Things to do in Abu Dhabi this week: The ADR Week - 12 October - 18 October

Shweta Srikanth

10 hours ago

4 min read

From filmmaking workshops and film screenings, to a six-course dinner, live music, and a car meet at Yas Marina Circuit - here's our pick of things to do in Abu Dhabi through the week.

Monday 12 October

Filmmaking workshop at Yas Creative Hub

Explore different sides of the industry, from acting for the camera and scriptwriting, to staging stunts and product placement. You’ll also learn what goes into bringing a film to the screen.

The workshops are led by Emirati actor Mohammed Faisal Mostafa, who you might recognise from Hijack or The Ambush (Al Kameen). The sessions run until Thursday, 15 October, and you can choose to book one or sign up for all four.

Where: Creative Lab, Yas Creative Hub, Abu Dhabi

When: Monday, 12 October 2026; running until Thursday 15 October

Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Register here

Tuesday 13 October

Spices and Wonders: Sailing the Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean has a lot of stories to tell, from the spices and goods traded across its waters, to the people, ideas, and cultures that travelled between distant shores. At Louvre Abu Dhabi, you can explore some of these stories through an evening of talks linked to the museum’s Spices and Wonders: Sailing the Indian Ocean exhibition.

Curators from Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Musée Guimet will discuss the exhibition, followed by a conversation with contemporary artists about bringing maritime history into their work through film, sound, and other creative practices. The talks are free to attend, but you’ll need to book your spot in advance.

Where: Auditorium, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island

When: Tuesday, 13 October 2026

Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Price: Free, booking required

Book your spot here

Wednesday 14 October

Anime Week at Cultural Foundation

From 14 to 18 October, the Cultural Foundation will host screenings of

Japanese animated films including Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away.

The line-up continues through the week with Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Ponyo, Attack on Titan: The Last Attack, Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Kiki's Delivery Service. The final day on Sunday, 18 October, ends with One Piece Film: Red.

Where: Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi

When: Wednesday, 14 October 2026; running until Sunday, 18 October 2026

Time: 7:00 pm

Price: From AED 35

Book your spot here

Thursday 15 October

Four Hands Dinner at Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard

There’s a special dinner happening at Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard this Thursday and Friday, with Chef Luigi Stinga joining Chef Nicolas Isnard for a six-course menu.

Your dinner will feature dishes ranging from French snails in open ravioli to lobster with seaweed and raisin jus. You’ll also find Carnaroli risotto with cavolo nero and star anise, lamb with black lemon, polenta and Camembert, and Tiramisu 2.0 with truffle flavours to finish.

The six-course menu costs AED 550 per person, with an optional beverage pairing for AED 350.

Where: Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi

When: Thursday, 15 October, and Friday, 16 October 2026

Time: 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Price: AED 550 per person for the six-course menu; optional beverage pairing AED 350

Reserve your table here

Friday 16 October

MONOCHROMA 2 at Manarat Al Saadiyat

Black and white might sound like a simple brief for an art exhibition, but MONOCHROMA 2 explores how artists use just two colours to create different effects. At Manarat Al Saadiyat, you’ll find ceramic works made in the UAE by both emerging and established artists.

The pieces explore form, texture, light, and shadow, showing how these details can change the look and feel of a ceramic work.

Where: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island

When: Friday, 16 October; Running until Sunday, 18 October 2026

More info here

Saturday 17 October

Tamer Hosny and Tamer Ashour live at Etihad Arena

If Arabic pop and love songs are on your playlist, you can catch Tamer Hosny and Tamer Ashour at Etihad Arena this Saturday. Hosny will bring the energy with pop hits such as Yana Ya Mafish and 180 Darga, while Ashour will sing some of his best-known romantic songs, including Zikrayat Kaddaba and Ekhtarna Leh.

Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island

When: Saturday, 17 October 2026

Time: 9:00 pm

Price: From AED 150

Book your spot here

Sunday 18 October

Car meet at Yas Marina Circuit

There’s a car meet at Yas Marina Circuit this Sunday, as Collecting Cars brings its Coffee Run to Yas Central. You’ll get to check out classic cars and modern supercars, meet fellow petrolheads, and chat with the Collecting Cars team about all things motoring over a coffee. You can also try the racing simulators at SimYAS, or go karting at Yas Kartzone.

There’ll be a parade lap on the F1 circuit, followed by a group photo with all the cars lined up on the starting grid, so stick around for that.

The gathering is open to walk-ins, but you’ll need to register with Collecting Cars if you want to take part in the car event and parade lap.