logo
Things to do in the UAE this week, from Chinese New Year to Kayan Wellness Festival

Things to do in the UAE this week, from Chinese New Year to Kayan Wellness Festival

The National27-01-2025
It's a particularly busy week for UAE residents with the return of annual celebrations, events and festivals, including Chinese New Year and the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. In Abu Dhabi, Al Hosn is hosting a heritage-focused event and there's also a three-day wellness meet-up. Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from January 27 to February 2. Head to Al Hosn cultural site in Abu Dhabi for a dose of Emirati heritage. The venue is celebrating Al Hosn Festival with a packed programme running until February 9. Souqs, children's workshops, traditional shows and art exhibitions are on the cards, spread across three zones: heritage, crafts and community. Food and drinks spots are also available via a handful of pop-ups from home-grown and up-and-coming brands such as Flat Burger, Munch, Noodle Box and Hotdog Bar. Daily, 4pm-11pm; from Dh35; until February 9; Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi; 02 697 6400 Chinese restaurant Zheng He's at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam is celebrating Chinese New Year with a curated menu courtesy of chef Wong Lian You. Highlights include cod, egg white dumplings, poached clay pot chicken with Sichuan pepper sauce and hand-rolled vegetarian rice rolls. The menu is available until February 9 and the restaurant will host a lion dance troupe, performing against the backdrop of Burj Al Arab, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Other Chinese New Year-themed menus in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are available here. Daily, 12.30pm-10.30pm; a la carte; February 9; Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai; 800 323232 Literary buffs can head to InterContinental Dubai Festival City for the return of the annual Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. The event gathers award-winning writers and speakers to conduct author talks, panel discussions and workshops. Among the renowned names attending is American writer and physician Abraham Verghese, whose 2023 novel The Covenant of Water was selected as part of Oprah's Book Club and was in The New York Times bestseller list for 37 weeks. Other names on the agenda include Booker Prize-nominated Nigerian author Chigozie Obioma, Emmy Award-winning journalist Hala Gorani, Tanzanian-British novelist and academic Abdulrazak Gurnah and Palestinian chef and cookbook author Fadi Kattan. Some events are free of charge, and others go up to Dh2,000 per person. Times vary, beginning on Wednesday and running until Monday; Dubai Festival City; 054 349 8508 RollDXB will be at City Centre Al Zahia in Sharjah until the end of February. The pop-up indoor rink is open to all skill levels and will feature special events, themed nights and dynamic classes for children and adults. Monday to Wednesday, 10am-10pm, Thursday to Sunday, 10am-midnight; from Dh90; until February 28; Al Zahia, Sharjah; 058 006 868 A supper club at the Afghan restaurant Kishmish in Dar Wasl Mall will run under the theme Tahchin Nights. Tahchin, derived from the Farsi words tah (bottom) and chin (to layer), is a rice cake made with yoghurt, saffron and aromatic spices. The crust is made crispy by scorching, while the layers are traditionally filled with chicken or meat. The restaurant's chef-founder Iman Nazemi will showcase her roots by creating different tahchin dishes, including the traditional saffron-infused tachchin with barberries, almonds and pistachios, as well as one layered with chicken in a saffron-onion gravy. Friday, from 7.30pm; Dh195 per person; Al Wasl Road, Dubai; 050 426 1663 Global wellness experts will be taking to the shores of Fahid Island in Abu Dhabi for Kayan Wellness Festival. Talks and immersive wellness sessions will be part of the programme. Big-name guests include renowned biohacker and human biologist Gary Brecka, acclaimed therapist and author Marisa Peer and physician and holistic thought leader Zach Bush. Guests can visit the body zone for workshops and fitness sessions, while the soul space will feature meditation and sound healing. Friday to Sunday, from 10am; from Dh75; Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi; kayanwellnessfestival.com Make Sunday family day at the Grand Picnic at Safa Park, where there will be displays of stunning and quirky cars and motorbikes, as well as live music and a host of food and drinks pop-ups. A series of other car-related activities will be held on-site, too, including themed arts and crafts for children, as well as live demos. Sunday, 10am-6pm; free; Safa Park, Dubai; thegrandpicnic.ae
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Al-Masrah Magazine: Global theatre insights and developments
Al-Masrah Magazine: Global theatre insights and developments

