Things to do in Abu Dhabi: The ADR Week: 20–26 April 2026
- Abu Dhabi Review
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- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
If your week’s looking a bit thin, this should sort it. From a proper midweek reset to a night out that doesn’t feel rushed, plus a bit of culture, film, and something different for the weekend, there’s enough here to shake up the usual routine.
If you need a reason to actually make plans, start here.
Monday 20 April
Unlimited Dim Sum at Shang Palace
Start the week with something food-led, Yum Cha at Shang Palace is a straightforward lunch option. All-you-can-eat dim sum, from dumplings to crispy wontons, done properly and served over a two-hour sitting.
When: 12:00pm–2:00pm
Price: AED 148 (food only)AED 338 (with house beverages)
Reserve: +971 2 509 8555 | restaurantreservations.slad@shangri-la.com
Tuesday 21 April
Ease into the week at Emirates Palace
There’s not much reason to rush into Tuesday, so this is a good excuse not to. The Turkish Tuesday Bath Ritual at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is a slower way to start the day, with a traditional foam bath and access to the steam room, jacuzzi and ice room. It runs in the morning, so you’re done before the day properly kicks off, and it doesn’t feel like you’ve wasted it.
When: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi
Price: AED 150 per person, minimum two guests
Wednesday 22 April
Do Wednesday properly at Zuma
Midweek plans usually stop at dinner, which is why this works. Yashoku at Zuma Abu Dhabi starts later, runs for 2.5 hours, and feels closer to a night out than just a meal. It’s the kind of plan you book when you don’t want Wednesday to feel like a write-off.
When: Every Wednesday, 9:00 pm–11:30 pm
Where: Zuma Abu Dhabi, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island
Price: AED 395 for the soft drinks package, AED 495 with prosecco, sake, wine, beer, and signature cocktails, or AED 645 with champagne and premium cocktails
Friday 24 April
Go for something easy at the Cultural Foundation
Circus of the Forest at the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi is a children’s theatre show set around a family of pandas living in isolation, whose routine is disrupted when a circus owner starts capturing animals.
It’s a structured, story-led production with a mix of dialogue, music and movement, set against a desert-style backdrop with dunes, storms and night scenes. It’s aimed at families, so expect something straightforward and easy to follow rather than anything over the top.
When: Doors 6:30 pm, starts 7:00 pm
Where: Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi
Price: From AED 15
Saturday 25 April
Catch a film at Louvre Abu Dhabi
If you want to break out of the usual weekend routine without overthinking it, this is an easy one. Young Picasso is screening at Louvre Abu Dhabi at 7:00pm, and it’s free. It gives you a reason to head out, do something a bit different, and still keep the rest of your evening open.
When: 7:00 pm
Where: Louvre Abu Dhabi Auditorium, Saadiyat
Price: Free
Sunday 26 April
Spend Sunday getting lost at teamLab Phenomena
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a series of immersive digital installations you walk through, with no fixed route or time limit. You move between rooms at your own pace, rather than following a set experience.
It’s a change from the usual weekend plans, especially if you want something that isn’t built around a meal or a fixed schedule.
When: 10:00am–10:00pm (last entry 8:00pm)
Price: AED 165 adults, AED 55 children (under 4s free)
Book: teamlababudhabi.com
