Rover on the leash, then.
Free. 3pm, Corniche Road and 7pm, Marina Mall
Friday 3
Get down with a Gallic DJ: Renowned French spinner and sometime mohican-wearer Greg Boust will be the latest DJ great to man the decks on the Yacht Club terrace. The Parisian regularly provides the soundtrack to the swanky parties at the Cannes Film Festival, and will be doing the same for the chic crowd at the InterCon’s upmarket venue.
Free. 8pm-late. Yacht Club, InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888)
Check out an indie disco: If you’re sick of being turned away from the city’s nightclubs for not wearing the right shoes, we’ve got some very good news. Not only are battered Converse and ripped jeans actively encouraged at Recession, but it’s also one of very few nights in the city where you can dance along to Britpop classics and modern indie hits until your ankles ache.
From 4pm. Left Bank, Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain (055 596 9250)
Check out the city’s best snappers: Think you’ve got the photographic finesse to win the Abu Dhabi Through Your Eyes Competition? Visit Khalidiya Mall today to see the pictures that won last year’s contest to inspire your entry for this year.
10am-10pm. Khalidiyah Mall, www.brand.abudhabi.ae
Saturday 4
Paint your enemies: Anyone with a taste for warfare should try out the paintballing fields at Afoc. Dodge bullets of paint behind burnt out cars or old tyres while you splatter the other team. Best of all, the paintballs used at Afoc don’t even hurt so you won’t come away bruised.
Armed Forces Officer’s Club (02 441 5900)
Go jet skiing: Finding just sitting on the beach in the sun is a bit too lazy for your tastes? Add some splashy excitement to the weekend, and head down to the Hiltonia Beach Club to try out their kick-ass new Jet Skis. Hire by the hour and rev up those engines. Dhs280 per hour.
Hiltonia Beach Club, Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 692 4205)
See some Middle Eastern art: Feeling cultural? The latest show at Gallery One – a collection of some of the most noted artists from the Middle East of the last century – is an absolute belter. Look out for Farhad Moshiri’s provacative piece ‘Flying Carpet’ in particular.
Gallery One, Emirates Palace (02 690 9000)
Shout at a television: While some idiots insist on venturing into the big wide world and doing sport and exercise and other ill-advised physical things, for most of us the weekend is the perfect excuse to watch some other people put in the effort. Cosy sports bar Heroes is your best bet for day-long big screen action.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 656 3000)
Sunday 5
Say ‘g’day sport’: Coopers Bar hosts its weekly Australian theme night today, giving you the chance to sup some authentic brews, chew on barbecued meats and mull over Australia’s performance against the Poms in the Ashes.
Coopers, Park Rotana, Salam Street (02 657 3333)
Hit the waves: Every now and then you just fancy skimming across the ocean while attached to the back of a boat. Fortunately for you, the Beach Rotana offers lessons in waterskiing and other watersports, so head on down for a piece of the action.
Beach Rotana, Tourist Club Area, www.rotana.com (02 697 9000)
Get bent into shape: A yoga session is the perfect way to start the working week, so unwind, de-stress and tone up at this ladies-only class.
Traditional Yoga class Dhs30/40. 5pm-6pm. Abu Dhabi Ladies Club (02 666 2228)
Gaze in awe at some canvas: Having lived in Abu Dhabi for more than two decades, German artist Ines A Landmesser has seen some changes in the city. So her new solo show, Tomorrow is Now, which opens today, could be well worth popping in to.
Free. Until Dec 15. Ghaf Gallery (02 665 5332)
Monday 6
Hire a bike: A perfect (and cheap) way to exercise. Hire one of the bikes at the Corniche for an hour and ride the 5k along the waterfront to burn some calories and enjoy the view Dhs20 for one hour. Bike hire stand, Corniche Road (near Hiltonia Beach Club)
Enjoy free bubbly: Cristal is offering up free bubbly for the girls to sip while they listen to some jazz and R&B tunes.
6pm-8pm. Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah (02 614 6000)
Kick those muscles into shape: Need to tone up? Sign up for tae-bo – an excercise class based on the Korean martial art tae kwon do – and get those muscles into shape.
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday 6pm-7pm. Hiltonia Health Club & Spa, Al Khubeira (02 681 1900)
Get your skates on: Take a trip to the Olympic-sized ice rink at Zayed Sports City for a fun day out. There’s also a French café, arcade, entertainment and shops for those who’s balance isn’t up to much.
Entry Dhs5, skating Dhs20. Sun (ladies only) 9am-noon; noon-5pm as normal; Mon-Tue 10am-5pm; Wed 10am-7.30pm. Thu (ladies only) 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-10pm. Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya (02 444 8548).
Tuesday 7
Rev your engine: If you’re a fan of gazing longingly at extremely shiny chunks of metal that you could never hope to own, you’re in for a massive treat. The Abu Dhabi International Motor Show kicks off today, showcasing the latest fresh off the production line supercars and mind-boggling automotive concepts.
Until Dec 11 5pm-10pm. Adnec, www.admotorshow.com (02 444 6900)
Enjoy some chillout: Recharge those flagging midweek batteries with a night of chilled out house music, shisha and expertly mixed beverages.
Sunset Terrace. Oceans Seafood Kitchen & Lounge (02 674 2020)
Get some rhythm: The Festival at the Souk is in full swing, so after a day of shopping you can show off your musical skills by joining in with the Rhythmic Tuesday activities. Drummers and African dancers will be getting the fun started.
6pm-10pm. Souk Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain
Get quizzical: Mind-melting trivia and hoppy Bavarian draughts are the order of the day at Brauhaus’s brand new weekly quiz. Round up some boffins, sharpen your competetive edge and do your worst.
Free. From 8pm. Beach Rotana (02 697 9000)
Wednesday 8
Shout ‘Goal!’: The FIFA Club World Cup kicks off today, with Papau New Guinea’s Hekari United taking on our very own Al Wahda FC in the opening match of this 10-day fiesta of football.
Dhs20–70. 8pm. Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium (800 35274)
Swing your hips: Learn some swinging salsa moves at this Latino dance class, and meet new friends.
Free. 9pm-10pm. The Village Club (02 495 2070)
Bury your head in books: A new library has just opened at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, featuring the city’s best selection of reads on Arabian arts and sciences.
Free. Open 8am-8pm. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Carnival time! If you’re suave, stylish and looking to enjoy some R&B tunes, Left Bank is the place to be. Regular night Carnival will let you have some fun on the free, with complimentary drinks for ladies all night and 2-for-1 deals for everyone else.
Free. 8pm till late. Left Bank, Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1680)
