There’s plenty of cool new things to do in Abu Dhabi this week, here are our top picks …
Abu Dhabi has turned up the fun once again with activities for everyone, every day of the week. From getting up close and personal with dragons to enjoying a delicious three-course lunch at a steal, here’s everything you can get up to in Abu Dhabi from October 19 to 21.
Apply to Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi’s Tree Light Ceremony opening
Get the band back together for a chance to be the headlining act at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi’s festive tree lighting ceremony. Musicians aged 14 to 19 can now apply to in a band of at least three people – including a singer, by submitting an original, upbeat festive song or performance video of up to two minutes. The winning band will receive professional recording and music video production, free music tuition from Premier Music Academy in Abu Dhabi (and SAE University College in Dubai), and Dhs10,000 worth of Shangri-La gift vouchers. Winners will also perform at the hotels’ Christmas tree lighting ceremonies.
When: Entries close on 30 October 2026
Price: Free to enter
Apply: Submit your entry here
Contact: @shangrilaabudhabi
Get cosy with a dragon at The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi
Your general admission ticket to the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi now brings you into the world of dragons. Not quite the fire-breathing beasts, Dragon Tree is the newest addition to the aquarium’s Flooded Forest, bringing together an ever-growing collection of lizards from around the world under one rather striking tree. Upgrade your ticket to get a one-on-one encounter with Professor, The National Aquarium’s largest Asian monitor lizard and one of its biggest personalities. Guests can meet him up close as part of the experience, alongside some of the aquarium’s other reptilian residents.
When: Daily from 10:00am to 10:0pm
Where: The National Aquarium, Al Qana, Abu Dhabi
Price: Dhs110 for general admission, including Dragon Tree. Dhs80 for the Reptile Encounter add-on.
Contact: @thenationalaq
Enjoy a mid-week unwind with the girls at The WB Abu Dhabi
There’s no better excuse to grab a cheeky drink with the girls than an amazing deal. At The Overlook at The WB Abu Dhabi, Dhs99 is all you need for an evening of free-flowing drinks and vibey tunes. The bonus? An amazing menu of bar bites to choose from to fuel your weekly catch up. With stunning sunset views, and rooftop vibes, this stylish spot on Yas Island makes for a dreamy Tuesday night out.
When: Tuesday, 6pm to 8pm
Where: The Overlook at The WB Abu Dhabi
Price: Dhs99
Contact: @thewbabudhabi
Dine in style with London-celebrity Chef Peter Lloyd at Sontaya Abu Dhabi
This October, celebrated British Chef Peter Lloyd is bringing his distinctive interpretation of Southeast Asian cuisine to Sontaya for an exclusive five-day culinary residency. For this week only, your meal could be prepared by the amazing mind behind Sticky Mango, one of the UK’s finest pan-Asian dining concepts. From October 21 to 25, guests can try a ten-course tasting menu featuring Thai-spiced scallops, Weeping Tiger wagyu satay and Sticky Mango dessert for Dhs550 per person. You can also enjoy a special one-night-only sommelier’s dinner on October 22, where Chef Lloyd will pair his signature dishes with selected wines for Dhs650 per person. Bar bites, including tempura soft-shell crab, wagyu beef satay and black pepper shrimp, will also be available throughout the residency.
When: October 21 to 25, 2026
Where: Sontaya, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Price: Dhs550 for the tasting menu; Dhs650 for the sommelier’s dinner
Contact: Call 02 498 8443 or email restaurant.saadiyat@stregis.com to reserve
Listen to some new tracks at Saikindō, Four Seasons Abu Dhabi
This might be one of the coolest after hours spots in Abu Dhabi. Saikindō hosts weekly listening parties every Thursday at its Abu Dhabi location at the Four Seasons in Al Maryah Island. Expect hi-fi tunes and delicious cocktails adding to your fun in Abu Dhabi making it the perfect gateway to get you into the weekend spirit.
When: Thursdays, 5pm till late.
Where: Saikindō, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island
Price: Cocktails from Dhs55
Contact: @saikindo
Try a delicious three-course lunch for just Dhs100 at Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi
Treat yourself to a fancy meal out at a steal at The Welcome Lunch at Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi. For Dhs100, tuck into a three-course menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, from tuna tartare and vitello tonnato to Angus flat iron and vegetarian aioli, followed by desserts including the Tropezienne and Floating Island. It’s a smart midweek option for client meetings, colleague catch-ups or simply escaping the office for a leisurely lunch. For more great business lunch deals in Abu Dhabi, click here.
When: Daily, 12pm to 2.45pm (until 4.15pm on weekends)
Where: Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island
Price: Dhs100 per person
Book: here
Explore the art of The Sketchbook at Manarat Al Saadiyat
If you’re looking for a creative activity to bust your teen’s weekly spell of boredom, sign up your teen to explore drawing, creativity and self-expression in this three-day art course by The Teen Collective at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Designed for ages 13 to 17, the sessions encourage participants to develop ideas, record observations and experiment with their sketchbooks as a personal space for artistic expression.
When: October 19 to 21, 2026, from 5pm to 7.30pm daily
Where: Art Studio, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
Price: Dhs225 for the full three-day course
Contact: @manaratalsaadiyat
Enjoy four days of family-friendly cinema at SCHLiNGEL Abu Dhabi
The international children’s and youth film festival SCHLiNGEL ABU DHABI, taking place from October 21 to 24 in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region is bringing a week’s worth of films from Germany and around the world to the big screen. Younger viewers can let their imaginations run wild with animated shorts filled with humour and imaginative storytelling exploring friendship, courage, family and nature.
When: October 21 to 24, showings from 4pm.
Where: Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi
Price: From Dhs25, tickets available here.
Unwind at a midweek spa-escape at Sense a Rosewood Spa
Take a break from the week with a 60-minute massage and complimentary pool access at Sense, A Rosewood Spa. Available Monday to Wednesday, from 11am to 4pm, the experience costs Dhs650 per person. For an additional Dhs100, guests can enjoy a GLO Signature Bowl and a choice of soft drink, mocktail or smoothie by the pool.
When: Monday to Wednesday, from 11am to 4pm
Where: Sense, A Rosewood Spa
Price: Dhs650 per person
Contact: @rosewoodabudhabi