What to do this weekend in Abu Dhabi (3/4/5 April)

Here are our activity picks for this upcoming weekend, chosen among the many things happening in Abu Dhabi. Happy Weekend!

Please note that to join some of the activities listed below you need to become a member of the group that organises them: most memberships are free but some require a fee.
Always double check/book using the provided links before setting off, as last minute changes to time/places/availability might have occurred since this list was compiled.

CULTURE
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – The guided tours are highly recommended if you haven’t done one before. Weekend schedule is: Thursday at 5PM; Friday at 5PM and 7PM; Saturday at 10AM, 11AM, 2PM, 5PM and 7PM. More info here, our blog post about the Mosque is here.

CINEMA
Among the many films showing this weekend are Need for Speed, Closed Circuit and Captain America 2. Complete film listings for Abu Dhabi this weekend can be found here, a list of our favourite cinema screens is here.

THURSDAY 3

MEETUP/NIGHTLIFE
8PM – The Brits in Abu Dhabi group is heading to the Imago Restaurant and Bar inside the Royal Meridian Hotel.

DANCE/NIGHTLIFE
11PM – Clubbing night at the O1NE on Yas Island: The Experiment event plays with Djs DIMIX and CJ. More info here, here and here.

FRIDAY 4

MEETUP/SPORT
7:30 AM – The Raw Yoga group meets in Formal park to begin the day with the right foot and then go for breakfast together.

MEETUP/SPORT
7:45 AM – Another part of the Raw Yoga group goes instead to the Happiness and Yoga Festival at the Park Rotana hotel.

FRIDAY BRUNCH
12PM – Our pick this week is the delicious brunch at the Fairmont Bab Al Bhar, a personal favourite. Also look out for the art exhibition by No White Walls UAE just as you approach the lower ground restaurant.

MEETUP/SPORT
2:30 PM – The Language and Culture Exchange group is going to the Al Forsan Sports Centre for an afternoon of kart racing and wakeboarding.

DANCE/PARTY
3PM – 10:30 PM – Pool party at the Crowne Plaza hotel on Yas Island. Music by Pierre Ravan, David Craig, Nico (electric violin), and Edikson (Percussions and guitar). More info here and here.

SHOPPING
3:30/5:30 – The periodical Car Boot Sale at the Al Reef Villas this month sees wonderful charity Sandy Paws joining the line-up of the many local vendors to raise funds to help abandoned and stray kittens in the city. It is a great chance to find a bargain and help a great cause at the same time.

MEETUP/LADIES ONLY
4PM – The Weekend Ladies group is organising a get together.

THE CLUB
4:30PM – 6:30PM – The Club organises for its members – or guests of members only, a sunset cruise in a traditional dhow boat. (Also available at the same time on Saturdays)

INTERNATIONS/SPORT
5:30 PM – The Abu Dhabi Skating group is going disco-dancing on ice at the Zayed Sports City rink.

MEETUP/PHOTOGRAPHY
7PM – 9PM – The Abu Dhabi Photographers group meet for their photo of the week and bi-weekly group meetup.

MEETUP/FILM
7:30 PM – The Black Culture Experience group meets for their monthly movie club.

SATURDAY 5th

ART/FUN
11AM – 3PM – International Pillow Fight Day – Art festival and friendly pillow fight day – at Art Hub Abu Dhabi. (for more info: our blog post, the Art Hub website, the International Pillow Fight Day website).

INTERNATIONS/SPORT
10:30AM-2PM – The Abu Dhabi Explorers and Travelers group tries ‘stand up paddle’ (a sort of kayaking with a twist!) in the mangroves, starting from the Anantara Mangroves Hotel.

FOOD
12PM – Saturday lunch at the Abu Dhabi fish souk can be a great foodie adventure! More info on our blog post.

MEETUP/LADIES ONLY
2:30 PM – The Cheap Eats/Ladies group is meeting to taste Russian cuisine.

SPORT/RACING
3PM-5PM – Over 100 bikes and cars that are taking part in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will be in Yas Island to showcase their skills. It is free for spectators to watch the drivers race over a purpose-built 2km circuit covered in sand. Just go to Yas Island and follow the signs – it will happen roughly behind the du Forum. For more info contact the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge press office.

INTERNATIONS/DANCE
6PM – The Abu Dhabi Tango group is meeting for an evening of latino dance at the International Music Center in Khalidiya. Beginners welcome!

ART EXHIBITION
A Pictorial Orchestration: paintings by Italian artist Amedeo Tremigliozzi. See blog post for more info.

ART EXHIBITION
The Year of the Horse: paintings by Irish artist Paddy Lennon. See blog post for more info.