Happy Friday, Abu Dhabi!
This is one of those weekends where the capital is fully switched on.
Major winter festivals are mid-run, headline concerts are drawing crowds from across the UAE, and family-friendly programming is layered across the city from afternoon through late evening. With school holidays ongoing and a long public holiday stretch ahead, this is a weekend where planning even a little bit ahead makes a noticeable difference.
Friday’s edition is about focus. Not everything that’s happening - just the plans most worth committing to right now.
Here are the five strongest picks of the weekend.
TOP 5 PICKS - ABU DHABI
If you only book five things this weekend, make them these:
1) MOTN Festival - Abu Dhabi Corniche
The easiest yes. Food, rides, roaming entertainment, and live concerts - all in one place.
👉 Explore MOTN Festival
2) Hussain Al Jassmi & Kadim Al Sahir - Live
The weekend’s anchor concert. Two iconic voices, one stage, one night.
👉 Book concert tickets
3) Liwa Festival & Liwa Village
Desert-scale winter festival with concerts, culture, and food zones. Worth the drive.
👉 Explore Liwa Festival
👉 Liwa Village tickets
4) Monster Jam - Abu Dhabi
High-adrenaline motorsport spectacle with arena-scale stunts.
👉 Get tickets
5) Al Qana Winter Festival
Relaxed waterfront festive vibes - best paired with dinner.
👉 Discover the festival
NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE THE WEEKEND
Partial Road Closures on King Abdullah Street Until Monday
Authorities have announced partial closures on King Abdullah Street as infrastructure works continue through the weekend.
Why this matters for the week:
Expect delays during peak evening hours
Extra travel time recommended for Corniche events
Plan alternative routes if heading to major festivals or concerts
New Parking Regulations Introduced in Mohamed Bin Zayed City
Updated parking rules have come into effect for commercial sectors in MBZ City, impacting residents and visitors.
Why this matters now:
Increased enforcement around retail and dining areas
Weekend parking habits may need adjustment
Worth checking signage before leaving your car
Bryde’s Whales Spotted Off the Abu Dhabi Coast
Marine authorities have confirmed sightings of Bryde’s whales in Abu Dhabi waters - a rare and positive environmental indicator.
Why this matters:
Highlights the emirate’s growing marine biodiversity
Weekend boaters urged to remain cautious and respectful
A reminder of Abu Dhabi’s evolving natural environment
Abu Dhabi Festival of Health Gains Momentum
The Abu Dhabi Festival of Health is helping residents address lifestyle and wellness challenges through citywide initiatives.
Why this matters for the week:
Increased focus on preventative health
Public participation programmes expected to expand
Wellness conversations gaining traction citywide
CNN to Welcome 2026 with New Year’s Eve Broadcast from Abu Dhabi
CNN has confirmed it will ring in 2026 with a live New Year’s Eve special broadcast from Abu Dhabi.
Why this matters:
Global spotlight on the capital
Signals more international-scale productions
Reinforces Abu Dhabi’s positioning as a global events city
MAJOR FESTIVALS & SEASONAL EXPERIENCES
MOTN Festival - Abu Dhabi Corniche
The capital’s flagship winter festival remains the most flexible plan of the weekend. MOTN is built for wandering - rides, food stalls, pop-up retail, roaming performers, and rotating headline concerts that let you decide your night as it unfolds.
It works just as well for families early in the evening as it does for groups staying late, particularly when live shows take over the main stages.
📅 Dates: Ongoing
📍 Location: Abu Dhabi Corniche
💰 Cost: Free entry (rides, games & concerts vary)
👉 Explore MOTN Festival
Liwa Festival & Liwa Village
For those willing to drive, Liwa Festival delivers one of the UAE’s most immersive winter experiences. Desert-scale programming brings together concerts, cultural performances, food zones, and traditional activities across multiple themed areas.
This is not a quick visit - it’s a commitment plan, but one that rewards time spent.
