Your guide to the best things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend, from family fun days to hidden nightlife experiences
The weekend has officially arrived, and Abu Dhabi is not slowing down. From horse shows and hidden agave rooms to free museum visits and dessert pop-ups, there are plenty of things to do across the capital right now. You could spend the weekend gallery hopping, building chaotic crumble creations or wandering around Mamsha with live music in the background. There is also a brand-new brunch worth booking and a family-friendly escape at The Royal Stables. Honestly, staying home feels slightly irresponsible.
Visit The Royal Stables’ Farmer’s Market and Family Weekend
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If your ideal weekend includes horses, shaded trees, food trucks and kids running around happily covered in glitter, head to The Royal Stables this weekend. The three-day family event celebrates the end of the equestrian season with dressage shows, pony rides, artisan stalls and a full-on family fun day. There’s also a farmer’s market packed with local brands, UAE-grown produce and handmade goods.
Location: The Royal Stables Arena Lawn & Indoor Arena, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi
Time: Friday to Sunday, 4pm to 9:30pm
Cost: Free entry
Contact: 02 444 2444
Visit the Pickl x Crumbld pop-up
Pickl is teaming up with viral UK dessert brand Crumbld for a three-day-only pop-up at Mamsha Al Saadiyat, and honestly, this one is for people with a serious sweet tooth. You start with a warm crumble base, add soft serve, custard or cream, then pile on toppings ranging from pistachio and Biscoff to knafeh and rose petals. There are no rules here. Just very chaotic dessert decisions. Everything is baked fresh to order and served warm.
Location: Pickl, Mamsha Al Saadiyat
Time: May 15 to 17, 3pm to midnight
Cost: From Dhs50
Contact: @pickl.mena
Try La Petite Maison’s new Sunday brunch
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La Petite Maison’s new La Vie en Rosé brunch brings a little French Riviera energy to Abu Dhabi. The menu starts with pastries and bread baskets before moving into scallop crudo, eggs bénédicte, croque-madames and escargots. Then come the mains, including braised lamb shoulder, roasted sirloin and Provençal chicken casserole served sharing-style. There’s also a cocktail cart rolling around the terrace and a dedicated kids’ corner, so parents can actually sit down for more than three minutes uninterrupted.
Location: La Petite Maison, The Galleria Al Maryah Island
Time: Sundays, 12pm to 4:30pm
Cost: From Dhs370
Contact: 02 692 9600
Step inside La Catrina at Barbossa
Barbossa has opened a hidden agave room called La Catrina, and it is easily one of the coolest new nightlife concepts in Abu Dhabi right now. The experience takes guests through a guided 90-minute tasting journey across Mexico, paired with cocktails, tapas and rare agave spirits. There’s also an agave salt library with more than 30 house-made blends, because apparently regular salt is no longer enough. The room is intimate, dramatic and designed for small groups who enjoy a little theatre with their night out.
Location: Barbossa, Yas Bay Waterfront.
Time: Thursdays from 7pm and Friday to Saturday from 6:30pm
Cost: Dhs200 minimum spend per person on the bar. Dhs500 minimum spend per table Advance bookings are required.
Contact: 050 601 1194
Enjoy free museum access across Abu Dhabi
Image: Zayed National Museum
This weekend is your chance to museum-hop across Abu Dhabi without spending a dirham. For International Museum Day, some of the capital’s biggest cultural attractions are offering free entry from May 16 to 18. That includes Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn, Al Ain Museum, Delma Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum. Whether you want ancient artefacts, Emirati history or just somewhere beautifully air-conditioned to wander around for a few hours, this is the weekend to do it.
Location: Various locations across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
Time: May 16 to 18
Cost: Free
Spend the day at Al Ain Zoo
If you feel like escaping the city for the day, Al Ain Zoo makes an easy weekend plan. The zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals, including giraffes, lions, rhinos and Arabian oryx. Families can book animal encounters, hop on the safari experience or simply spend the day wandering through the huge landscaped grounds. It is one of those Abu Dhabi classics that still holds up, especially if you have children to entertain.
Location: Al Ain Zoo, Al Ain
Time: Daily, 9am to 8pm
Cost: From AED31.50 for adults
Contact: 800 966
Dine and vibe at Mamsha Al Saadiyat
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Mamsha Al Saadiyat is turning dinner into a full-on live music crawl this month. Running every weekend until May 24, Dine & Vibe sees multiple restaurants hosting live performances at the same time, so you can wander between jazz, acoustic sets and international pop while deciding where to eat next. Participating venues include NIRI, Antonia, Black Tap, Society and TING IRIE, giving you lots of options for things to do this weekend. It is relaxed, lively and probably one of the nicest ways to spend an Abu Dhabi evening while the weather still behaves itself.
Location: Mamsha Al Saadiyat.
Time: Every weekend until May 24.
Cost: Free entry, dining charged separately
Contact: @mamshaalsaadiyatdestination
