News you might have missed in Abu Dhabi | 14 October 2026
Catch up on the latest Abu Dhabi news and updates, including new museum experiences, upcoming concerts, road projects, and events happening around the city.
Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi wants your help naming its T. rex and blue whale
The T. rex and blue whale at Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi need names, and you can help choose them.
The museum is looking for original names that translate well into both Arabic and English, with meanings linked to heritage, strength, the animals’ stories, or their natural habitats. Common nicknames such as Rexy and Whaley are off the list, so think beyond the obvious when sending in your suggestions.
You can submit as many name suggestions as you like through the museum’s website before the deadline. A jury from the museum and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi will select the winners, who will each receive a commemorative prize. The winning names will be announced later this year and displayed alongside the specimens.
The blue whale is 25 metres long and was found on the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, in 2021, following a suspected ship strike. The T. rex, meanwhile, is among the five most complete skeletons of its kind ever found. It dates back 66 to 68 million years and is displayed alongside Stan, another T. rex, in a scene featuring a fallen Triceratops.
Submission deadline: Sunday, 25 October 2026
Submit your suggestions here
More info here
Groove Armada and Claptone live at Surf Abu Dhabi
If Superstylin’ and I See You Baby are your kind of tunes, pop over to Surf Abu Dhabi on Friday, 13 November. Groove Armada are joining masked DJ Claptone for a night of house music at Surf Abu Dhabi on Hudayriyat Island.
The British duo, Andy Cato and Tom Findlay, have been making dance music for three decades, with At the River another familiar track from their catalogue. Claptone is the DJ behind No Eyes and Heartbeat. You’ll recognise him by his gold mask, and he’s played some major festivals, including Tomorrowland and Coachella.
The gig takes place at The Garden, where you can catch the music outdoors overlooking the wave pool.
Where: The Garden, Surf Abu Dhabi, Hudayriyat Island
When: Friday, 13 November 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Price: From AED 225
Book your spot here
More info here
Naseer Shamma and Richard Dubugnon live in Abu Dhabi
Head to The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi on Friday, 16 October, for Harmony - a concert featuring Iraqi oud player Naseer Shamma and Swiss composer Richard Dubugnon.
You’ll hear the world premiere of Dubugnon’s Double Concerto for Ney and Cello, performed by soloists Rami Ourabi on ney and Sary Khalifé on cello. Shamma will also perform on the oud as the programme explores Arabic and Western musical traditions.
Where: The Red Theater, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island
When: Friday, 16 October 2026
Time: 8:00 pm
Abu Dhabi’s new underwater road could cut your drive to 10 minutes
Abu Dhabi is getting an underwater road, and it could make your drive between Saadiyat Island and Reem Island or Abu Dhabi Island a lot quicker. The first phase of the Mid-Island Parkway is due for completion in 2027, with a 600-metre stretch running beneath Khor Laffan. Once it opens, the journey could drop from around 25 minutes to just 10.
That’s not all. The wider project will eventually extend towards Al Raha Beach and Khalifa City, with more road links, marine bridges, walking and cycling tracks planned along the way.
Here’s a closer look at the deets, the journey times, and what else is planned. Read the full story here.
Mavericks of Time returns to Abu Dhabi
Ever wondered what goes into making a watch beyond telling the time? Mavericks of Time returns to Abu Dhabi on 29 and 30 October, with more than 20 independent watch brands and makers to Space42 Arena. This year features names such as Greubel Forsey, H. Moser & Cie., URWERK, Bovet and De Bethune.
While you’re there, be sure to check out the interactive experiences. Masters of Rhythm lets you build a watch movement on screen by following a rhythm, while Match the Movement uses augmented reality to show you the mechanics inside selected timepieces.
You can also explore The Seddiqi Vault, which showcases four categories of watchmaking: Haute Horology, Mechanical, Contemporary and Heritage. Stop by The Exchange to chat with watchmakers, hear the stories behind their timepieces and pick up a few things about independent watchmaking along the way.
Where: Space42 Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: 29 October 2026 & 30 October, 2026
Register here
Zayed National Museum adds four languages to its audio tours
You can now explore Zayed National Museum’s galleries with audio tours in your preferred language. French, German, Chinese, and Russian have joined the existing Arabic and English options.
The audio guides use conversational storytelling and immersive soundscapes to tell the stories behind the museum’s collections. As you explore, you can learn about the UAE’s early history, how communities lived along its coast and across its deserts and oases, and the traditions that have shaped life here. There’s also more about the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with expert insights and personal perspectives adding context to the objects you’ll find in the galleries.
You can access the audio tours through the museum’s official mobile app.
More info here
