Here’s how to make the most of the month ahead.
The new year is upon us, which means it’s time to start afresh and develop new habits. Abu Dhabi is keeping spirits elevated with an incredible line‑up of brunches, concerts, cultural events, and family fun. Whether you’re seeking zen moments or high‑energy thrills, this January has something for every taste.
Thursday 1 January
Work out in style at Etizan Fitness
Kickstart the new year at Etizan Fitness. Located at Erth Hotel, this space features cardio zones, weightlifting areas, an MMA room, a Pilates studio, saunas, steam rooms, and a private beach to unwind.
GO: Visit https://etizan.ae for more information.
Friday 2 January
Discover the Liwa International Festival
Take a road trip to Tal Moreeb and experience the magic of the Liwa International Festival. From the traditional souks of Liwa Village to attractions like the Shams Liwa Ferris Wheel and Hollywood Circus, there’s something for everyone.
GO: Follow @liwavillage on Instagram for more information.
Saturday 3 January
Light up the night at Manar Abu Dhabi
Manar Abu Dhabi is a capital-wide light installation festival that transforms Abu Dhabi’s natural landscapes into glowing art spaces. You can wander through illuminated mangroves, pathways, islands and waterfronts, discovering light sculptures and immersive displays. It’s a magical way to spend the evening.
GO: Visit https://abudhabiculture.ae for more information.
Sunday 4 January
Head to MOTN festival
Mother of the Nation festival returns with a brand-new edition in Al Dhafra, bringing fun for families, food lovers, and culture seekers. You can explore colourful installations, try creative food stalls, enjoy roaming entertainment and watch live performances throughout the day. It’s a great place to walk around, take photos, relax outdoors and soak up a lively festival atmosphere as the month begins.
GO: Visit www.motn.ae for more information.
Monday 5 January
Step inside the world of Stranger Things
Step into Hawkins, only this time, it’s in Abu Dhabi. Stranger Things: The Experience arrives on Yas Island, bringing the supernatural world of Netflix’s hit series to life for the first time in the Middle East. You will journey through the eerie Hawkins Lab, the Upside Down, and meet iconic characters while unlocking their secret powers. After the adventure, explore Mix-Tape, where you can grab a sundae at Scoops Ahoy, play at the Palace Arcade, and snap photos with Vecna himself.
GO: Visit www.theory-eleven.com for more information.
Tuesday 6 January
See exhibits from the Islamic Golden Age
Explore over 250 works at Louvre Abu Dhabi’s exhibition, Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire. Discover the artistic brilliance and cultural impact of the Mamluks, who were warriors, diplomats, and craftsmen, during the Islamic Golden Age. Available from 10am to 6.30pm. AED 65 per person.
GO: Visit www.louvreabudhabi.com for more information.
Wednesday 7 January
Indulge in a leisurely lunch
Enjoy an elegant French business lunch reimagined at the FACT award-winning Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard. Choose from a curated two- or three-course menu featuring seasonal ingredients and modern techniques, including delicacies such as onion soup, braised beef chuck, and signature desserts. Designed for a sophisticated midday meal, the experience is a must-try. Available from Monday to Friday, from 12pm to 2.30pm. AED 98 (two-course menu) and AED 138 (three-course menu).
GO: Visit www.bordeauabudhabi.com for more information.
Thursday 8 January
Rejuvenate at Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Indulge in pure relaxation with the Sense Signature Journey at Sense, a Rosewood Spa. This 210-minute treatment begins with a scrub, followed by a 60-minute massage, and concludes with a 90-minute facial that will leave your skin glowing.
GO: Visit www.rosewoodhotels.com for more information.
Friday 9 January
Watch Diana Ross and Seal live
Saadiyat Nights, Abu Dhabi’s premier open-air concert series, has announced a landmark double bill, with soul superstar Diana Ross and global icon Seal set to perform on the same evening. Diana Ross, recipient of a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, remains one of the most important figures in contemporary music and popular culture. And Seal is recognised as one of contemporary music’s most versatile artists. Taking place in the capital, this show is not to be missed.
GO: Visit www.ticketmaster.ae for more information.
Saturday 10 January
Witness Ludovico Einaudi’s soulful serenades
Acclaimed pianist Ludovico Einaudi to bring his soulful melodies to the Saadiyat Nights concert series. Born in Turin, Einaudi’s musical journey began under his mother’s guidance, who introduced him to the piano at a young age. His early experimentation with music eventually led him to pursue formal training in Milan, where he honed his composition skills. He later went on to compose music for theatre, TV, and film, including This Is England, The Intouchables, and Nomadland. Einaudi’s music draws inspiration from minimalism and contemporary pop. Some of his most famous works include “Experience,” “Nuvole Bianche,” and “I Giorni.”
GO: Visit www.ticketmaster.ae for tickets and more information.
