13 top things to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend: Oct 28 to 30

Activate beast mode on your weekend planner…

Just a quick and easy guide to 13 of the very best ways to get the most out of your Abu Dhabi weekend. Because you, dear friends, are worth it.

Friday, October 28

New at the cinema this weekend

The 2019 animated reboot of The Adams Family, had its faults — “you know what won’t fix those?” we remember thinking at the time “a sequel”. But here we are again. This time around we’re offered a ghoul’s eye view of the emo movement’s most famous family on a road trip. Sadly, from the trailer, it looks like much of the baggage that caused the unenthusiastic reception of the first movie has gone with them. It’s a strong voice cast, and the animation style fits the content — but our beef with the original, and what we can see of this sequel, was never and is not about that. It’s more concerned with the shallow plotline and dialogue that tried too hard to resuscitate and venerate the comedy of the original 60s sitcom. .

Book tickets: here

Rogue’s Galleria

This Halloween Al Maryah Island will transform into a World of Spooks in line with the Island’s ghostly Halloween festivities. From Friday, October 28 till Saturday 29, there will be many activities to get involved in. From Halloween costume competitions, to Trick or Treat and mysterious games that will frighten and delight visitors. A ghostly lineup of live shows and spooktacular entertainment will delight and frighten the entire family.

South Plaza, Al Maryah Island Abu Dhabi, Fri 28 October and Sat 29, 4pm till 10pm, @almaryahisland

Ghoul party

Looking for a way to shake up your Halloween celebrations? DIPFest is hosting a fang-tactic nighttime pool party on Friday October 28, that will perfectly ease you into a frightfully fun weekend. For Dhs199 you can kick off the festivities with a Brunch from 8pm till 11pm, which will grant you free access to the pool party. If you’re hoping to join later, ladies go in for free before midnight, after which you must pay Dh100. For gents, your entry will cost Dhs125.

Aloft Hotel, National Exhibition Centre, Al Rawdah Capital Centre, Abu Dhabi, Fri October 28, Brunch Dhs199 8pm till 11pm, free entry for girls before 12am after Dhs100, Gents Dhs125, facebook.com/dipfestabudhabi/

Who duunit?

There’s been a murder. Not really of course, this is Abu Dhabi, but for the purposes of PJ O’Reilly’s special ‘who dunnit?’ murder mystery brunch ‘there has indeed been a *winks* murder’. Oraganised and performed in collaboration with In The Details Events, the brunching public will be deployed as deputy detectives, flexing their investigative muscle — helping the evening’s Columbo to solve a series of riddles, confounding interactive clues and uncover who, amongst the six scandal-clad suspects, dunnit. You’ll need to separate the improbable from the impossible, and whoever remains, no matter how unlikely, must be the culprit… Elementary our dear What’s-On readers. Food will include classic PJ-style platters, there are prizes up for grabs and naturally a spooky set of beverages. Unconfirmed but possible drinks include: grim and tonics, moan-haunt-tans, and pinot grigi-ohhh. Probably not though.

Fri Oct 28, 7pm to 10pm, house package Dhs295.

PJ O’Reilly’s open daily midday to 2am, Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi. Tel: (800) 101 101, @leroyalmeridienabudhabi #pjsabudhabi

Saturday, October 29

Jazz and Fiends

Pulling out all the stops, Jazz & Fizz is hosting the freakiest party on Saturday, October 29, and Monday 31. Show up in your most terrifying Halloween party attire which will get you a complimentary drink as well as a chance to win prizes. Guests can dive into a spooky-themed cocktail menu, which will guarantee a fiendishly good time.

Jazz & Fizz, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, Sat October 29, Mon 31, 10pm to 2am, one free drink for people wearing costumes, Tel: (0)2 813 7777, sofitelabudhabicorniche.com

Animated dining

On Saturday, October 29 Niri will be debuting its new annual Halloween celebration. The festivities are themed on the popular anime series, Demon slayer, and will have a specially curated menu, free-flowing drinks and a DJ. This sleek Japanese outlet is inviting all brunchers to channel their inner warrior on this frightfully festive weekend.

