Thursday 8
Listen to some choral music: You might not want to listen to carols all year round, but for this month at least, there’s nothing wrong with some nice harmonic singing of Christmas classics. The Abu Dhabi Choral Group is ensuring you get your fill of holiday cheer with a performance of Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and other well known tunes at the Al Muna School.
Dhs50, Al Muna School, 8pm. www.timeouttickets.com.
Embrace your nostalgia: If you’re a child of the ‘80s, and want to party your winter blues away, then you’ll struggle to find a better outlet than Nostalgia 80’s Dance Party at Adnec. With DJ Delano and Colin ‘The Captain’ Hines manning the turntables, expect to hear songs you forgot you ever knew!
Dhs150, Adnec, www.boxofficeme.com.
Go for a walk: Sometimes you just need to get up and moving, but it can be difficult to motivate yourself to exercise on your own. It’s more fun to stay fit with company, so try joining Abu Dhabi Striders for one of their weekly walks or runs. It could be right up your alley.
www.abudhabistriders.com (056 109 2346).
Buy one get one free: Lifestyle stores are offering buy one get one free on selected items across all collections while stocks last. The only exception is the Abu Dhabi Co-op. This applies to fashion accessories, cosmetics, spa products and also home furnishing.
Khalidiyah Mall (02 635 9440).
Friday 9
Get your kids playing Aussie rules: The word ‘football’ means something different depending on where you use it. Down Under, it means Australian rules football – a game that involves kicking and punching the ball on an oval pitch. It may look strange to the unaccustomed, but it is great fun and great for fitness. We think your kids will love it.
Abu Dhabi Auskick, 10am to 11am, Al Karamah (050 811 9749).
Go around the world in one brunch: If you have a massive appetite but get bored with eating food from only one part of the world at a time, why not try a cross-restaurant brunch at Le Royal Méridien? Sushi and sashimi from Soba, barbecued meats from L’Opera, Italian food from Amalfi – there’s something for every taste. Treat your palate to a globe-trotting adventure!
Khalifa Street, Al Markaziyah (02 674 2020).
Sing in the desert: The holidays are just around the corner, and what better way to get into the swing of things whilst embracing our desert surroundings than to go for some carol singing in the desert? The St. Andrews Society organized a similar event last year and attracted around 500 participants, and we would be surprised if more people didn’t join in this year. There will also be a barbeque, so don’t worry about going hungry!
Convoy will be leaving St. Andrews Church at 3pm (050 827 1604).
Feed your soul: DJs Simon Reid, Conan Liquid and Melohman have moved their Friday night shindig to a Saadiyat Island party spot. With soul-infused house tunes and the holiday atmosphere of the Monte-Carlo Beach Club you can tap your toes whilst enjoying the sea breeze. Get there early and eat, or turn up later when the party’s in full swing.
10pm to 3am, Sea Lounge (02 656 3500).
Saturday 10
Shop cheap, do good: The second Charity Flea Market is underway after the success of the last event. Sheraton will be selling unused hotel items but will also be opening up the floor to private households to sell unwanted goods. Expect to bag a bargain, with money being given to the Future Centre for Special Needs.
9am to 2pm. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort (02 677 3333).
Jingle all the way: Lighting Christmas trees and enjoying festive beverages is something that we’ve come to expect from this time of year, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. With Santa paying a visit, egg-based drinks for the grown-ups and lots of pretty lights and music for children of all ages, One to One Hotel – The Village Club has plenty to offer.
5pm, Al Salam Street (02 495 2000).
Enjoy ladies night at Level Lounge: At Level Lounge, every Saturday is ladies night; from 7pm to 9pm, members of the more fragrant sex get free beverages. With the cool downtown views from the rooftop of Crowne Plaza, there’s everything you could want for a chilled night out.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, www.ichotelsgroup.com (02 621 0000).
20 per cent off at Kaya: Looking good can be expensive – between skin creams, Botox and whatever else people end up doing to fight the wrinkles, the bill can look scary. Kaya Skin Clinics are here to help with a special offer for December: 20 per cent off on Botox and fillers.
Valid until December 31, Villa 218/1, near Khalifa Hospital (02 443 3709).
Sunday 11
Enjoy falconry: Representatives of Unesco will be joining more than 500 people from 60 countries in Al Ain to witness one of Bedouin culture’s more celebrated traditions at the Third International Festival of Falconry.