Sunday 11 January
Spend a tranquil day at Al Ain Oasis
Take a scenic drive to Al Ain Oasis this cooler season. With over 100,000 date palm trees and shaded pathways — not to forget the perfect weather — this spot is a great place to take a stroll and enjoy a bit of history.
GO: Visit www.visitabudhabi.ae for more information.
Monday 12 January
Visit teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi
Spanning a massive 17,000 square meters, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is an immersive space where interacting with the artwork is positively encouraged. Guests step into a world of creativity and innovation, surrounded by massive, ever-evolving exhibits that blur the boundaries between perception and reality. In Massless Suns and Dark Suns, spheres of light and darkness converge to challenge the way we see the world. A simple touch ignites a radiant glow, triggering a ripple effect that spreads across the space. Expanding on this interplay, the Levitation Void introduces a suspended presence—an energy-born void that defies the laws of gravity.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Tuesday 13 January
Enjoy a stylish afternoon tea
Step into a fashion-inspired garden at Episodes with the luxurious Oscar de la Renta afternoon tea at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi. From spiced tomato tarts and foie gras mille-feuille to delicate pastries and scones, the experience blends couture design with culinary artistry. Available daily, from 2pm to 6pm. AED 245 per person.
GO: Visit www.mandarinoriental.com for more information.
Wednesday 14 January
Journey through time at the Natural History Museum
Journey through 13.8 billion years of natural history at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island. This institution showcases the story of our planet, from the Big Bang to the rise of biodiversity. Exhibits include Stan, which is a T-rex skeleton, a life-size blue whale, and the ancient Murchison Meteorite. With immersive displays, this museum is a treasure trove of science, wonder, and discovery.
GO: Visit www.abudhabiculture.ae for more information.
Thursday 15 January
Explore the Zayed National Museum
The long-awaited Zayed National Museum is set to open its doors on 3 December in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster, the structure takes inspiration from the wings of a falcon — a nod to a cherished Emirati tradition — and will serve as the national museum of the United Arab Emirates. Created in honour of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the landmark institution charts the history of the land from deep prehistory to the present day, blending archaeological artefacts and historic objects with audiovisual storytelling, sensory experiences and contemporary installations.
GO: Visit https://zayednationalmuseum.ae for more information.
Friday 16 January
Soak in a suspended pool
The Lean, Abu Dhabi’s newest rooftop deck, opens its suspended pool 19 floors above the capital at Andaz Capital Gate. You can swim with panoramic views, relax in cabanas, enjoy Asian-inspired bites and sip cocktails while the sun sets. It’s ideal for a chilled afternoon, a romantic evening or anyone wanting a stylish place to unwind.
GO: Visit www.hyatt.com for more information.
Saturday 17 January
Listen live to Lewis Capaldi
Abu Dhabi is hitting the high notes. Saadiyat Nights has announced that Lewis Capaldi will be heading to the capital. The Scottish superstar is scheduled to perform in Abu Dhabi. In 2019, he released his debut album, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, which spent six weeks at the top of the UK Albums Chart. Lewis’ debut song, “Bruises,” was so successful that it racked up twenty-five million streams on Spotify. The crowd-pleaser “Someone You Loved” reached number one on the American charts. The song earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year.
GO: Visit www.ticketmaster.ae for tickets and more information.
Sunday 18 January
Experience light at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Experience the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque like never before with Diya: A Universe of Light. This new immersive installation blends art, technology, and spirituality. Using over 1.5 billion lights, the 360-degree projection explores light as a symbol of unity and peace. Highlights include a dazzling Ghaf Tree made of 160 million lights, representing resilience and community.
GO: Visit https://szgmc.gov.ae for more information.
Monday 19 January
Make your way to the Sheikh Zayed Festival
Get ready for an epic cultural extravaganza, as the much-anticipated Sheikh Zayed Festival returns to Abu Dhabi. This event promises to take you through the rich traditions that make the UAE unique. It’s not just about entertainment; it’s also a hub of education and awareness where everyone comes together to learn and appreciate the beauty and depth of Emirati culture.
GO: Visit https://zayedfestival.ae for more information.
Tuesday 20 January
Rock out with Linkin Park
Rock band Linkin Park will take over Etihad Arena on Yas Island for a high-octane show that promises the kind of cathartic sing-alongs. Expect a set packed with era-defining anthems such as “In the End,” alongside new material from the band’s latest album, From Zero. Air guitars will be out, heads will be banging, and voices will be hoarse the morning after. The Abu Dhabi date forms part of the From Zero World Tour and marks the band’s first UAE performance since 2010.
GO: Visit www.livenation.me for more information.
