What to do in Abu Dhabi

After their dominant victory over Pakistan, India is all set for another high-stakes clash in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4, this time against Bangladesh on September 24 in Dubai. With their battle-tested squad, India heads into this game with the confidence of having been on a winning streak, and they'll be looking to add another victory to their tally. India’s form speaks for itself — since the start of 2024, they've won 32 of their 35 T20 matches. The stats certainly favor the Indian team, and many expect this to be another one-sided affair. Bangladesh, despite their efforts, have...

Summer is just getting started in the UAE, and another public holiday is already on the horizon: Islamic New Year 2026 (or 1448 AH). While the exact date will depend on the official moon sighting, the occasion comes with a long weekend for UAE residents. So where does this long weekend come from in June 2026? The recently adopted UAE Public Holidays Law allows to move some holidays to the beginning or end of the week. The UAE has already announced that Monday, June 15, will be an official holiday for Hijri New Year for both private and public sector employees....

Residents in the UAE can now start planning for Eid Al Adha 2026. The holiday’s start date has been confirmed after the crescent moon was sighted on Sunday evening, May 17. Here are all the dates for the upcoming holiday period: Dhu Al Hijjah (the final month in the Islamic calendar): Monday, May 18 Arafat Day: Tuesday, May 26 Eid Al Adha 2026 in the UAE: Wednesday, May 27 Both public and private sector employees already have holidays confirmed for the Eid break, with 9 days off for government workers and 6 days off for private sector worker. School holiday...

Marsana East Beach on Hudayriyat Island has launched something new for summer: night swimming. For the first time in Abu Dhabi, beachgoers can take a swim after sunset, with the beach staying open into the night until the end of September. Equipped with floodlights and lifeguards, the setup allows safe swimming after dark. Comfortable sunbeds and a relaxed atmosphere make it a good option for evening downtime, whether you’re cooling off solo or heading out with friends and family.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Marsana Hudayriyat Island (@marsanahudayriyat) The beach remains popular during...

Yas Island is levelling up once again. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, already home to the world’s fastest roller coaster, is preparing to launch a brand-new attraction that’s expected to break four world records. The details are still under wraps, but the announcement by developer Miral is already stirring up major excitement. The ride, described as both “significant and signature,” is being built to thrill hardcore coaster fans. According to Mohamed Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, more updates will be released soon — but the promise of multiple records is already setting expectations high. What Else Is Coming to Yas...

Abu Dhabi’s lineup of major residential developments just got a new addition. Aldar Properties has officially revealed Fahid Island, a coastal community promising a new kind of living experience rooted in wellness, sustainability, and nature. Set just a short drive from Yas Island, Fahid Island is being promoted as Abu Dhabi’s newest island destination, surrounded by turquoise waters, natural mangroves, and lush green spaces. What sets it apart? It’s the first island in the UAE designed entirely around well-being. Every residence will be located within 250 metres of a park or shaded trail, and the project includes 940,000 square metres...

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...

If you’re a fan of Korean cinema, this one’s for you. The Korean Film Festival is returning for its ninth edition in the UAE — with screenings lined up in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This year’s theme is “music”, with a curated lineup of films ranging from those with unforgettable original soundtracks to others where music plays a central role.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Korean Cultural Center UAE🇦🇪🇰🇷 (@kcc_uae) Organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the UAE and the Korean Cultural Center, the festival will take place at Manarat...

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...

If you’ve been wondering whether distance learning is about to end, here’s the latest from UAE authorities. Schools and kindergartens across the country are currently operating remotely, and that continues until April 17. Meanwhile, gradual return to in-person classes is being prepared. Here’s the full update. The Education, Human Resources and Community Development Council confirmed that nurseries, schools, and universities are moving toward in-person learning. Regular classes will resume across all nurseries, kindergartens, and public and private schools on April 20, 2026. Private schools can still use a hybrid rotational model when needed. All educational institutions are also expected to...