Thursday 29
Catch the start of Mubadala Tennis Championship: Novak Djokovic, along with five more of the world’s top players will be playing on the first day of this intense competition. If you’ve not done so already – book your tickets as soon as you read this. Demand is high.
Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex, Zayed Sports City, www.mubadalwtc.com (02 493 8888).
Have an amazing steak: If you want your food cooked to perfection and you’re willing to pay for the privilege, then Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill might be the place for you to go. Here they take Western favourites and serve them with a flair and an attention to detail that ticks all the boxes.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain (02 558 1713).
Dine under the stars: Hamdan Street stalwart Tarbouche has opened a brand new outlet at Souk Central Market, and with the weather as nice as it is, it would be a real shame not to enjoy their rooftop terrace.
Tarbouche al Basha, Souk, Central Market (02 628 2220).
Give a dog a home: Why not make one animal’s year immeasurably better by adopting a pet from the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital’s Animal Shelter? Despite the name, they care for a wide variety of stray animals.
Open Sat-Thu 10am-2pm, Airport Road, Al Mafraq, www.abudhabianimalshelter.com (02 575 5155).
Friday 30
Do some extreme running: If you think jogging is boring and want to be able to get around in style, join Abu Dhabi Parkour. This extreme sport is all about moving through the urban jungle as efficiently as possible.
4pm, Corniche opposite Hilton Baynunah, Al Kubeirah (050 721 8169).
Indulge in Italian food: Every Friday night, Lemon Tree offers unlimited anitpasti plus two house beverages for Dhs135 per person, from 7pm onwards. If you’ve got a craving for great Italian cuisine, then in terms of value you can do a great deal worse that the Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi.
Holiday Inn, 31st Street (02 657 4858)
Go paddleboarding with your kids: As part of Puma’s section of the Ocean Race Destination Village, free stand up paddleboarding sessions are being provided for adults and children. The boards’ design is inspired by the hull of the Mar Mostro racing yacht and are made of the same materials. Their design was over-seen by renowned surfer Laird Hamilton. Life jackets provided.
VOR Racing Village Beach, www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com.
Join an intense fitness class: The Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan is offering Les Mills Bodypump and RPM classes at Dhs50 each, with ten classes priced at Dhs450. These are the sorts of heavy-duty workouts that will help you to sculpt your body while building your core. If you grow to like it, become a member and get individual classes for Dhs40 and ten for Dhs350.
Khalidiyah Palace Rayhaan by Rotana (02 657 0000).
Saturday 31
Ring in the New Year Lebanese style: We love Lebanese food and we love New Year’s Eve – so in the name of getting all the things we love in one tidy package, we recommend going to Jumeriah at Etihad Towers to celebrate. Li Beirut is offering a Dhs1,100 gourmet five-course set menu with a glass of bubbly.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers (02 811 5555).
Enjoy a Cantonese NYE feast: Hakkasan are offering an elaborate four-course set menu. The food has been specially selected for the occasion so you can enjoy the stylish oriental surroundings of this high-class restaurant.
Dhs1,250 for a minimum of two people, Emirates Palace, www.hakkasan.com (02 690 7999).
Spend NYE with Coldplay: With a new album out which is tearing up the album charts and an expansive back-catalogue of hits, Coldplay are on top of the world at the moment. Mylo Xyloto is an album of upbeat tunes that is just what the doctor ordered to ring in the New Year.
Adjacent the Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village, Corniche Breakwater, www.thinkflash.ae.
Take your kids to Wanasa Land: With a strict no-bachelor policy, this fun park in Al Wahda Mall is one of the most family-friendly in the capital. Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean the festivities have to end.
2nd Floor, Al Wahda Mall, www.wanasaland.com (02 443 7654).
Sunday 1
New Year’s Day at La Terrazza: Spend the first day of the New Year with a buffet at La Terrazza where you’ll be treated to a delectable buffet in the relaxing surroundings of the Hilton.
Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900)
Have a massage: The Oryx Hotel offer massages for every need – whether you’ve worked out too hard or you just fancy a nice relaxing rub-down, any day can be improved with massage.
