It’s the long weekend – are there any two words that sound sweeter?

We’ve been looking forward to this one all year. It’s the UAE’s 50th National Day and we’re fully prepped to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in style.

Looking for the best things to do this long weekend in Abu Dhabi?

We’ve got you covered with brunches, UAE National Day celebrations, foodie adventures and more.

If you’re looking for the best National Day celebrations, click here to check out our dedicated guide.

For the best places to eat and drink in Abu Dhabi click here.

And if you’re looking for what to eat for 2021 UAE National Day, click here for the best food deals and limited-time treats.

Christmas is around the corner. Want the most festive ways to celebrate? Click here.

New Year’s Eve requires extensive planning to make the most of it. Click here for all the best NYE celebrations in Abu Dhabi.

F1 is speeding into the capital, too. Click here for all the best brunches, parties, and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix news.

Wednesday

Go to the grand opening of Yas Bay

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Yas Bay is officially open on Wednesday December 1 and we are dizzy with excitement. Asia Asia, Hunter and Barrel, Paradiso and Lock, Stock & Barrel are part of the grand opening. We’re hungry just thinking about it.
Click here to learn more about the grand opening. There for the food? For restaurants and bars coming to Yas Bay soon, click here.
Opening Dec 1. Yas Island, yasbay.ae.

Taste the Golden Jubilicious dessert at The Forge

In celebration of the United Arab Emirates’ 50th National Day, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal has created a limited-edition “Golden Jubilicious” dessert at its steakhouse, The Forge. The dessert boasts a 75 percent dark chocolate base topped with a golden syrup upon serving. The delicious treat is only available on Wednesday December 1 and Thursday December 2.
For UAE National Day menus and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi click here.
Dhs55. Wed Dec 1 & Thurs Dec 2. The Forge, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Al Maqta (02 818 8888).

Have a UAE National Day picnic at Emirates Palace

Gather on the lush lawns of the Emirates Palace garden for a picnic with gourmet treats and soft drinks on Wednesday December 1 and Thursday December 2 and from 2pm to 6pm. The picnic is Dhs400 per person. There will also be celebratory activities, photo ops and views of the fireworks throughout the weekend.
For more UAE National Day celebrations at the palace, click here.
Dhs400. Dec 1-2, 2pm-6pm. Emirates Palace, Corniche Road (02 690 9000).

Thursday

Walk through an al fresco market at Umm Al Emarat Park

Umm Al Emarat Park is welcoming visitors on Thursday December 2 for an exciting line-up of activities, food and festivities for UAE National Day 2021. The park is also launching its first-ever al fresco market: The Park Market. Buy fresh organic fruits and veggies while you celebrate the golden jubilee.
Click here to learn more about the UAE National Day celebrations at Umm Al Emarat Park.
Thu Dec 2. Umm Al Emarat Park, Mushrif www.ummalemaratpark.ae/en/Home

Try Emirati-Indian fusion food at Punjab Grill

There is a special Emirati-Indian fusion menu coming to Punjab Grill with three courses of delicious new dishes to try. Savoury luqaimat, fresh Dibba Bay oysters topped with gold flakes, Emirati-spiced Gulf shrimps, camel milk brûlée and more. The meal is Dhs250 per person and is available until Saturday December 4.
Click here to read about Punjab Grill’s arrival in Dubai.
Dhs250. Nov 29-Dec 4. Venetian Village, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal (02 449 9839).

Sip drinks in Abu Dhabi’s first unlicensed Irish bar

The much-anticipated TVM Bar has officially launched at The Galleria Al Maryah Island. It’s the first of its kind in Europe and now the Middle East due to a cool twist; this bar serves only unlicensed drinks. (They don’t like the word “mocktail” – there’s nothing faux about these flavours). Sounds like a great night out.
Click here to learn more about the new Irish bar.
Opens Nov 30. The Galleria Al Maryah Island, @tvmabudhabi.

Friday

Explore VidCon Abu Dhabi and see a concert by Nick Jonas

VidCon is coming to Abu Dhabi for the first time from Friday December 3 to Monday December 6 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The event is where the world’s top content creators, platform innovators, brands and fans converge with panel talks, meet and greets, gaming challenges and more. After a day of exploring, sing your heart out at the Nick Jonas concert that night. The concert is included in the price of your VidCon ticket.
Click here to learn more about VidCon 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Click here to learn more about the Nick Jonas concert.
Starting at Dhs130. Dec 3-6, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, vidcon.com/abu-dhabi-en

Try the new brunch at Carluccio’s Eastern Mangroves

16 hours of weekend brunching… sound good? Every Friday and Saturday, Carluccio’s Eastern Mangroves is hosting a day brunch from 11am to 4pm and evening brunch from 6pm to 9pm. For Dhs119 during the day, you can feast on unlimited breakfast favourites and appetisers before digging into a main course of your choice. Eggs benedict, shakshuka, smashed avocado, Nutella waffles, mini meatballs, balsamic chicken, mini calzones and mozzarella bites. The main course includes chicken Milanese, mushroom risotto, tagliatelle ragu and more. In the afternoon. the brunch is Dhs129 and includes unlimited appetisers, a main course, and traditional Italian desserts such as tiramisu vanilla gelato plus a chocolate brownie.
Dhs119 (soft, day), Dhs129 (soft, afternoon), Dhs208 (house, day), Dhs218 (house, afternoon). Fri-Sat 11am-4am; 6pm-9pm. Carluccio’s Eastern Mangroves, Eastern Mangroves Residence (02 441 3814).

Watch the fireworks at Yas Island

It wouldn’t be UAE National Day without a massive fireworks display to make us “ooh” and “aah”. Head to Yas Bay Waterfront and you’ll find spectacular firework displays at 9pm. There’s also live entertainment and more. The festivities go from Thursday December 2 to Saturday December 4 between 5pm and 10pm.
Dec 2-4, 5pm-10pm. Yas Bay Waterfront, www.yasisland.ae

Take advantage of massive discounts at Marriot Downtown

Marriot Downtown is celebrating the UAE National Day with discounts up to 50 percent off across all of its food and beverage venues as well as the spa this weekend. Enjoy the Eat.Play.Laugh brunch with 50 percent off on the EAT package, featuring sushi, pasta, seafood and carvery stations. We’re digging in.
Click here to learn more about the Eat.Play.Laugh brunch.
Dhs137.5 (soft, this weekend only), Dhs395 (house), Dhs425 (bubbly), Dhs150 (extra two hours, unlimited), Dhs110 (kids aged six to 12). Dec 3, 12.30pm-4pm. Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street (Old Airport Road), www.marriottdowntownabudhabilife.com (02 304 7777).

Saturday

See Kehlani perform live for VidCon

Kehlani is performing live at VidCon on Saturday December 4 in Abu Dhabi. The star singer-songwriter is best known for hits such as “Gangsta”, “Nights Like This” and “I Like Dat.” This will be her first performance in Abu Dhabi. Tickets start at Dhs130, and include the day of activities as well as the concert.
Starting at Dhs130. Dec 4, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, vidcon.com/abu-dhabi-en

Take part in a massive cultural festival

The Al Hosn festival has returned to Abu Dhabi with a culturally rich, 10-day programme from Thursday November 25 to Saturday December 4. Head to Qasr Al Hosn for an engaging programme of performances, art installations, film screenings, culinary experiences, crafts and design.
Click here to learn more about the festival.
Nov 25 to Dec 4. Qasr Al Hosn, alhosn.ae