Jahili Fort, Al Ain. www.falconryfestival.com.
Have a Russian feast: Did you know that the traditional three-course meal was invented in Russia? At the Russian Kitchen House Cafeteria, you can sample a great selection of Russian delights, and if you decide to stump up for three courses it won’t damage your pocket.
Hamdan Street (02 674 4342).
Pretend you’re in Japan: Arguably the best sashimi in the capital at a lower price than other Japanese establishments – Wasabi is the place to go if you have a penchant for raw fish.
Al Diar Mina Hotel, Al Markaziyah, www.aldiarhotels.com (02 677 8415).
Join a gym: It’s almost time to start eating way too much turkey and unless you want to say goodbye to your waistline, you might consider joining a gym and balancing out the extra food intake. Haddin’s Gym offers state of the art equipment and good training programs.
Zayed Sports City, Al Madina Al Riyadiya, www.haddins.com (02 403 4233).
Monday 12
See your favourite Disney characters: Watch some of the all-time great Disney creations make their way through the Enchanted Forest in ice skates. Little Red Riding Hood, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella and many more will be there as the Abu Dhabi Figure Skating Team perform a wintery show for children of all ages at Zayed Sports City.
www.zsc.ae (02 403 4200).
Go to Chi, The Spa: You can’t argue with the outcomes at Chi, The Spa. The surroundings are beautiful and the therapies are both relaxing and invigorating. Just right for this time of year.
Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain, www.shangri-la.com (02 556 4557).
Visit Captain’s Arms: There’s a reason the Captain’s Arms is most people’s favourite pub, and thanks to the great happy hour promotions it could become yours as well. There is also great outdoor seating.
Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area, (02 644 6666).
Get your kids dancing: Dance is a great way for kids to channel all that energy. With affordable lessons in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and more, Expressions of Dance & Drama will help your kids harness their energy in a creative and rhythmic way.
ADCB Building, Al Muroor, www.expressions-dance.net (02 448 2778).
Tuesday 13
Play some tennis: The Abu Dhabi Country Club boasts eight tennis courts with a full-time tennis coach offering individual and group lessons. Sign up to improve your game or just enjoy the weather.
19th Street, All Saada Street, Al Mushrif, www.adhfc.com (02 657 7777).
Laugh out loud: The Laughter Factory is organising its final show of the year. Owen O’Neill, Markus Birdman and Gordon Southern will have you rolling in the aisles. Demand has been high in the past, and this is a one-night-only event; so book now if you want to be sure of a place.
Tickets are Dhs130. Show starts 9pm. Heroes, Crowne Plaza. www.timeouttickets.com.
Learn the force with aikido: Aikido is a martial art that works around using your opponent’s weight and momentum against them. Friendly classes are held every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Dhs35, 7-8pm, Hiltonia Health Club & Spa, Al Khubeirah (02 692 4324).
Look fabulous and help: Lancôme has partnered with Kate Winslet and is offering a new cosmetic collection in support of her Golden Hat Foundation; a portion of the proceeds will go to help children with autism.
Salam Studio & Stores (02 679 3000).
Wednesday 14
Try some Eygptian food: Abu Shakrah offers a nice change with a wide selection of authentic Egyptian food. It’s very good value for money and with great options for vegetarians and meat eaters; you should be more than satisfied.
Estiqlal Street, Al Markaziyah West (02 631 3400).
Eat gingerbread: Sheraton Abu Dhabi is ringing in the festive season by giving you the chance to decorate your own gingerbread house. As a bonus, there’ll be a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and festive beverages for the grown-ups.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche Road (02 677 3333).
Munch on affordable Persian fare: For a taste of Persian cuisine that is easier on your wallet than it is on your exapanding waste line, try Hatam Al Tae. The décor may not be sumptuous, but the food certainly is.
Hamdan Street, Al Markaziyah (02 633 8339).
Visit an art exhibition: The Salwa Zeidan Gallery is hosting a solo exhibition by Lebanese artist Mouna Bassilli Sehnaoui entitled Arabian Roots. Her art is a love letter to Arab culture and offers a unique perspective on the Middle East.
9am to 7pm, Sundays through Thurdays. www.salwazeidangallery.com (02 666 9656).