Sharjah 24

timea day ago

  • Sharjah 24

Al-Masrah Magazine: Global theatre insights and developments

new building for Theatrical Association The introduction to the issue starts a report on the graduation ceremony of the third batch of the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA). It also includes statements from a number of Emirati artists expressing their deep gratitude and appreciation for the new grant bestowed by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, by allocating a six-story building in the Al Taawun area to the Theatrical Association. The same section includes a survey on the progress of the Kalba Short Plays Festival, marking its twelfth edition, which will be held next September. Reviews "Readings" section includes a number of reviews of theatrical performances recently held in Arab capitals. Mohamed Laaziz wrote about "Remains," the latest work by Moroccan director Mohamed Farkani; Al-Hussam Mohieddine reviewed "Media" by Lebanese director Chris Ghafri; Abdelkarim Kadri analysed "Al-Saqiya" by Algerian director Soumaya Bounab; Samer Mohamed Ismail wrote about "To Prepare a Boiled Egg" by Kuwaiti director Musab Al-Salem; and Kamal Al-Shihawi wrote about "Jacaranda" by Tunisian director Nizar Al-Saidi. Mahmoud Abu Doma In the "Dialogue" section, the magazine published an interview with Egyptian writer, researcher, and director Mahmoud Abu Doma, in which he spoke about his beginnings, the cultural and academic influences that shaped his personality, his efforts in experimenting with independent theatre in Alexandria, and the most prominent issues facing theatrical thought at the local and Arab levels. Interviews "Horizons" includes an interview with the young Tunisian artist Marwa Al-Mansouri, who has achieved a remarkable presence in the local scene as a theatrical costume designer, appearing in numerous successful theatrical productions, most notably the works of director Fadel Jaibi. The "Follow-ups" section covers a short interview with Tunisian critic Fawzia Al-Mizzi, in which she discusses the experience of establishing a theatre critics' association and the most prominent challenges and potentials of new theatre criticism experiments. The section also highlights Naguib Mahfouz's theatre and its intellectual orientations, marking the thirtieth anniversary of his death. Readings In "Readings," Alaa Al-Jabri analyses the book "Brecht in Gulf Theatre" by Iraqi writer Dhafer Jalloud. In "Visions," Walid Al-Daghsni writes "Short Plays from Concept to Realisation," and Hussam Al-Masoudi writes "Short Texts: The Future of Contemporary Drama." In "Travels," Sherif Al-Shafei recounts his journey to the French city, Lodève and the US Bridgewater. Letters includes reports on theatrical activities in Sharjah, Algiers, Rabat, and Stockholm.

Will Disney Abu Dhabi be indoors? Here's what we know
Will Disney Abu Dhabi be indoors? Here's what we know

Time Out Abu Dhabi

time2 days ago

  • Time Out Abu Dhabi

Will Disney Abu Dhabi be indoors? Here's what we know

We've got three words for you: Disney. Abu. Dhabi. The happiest place on Earth is making its Middle East debut and while our inner child is spinning in teacups with joy, one (very valid) grown-up question remains: will the Disney theme park be outdoors or indoors? Because, let's face it – as much as we love Mickey-shaped ice creams and singing Let It Go under the sun, Abu Dhabi's summer doesn't mess around. With temps soaring past 50°C, even Olaf might reconsider his eternal love for summer. So… what's the plan? Will Disney Abu Dhabi be indoors or outdoors? It's (sort of) outdoors – but also indoors. Basically, it's magic. The answer, like any good Disney plot twist, isn't so straightforward. According to Disney Parks boss Josh D'Amaro, the new Yas Island mega-project will be a hybrid, combining the best of indoor comfort with outdoor charm. They're being very ambitious, architecture, tech and water are all coming into play – which sounds like there might be a splash of Moana inspiration involved. Here's the kicker: the park is being built right up against the water. Think cool breezes, waterfront vistas and, who knows – maybe even an indoor-outdoor castle that literally lets the sea into the storyline. Miral Group CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi added that, like other Yas Island hits (hi, Warner Bros. World), Disney will be indoors, but he also called it the most advanced park in the Disney portfolio. So expect something completely new – and 100 percent air-conditioned. So, when can we go? Not tomorrow, unfortunately. With a timeline of up to two years for design and another four to six for construction, we're looking at a 2030 to 2032 opening. But we've waited 100 years for Disney to come to the UAE – what's a few more? Until then, we'll keep dreaming of those castle selfies, futuristic rides and Emirati-inspired storylines (yes, those are happening too). One thing's for sure – whether indoors, outdoors, or somewhere in between – Disney Abu Dhabi will be cooler than cool. Literally. All about Disney Abu Dhabi 7 things we know about the new Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi It's going to be magical – and massive This is when Disney Abu Dhabi is likely to open A Disney official has shared a rough timeline Three key ways the new Disney theme park will change Abu Dhabi A whole new world indeed

Issue 72 of "Al-Heera Min Al-Shariqa" magazine released
Issue 72 of "Al-Heera Min Al-Shariqa" magazine released

Sharjah 24

time2 days ago

  • Sharjah 24

Issue 72 of "Al-Heera Min Al-Shariqa" magazine released

The issue includes a selection of poems by poets from the UAE, the Gulf, and the Arab world in the "Rivers of Amazement" and "The Garden of Perplexity" sections. The "On the Table" section explores the topic of creativity and age, between the maturity of experience and the abandonment of writing. Tribute of late Emirati poet Salem Al-Kass The "Ink of Pioneers" section presents the experience of the late Emirati poet Salem Al-Kass and his poems on nostalgia and memories of place. The "Passing of the Years" section covers some of the spatial markers documented in Nabati poetry in northern Arabia. Women's Nabati poetry The "Windows of the Self" section covers the creativity and poetic experience of Kuwaiti poet Mahmoud Al-Mukhlis. The "Luminous Treasures" section explores the journey of women's Nabati poetry in the UAE. The "Thresholds of Beauty" section discusses general features in the writing and meter of Nabati poetry. The "Nabati Shores" section explored the topics and works of Emirati poet Jassim Almas, while the "Orbits" section addressed Moroccan zajal and its relationship to Nabati poetry. The "Spaces" section explored self-esteem in Nabati and popular poetry. A "Descriptions" section presented the concept and style of "Saidi palm art," a popular Egyptian art. The "Publications and Illuminations" section reviewed the collection "Poetry Braids" by Emirati poet Salma Al Hashimi.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store