2019 seemed to go by in a flash.
We’re sure it was only just January 2019 the other week, but here we are about to start 2020.
As always it will take us a while to stop writing 2019 as the date, to get used to being in a new decade and start planning ahead for another exciting year in Abu Dhabi.
Looking ahead to 2020, there are lots of things in the capital to look forward to – from returning events to new events, attractions, restaurants and more.
Looking forward to the next 12 months? Here’s what you can expect.
Al Qana
When Abu Dhabi’s latest waterfront destination Al Qana was first announced it’s fair to say that we were excited. Bringing new experiences and attractions to Khor Al Maqta, we’re already sure it will be a hit when it opens in 2020. With the Middle East’s largest aquarium, the largest stand-alone cinema in the capital, a wellness centre and not to forget the region’s biggest reptile, there’s a lot to look forward to. Plus, along the 2.4km of panoramic waterfront, a host of restaurants and shops will also be taking their place as the project begins to take shape. Expected to open before the end of 2020, there’s not much longer to wait until we see it ourselves.
For more information visit www.alqana.ae
Club Social
The winner of Best Live Music Event at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Music and Nightlife Awards 2019, has announced its return to the city, and we’re excited. The beach music festival will return from March 12 to 14. The exact location and the acts that will perform are yet to be announced but are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks. Two international acts will take to the stage as well as the Battle of the Bands where the UAE’s best up-and-coming musicians will be fighting it out in front of live audiences. Plus, with plenty of activities, live entertainment, food trucks, water sports and loads more going on, it’s sure to be another exciting weekend. We can’t wait to see who performs this year. To be honest, we’re still buzzing about Bastille. We’ll bring you more news as it’s announced so keep your eyes peeled.
For more information visit www.clubsocial.ae
Expo 2020
Ok, this one isn’t really Abu Dhabi-based but you’ll be hard pushed to make it through 2020 and 2021 without hearing the words Expo 2020 at least a hundred times. The show is going to be massive and like us we’re sure you’ll venture across to our sister city to see what’s going on. With 192 countries set to take part across the six month event, there’s bound to be lots going on and in partnership with friends at Time Out Dubai, we’ll keep you up to date with everything so that you don’t miss a thing.
Fouquet’s at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi will welcome a stylish new restaurant in 2020, bringing together three of its most famous names. Legendary French chef Pierre Gagnaire will be behind the menu at Fouquet’s, a new brasserie at Louvre Abu Dhabi. The Parisian brasserie, which has just celebrated its 120th birthday, will open at the Saadiyat Island Museum early next year. Gagnaire was prevosuly behind the super-fancy Reflets at Dubai Festival City and still looks after the city’s Pierre’s Bistro & Bar. Back in France he’s owner of his eponymous restaurant in Paris. He will curate the menu for Fouquet’s, which already has some of his dishes on the menu in its branches in Pars, Toulouse and Marrakech. Watch this space for more information as we get it.
Mangrove Walk
From January, you will now be able to explore one of the UAE capital’s most beautiful natural wonders as a new attraction opens in the city on Jubail Island. The Mangrove Walk, opening in January 2020, will allow you to take a stroll through the mangroves an see the natural landscape and spot local wildlife. Once completed, the attraction will feature kayaking activities, a winding boardwalk, a play area for children and viewing terraces where you can enjoy the stunning surroundings .In addition, a visitors centre is set to open that will teach visitors about the importance of the mangroves to the local ecosystem and their environmental significance. The new landmark will be located on the island which lies between Saadiyat Island and Yas Island, and will be one of the newest ecotourism attractions in the UAE. We can’t wait to see it.
Reem Mall
We’re not short of great places to shop in Abu Dhabi and soon there will be another huge mall where we can indulge in some retail therapy. Reem Mall, the brand new shopping centre on Reem Island, has is well on its way towards completion. Attractions include the world’s largest snow park, a multiplex cinema, 85 food and drink outlets and 450 shops. Reem Mall is expected to open late in the year in 2020. It’s good to have more options for shopping, dining and entertainment.
For more information visit www.reemmall.ae.
Road tolls
Ok, it’s unlikely that you’re looking forward to the introduction of road tolls on January 1, 2020, but the new system will make a big impact on the city. Aiming to reduce congestion, encourage carpooling and reduce emissions and accidents on the road, the system will be live from the first month of the year. All drivers, including those with vehicles not registered in Abu Dhabi, will have register their account and top it up before passing through. Still confused? Here’s our step by step guide to keep you right.
