Things to do in Abu Dhabi this week: The ADR Week - 5 October - 11 October
Here are some things to do in Abu Dhabi this week, from yoga and an art exhibition, to a film festival, live comedy, and a ladies’ walk in Al Ain.
Monday 5 October
Gem quest at Khalidiyah mall
GemQuest has turned Khalidiyah Mall into a little playground of games, puzzles and activities this month. At the gem mining station, you can dig around to see what you can uncover, while the Lockup challenge has you working through puzzles to crack your way out.
There’s also an LED gaming zone, a pixel art mosaic wall where you can add your own piece to the bigger picture, and a builder’s workshop where you can put together your own creation.
You can take part for free when you spend AED 50 at Khalidiyah Mall. Just show your bill to get access to the activities for the day.
Where: Khalidiyah Mall
When: Monday, 5 October 2026; running until 1 November 2026
Price: Free with an AED 50 purchase
More info here
Tuesday 6 October
Morning Yoga at Natural History Museum
What if you could do yoga with a prehistoric backdrop? Open Circle Yoga is hosting a morning flow beneath the giant sauropods at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi this Tuesday. You’ll spend an hour stretching in the museum’s Atrium, surrounded by exhibits that tell the story of 13.8 billion years of Earth’s history.
Bring your own mat, and keep in mind that you’ll also need a same-day museum admission ticket to enter.
Where: Natural History Museum, Saadiyat Island
When: Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Time: 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Book your spot here
Wednesday 7 October
Unseen Script at Rizq Art Initiative
Head to Rizq Art Initiative to see Unseen Script, an exhibition exploring the things that make us human beyond what technology can measure - from memory and intuition to lived experience, and the routines that shape our days.
You can browse works by 10 artists, including paintings, sculptures, mixed-media pieces, and assemblages. There’s a 10-metre-long oil painting, along with works using seashells, embroidery and found materials.
Where: Rizq Art Gallery, Leaf Tower, Abu Dhabi
When: Wednesday, 7 October 2026; running until 28 October
More info here
Thursday 8 October
Business Lunch at Fouquet’s
Take your next lunch meeting to Fouquet’s, the French brasserie inside Louvre Abu Dhabi. The business lunch comes with two or three courses, including dishes such as steak frites and burrata.
You’ll have the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s famous geometric dome overhead, along with views of the water, while the restaurant’s high ceilings, natural light and Middle Eastern touches give you a different backdrop for your lunch meeting.
Where: Fouquet’s, Louvre Abu Dhabi
When: Thursday, 8 October 2026
Time: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Price: From AED 165
More info here
For more things to do in Abu Dhabi click here
Friday 9 October
Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival 2026
Head to NYU Abu Dhabi this weekend for films, talks, and activities exploring the environment. The festival’s theme this year is Mend, looking at how people care for and restore the natural world.
One of the films you can catch is Promised Sky, a Tunisian drama about three women whose lives become intertwined when an orphaned little girl arrives at their home. There’s also documentaries, animation, panel discussions, and environmental activities to check out across the three days.
Where: The Blue Hall, The Arts Center, NYU Abu Dhabi
When: Friday, 9 October 2026; running until Sunday, 11 October 2026
Price: From AED 15.75
Book your spot here
Saturday 10 October
Harry Potter Trivia night at DNA Board Games cafe
Think you know your Sirius Black from your Mad-Eye Moody? Or do you remember the Triwizard Tournament, the Dementors and everything that happened at Hogwarts? Gather your fellow Potterheads, grab a drink, and see who really has their wands at the ready at DNA Board Game Cafe.
Where: DNA Board Games Cafe
When: Saturday, 10 October 2026
Time: 8:00 pm
Price: AED 60 - includes one beverage
Book your spot: +971 54 339 4595
More info here
Sunday 11 October
Morgan Jay live at Etihad Arena
The man with his mic, Morgan Jay, is bringing The Goofy Guy Tour to Etihad Arena this Sunday. He might be playing guitar one minute, turning a poem into a song the next, then bringing the audience into the joke. You never quite know where a conversation with him will go, which sounds fun.
We hosted Morgan Jay on The ADR Chat podcast, where he talks about how he mixes music, poems, and comedy during his shows. Listen to the man himself before the show to get a feel for what’s coming.
Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island
When: Sunday, 11 October 2026
Time: Doors open at 6:30 pm
Price: From AED 275
Listen to the podcast here
Book your spot here
Free Ladies’ Walk at Al Qattara Oasis
Start your Sunday morning with a walk through Al Qattara Oasis in Al Ain. You’ll pass palm trees, shaded paths and old falaj irrigation channels as you explore the oasis on foot. Grab your girls and join the walk, or come along solo and meet some new people along the way.
Meet the group outside Zoi Al Qattara five minutes before the 7:15 am start. The walk is free and there’s no registration, plus you can join the group for coffee and breakfast at a local cafe afterwards to fuel up.
Where: Al Qattara Oasis, Al Ain
When: Sunday, 11 October 2026
Time: 7:15 am
Meeting point: In front of Zoi Al Qattara
Price: Free
More info here