Niri, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 5pm, from Dhs300, Tel: (0)2 546 8886, nirirestaurant.com

Park life

Cinema in the Park is back at Umm Al Emarat Park — a series of free-to-watch (although you need to pay the Dhs10 entry park entrance fee) movies screening over the weekend each week between now and the return of sweaty back season. This weekend’s (Oct 29-30) line-up includes Pixar’s ‘anyone can cook’ but certain rats turn it into an artfrom, hair-tugging NPC RC, hyper French reverie of Ratatouille and the seemingly inverse misadventures of a super rare parrot, trying to make his make back to captivity from freedom, Rio.

You’ll find showings at 6.30pm and 8.30pm — and popcorn is available to purchase on site. Mushrif area, entry to the park is charged at Dhs10 per person. Located at Umm Al Emarat Park, ummalemaratpark.ae

Sunday, October 30

Here’s hopping

This nautical tour operating outfit is extending an invitation for you to live your very best Disney pirate life. Jump aboard one of their modern vessels for a six hour tour of Abu Dhabi’s islandscape, with barbecue (though you’ll need to bring your own food). It’s land ahoy with scenic stops at such enchanting sea-hemmed spots as Salt Island and Bahrani Island. Their boats come with music systems for stereophonic shanty support and soft drinks are included in the Dhs450 per person package price (private charters of up to eight are available for Dhs2,500, or Dhs3,000 for 15). seasafari.ae

Club sandwich

Day three of this weekend’s epic music fest is devoted to a ‘Battle of the Bands’ — Club Social is handing the stage over to emerging homegrown talent for what will be a fan-packed proving ground of tomorrow’s potential superstars. And we can’t think of a better way to close out a festival that is, at its heart, an homage to good music and good vibes. And what better way to get involved than with a brunch? It’s a great way to give you the fuel for a day of hands-in-the-air fiesta-ing. This one, 2pm to 7pm, does ironically work on the token principle though — with the house package available for Dhs250, securing you six house drinks and three food tokens. The premium option is Dhs350 with eight premium drink vouchers and three food vouchers.

Tickets are available now via ticketmaster.ae. Prices shown below are for Earlybird bookings and will increase on September 19.

An absolutely steining day out

Abu Dhabi City Golf Club will host the capital’s flagship incarnation of this, Germany’s most famous harvesty, hops-forward festival. It’s all taking place between October 27 and November 6 on ‘The Green’, an event space nestled amongst the verdant fairways of the urban golf course. The 11 night event will feature ‘Abu Dhabi’s largest biergarten’, plenty of specialist ‘Europen meats’ to ‘Munchen’ and a bumper schedule of oompah music. You can book free passes for the a la carte experience, or have the most guten of samstags with the Bavarian-themed Saturday brunch (1pm to 4pm) with packages starting at Dhs275 (house for Dhs375).

Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, October 27 to November 6, Sun to Thu 3pm to 12.30AM, Fri 1pm to 1.30am, Sat 1pm to 1.30am. WhatsApp: (058) 598 9785, @oktoberfest.ae

A slice of the Hyatt life

Head down to one of the 11 treatment rooms, or enjoy a sauna or even an Ice Fountain at Lum’a Spa. Body scrubs, reflexology or a variety of massages await, and with monthly rotational promotions there is no excuse for not taking care of yourself during this incredibly busy season. Massages and facial treatments start from as little as Dhs300, so head over and unwind with one of the many relaxing experiences.

Grand Hyatt, Corniche Area. hyatt.com

Hot wheels

Petrol would almost certainly be a prized and limited resource in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, but in those early few months — the ability to drive like a getaway driver that’s late for a job, could be a lifeline. Karting is massively popular in the UAE, with locations like EKart at The Dubai Mall, and Kartdrome in Motor City offering big ‘blue shell’ lols. The Al Ain Raceway is our top pick, packed as it is with challenging twists and turns and offering some great deals to help get your dystopian driving skills bang on track.

Al Ain Raceway, Al Ain Sportplex, Al Ain, summer hours, Mon to Sat, 6pm to 10pm.Tel: (03) 768 6662 or alainraceway.com

Fest at the Tav

The capital’s famous, long-reigning Brit pub, Tavern is turning the German up to 11 with a Bavarian Brew Fest — offering a fantastisch selection of European food to Munch-en as well as guest Desutche hops for degustation. There’s even a special Oktoberfest food platter containing the fest’s best bites for just Dhs149.

Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche, October 28 to November 6 daily midday to midnight. @sheratonabudhabi

Images: Provided/Getty