Ultra fest
When Ultra Music Festival was announced for Abu Dhabi earlier this year it caused quite a stir. The two-day festival will take place at du Arena on Yas Island on March 5 and 6, and tickets are already on sale. The Abu Dhabi festival is part of the Ultra Worldwide franchise that has previously put on shows in South Africa, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil and Mexico. Now, a host of huge acts have been confirmed for the first Abu Dhabi version. Dance music fans in the capital will be able to see Afrojack, Alesso, Cirez D, DJ Snake, Eric Prydz, KSHMR, Luciano, Nicky Romero, Major Lazer, The Return of Dash Berlin, Zedd, Sasha & John Digweed, Eats Everything, Nic Fanciulli and Seth Troxler. More acts could be confirmed in the coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled to Time Out Abu Dhabi and we’ll share the latest news. We’re looking forward to March already.
From Dhs480. Mar 5-6 2020. Du Arena, Yas Island www.ultra-abudhabi.com.
On the way in 2021 and beyond
Flamingo observation tower
Did you know we have flamingos in Abu Dhabi? We’ve been in awe of the amazing pictures of the pink birds at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. In 2020, it will be even easier to see the wild flamingos up close thanks to a stunning new observation tower. If you don’t know, the Al Wathba Wetland reserve is a bunch of manmade and natural waters just past Mussafah. Created in 1998 by the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, it covers a total area of five square kilometers, comprising wetlands, salt flats, fossilised sands and dunes. There are more than 250 species of birds along with dozens of types of plant life, aquatic species and dragonflies. But perhaps the main attraction is the 4,000 flamingoes that make it their home every spring. There’s no official date that the structure will be completed, but when it is, we can’t wait to visit and see it for ourselves.
For more information, visit www.beebreeders.com/architecturecompetitions/flamingotower
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
It’s hard not to picture what it will be like on Saadiyat Island once the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum open their doors to the public. As if Louvre Abu Dhabi’s iconic roof isn’t enough, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi’s ambitious façade and the Zayed National Museum’s falcon wing-shaped design will add two more architectural wonders to the shores of Saadiyat Island. Like us, we bet many of you will be impatient to know when these new attractions will open. But the good news is that Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is said to be “on track” and construction of the building should start in the coming months. Richard Armstrong, director of the Soloman R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum in New York, gave an update on the project in a recent interview. The gallery is now set to open in 2022, and we’re already counting down the days until we get to see the inside, and outside, of the latest addition to the Cultural District. Things are about to get even more exciting on Saadiyat Island.
Midfield terminal
There’s a real sense of anticipation in the city as we look forward to the opening of Abu Dhabi Airport’s Midfield Terminal. The massive structure has taken shape and we’re getting closer to the grand opening and getting to see inside. The good news is that Abu Dhabi Airports Co. has conducted a full operation trial at the terminal. There were also trials on turning around aeroplanes, with two Etihad Airways aircraft going through 80-minute checks to cater and refuel the planes, as well as performing final checks carried out before take off. Teams also carried out simulations as passengers arriving and transiting through the new facility, passing through customs, boarding, disembarking, going through customs and departing from the terminal. So the good news is, more steps are being made towards the final completion of the major Abu Dhabi project. What we do know already is that the huge airport will be the first the first 5G connected airport in the region will feature 65 gates and will cater to 30 million passengers a year and 8,500 passengers per hour. We don’t know about you but we look forward to our first flight out of the new airport sometime in the near future.
Sheikh Zayed National Museum
Saadiyat Island is already home to one of the most stunning museums in the world with Louvre Abu Dhabi. And it has been confirmed that that Zayed National Museum should be open to the public at the beginning of the next decade. Construction of the national museum is already underway and once completed the site will become the national museum of the UAE. The museum’s concept was created by UK architects Foster and Partners and features a cluster of towers, designed to resemble the wings of a falcon, some which will be as high as 123 metres once completed. Inside the museum the collection will tell the story of the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed and explore this history of the UAE dating far back into human history. A number of items are set to be lent to the museum by The British Museum who signed a ten-year agreement to assist with curating the exhibition and lend exhibits.
For more information, visit www.zayednationalmuseum.ae
