Thursday 23
Buy some gold: Time’s running out if you want to buy your beloved a luxurious gift. Don’t worry, tucked away behind the Madinet Zayed shopping centre is a huge array of shops selling gold. Haggle wisely and you could grab yourself a beautiful bargain.
Rock your socks clean off: Sick of dressing up to the nines for hip hop and R&B nights? At PJ O’Reilly’s’ semi-legendary Rock Night, not only is there no need to change out of your battered jeans and T-shirt, but it’s also your best bet for big basslines and headbang-inducing rock hits.
Free. PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Méridien (02 674 2020)
Hear some chilled out house: French DJ Ravin is one of the founders of the worldwide Buddha Bar franchise. He’s becoming a bit of a regular at the InterCon’s Yacht Club, where he’ll be spinning his trademark laid-back house vibes.
Free. 8pm-2am. Yacht Club, InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888)
Friday 24
Snap an incredibly lavish fir tree: The world’s most expensively decorated Christmas tree? Only at the Emirates Palace. A photo in front of this would make a highly impressive Facebook profile pic.
Emirates Palace, Ras Al Akhdar (02 690 7999)
Eat some pub grub: If you’re craving some traditional home comforts head to the Tavern. Feast on pub classics while sipping on hot spiced beverages to get you in the festive spirit.
Noon-1am. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Al Markaziyah (02697 0224)
Gorge yourself on lobster: The festive season is one of the few times of the year when you can stuff yourself silly without an ounce of guilt. So why not do it in style with the four-course lobster dinner at Fishmarket restaurant? It’ll cost you Dhs450 for unlimited grape beverages, but, seeing as it’s Christmas, why not pay Dhs750 for free pourings of bubbly as well?
Fishmarket, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen (02 666 6888)
Saturday 25
Have an alternative Christmas: Why not indulge in Hemingway’s Christmas dinner with a culinary twist. Feast on smoked salmon, turkey stuffed with chipolata sausage and spiced baked blood orange while listening to a live band. Santa’s even promised to pop by to see the littl’uuns.
Dhs99 for two course, Dhs165 for three courses. 8pm-midnight. Hemingway’s, Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah (02 681 1900)
Pretend you’re a celeb: What better way to forget the stresses of the festive season than by spending Christmas relaxing by Shangri-La’s stunning infinity pool, sipping mixed beverages like an A-lister?
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri (02 50 8888)
Celebrate Aussie style: It’s scorching hot outside, so why spend your Christmas cooped up indoors trying to kid yourself it’s wintery weather? Instead, do it Down Under-style with the Crowne Plaza Yas Island’s poolside barbecue. We hear a certain bearded fat man might also make an appearance.
Dhs120. 12.30pm-4pm. Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3000)
Get away from it all: Couldn’t give a monkey’s about Santa? For the definitive anti-Christmas day out, head out of town and go to the Al Dhafra camel festival, which finishes today. There’ll be no huge meal to cook or long lost relatives to tolerate, just loads and loads of hairy, hump-backed beasts.
Madinat Zayed, Western Region (02 657 6171)
Sunday 26
Swap the turkey for a barbecue: Head down to Hawksbill for a relaxing alfresco style barbecue with selected free beverages. The perfect way to unwind after a hectic Christmas.
Dhs 140. Noon-4pm. Hawksbill, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Saadiyat Island (02 557 8000)
Get up with the larks for some cricket: You’ll have to be a diehad cricket fan to get out of bed at 4am, but with the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England, which starts today in Melbourne, possibly being a series decider, it could well be worth setting your alarm clock for.
4am, Showsports
Decorate your feet: Forger decorating Christmas trees, why not add some art to your limbs for a traditional Middle Eastern look? The floral designs can make any feet look pretty.
Al Lulu beauty Centre, Tourist Club Area (02 644 5112)
Soak up some sport: Family time’s over – lazing in front of a plasma screen, feeling rough and nursing a bowl of salty snacks is a time-honoured Boxing Day tradition. As ever, the kind people at Heroes will be showing all the big fixtures. Chelsea v Arsenal anyone?
Crowne Plaza, Hamdan Street, (02 616 6149)
Monday 27
Go car crazy: Petrol heads listen up. Starting today at the giant Moreeb Dune in the Liwa Desert is the three-day Al Gharbia Motor Festival, in which all manner of souped-up cars will be racing to the top of the giant sand mountain.
www.admc.ae
Enjoy some free festive cheer: Jazz, R&B and free bubbly for the girls appeal to you? You should be heading down to Cristal Bar at the Millennium Hotel tonight for some festive fun.
7pm-10pm. Cristal Bar. Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah (02 614 6000)
Amaze your relatives with art: Got folk in town for Christmas? Show them the city’s cultural side by taking them along to RSTW, a long-running art show on Saadiyat Island, featuring iconic canvases from Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly and more.
Until Jan 24, Manarat Al Saadiyat (02 406 1400)
Shoot paint at each other: If you’ve spent too much time with your family this Christmas, take a trip to the Armed Forces Officers Club’s paintballing centre to vent your frustration. Feel free to shoot them with as many paint pellets as possible.
Armed Forces Officers Club (02 441 5900)
Tuesday 28
Hop on a bus: Guests coming to visit over the festive season? Then the best way for them to see all the sights without you having to do all the driving is to book a tour on the Big Bus Company’s double deckers.
www.bigbustours.com (800 244 287)
Burn those Christmas calories: If you woke up screaming after eating so much this December, fear not. The OFC boot camp will soon whip you into shape. If you’re hard enough join today.
Locations across Abu Dhabi, www.originalfitnessco.com (02 406 94040)
Nail some meat: If you’ve yet to try out the free-flowing Brazilian barbecue on offer at Chamas, the gluttonous spirit of the festive season is your perfect excuse. TOAD’s advice? Go for clothing with a little bit of ‘give’.
Dhs255. InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888)
Escape to the mountains: Need to clear your head after the hectic festivities? Head out to Al Ain where the impressive Jebal Hafeet mountain awaits. Follow the winding road to the top in the late afternoon and prepare for a life-affirming sunset.
Wednesday 29
Don’t miss some superb photos: It’s the last day to check out the Abu Dhabi Through Your Eyes touring display, which features the best 10 pieces from last year’s photography competition.
December 19-29, Marina Mall.
Chow down on an award-worthy burger: With a new year looming, now’s your last chance to do something naughty. And few snacks are more sinful than the rather excellent Wagyu beef burger at Y-Bar, which scooped Best Bar Food at our recent 2010 Restaurant Awards.
Y-Bar, Yas Rotana (02 656 4000)
Treat yourself to a massage: If you’re feeling tense and stressed after entertaining the family for the past few days book yourself in for some quiet time in peace.at Chi Spa, one of the city’s most decadent pampering spots.
Open daily 10am-10pm. Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain, www.shangri-la.com (02 509 8900)
Hang out with beautiful people: It’s Models Night Out at Eight Bar this evening, which as the name suggests is all about sophisticated drinks with incredibly gorgeous folk. Fine cheekbones aplenty will be seen.
Free. 8pm-2am. Eight Bar, Souk Qaryat Al Beri (02 558 1988)