Wednesday 21 January
Scale thrilling new heights
Located in Yas Mall, CLYMB Abu Dhabi offers heart-pounding experiences that will leave you buzzing with excitement. Test your climbing skills on the five different walls of the climbing arena, or take on the ultimate challenge of scaling The Summit, a towering 141-foot wall. And if that’s not enough, brace yourself for the world’s largest indoor skydiving flight chamber, where you can experience the thrill of skydiving in a controlled environment.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Thursday 22 January
Release your stress at The Smash Room
Shake off all those midweek blues at The Smash Room. This concept lets you smash glassware, printers, and even washing machines in a controlled and safe environment, giving you a chance to let loose and have some fun.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Friday 23 January
Let A.R. Rahman wow you
A. R. Rahman is heading back to Abu Dhabi with a blockbuster concert at Etihad Arena. Expect a journey through a catalogue that has shaped modern film music. Setlists from Rahman’s recent touring have balanced crowd-pleasers with deep cuts, so you might hear anthems such as “Jai Ho,” “Chaiyya Chaiyya,” “Kun Faya Kun,” and “Vande Mataram,” delivered with the cinematic scale that made him a two-time Academy Award and two-time Grammy winner, alongside a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. What followed was a run of era-defining scores for films including Rangeela, Dil Se…, Taal, and Lagaan, cementing his reputation as the “Mozart of Madras.”
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Saturday 24 January
Enjoy a musical evening with John Mayer
John Mayer makes his long-awaited Abu Dhabi debut at Saadiyat Nights with a night of virtuoso guitar work and crowd-pleasing hits under the stars. For the uninitiated, Mayer was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and rose to fame with the 2001 album Room for Squares. Across a career spanning more than two decades, he has collected seven Grammy Awards and delivered era-defining hits, including “No Such Thing,” “Daughters,” “Gravity,” “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room,” and “Waiting on the World to Change.” Expect a set that moves between pop confessionals, blues-leaning jams and pristine radio anthems.
GO: Visit www.ticketmaster.ae for more information.
Sunday 25 January
Chill out at Snow Abu Dhabi
Beat the desert heat with a visit to Snow Abu Dhabi, one of the capital’s coolest attractions – quite literally. Located in Reem Mall, this place offers an indoor winter wonderland where you can experience sub-zero temperatures and snowy activities that are perfect to beat the heat.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Monday 26 January
Indulge in a lunch at a FACT award winner
Take a midday break at the FACT award-winning Taparelle, where a two-course business lunch combines flavour and finesse. You can enjoy dishes like zucchini fritte, steak frites, or diavola pizza, paired with a signature mocktail. The Mediterranean-inspired setting makes it ideal for casual meetings or solo breaks alike. Available from Monday to Thursday, from 12pm to 5pm. AED 85 per person.
GO: Visit www.taparelle.com for more information.
Tuesday 27 January
Explore the Abrahamic Family House
Visit the Abrahamic Family House, which brings together a mosque, a church, and a synagogue under one roof, representing the peaceful coexistence of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Not only can you admire the surroundings and the beautiful architecture, but you can also soak in the teachings of each religion.
GO: Visit www.abrahamicfamilyhouse.ae for more information.
Wednesday 28 January
Pamper yourself at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
Treat yourself to a midweek spa day at The Spa at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi. This retreat offers an extensive menu of treatments for you to let your sore muscles loose. Choose from a massage, a facial, or a full-body treatment, and feel rejuvenated once you leave.
GO: Visit www.stregisspaabudhabi.com for more information.
Thursday 29 January
Indulge in compositions by Max Richter
Abu Dhabi’s spectacular open-air concert series, Saadiyat Nights, will welcome one of the most celebrated and influential composers of our time, Max Richter. Over the past two decades, he has redefined contemporary orchestral music. His music blends acoustic and electronic elements to create deeply emotional, thought-provoking works. His compositions have inspired a generation of artists and captivated audiences across the globe. Richter’s repertoire spans ballet, film, theatre and opera, encompassing genre-defining solo albums and award-winning scores for dance, art and fashion.
GO: Visit www.ticketmaster.ae for more information.
Friday 30 January
Enjoy a fun day out with Peppa Pig
Bring the kids for a playful adventure with Peppa, George, and friends at the interactive live theatre experience called Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out. Explore the zoo and the beach, enjoy catchy songs, and watch characters come to life, making it a great day out for the family.
GO: Visit www.etihadarena.ae for more information.
Saturday 31 January
Have brunch at Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi is kicking off 2026 with its first family brunch of the year at SkyDome, and it comes with a superhero-and-supervillains twist. Designed to entertain guests of all ages, the themed brunch adds another playful chapter to SkyDome’s reputation as one of the capital’s go-to family brunch destinations. This latest edition keeps that family-first spirit front and centre, blending easygoing brunch vibes with playful storytelling and child-friendly immersion. Expect dishes designed to appeal to adults and younger diners alike. SkyDome has built a loyal following with immersive celebrations such as the Harry Potter Brunch, Halloween Brunch, and other seasonal favourites. Available on 31 January 2026 from 12:30pm to 4pm. AED 275 (soft beverages) and AED 110 for children.
GO: Call 02 698 8137 for more information.
