Whether you want to keep fit, spend more time with the family, explore the UAE more, there’s a lot of activities for you!
Yalla rounds up the top things to do for families to enjoy in Abu Dhabi.
Below are just a few of the best events and activities so check out our Events Diary for a full listing of all of the top family events in the capital.
Weekends at Qasr Al Hosn
An event for every individual and family visiting Abu Dhabi! Shop at retailers from Abu Dhabi’s old souq. Discover Abu Dhabi’s history. Experience traditional performances and craft demonstrations. Taste authentic Emirati delicacies.
24 & 25 January – 4 PM to 10 PM, Free admission!
Rooftop Rhythms
The Middle East’s longest-running poetry open mic night is back!
Experience culturally-diverse voices with both leading and up-and-coming musicians and poets presenting their own original material.
24 January, NYUAD Arts Center
Al Raheel | Departure – Contemporary Performance
Weaving Arabic and English language poetry with projected images and movement, Al Raheel | Departure is a world premiere contemporary theater work that explores innocence, womanhood, and grief.
Friday, Jan 24 @ 8pm & Saturday, Jan 25 @ 2pm & 8pm | NYUAD Arts Center
Celebrate YogaOne’s 3rd Anniversary
Browse through a wonderful pop up market, tap your toes to live music, choose your practice from a wide selection of creative yoga and movement classes and simply hang out with the YogaOne team whilst enjoying fabulously healthy foodie treats!
25 January, 9.30AM – 4.30PM
Abu Dhabi Classics
Think you know the Abu Dhabi Classics season? Think again. This year, the programme takes on a new format with the objective to reach even more arts and culture lovers within the emirates and abroad.
Commencing on 28 January with David Fray and Friends, as they perform Bach’s Concertos for Two, Three, and Four Pianos with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra.
28 Jan – 7 Feb
A Costume Adventure at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Discover Louvre Abu Dhabi’s art collection through immersive multimedia, sensory and physical experiences through an immersive game, ‘A Costume Adventure’ at the Children’s Museum. The adventure includes multiple stages, each presenting a unique challenge for children aged 4 – 10 to complete through interactive digital displays.
Open through 31 May
Top events to watch out for in February...
Hay Festival Abu Dhabi
Hay Festival Abu Dhabi will bring writers and readers together at the city’s cultural centre, Manarat al Saadiyat, for four days of conversation and debate, story-telling and workshops, music, film, comedy and performance. Events will be in Arabic and English, Hindi, Malayalam, French and Filipino and free to anyone under 25 and/or in full time education.
25-28 February, Manarat Al Saadiyat
Cartography
Learn about migration stories of refugee youth through a stunning theatrical performance premiering in the Middle East. Created in collaboration with artist Kaneza Schaal and writer Christopher Myers, co-commissioned by the NYUAD Arts Center.
6 – 15 February, The Black Box
Yas Pet Festival
Truly a date to look furr-ward to, the Abu Dhabi’s paww-some annual Pet Festival returns to Yas Island, where two-legged humans and their four-legged friends will unite for the city’s biggest animal-themed extravaganza!
Free Entry!
14 February, du Arena
Explore an Oasis of Fun
Looking for more fun things to do outside the city? Al Ain should be at the top of your list with UNESCO Heritage sites, Al Ain zoo, Wadi Adventure, Cultural events and more.
We recommend visiting Al Ain Oasis on weekends to enjoy a hub of interactive activities and popular attractions. ‘Weekends at the Oasis’ treats visitors to a market showcasing locally grown farm products, traditional oasis-inspired handicrafts, Emirati cooking demonstrations, fun games, horse riding and bicycle tours, an educational workshop on Falaj, and arts & crafts workshops for all ages!
There is much to see and do in Al Ain and Yalla lists everything you need to know.
