TIMEOUTABUDHABI.COM WINTER 2025-2026 3 Inside 6 Things to do 22 Christmas guide 32 NYE 42 Budget eats 50 2026 events 60 Food 70 Art & culture 72 Attractions 7Family & kids 76 Shopping 80 Sport 82 The last bite Features & Regulars On the co ve r: Ar t Island Pho tograph y: Grace Guino Don’t miss This season, it’s all about winding down the right way. Think outdoor discoveries, spa days and affordable fun with the family... Page 10 Kia Beach4 WINTER 2025-2026 TIMEOUTABUDHABICOM Time Out Abu Dhabi PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE +971 4 444 3000 www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Geneva, London, Mumbai & Riyadh ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Martin Chambers Chief Content Officer Holly Sands Time Out Abu Dhabi Editorial Head of Content McKenna Grant (maternity leave) Acting UAE Editor Emilie Hill +971 4 444 3693 | emilie.hill@itp.com Group Food Editor Yousra Zaki +971 4 444 3255 | yousra.zaki@itp.com Senior Social Media Editor Wyanet Vaz +971 4 444 3307 | wyanet.vaz@itp.com Digital Content Lead Jeffrey Casiño +971 4 444 3591 | jeffrey.casino@itp.com Content Executive Rodelito Mamuad +971 4 444 3657 | rodelito.mamuad@itp.com Events & Marketing & Brand Head of Events Eleanor Ashton Senior Events Manager Kate Galaktionova Events Manager Gavin Moeketski Associate Events Manager Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager Maria Trishina Content & Events Assistant Jenna Jordan Events Coordinator Bobbie Rosario Events Sales Executive Jan Mokoala Events Sales Assistant Joyce Salonga Events Sales Assistant Celine Magpoc email: events@itp.com Art Senior Designer Gillian Fletcher Junior Designer Celine Iskandar-Elhachem Group Video Editor Bharat Tahiliani Production, Distribution & Circulation Senior Production & Distribution Manager Balasubramanian P +971 4 444 3871 | balasubramanian.p@itp.com Production Manager Anand Sundaram +971 4 444 3424 | anand.sundaram@itp.com Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira +971 4 444 3669 | avinash.pereira@itp.com Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai +971 4 444 3236 | rajesh.pillai@itp.com Advertising Chief Commercial Officer Sally Whittam +971 4 444 334/+971 56 104 0567 | sally.whittam@itp.com Advertising Director Mitchell Rowlands +971 58 214 3987 | mitchell.rowlands@itp.com ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. Published under the authority of and in collaboration with Time Out Group Limited London UK. Printed for sale in AGCC and Egypt only. The name and logo of Time Out are used under licence of Time Out Group Limited London UK. Published by ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC © 2025 Time Out Group Ltd, London, UK. How beautiful is this issue’s front cover? Captured at a hidden oasis in Al Rahba, aptly named Art Island, it perfectly reflects the spirit of a season made for being outdoors. There’s something revitalising about winter in Abu Dhabi — that brief stretch of time when the city feels even more alive than usual. Weekends fill up with kayaking through the mangroves or picnics at Umm Al Emarat Park, while post-work runs along the Corniche take on a whole new look at sunset. This golden window of cooler days is meant to be savoured and this issue will help you make the most of the months ahead. Aside from the glorious weather, 2026 is already packed with the good stuff. Don’t miss our round-up of the best events, restaurants, and places to add to your bucket list. Just be sure to pop Art Island somewhere near the top — it’s well worth the discovery. facebook.com/timeoutabudhabi youtube.com/timeoutgcc timeoutabudhabi timeoutabudhabi timeoutabudhabi Ed’s pick Budget bites for any day of the week (p42). Hello Hello Emilie Hill Acting UAE Editorslug 6 MONTH 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Things Save the date Watch Calvin Harris live This is what you came for Calvin Harris will headline the official after- party on Saturday December 6, as part of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Buzzing is an understatement. Once the racing action is done, the party moves straight to Garden on Yas, W Abu Dhabi, where Harris will bring his chart- topping hits and legendary energy to Yas Island. Don’t miss out. O From Dhs1,025. Sat Dec 6. Etihad Park, Yas Island. yasmarinacircuit.com, abudhabigp.com. Fitness fun Sign up for the capital’s marathon The annual ADNOC race is back End the year on a huge personal achievement and sprint over the finish line of the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon. Sporting a 42.195 km route, you can either lace up those trainers and give it a go, or be one of the thousands of people on the side cheering on the runners. There’s even a 10km and 5km race if you want to dip your toe in the water. O From Dhs90. Sat Dec 13, from 5.45am, adnocabudhabimarathon.com. Try a reformer class at Al Bateen Ladies’ Club You can enjoy a pool day afterwards With a focus on wellness and relaxation, Al Bateen Ladies’ Club by Matcha is for women and children and offers reformer Pilates as well as yoga and HIIT classes. The venue offers visitors the chance to enjoy the spa, Calvin Harrisslug ITC Franklin Gothic st - Heavy - 11pt TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM MONTH 2025 7 to do infinity pool and beach and you can take your pick from 120 sun loungers across the pool and beach. You can sign up for a membership for all-round access. O From Dhs150. Open 7am-10pm. Al Bateen Ladies’ Club by Matcha, Al Bateen Beach, Abu Dhabi, matcha-albateen.ae (054 995 5036). Book a table Brunch it out Villa Sélène is serving a brand-new brunch to try The Mediterranean restaurant is whisking you off to the Côte d’Azur with its new Saturday brunch, serving up dishes straight from the menus of Saint-Tropez. O Dhs240 (soft drinks), Dhs295 (pink grape), Dhs360 (house beverages), Dhs460 (bubbly). Sat 12.30pm-4pm. Yas Links, viyagolf.com (054 990 4246). Dig into a new pizza spot There’s a new Saudi venue in town Get ready for the cheese pull on one of these sizzling slices. Newly opened and all Sip on a new matcha flavour Yas Mall has a brand-new matcha bar You’ve never tried matcha quite like this. Touching down at Yas Mall, Matcha Tokyo is serving up flavours from frozen matcha banana to coconut floats. Pair it with a roll cake or tiramisu and you’re laughing. O Open Sun-Thu 8.30am-11.20pm, Fri-Sat 8.30am- 11.30pm. Yas Mall, yasmall.ae (02 563 2480). Try a sizzling business lunch Treat yourself to a midday Asian feast Located at the Rosewood, BB Social Dining is one of the hottest restaurants in Abu Dhabi. And if you want to try it out for less, you should be giving the business lunch a go. Priced at Dhs125, the deal includes a soft drink, miso soup, one bite, one bao and one barbecue dish (ticking all of BB’s B’s off), with options including super green hummus, BB maki rolls, crispy beef bao, BB Social Blanca the way from Saudi, Blanca has now opened its doors in Al Qana. If you need some help on which puffed crust to pick, you can’t go wrong with the brisket truffle or the rocca ricotta. Yum. O Open daily noon-midnight. Al Qana, @blanco_forno (056 783 3131). Free ladies’ night at Bla Bla Expect free-flowing drinks all evening Complete with a massive terrace overlooking the bright lights of the circuit, Yas Marina’s newest addition will really come into its own this winter. One of the ultimate places to be seen on Yas Island, the Thursday ladies’ night offers free-flowing house beverages for all the girls, all topped up with DJ beats and a cooler than cooler ambiance you have to try. O Free. Thu 8pm-11pm. Yas Marina, Yas Island, @blablabar_abudhabi (02 639 9078).slug 8 MONTH 2025 TIMEOUTDUBAI.COM Things to do In the comments What’s got you talking on Instagram... Zayed National Museum “Cannot wait... it is going to be magical” @raiulcanetti “Gorgeous gorgeous architecture ” @faridaflows.dxb “I have been waiting for this historic museum to open.” @teachlearnspeak Got a tip? Email us for the latest hello@timeoutabudhabih.com timeoutabudhabi a living, glowing canvas that everyone can enjoy. Not around for long, it’s time to head outside, ASAP. O Free. Until Sun Jan 4, 2026. abudhabiculture.ae. Sing-along at Rod Stewart Get in the crowd and sing Yes, Sir Rod – the raspy-voiced rock legend with a discography as iconic as his hair – will be taking over Etihad Arena on Yas Island for one glittering night on Wednesday, December 17. Expect an arena-sized dose of nostalgia with a setlist featuring classics like You Wear It Well, Da Ya Think I’m Sexy, The First Cut Is the Deepest, Young Turks, Rhythm of My Heart and Tonight’s the Night. And knowing Sir Rod, there’ll be a few surprises, too. O From Dhs395. Wed Dec 17, 10.30pm. Etihad Arena, Yas Island. livenation.me (600 511115). Visit Liwa International Festival The dunes are coming to life once again Mark your calendars, desert thrill-seekers. Al Dhafra’s dunes are once again going to be pulsing with the roar of engines, music and so much more as the outdoor festival gets underway. Running from Friday December 12 to Saturday January 3 2026, the 23-day festival is going to be jam- packed with fun from start to finish, offering even more excitement than previous years. You can expect adrenaline-pumping speed races, drift shows and the classic dune driving challenges with competitors from around the world, all celebrating local culture, desert life and the region’s love for high-octane adventure under the open sky. Don’t miss out. O Fri Dec 12-Sat Jan 3 2026. Al Dhafra. salmon sambal teriyaki, and a soft drink or water. You can also add on either a coffee or dessert for Dhs20 (with your choice between the baked cheesecake and lollipop ice cream). O Dhs125. Mon-Fri noon-4pm. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, rosewoodhotels.com (02 236 2600). Get outdoors Explore Manar Abu Dhabi The iconic lights festival is back Running throughout the winter, the festival will take place in Al Ain for the first time until Sunday January 4 and in Abu Dhabi from Saturday November 15 to Sunday January 4. Think massive light sculptures, ethereal projections, interactive installations and thought-provoking performances – all set against the natural beauty of the capital’s shores. From Japan to Mexico and everywhere in between, it’s a lineup that promises to transform Abu Dhabi into Manar Abu Dhbai Etihad ArenaNext >