What to do in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s art scene continues to grow, offering residents and visitors more opportunities to engage with creative works. The Bassam Freiha Art Foundation has introduced two new exhibitions featuring the work of Italian artist Stefano Simontacchi. These exhibitions, running until August 31 on Saadiyat Island, explore themes of perception, energy, and human connection. What’s New on Display at Bassam Freiha Art Foundation? The first exhibition, Project Oneness, takes visitors through three interconnected rooms. The journey begins with an exploration of duality and humanity’s connection to the universe. Moving forward, light, movement, and color create an immersive experience, leading to a...

Ramadan in the UAE is a time for community, tradition, and celebration. This year, Mirbad is back in Abu Dhabi, offering a nostalgic experience inspired by classic Egyptian cinema. Running until March 10 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, this special Ramadan pop-up is packed with entertainment, shopping, and cultural activities. Mirbad 2025, themed “The Night and Its Stars,” pays tribute to the golden era of Egyptian film. Visitors can enjoy a dedicated Mirbad Cinema zone featuring vintage movie clips and a unique Oum Kalthoum hologram performance. Live music, including traditional oud performances, adds to the nostalgic atmosphere.     View this...

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is not just about fast cars and thrilling races, it’s an all-encompassing weekend of excitement both on and off the track. As the season finale of the Formula 1 calendar, it draws in fans from around the world, and the UAE capital transforms into a hub of non-stop entertainment. If you're lucky enough to attend, here’s how you can make the most of your weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit and beyond. Yasalam After-Race Concerts One of the highlights of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend is the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. These shows are included...

If you’ve ever wanted to be part of a worldwide running event, this is your chance. And no long-haul travel required. On May 23, 2026, thousands of runners across the globe will hit the streets at the same time in one of the biggest synchronized races in the world: One Run. This year, the scale is huge: 110+ cities already joined, 15 time zones, and 250,000+ participants expected. Whether you're running through streets in the GCC or along scenic routes in Asia, you can be part of a global movement happening in real time. The event brings together participants in...

President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has announced plans for one national health insurance system that will cover all seven emirates. UAE citizens would get the same level of healthcare support whether they’re in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah or anywhere else in the country. While the UAE healthcare tops global rankings, the access to its services varies. Different programmes in Abu Dhabi and Dubai include treatments and preventive care. Other emirates have less coverage and healthcare access. The new unified system would bring everything under one structure, making it easier for Emirati citizens to access the same healthcare services anywhere...

This summer, Yas Island is turning up the excitement for kids with a camp experience built around some of Abu Dhabi’s biggest attractions. From July 7 to August 22, 2025, the Yas Island Summer Camp will offer a full week of immersive learning, creative exploration, and high-energy fun for children aged 7 to 13. Here’s what parents and kids can expect at Yas Island this summer: 5 consecutive days of summer camp, Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 2 PM Three different schedules available, which determine the order in which a child experiences the five parks The offer also includes...

Sheikh Zayed Festival 2025 has officially begun in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, welcoming visitors from across the UAE and beyond. The festival brings together 22 participating countries, each showcasing its traditions, heritage, and art through national pavilions. Sheikh Zayed Festival will run until March 22, 2026. Over the next five months, visitors can enjoy more than 4,000 cultural events and 750 public shows. This year’s theme is “Hayyakum,” which means “Welcome.” The word perfectly reflects the festival’s atmosphere of warmth, hospitality, and cultural pride. View this post on Instagram A post shared by مهرجان الشيخ زايد (@zayedfestival) A visit to...

If you’ve been worried about what your teen sees on Instagram, this update brings some relief. The popular platform has started introducing new Teen Account settings in the UAE, with stricter content limits turned on by default. All eligible accounts should have it within the next few months. Users under 18 will be automatically placed into a more restricted setup, and they can’t switch it off without a parent’s approval. They will now see content filtered to match a 13+ rating system. Here’s what gets filtered: Posts with strong language Risky stunts Content that could encourage harmful behaviour Anything linked...

Attention, ice cream lovers in Abu Dhabi! Scoopi Café, known for its indulgent and Instagram-worthy ice creams, is expanding to the capital this October 2024. After making waves in Dubai with its luxurious treats, including the infamous Black Diamond ice cream topped with real gold flakes — Scoopi is now bringing its artistry in frozen delights to The Waterfront, Al Zahiyah. At the new Abu Dhabi branch, you can expect a fresh lineup of limited-edition flavors designed to dazzle your taste buds. Some new creations include: Strawberry Cheesecake (AED 50): A creamy fusion of cheesecake ice cream with swirls of...

If you’ve already started thinking about travel plans or a long break with family, the UAE has confirmed the Eid Al Adha holiday dates. The announcement covers both government employees and private sector workers. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources announced that public sector employees will be off from Monday, May 25, until Friday, May 29, 2026. Work will resume on Monday, June 1. Because the holiday connects with two weekends, government employees end up with a 9-day break in total. Private sector workers will be off between Tuesday, May 26 and Friday, May 29. Work for them will...