What to do this weekend in Abu Dhabi (5/6/7 June)

Another busy week for us, but hopefully the weekend will give us time to catch up: so many things to write about!
Here are our activity picks for this weekend, chosen among the many things happening in Abu Dhabi. Have a relaxing one!

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 might 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.

THURSDAY 5

MEETUP/NATURE
4 PM – The Abu Dhabi Beach, Sun and Sand group is planning a trip to explore Lulu island, an island 25 minutes from the Corniche.

INTERNATIONS/HERITAGE
5:30 PM – The Abu Dhabi Art and Culture group is embarking on a pearling journey.

MEETUP/SOCIALISING
7 PM – The Self Development in Abu Dhabi group is meeting for coffee and conversation.

MEETUP/NIGHTLIFE
7 PM – The After Work Drinks group is meeting up at the Tavern, the British pub inside the Sheraton Corniche Hotel.

MEETUP/SPORT
7:15 PM – The Raw Yoga group is ready for an evening Yoga Flow session.

MEETUP/FILM
8 PM – The Abu Dhabi Art Initiative group is planning on watching the film Frida together.

NIGHTLIFE
9 PM – Y Bar, inside the Yas Island Rotana Hotel, has a different theme every night of the week. On Thursdays is Punch night, with free bubbly for ladies and discounts for everyone. More details here.

FRIDAY 6

SPORT
8:30 AM – The India Social & Cultural Centre is hosting the Cricket Sixes tournament, a two days event taking places in the stunning grounds of the Emirates Palace on Friday and Saturday. More info here.

SPORT
11:30 AM – The Clubhouse Sports Bar and Cafe is showing the IRB Junior World Championship live on their screens. Match of the day is: New Zealand vs South Africa (For more info email: theclubhousesportsbar@gmail.com)

BRUNCH
12 PM– This week we chose to try the brunch at Noche, inside the Hilton Capital Grand hotel, which promises indulgence with a South American flavour.

WORKSHOP
2:30 PM – Always dreamed of owning your own piece of Viking bling? Well, now you can. This workshop at Manarat Al Saadiyat will teach you everything about Viking designs and will help you create your own jewellery.

CARS
4 PM – If you think that your car is the loudest in the neighbourhood (!), this is your chance to measure your exhaust’s skills against like-minded people: don’t miss the Bass Monster Battle, organised by Monster Team. More info here and here.

MEETUP/SPORT
4 PM – The UAE Parkour group is meeting on the Corniche for their weekly jam.

TALENT SHOW
4:30 PM – If you love when children take part in the X Factor, you should totally head to the National Theatre to witness the second round of the Small World Talent Show competition. More info here.

BLACK TIE
6 PM – Dust off your gown for the annual Emirates American Football League gala dinner, which promises to be a glamorous affair, held at the Radisson Blue on Yas island.

DANCE
7:30 – Head to the International Music Institute Abu Dhabi for a hip-hop workshop and get the chance to show off you newly learned moves straight after, at the following after-workshop party.

MEETUP/SPORT
8 PM – Guess what is the Kart Racing Abu Dhabi group planning to do? Yes, to go karting, at the Al Forsan Sports Resort.

MEETUP/NIGHTLIFE
10:30 PM – The Expat Nightlife group is going to party the night away the Zenith Club, inside the Sheraton Corniche Hotel.

SATURDAY 7

SPORT
The Clubhouse Sports Bar and Cafe is showing live Rugby Union matches on their screens. Games of the day are:
11 AM – New Zealand vs England
2 PM – Australia vs France
7 PM – South Africa vs World XV
(For more info email: theclubhousesportsbar@gmail.com)

SAILING RACE
2 PM/5 PM – Up to 80 traditional dhows are due to take part in the Ghanada Dhow sailing race between Lulu Island and the Corniche beach. From personal experience, the best shot you have at seeing something is to wait the end of the race next to the circular theatre, the one with the big flag on the Breakwater (after the Heritage Village), where the boats are supposed to end their course.

WORKSHOP
2:30 PM – Make your own currency without getting arrested: thanks to this workshop at Manarat Al Saadiyat, you will learn the secrets of metalwork and make your own coins as minters used to do in the past. You will be able to create your own design and cast it using molten metal. Your finished coins are yours to take home, so you better prepare your best profile.

MEDITATION
2:30 PM – The Inner Space meditation centre offers a free seminar entitled Balancing a healthy body and healthy mind. You can book your space and read more about it here.

MEETUP/SPORT
5 PM – The Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga group is meeting for a sunset session at the Hiltonia beach club.

MEETUP/BOOKS
6 PM – The Abu Dhabi Book Club is meeting to discuss The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, written by David Mitchell.

NIGHTLIFE
7 PM – Listen to the newest UAE musical talents and party the night away at the open mike evening at B-Lounge.

BALLET
The Royal Moscow Ballet is bringing Cinderella to Abu Dhabi, performing on the score of Sergei Prokofiev, with choreography by Anatoly Emelianov. The show is on from the 6th June to the 16th of June at ADNEC. Tickets are available here. And if you don’t fancy going alone, this Meetup group is going on opening night, while this Internations group is going on the 13th.

NATURE
The Emirates Park Zoo has a special summer schedule of events, active until the 1st of September. From African drum and dance to pelican feeding, elephant encounters and even crocodiles feeding (!), the zoo offers plenty of chances to have fun. The complete schedule of events is here, our blog post with photos of the zoo is here.

ART EXHIBITION
The N2N gallery presents Ukrainian artist Kateryna Kosyanenko in the solo exhibition Sweet and Spices. Open until the 14th of June at the Avenue at Etihad Towers, the exhibition will feature a special guest from the Make A Wish foundation: Afra is a young girl who aspires to become an artist. She wished to spend four days painting and creating art together with Kateryna Kosyanenko: her final work is showcased as part of the exhibition and will be auctioned, with the funds going towards the charity.

ART EXHIBITION
Peruvian master weaver Eddie Sulca is exhibiting his stunning creations in Abu Dhabi. Andean Dreams will be visible until the 1st of July in the Dusit Thani Hotel Ballroom. From tapestries with almost three-dimensional effects to unique dyes – made with colours created with secret ingredients, Sulca utilises motifs and patterns inspired from ancient cultures such as Inca and Wari, and combines them with other designs said to come to him through dreams.