Looking for things to do in Abu Dhabi this May? From live music to brunches, here are the best events happening
May has a way of filling up quickly in Abu Dhabi. One minute you have no plans, the next your calendar is doing the most. If you are looking for things to do, this month delivers, from live music and big fight nights to family workshops, brunches and easy nights out by the water. It is the kind of mix that lets you go all in, or just pick one good plan and call it a win.
Story Makers: Puppet Creation Workshop (8 & 9 May)
This one is for the kids, but you will want to stay and watch. At this hands-on workshop, little ones get to build their own puppets and bring them to life through storytelling and play. It is creative, a bit messy, and all about imagination.
Location: Cultural Foundation
Time: 8 May, 4pm; 9 May, 3pm
Cost: Dhs75
Contact: 02 657 6348
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Staycation Offer (May, ongoing)
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If you need a break without leaving the city, this is a good excuse. Beachfront rooms, breakfast, spa discounts and even access to Saadiyat’s museums if you stay longer. It is quiet, easy and ticks all the boxes.
Location: Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island
Cost: From Dhs1,000 per night
Contact: 02 407 1234
Yas Bay Restaurant Week (until 10 May)
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If you needed an excuse to eat your way around Yas Bay, this is it. For one week, the waterfront turns into a full-on dining trail, with restaurants rolling out special set menus, signature dishes and limited-time offers across the board. It is easy to dip in for one meal, but this is really built for hopping between spots over a few nights. The range is wide, from casual bites to more polished dinners, and the pricing is surprisingly accessible. Expect simple deals like burger meals from around Dhs75, two-course menus from roughly Dhs79, and more premium three-course experiences going up to about Dhs200 to Dhs229, depending on where you book.
Location: Yas Bay Waterfront
Time: Daily, restaurant opening hours vary
Cost: Set menus and offers vary by venue
Contact: Yas Bay
Dine & Vibe at Mamsha Al Saadiyat (Weekends until 24 May)
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This is one of the nicer things happening this month. Instead of one stage, the whole stretch of Mamsha becomes the experience. You move between restaurants, each with its own live music, from jazz and acoustic to pop, all playing at the same time. It runs every weekend from early May, turning dinner into something that feels a bit like a beachfront mini festival, without the chaos. Expect spots like Antonia, Beirut Sur Mer, Black Tap, NIRI, Raclette, Society, TING IRIE, Valgerand Nordic Grill and Pickl all taking part, each with their own sound and mood. It is easy, social and the kind of evening where you plan one stop and end up staying for hours.
Location: Mamsha Al Saadiyat
Time: Friday to Sunday, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Cost: Free entry, pay for what you order
Contact: @mamshaalsaadiyatdestination
UAE Warriors 70: Medkouri vs Neves (8 May)
If you like your evenings loud and adrenaline-fuelled, this is it. Two heavyweights step into the cage with serious knockout power, backed by a full fight card of rising talent. Expect a proper fight night atmosphere.
Location: Space42 Arena
Time: 7pm
Cost: From Dhs50
Contact: 02 552 8055
The Jury Experience: Death by AI (9 May)
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Part theatre, part courtroom, all eyes on you. You sit on the jury, hear the case, weigh the evidence and decide the outcome. It is sharp, interactive and taps into real questions around tech and responsibility.
Location: Manarat Al Saadiyat
Time: 5pm to 8pm
Cost: Dhs150
Contact: 02 657 5800
Abu Dhabi Padel League (from 9 May)
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Padel keeps growing in Abu Dhabi, and now it has a proper league to match. Open to different levels, it runs through to September and brings a competitive edge to the social game.
Location: Abu Dhabi Padel Kingdom
Time: Various
Cost: Dhs150
Contact: 054 362 2244
UAE Warriors 71: Mezhlumyan vs Rudnev (9 May)
Night two, and it does not slow down. This time it is a title fight, with an undefeated contender going up against a seasoned champion. It is technical, intense and worth staying up for.
Location: Space42 Arena
Time: 6pm
Cost: From Dhs50
Contact: 02 552 8055
Mother’s Day Brunch at Sahha (10 May)
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A relaxed, family-style brunch with plenty on the table and no rush to leave. There are live cooking stations, a generous buffet and a kids’ corner to keep little ones busy while mum gets a proper break.
Location: Sahha, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi
Time: 1pm to 4pm
Cost: Dhs320 soft, Dhs420 house
Contact: 02 510 1234
Mother’s Day Sunday Roast at Oak Room (10 May)
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If mum prefers a proper roast, Oak Room does it well. Think wagyu striploin, lamb pie and all the trimmings, finished with classic desserts. It is polished but still feels warm and familiar.
Location: Oak Room, The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Time: 12:30pm to 4pm
Cost: From Dhs325
Contact: 02 208 0000
Furusiyya: The Return to Origins (16 May)
This is not your usual show. It is quiet, controlled and built on the connection between horse and rider. Expect a performance that leans into heritage, movement and precision.
Location: Abu Dhabi Royal Equestrian Arts, Al Jubail Island
Time: 4:30pm
Cost: From Dhs150
Contact: 800 23732
Gordo at WHITE Abu Dhabi (16 May)
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Big night, big sound. Gordo brings a mix of house, hip-hop and festival energy to Yas Bay. If you are heading out, this is where the crowd will be.
Location: WHITE Abu Dhabi, Yas Bay
Time: From 10pm
Cost: Dhs150
Contact: 050 639 8934
Incanto Ballet Showcase (16 May)
An evening of ballet that moves through different styles in one performance. It is elegant, expressive and easy to watch even if you are not a regular at the theatre.
Location: Cultural Foundation
Time: 6:30pm
Cost: From Dhs35
Contact: 02 657 6348
One Run (23 May)
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Whether you are chasing a personal best or just getting through your first 5km, this one is open to everyone. Set on Hudayriyat Island, it is a good mix of challenge and atmosphere.
Location: Hudayriyat Island
Time: 5pm
Cost: TBC
Contact: Abu Dhabi Sports Council
Francis Mercier at WHITE Abu Dhabi (29 May)
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Afro-house with a feel-good edge. Francis Mercier’s sets are built for the dancefloor, with steady beats and a crowd that stays moving.
Location: WHITE Abu Dhabi, Yas Bay
Time: From 10pm
Cost: From Dhs150
Contact: 050 639 8934
Kadim Al Sahir Live (29 May)
A voice that carries. Kadim Al Sahir brings decades of music shaped by poetry and emotion to the stage. It is one for fans who want to sit, listen and take it all in.
Location: Space42 Arena
Time: Doors open 7.30pm
Cost: From Dhs295
Contact: 02 552 8055
Themba at WHITE Abu Dhabi (30 May)
Soulful house with depth. Themba’s sound is layered, rhythmic and built for late nights that stretch into early mornings.
Location: WHITE Abu Dhabi, Yas Bay
Time: From 11pm
Cost: From Dhs150
Contact: 050 639 8934
