18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Coachella Festival is *sort of* coming to Abu Dhabi
If you're sick of scrolling past your friends over the pond enjoying Coachella while you sit in the office… we've got a fix.
It's not quite a flight to Palm Springs, but it's certainly a step in the glittery, paint-splattered, boho-chic direction.
Design & Dine – the UAE's resident champs of art-meets-party – are bringing a full-blown Coachella-themed sip and paint session to Abu Dhabi on May 16. This one's got all the festival trimmings: live DJs, sparkles, dressing up and a canvas that won't judge your questionable brush strokes.
Yes, you'll actually be painting. No, you don't need to know what you're doing on a canvas as it's super beginner-friendly.
There are more than ten music-festival-themed designs to choose from, all inspired by this year's Coachella line-up. It's less 'art school critique' and more 'doodling with flair.'
As for the party part? Expect two hours of unlimited drinks (mixed drinks, mocktails, grape, you name it), a gourmet take on street food and a crowd that's part brunch club, part raver city. There's a DJ spinning a crowd-pleasing mix of pop, R&B and indie-electro bangers. Oh and yes – there's a glitter bar. Of course there is.
Dress code? Boho. Loud. Shiny. Prizes are on the line, so dig out the feathers and fringe skirts while you still can. And if you want to double up on festie vibes, there's also a Dubai version on May 9.
The painting workshop will set you back Dhs199 – paid in advance as a non-refundable, non-transferrable deposit to lock in your spot.
Then you've got the brunch side of things: Dhs200 for the soft drinks package or Dhs250 if you're going with premium beverages – both paid directly to the venue on the night.
Altogether, you're looking at Dhs399 or Dhs449 depending on how hard you plan to party.
This is your official excuse to pretend you're at a music festival – without the jetlag, porta-loos or overpriced tacos. Win-win.
From Dhs399. Friday May 16, 7pm-10pm. Saadiyat Beach Club. (050 579 2805).
You might also like…
Abu Dhabi's best restaurants: Everywhere you should eat at least once
Your dinner inspo is sorted
12 fantastic road trips across the GCC
Fill up the tank and go
Abu Dhabi to Dubai by bus: How to travel between the two cities
Everything you need to know, from getting a Nol card to bus timetables
Old Abu Dhabi: 15 best spots to uncover the history of the capital
Peel back the layers of time
