What to do in Abu Dhabi - Latest News

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...

CineMAS Film Festival 2025 is in full swing at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and alongside the bold indie film lineup comes a culinary treat to match the cinematic energy. Taparelle restaurant has joined forces with Dine-W/Me and CineMAS to present Le Cartoon — a limited-time dining experience themed around animated cult classics. Running until Sunday, June 1, the dishes draw inspiration from all-time favorite cartoons. Guests can expect a three-course French-Italian menu along with a themed drink that brings the animated concept to life: olive-based tapenade inspired by "Coraline" crispy fried fish cakes with tartare sauce and lemon inspired by "Ponyo" croissant...

Nature lovers in Abu Dhabi have reason to celebrate. The capital has just been recognised as one of the top cities in the world for green space and access to nature, according to Time Out’s latest global city survey. Ranked 9th worldwide, Abu Dhabi shares this prestigious spot with Cape Town, Chicago, and Sydney. An impressive 83% of residents rated the city’s natural offerings as either “good” or “amazing.” And with good reason. Abu Dhabi blends urban life with an array of natural landscapes — from tranquil mangrove forests and sandy boardwalks to sprawling public parks and wildlife-rich reserves. Whether...

Reem Island just raised the bar. All 475 apartments at Muheira, Modon Holding’s brand-new freehold residential development, sold out on launch day – racking up AED 1 billion in sales. Set in one of Abu Dhabi’s most desirable neighbourhoods, Muheira is positioned just steps away from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The two-tower community is part of a prime waterfront setting, offering wide views of the canal and Reem Island’s striking skyline.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Modon Real Estate (@modonproperties) The development features one- to three-bedroom apartments, thoughtfully designed for professionals, couples...

If you're in Abu Dhabi this summer and looking for a space that blends culture, creativity, and a good cup of coffee, make your way to the Lobby Bar at the Abu Dhabi EDITION. In a special seasonal collaboration, the hotel has teamed up with ETHR, the Emirati lifestyle brand known for celebrating sustainability and tradition in equal measure. The EDITION x ETHR pop-up, available daily from 4 PM to 11 PM throughout summer 2025, invites guests to experience a setting inspired by the Areesh — traditional Emirati frond houses. Expect palm leaf textures, soft lighting, and natural materials that...

If you've been keeping an eye on the calendar to plan your next public holiday, the wait is over. The UAE has officially confirmed the start date of Eid Al Adha 2025, following the sighting of the crescent moon of Dhu Al Hijjah on the evening of Tuesday, May 27. The Presidential Court announced that Wednesday, May 28, 2025, will be the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the final month in the Islamic lunar calendar. This means that: Arafat Day, which falls on the 9th of Dhu Al Hijjah, will be observed on Thursday, June 5, 2025 Eid Al...

CineMAS 2025 has returned to Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, and it's more than just a celebration of indie film. Running until Sunday, June 1, this year’s edition unfolds across seven themed days, each packed with powerful screenings and curated line-ups designed to challenge, reflect, and resonate. Organised around themes of identity, heritage, climate, labour, duplicity and statelessness, CineMAS 2025 invites audiences to dive into a deeper cinematic experience. The programming has been put together by regional institutions like Arab Film Studio, NYUAD, The Climate Tribe, and others, ensuring a strong local perspective.     View this post on...

A new experience has surfaced at SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and it’s one you won’t need flippers for. The marine-life theme park is introducing SeaSub, the world’s first submersible experience inside an aquarium — and just in time for summer. Set within the park’s Endless Ocean, the region’s largest multi-species marine life aquarium, SeaSub takes guests on a 45-minute underwater ride where they’ll come face-to-face with rays, sharks, and a variety of fish species, all from the comfort of a fully enclosed mini submersible.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by SeaWorld® Yas Island,...

If you’ve seen a wide-eyed, sharp-toothed creature chilling in handbags, showing up in Reels, or mysteriously popping out of shopping hauls across Dubai and Abu Dhabi... no, you’re not imagining things. That’s Labubu, and it’s currently the hottest collector trend sweeping the world. Once a niche designer toy known mostly to hardcore collectors, Labubu has officially gone viral. From high-end mall shelves to TikTok feeds and even café tables, this tiny monster is everywhere, and people are completely obsessed. Even if you’re not into hype culture or trendy toys, it’s still fun to know what’s turning heads in the city—because...

If you're after a quiet, well-designed getaway with sea views and a clear focus on privacy, Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat might be worth your radar. Located in Ghantoot, between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, this newly launched adults-only property blends Greek-inspired architecture with modern UAE hospitality. Set along a less-travelled coastal stretch, the retreat has just 22 sea-facing villas, which makes it a relatively quiet destination compared to larger resorts. Each villa is designed to maximise natural light and direct views of the Arabian Gulf. Interiors follow a clean, whitewashed look with subtle, earthy accents — simple but stylish.  ...