Author: Elle Houghton
Abu Dhabi is set for a busy March, offering residents and visitors a mix of cultural, fitness, and entertainment events, from Ramadan pop-ups and art exhibitions to theme park stays and live performances. The month kicks off with free Pilates sessions at Pilatiq Yas Island on March 1, welcoming newcomers to try the exercise in community classes every Sunday. On March 2-3, Dai Pai Dong on Al Maryah Island continues its Chinese New Year celebration, serving shared dim sum and traditional dishes. Ramadan-themed experiences dominate the calendar, with the Ramadan Pop-up Market at Umm Al Emarat Parkrunning every Friday and Saturday from March 6. Visitors…
Guests at Yas Plaza Hotels can now enjoy access to Yas Island’s major theme parks as part of their booking, the hotel group announced, offering a bundled experience across Abu Dhabi’s leading leisure attractions. The move applies to all room types across the collection, which includes Crowne Plaza Yas Island, Staybridge Suites Yas Island, and Yas Plaza properties at Marina, Circuit, Mangroves, and Bay. Guests will have entry to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, enabling visitors to combine multiple attractions without additional ticket purchases or long queues. “Our focus is on delivering a seamless guest experience,…
The Walt Disney Company will build its first Middle East theme park resort on Yas North in Abu Dhabi, Chief Executive Bob Iger confirmed in January, marking a major expansion for the entertainment giant and a significant addition to the UAE’s tourism portfolio. Iger shared an image from the waterfront site on Yas Island on Jan. 25, writing that he was “walking the site of what will one day be Disneyland Abu Dhabi,” signaling that planning is actively underway. The project will become Disney’s seventh global resort destination and its first in the region. The development will sit on Yas North, a…
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will return to Abu Dhabi on Sept. 19–20, bringing a new themed show and a debut vehicle to Etihad Arena as the capital continues to expand its family entertainment calendar. The touring production, titled “Glow-N-Fire,” will stage three performances over two days at the Yas Island venue. Organizers say the updated show will feature a new truck, Rhinomite, alongside returning fan favorites including Mega Rex, Bone Shaker and Skelesaurus. The first performance is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, followed by a 6:30 p.m. show the same day. A final performance will take place at…
As living costs and traffic pressures continue to shape daily life in the capital, Abu Dhabi authorities are encouraging greater use of the city’s bus network — a system that offers fares as low as Dh2 per journey and connections across the emirate and beyond. While many residents rely on private cars, public buses remain one of the most affordable transport options in the UAE. Standard fares within Abu Dhabi typically range from Dh2 to Dh5 per trip, with unlimited monthly passes available for Dh95 and weekly passes priced at Dh35. Access to the system requires a Hafilat smart card,…
The long-delayed Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is nearing completion and is expected to open later in 2026, according to a senior UAE official, marking a major step in Abu Dhabi’s push to position itself as a global cultural hub. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said this month that the project is “nearing completion,” adding that “comprehensive development cannot be complete without the cultural component.” While authorities have not announced a specific opening date, the update signals progress on one of the capital’s most high-profile cultural developments. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, the museum anchors the…
Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad Airways will add 13 destinations to its network in 2026, including new routes to the United States, Europe and the Middle East, as Gulf airlines ramp up capacity to meet rising travel demand. The expansion comes amid continued growth in the region’s aviation sector. The Airports Council Internationalforecasts the Middle East will handle 466 million passengers in 2025, cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets worldwide. Etihad reported carrying 2.2 million passengers in January 2026, a 29% increase from the same month a year earlier. The airline is responding by widening its network from its Abu…
The United Arab Emirates has approved the school calendar for the next three academic years, giving families and educators a clear schedule through 2029 while introducing sweeping changes to how the national curriculum will be governed. The UAE Ministry of Education released term dates for public and private schools across the country, including Abu Dhabi, covering the 2026–2027, 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 academic years. For 2026–2027, the school year will begin on Aug. 31, 2026, with a mid-term break from Oct. 12–18. Winter break will run from Dec. 13, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, followed by a spring break from April 5–11. The…
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday to represent the United Arab Emirates at the India AI Impact Summit, a gathering focused on artificial intelligence and digital transformation that runs through Feb. 20, 2026. Sheikh Khaled is attending the summit on behalf of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscoring the Gulf state’s push to deepen cooperation with India in emerging technologies. Indian Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia received the crown prince at the airport, where officials hosted a ceremonial welcome. The UAE delegation includes senior officials responsible…
Saudi Arabia marked its annual Founding Day on February 22 with nationwide celebrations that not only commemorate the Kingdom’s origins in 1727, but also underscore its broader effort to reshape its global image under the government’s Vision 2030 reform agenda. The holiday, which honors the establishment of the first Saudi state nearly three centuries ago, has increasingly become a platform for projecting a modern national identity to international audiences. Through documentaries, cultural parades and coordinated social media campaigns, officials are using the occasion to link the country’s historical roots with its ambitions for economic diversification and global engagement. Central to…