Glamping, falcons, fireworks, cycling, dining and so much more.
The change of the working week in the new year means we’ve all gained an extra day off, making the first weekend of 2022 a welcomed long one. Yalla – Abu Dhabi Life is full of events and below, we share just a few.
And don’t forget, with all the recent Covid-19 updates, make sure your Al Hosn app and negative test results are up to date and comply with recent changes before setting off on your journey.
Here’s to a fun long weekend.
MAIN EVENT
Ring in 2022 in style
It’s not New year’s Eve without fireworks, so we say let the mesmerising fireworks guide you into 2022 when on New Year’s Eve at midnight the skies above at Yas Island once again explode in a blaze of colour and lights in celebration of the New Year.
Already dressed in festive décor, Yas Island, Yas Marina and Yas Bay Waterfront welcomes families for the big countdown for one of the capital’s most sought-after festive firework displays in the region and is something not to be missed.
For more information, bookings and terms and conditions, please visit yasisland.ae
FAMILY & ENTERTAINMENT
Get active
With 380 free-to-attend training sessions in 12 public parks across the Emirate, there’s no excuse for not keeping fit and a great time to start is this weekend. There is going to be lots of classes to choose from, including DanceFit, RunFit, Bootcamps, CrossFit and Yoga, with special classes for People of Determination and more. And for those 15 years old and over, there are qualified instructors – for free – across 12 parks and urban green spaces in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain city and Al Dhafrah region.
For a full schedule of classes, visit available Active Parks
Go wild
Head to the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital for a two-hour tour, on which you can meet majestic falcons and learn about the history of falconry as well as the life of falcons in modern times. You’ll also get to hold a falcon and visit a free-flight aviary to see them in action. The tours, which need to be booked in advance, run from Sunday to Thursday at 10am and 2pm and cost AED 170 per person.
To book your ticket, visit ADFH
Get your skates on
Hurray! Head to Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi on Yas Island for the first time ever, Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi invites you and your family to skate your way along the streets of Gotham City until 9 January 2022.
Book your tickets at wbworldabudhabi.com
Glamp it up
This is camping taken to the next level and all you need to do is cross the bridge to Bab Al Nojoum – Al Hudayriyat Island where you and the family get to lux it up in a duplex queen chalet replete with its very own outdoor plunge pool. With a temperature-controlled AC unit too, you know it’s going to be cool as you relax on one of the queen-sized beds with all necessary duvets and pillows provided. However, if you want a bit of more desert authenticity, why not spend the night in a Waghi, a converted Volkswagon Transporter and enjoy the hippie life – the kids will love this!
For more details, visit babalnojoum.com
FOODIE FEASTS
Dance yourself dizzy
There’s a new kid on the dining and nightlife block in Abu Dhabi and you’re going to love it. Vertigo Bar & Lounge at West Bay Abu Dhabi offers superb views of the Corniche and the Arabian Gulf beyond. Kick back in one of the many relaxing lounges and sidewalk cabanas and experience first-hand the very essence of Abu Dhabi’s cosmopolitan social scene. Expect specially curated beverages, a moreish, sharing style menu and from 10.30pm each night sway to the beats of deep house music until the early hours.
To book your spot at Vertigo call 02 692 4375 and for more information, visit West Bay Abu Dhabi
‘The First’ Lazy Breakfast
Reward yourself a lie-on on 1 January 2022 and allow Hamilton’s Gastropub to take care of breakfast plans with a full breakfast offering on New Year’s Day including free-flowing bubbles and sparking mixed drinks from 2pm to 4pm.
To book your dining reservations, call 02 697 0000
Oh la la!
Treat you and the family to these sweet treats from L’éclair de Génie, which has branches all around the world, and right here in the capital at Yas Mall. Order one the cutest little boxes of six eclairs that have been designed with New Year in mind and make the perfect gift. These sweet treats can be ordered for delivery straight from their Instagram account.
SPORTS
On yer bike!
Grab your helmet and squeeze into your lycra and bring down the year with a cycle challenge. On Friday 31 December, Al Wathba will be the scene of a gathering of bikes as amateur cyclists all over the UAE put rubber on track at the well-regarded cycle track. The feature race of the day is the Al Wathba 120km Cycle Challenge which consists of four laps of the 30km course. But if treble figures on the bike is too much for the calves, there is no need to worry as there are 30km, 60km and 90km races in which to get involved.
Even the kids can get competitive with their own 16km junior loop challenge.
Beginning at 7am, all participates must produce a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours on their Al Hosn app.
To register, visit Gulf Multi Sports
Looking for more things to do now and beyond? Then stay updated with Yalla – Abu Dhabi Life
