What to do in Abu Dhabi

WhatsApp Business, the go-to platform for many UAE-based companies to communicate with customers, is set to introduce new pricing changes starting July 1, 2025. Meta, the app’s parent company, has confirmed that registered businesses using the platform will soon be charged per message, rather than per conversation, as part of a shift to simplify and align pricing with industry standards. These upcoming changes will mainly affect marketing, authentication, and utility template messages. Charges will apply based on the recipient’s country code, introducing regional pricing variations. However, companies that use the platform more frequently may benefit from tiered pricing models that...

Big changes are coming to Abu Dhabi’s DARB toll system starting September 1, 2025. The city is scrapping the daily and monthly caps, which could impact how much you pay for tolls on public roads. Here’s what you need to know if driving in the capital: 1. No More Daily or Monthly Caps Right now, you pay a maximum of AED 16 per day and between AED 100 to AED 200 per month depending on how many vehicles you own. Starting in September, these caps will be removed. That means if you use the toll roads often, your costs could...

LOEWE has launched an exclusive perfume pop-up in the heart of Al Ain Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Open until 9 February, the LOEWE Perfumes Greenhouse invites visitors to experience its signature Botanical Rainbow fragrances and home scents inside a beautifully designed Victorian-style greenhouse. This one-of-a-kind space takes inspiration from old apothecaries and botanical gardens, where plants were traditionally grown for their healing properties. The greenhouse setting blends nature and luxury, offering a multi-sensory journey through color, texture, and scent.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by إثر (@ethr.ae) At the core of this...

Music, laughter, new flavors, and unforgettable moments — this weekend in Dubai has it all. Whether you're planning family fun, catching up with friends, or just craving some quality solo time, there’s something waiting for you in every corner of the city. Check out your Ultimate Weekend Guide: April 11–13. Feel the Beat with CamelPhat at FIVE Luxe JBR Kick off your weekend on a high note! On April 11th, get ready to lose yourself to the hypnotic sounds of CamelPhat, the Grammy-nominated duo known for their signature blend of deep house and techno. As part of Dubai’s most exclusive...

Music and sports lovers, get ready for an unforgettable night! The global superstars Akon and Sean Paul are set to perform live at Etihad Arena as part of the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi on December 21st. Known for his iconic hits like "Smack That," "Lonely," and "Right Now (Na Na Na)," Akon promises a performance filled with infectious energy and anthems that have defined an era.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by World Tennis League (@worldtennisleague) But the party doesn’t stop there—Sean Paul, the Grammy-winning king of dancehall, is also set to take...

If your car is looking a bit dusty, you might want to think twice before putting off that car wash — especially in Abu Dhabi. Authorities in the UAE’s capital take clean streets seriously, and letting your vehicle get too dirty can actually cost you money. Why Can You Be Fined for a Dirty Car in Abu Dhabi? While a light layer of dust won’t get you in trouble, a car covered in excessive dirt is seen as an eyesore. According to Law No. 2 of 2012, abandoned or very dirty vehicles negatively impact the city’s appearance, and owners can...

From January 10 to February 28, 2025, the Al Wathba region in Abu Dhabi will host the second edition of the Al Wathba Dates Festival, a key feature of the Sheikh Zayed Festival. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the event celebrates the enduring cultural and agricultural significance of date palms in the UAE. This year’s festival will bring together date enthusiasts, farmers, and traders from around the globe. It will include 12 competitions highlighting date packaging — with and without additives — featuring six...

With summer temperatures on the rise, Abu Dhabi Summer Sports 2025 is providing a welcome indoor alternative for sports enthusiasts, families, and athletes. Held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, the region’s largest indoor sports festival is now open and will run until August 21. Now in its fourth edition, the event transforms the ADNEC halls into a fully air-conditioned hub for activity and wellness. This year’s setup features: 52 indoor courts Dedicated zones for different sports and age groups     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Abu Dhabi Summer Sports (@adsummersports) From high-energy team games...

Abu Dhabi’s waterfront will soon glow again. Manar, the capital’s large-scale light art exhibition, is coming back this November as part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi programme by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). This year’s edition, Manar 2.0, will feature more than 35 artworks by international and local artists. Among the names announced are teamLab, Carsten Höller, Shezad Dawood, Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, and Nujoom Alghanem. The works will range from light sculptures and projections to interactive installations and performances.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared...

If you're an art lover in Abu Dhabi, there's an event you definitely don’t want to miss. Sotheby’s is presenting an extraordinary collection of masterpieces featuring works from some of the most renowned artists in history, including Vincent van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Edvard Munch, and more. This exclusive event, happening on October 1 and 2, will be held at Bassam Freiha Art Foundation on Saadiyat Island, showing artworks valued collectively at USD 150 million. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bassam Freiha Art Foundation (@bassamfreihaartfoundation) The exhibition will feature a selection of iconic paintings, some of which...