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2 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
Things to do this weekend in Abu Dhabi: August 15 to 17
This article was updated on August 15, 2025. Abu Dhabi is packed with unforgettable experiences and vibrant happenings, and this weekend is no exception. From family-friendly activities to celebrating National Prosecco Day, going night swimming and more… Here are the top things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend Celebrate Indian Independence Day Head to Punjab Grill Dubai, a Michelin-recognised fine dining restaurant, and tuck into two star dishes for a discounted rate. You can pick from the chicken tikka sampler – a vibrant and juicy chicken dish grilled to perfection, or the paneer roulade on makhani saag – a rich, creamy, vegetarian-friendly dish. Both dishes will sport the colours of the Indian flag and are priced at Dhs78, a nod to India having completed 78 years of independence. Location: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal Times: August 15 Cost: Dhs78 per dish Contact: (050) 668 3054 @punjabgrillabudhabi Crafts and Play Have little ones between the ages of three and 12? Take them to the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi for a unique exhibition celebrating the UAE's iconic crafts. But it's not just an exhibition; it's a learning experience paired with interactive games. It's designed keeping little ones in mind, and the hands-on journey will delve into three traditional Emirati weaving crafts: Al-Sadu, Talli and Khoos. Additionally, visit the House of Artisans to further discover the craft of Talli through interactive displays, artisan demos, and hands-on experiences. Visit for more details. Location: Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi Date/Time: until August 17 Cost: free entry Contact: (02) 657 6348 Back to school Bawabat Al Sharq Mall is celebrating the back-to-school season with a host of interactive and exciting events designed especially for kids, where learning, exploration, and play come together under one roof. The ground floor of the mall has been transformed into a colourful world of fun, including a giant slide, colored water sprayers, an arts and crafts section plus a space where children can channel their inner Albert Einstein and try some science experiments. While the kids are busy, parents can tick off the items they need for the academic year. The event runs from August 15 to 24 from 2pm to 10pm. Location: Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Baniyas East Date: August 15 to 24 from 2pm to 10pm. Contact: (02) 503 1400 @ bawabatalsharqmall Go night swimming Marsana Beach Love to swim but need your space? Marsana East Beach on Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi is keeping the beach open at night for people to enjoy a swim under the stars. And since it proved to be quite popular, the length of the beach has now doubled. Visitors can choose to take a refreshing dip in the water, but if you prefer to stay dry, you can unwind and sit in the sand or relax on plush sun loungers dotted along the shoreline. There will be complimentary towels and mini coolers stocked with chilled water also available. You can also order food and drinks on demand from Marsana's cafés and restaurants via a QR code or dine at one of the seven outlets on the beach. Location: Hudayriyat Island Date: open until 10pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends, until September 30 Contact: (02) 503 1400 Spend time with the family Luxury 5-star resort Le Méridien Abu Dhabi has a pocket-friendly deal that's just perfect for families. The La Famiglia Special deal at Méridien Plaza includes a sharing salad and a pizza for just Dhs130, which can be enjoyed by four people. The deal is available daily from 12pm, so you can pop on over for lunch or dinner. Location: Le Méridien Abu Dhabi Date: daily from 12pm Contact: (02) 644 6666 Cheers to the weekend Not only is it the weekend, but it's the weekend of National Prosecco Day, and yes, that is worth celebrating. At The Terrace on the Corniche, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, you can raise your glass and say cheers with loved ones in an elegant and refined setting with a front-row seat to the Corniche. The menu features international flavours which will pair excellently with the bubbles. Location: The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, Corniche Date: until August 17 Contact: (02) 694 4553 @stregisabudhabi Paella Fiesta at Bab Al Qasr It's Spain on a plate with paella piled high and live flamenco dancers twirling through dinner. It's theatrical, it's tasty, and it's the kind of Friday night you'll want to turn into a habit. Location: Rosemary, Bab Al Qasr Hotel Date: Friday Time: 7pm to 10pm Cost: from Dhs199 Contact: (056) 992 2078 Abu Dhabi Summer Sports at ADNEC ADNEC is basically a giant air-conditioned playground. Play padel, hit the basketball court, drop the kids at camp, or chill in a wellness pod. It's summer-proofed and seriously fun. Location: ADNEC, Halls 4 to 11 Contact: (02) 444 6900 Step inside the wizarding world at Harry Potter: The Exhibition Image: Archive Wands up, a spellbinding experience awaits you in the capital. Harry Potter: The Exhibition has flown (although not on a broom) into Manarat Al Saadiyat, inviting fans to journey through the magical universe like never before. From exploring the iconic Great Hall and brewing potions in Snape's classroom to summoning a Patronus in the Forbidden Forest, this immersive adventure brings the wizarding world to life. Location: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi Times: Wednesday to Monday, 10am to 10pm (closed Tuesdays) Cost: From Dhs115 Image: Archive
The National
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Weekly UAE museum and gallery guide: Must-see exhibitions by Sama Alshaibi and Shilpa Gupta
A new wave of solo exhibitions is rolling across galleries and institutions in the UAE. Diasporic experiences represented by flowers, paintings ruminating on psychological states through fables and a project aimed at capturing the palimpsest-like nature of Baghdad, here are four exhibitions to see this weekend. The title of Sama Alshaibi's solo exhibition at Ayyam Gallery is drawn from the Arabic word for palimpsest. The Iraqi-Palestinian artist is presenting a series of mixed-media collages and video works that present Baghdad as a site of fragmented narratives and memories. Alshaibi travelled to the Iraqi capital between 2021 and 2023, using LiDar technology to document its streets, landmarks and marshlands. She captured structures and the flow of daily life. The works featured in the exhibition are drawn from data mappings, archival materials and photographs. Together, they form a thoughtful exploration of a city that is constantly adapting to new geopolitical realities. Monday to Friday, 10am – 6pm; Saturday, 12pm – 6pm; until May 30; Ayyam Gallery, Dubai Maitha Abdalla's works bloom from the seams between the real and the uncanny. The Emirati artist, whose practice spans several mediums, often uses folktales and myths to explore themes such as psychology, social conditioning and gender. Her solo exhibition at Abu Dhabi's cultural foundation reflects upon these topics through a mix of painting and sculptures that toe the line between the figurative and the abstract. Saturday to Thursday, 9am – 8pm; Friday, 2pm – 8pm; until August 30; Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi In her first regional solo exhibition, Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons references the flora and fauna of Latin America, the Middle East and Africa to examine experiences of diaspora. The Cuban artist touches upon experiences of unity and longing in her works. Her paintings and sculptures are vibrant, brimming with hibiscus, sugarcanes and guava leaves. The works come together as an arresting exploration of the connection between landscapes and collective memories. Monday to Saturday, 11am – 7pm; until Thursday; Efie Gallery, Dubai Shilpa Gupta: Lines Of Flight at Ishara Art Foundation Shilpa Gupta's first solo exhibition in the Middle East is being held at the Ishara Art Foundation. It presents a large body of work, produced since 2006. The artworks, though ranging in medium, all have a central preoccupation in that they challenge the notions of border, terrestrial and political. Some drawings highlight works by poets from around the world who faced persecution, showing how their writings transcended demarcations. A room-filled installation, titled Listening Air, meanwhile, features songs of resistance, emanating from microphones that move across the space. Monday to Saturday, 10am – 7pm; until May 31; Ishara Art Foundation, Dubai
