10 great things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend: 3-5 February

Opening a can of fresh weekend for you…

Here comes February, the month of love, fresh spring breezes, slowly rising temperatures, and the commercialization of fundamental aspects of the human experience.

Friday, February 3

absolutely berserk

The cinema in the park is back at Umm Al Emarat Park – a selection of films that are free to watch (although you’ll have to pay the AED10 park entry fee) are shown every Friday and Saturday outside sweat season.If you’re headed in that direction this weekend, you’ll also be able to catch “Fury” — not from 28 days later Franchise, an event showcasing fashion brands, food trends, music acts and more, runs February 2-5. Zombie TBC.

You’ll see screenings at 6pm and 8pm – popcorn available for purchase on site. In Mushrif area, the fee to enter the park is Dhs10 per person. Located in Umm Al Emarat Park, ummalemaratpark.ae website

Carnival

in the carnitas Voted Bar of the Month for February. It has a Latin appeal that cannot be cultivated without sincerity – people see through the gimmicks and move on if there is no meaning behind them. On top of that, the promotion includes Taco and Margarita Night on Tuesday (Dhs250), Ladies Night on Thursday (with bottomless margs), Brunch on Saturday (Dhs199 for soft drinks, Dhs299 for families) and happy hour Monday to Friday from 4pm to 7pm and a canvas depicting La Carnita’s popularity comes alive with colour.

Yas Bay, Yas Island, noon to 2am daily (1pm to 2am on Saturdays). Tel: (050) 185 8068, @lacarnita_auh

get a real job

If you haven’t been to Kidzania before, it’s essentially a professional theme park. And we mean it in the most positive, flattering way possible. As children wandered the streets of Toy Town, they had the opportunity to role-play a series of simulated work experiences. There’s a mock hospital, radio station, fire brigade, acting academy, and more.

Kidzania can be found at Yas Mall from 1pm to 8pm, with child fares starting from Dhs149 and adults from Dhs69, with other packages also available. Tel: (054) 998 6897, tickets.kidzania.ae

Saturday, February 4

head in the sand

There’s an Ostrich Festival in Abu Dhabi this weekend, and we don’t need to know more to get started. Doing more with ostriches is one of our core New Year’s resolutions.It All Happened This Weekend at Ostrich Oasis Farm Nahir region of the emirate, the event is open to daytime guests as well as those seeking overnight camping. What can you do at the Ostrich Festival? Besides messing with flightless birds? We’re going to say it with a lot of fanfare — a lot. There are craft arrangements, bouncy castles, face painting, ostrich education sessions, camel and horse rides, food stalls, photo booths and more.

nashir area3-4 February, WhatsApp: (058) 513 8909 to confirm your place.

Hello

In celebration of Waitangi Day, New Zealand’s National Day, PJ O’Reilly’s is swapping its emerald green for an all-black color scheme this weekend. There’s a four-hour feast celebrating the culinary highlands of this small but mighty country, you can get your haka dancers started to live music from Sweet Chilli Jam and DJ Sonya Mac, and you can even get pool access by one of the Abu Dhabi The cheapest pass on the racetrack, only Dhs50.

PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Meridien, Sheikh Khalifa Street, Saturday, February 4, soft price Dhs199, house Dhs225, premium Dhs295. @leroyalmeridienabudhabi

perform tasks

Welcome to Mission Ferrari – a “multi-sensory 5D roller coaster experience” billed as “the world’s first sideways roller coaster drop”. To clarify this applies specifically to roller coasters, so disregard the previous statement about passive-aggressive cats knocking coasters off tables. We know the ride will combine virtual and very real thrills to create an adrenaline-pumping experience “cutting-edge technology with breathtaking scenery, exhilarating reverse loops and state-of-the-art special effects”. rides are sampled, which is a very special addition. Pro tip: don’t drink the soup before you go.

Yas Island, open from noon to 8 pm every day, Dhs310 for adults and Dhs240 for children. @ferrariworldabudhabi

Sunday, February 5

exciting sporting events

Some of the world’s greatest tennis players are headed to Abu Dhabi in February. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and IMG will host an eight-day WTA 500 tournament called the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open from February 5-12. The event will bring together the world’s top female players to the International Tennis Center in Zayed Sports City, including the world number two, Ons Jabeur. The incredible talent list includes Grand Slam champions Rybakina, Jelena Ostapenko and Bianca Andreescu, as well as Grand Slam finalists Ons Jabeur and Danielle Collins. Tennis fans can also look forward to seeing world Nos. 8 and 9 Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova, among other stars of the game.

Located in Al Qana, Pixoul is the largest gaming center of its kind in Abu Dhabi, including the latest developments in location-based entertainment (LBE). In addition to futuristic VR technology, the venue will also operate the region’s first certified esports (that’s competitive gaming for anyone new to it) academy. With the headset on, you can freely roam a variety of strategy, racing, and *finger gun* shooters alone or with a team.

Al Qana, Sunday to Thursday noon to midnight, Friday to Saturday noon to 2am, pixoulgaming.com

chasing the sunset

This sailing tour operator invites you to live your best Disney pirate life. Hop aboard one of their modern boats for a 6-hour tour of Abu Dhabi’s islands and enjoy a barbecue (but you’ll need to bring your own food). It’s a great spot on land, with stunning views, at stunning sea spots like Salt Island and Bahrani Island. Their boats have a music system for stereo shed support and soft drinks are included in the package price of AED 450 per person (Private charter for up to 8 people is AED 2,500, 15 people is AED 3,000). Ocean Journey.ae

Image: Supplied