Open daily 9am-10pm, Corniche Road, Al Khalidiyah (02 681 0001).
Explore an Arabian Souk: Stretching along the gardens of the Ocean Race Destination Village, a traditional souk is being set up to allow you to get a taste of the Arabian way of life, and possibly buy something from one of the stalls.
Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village. www.volvooceanraceabudhabi.com.
Enjoy Traffic Jam Night: Looking to meet some new people? Head down to Eight Restaurant & Bar and take part in their Traffic Jam themed night. Make sure to wear the right coloured badge to avoid mix-ups and also, members of the fairer sex get free beverages.
Free. From 10pm. Eight Bar & Restaurant, Souk Qaryat al Beri (02 558 1988).
Monday 2
Watch monster movies: As the Volvo Ocean Race comes to town, the Puma team are preparing to help you recover from the late nights by hosting a Sea Monster Movie night in honour of successfully having made it to Abu Dhabi.
Puma Social Club, Volvo Ocean Race Destination Village, www.volvooceanrace.com.
Get online help: If you’re new to Abu Dhabi, things can be a little over-whelming. Fortunately, you needn’t be lonely thanks to the helpful members of Abu Dhabi Woman. This online forum is full of people sharing their experiences.
www.abudhabiwoman.com.
Join the Irish society: No need to be Irish to join, you just need to want to help organise charity fundraisers. There is a Dhs60 membership fee for individuals and Dhs100 for families, after which you’ll get the chance to do your bit with likeminded do-gooders.
www.irishsocietyabudhabi.com (050 3141922).
Get your nails done: Refresh your mani-pedi after the party season. Nails is a chain of nail salons with three branches in the capital, and they are perpetually busy. We recommend the Muhairy branch because of its small café serving healthy snacks.
Al Muhairy Centre, Al Khalidiyah (02 633 7750).
Tuesday 3
Become a triathlete: The Abu Dhabi Triathlon might seem a long way off, but don’t think you can just turn up on the day and survive this gruelling challenge. Give your workout a new goal or yourself a reason to buy some new sports clothes and sign up to take part.
www.abudhabitriathlon.com.
Try sailing: As part of the Abu Dhabi Junior Sailing Festival, children between eight and 12 years of age are being given the chance to get on a sailboat. This is a great chance for them to discover a new pastime or improve their skills.
VOR Racing Village Beach, www.etihadsailing.com.
Go to Al Jahili Fort: Al Ain is full of interesting historical and cultural sites that will give you an insight into this nation’s rich heritage. The Al Jahili Fort is not just an interesting place in itself, but hosts a beautiful exhibition on Wilfred Thesiger.
Open 9am-5pm, Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain.
Try new make-up: A New Year is the perfect time to shake up your make-up collection. The new Deborah collection is providing you with the opportunity to do just that with a new collection of eye-shadows and blushes to suit any complexion.
Lifestyle, Khalidiyah Mall, www.lifestylegulf.com (02 635 9440).
Wednesday 4
Watch a polo match: They call it the sport of kings, and this country has some truly dedicated players. If you want to watch a sport unlike any other, then catch ADCB vs ADAX on the third day of the Golden Polo Cup.
Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club (02 562 9050).
Keep the party going at Oceans: Wednesday night at Oceans is ladies night, with selected beverages free all night for members of the fairer sex. Just because NYE is over doesn’t mean you have to stop partying.
Le Royal Méridien, Al Markaziyah (02 674 1094).
Eat Emirati at Mezlai: For the finest in Emirati food, you’ll struggle to do better than Mezlai at the Emirates Palace, and now, they’re offering shisha from 7pm until 10.45pm every night. So head on down, have some spectacular local food, enjoy a relaxing shisha and soak up the endless luxury of it all.
Emirates Palace, West End Corniche, (02 690 9000).
Check out a spring collection: Angel Schlesser is launching a new spring and summer collection, filled with all the flower prints and elegant knee-length dresses that are perfect for that time of year.
Paris Gallery, Khalidiyah Mall (02 635 4000).