📅 Dates: Ongoing
📍 Location: Liwa, Al Dhafra
💰 Cost: Mixed free & ticketed zones
👉 Explore Liwa Festival
👉 Liwa Village tickets
Al Qana Winter Festival
If you want festive atmosphere without scale fatigue, Al Qana’s winter festival delivers. Expect waterfront décor, family-friendly activities, food pop-ups, and relaxed evening energy.
This works particularly well if you’re pairing it with dinner nearby.
📅 Dates: Ongoing
📍 Location: Al Qana
💰 Cost: Free entry
👉 Discover the festival
Urban Winter Market
A lifestyle-focused winter market blending local shopping, food stalls, and casual entertainment in an easygoing setting.
📅 Dates: Ongoing
📍 Location: Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: Free
👉 Visit the market
Winter at Al Qattara
A cultural winter programme in Al Ain featuring performances, workshops, exhibitions, and family-friendly activities in a heritage setting.
📅 Dates: Ongoing
📍 Location: Al Qattara, Al Ain
💰 Cost: Free
👉 See programme
HEADLINE CONCERTS & LIVE MUSIC
Hussain Al Jassmi & Kadim Al Sahir - Live in Abu Dhabi
The anchor concert of the weekend. Two iconic Arabic voices share one stage in a rare dual-headliner performance that draws audiences from across the region.
This is the largest single-ticket concert happening in Abu Dhabi right now.
📅 Date: Sat, Dec 27
📍 Location: Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: Ticketed
👉 Book concert tickets
Rasha Rizk - Live at MOTN Festival
A nostalgic favourite whose performances blend emotional connection with the easy-going MOTN festival setting. This is a strong early-evening or family-friendly concert option.
📅 Date: Thu, Dec 26
📍 Location: MOTN Festival
💰 Cost: Included with entry
👉 See event details
Akhras - Live at MOTN Festival
A contemporary booking designed for younger crowds spending the full evening at MOTN, with strong late-night energy.
📅 Date: Fri, Dec 27
📍 Location: MOTN Festival
💰 Cost: Included with entry
👉 View performance
Bilal Derkay - Live at MOTN Festival
Closing out the weekend with a high-energy set aimed squarely at late-night festival crowds.
📅 Date: Sun, Dec 28
📍 Location: MOTN Festival
💰 Cost: Included with entry
👉 See show info
SPORTS & LIVE ACTION
Big energy, fixed timings, no guesswork
Monster Jam - Abu Dhabi
One of the loudest, most high-adrenaline spectacles of the winter season. Monster Jam brings oversized trucks, arena-scale stunts, and tightly choreographed motorsport chaos to Abu Dhabi for a limited run.
This is a destination event - structured, time-bound, and particularly strong for families with older children or anyone wanting something completely different from concerts and festivals.
📅 Dates: Fri, 26 Dec - Sat, 27 Dec
📍 Location: Moreeb Dune, Liwa
💰 Cost: Ticketed
👉 Get tickets
Al Wahda FC vs Khorfakkan FC
A domestic league fixture offering a straightforward live-sports option for the weekend. Pricing remains accessible, crowds are local and engaged, and the atmosphere builds naturally as the match progresses.
📅 Date: Sun, 28 Dec
📍 Location: Al Nahyan Stadium
💰 Cost: AED 20+
👉 Match details
Good option if:
You want live action without committing to a full evening festival or concert.
CULTURE, EXHIBITIONS & IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES
Al Ain Retro
A nostalgic cultural festival celebrating heritage, vintage aesthetics, classic cars, and traditional entertainment. Best visited in the evening when the atmosphere builds and temperatures cool.
📅 Dates: Last Day Today
📍 Location: Al Ain
💰 Cost: Free
👉 See event details
Maktaba Anime Hub
A creative pop-culture hub centred on anime, illustration, workshops, and youth-focused programming. Best suited for teens, young adults, and creative communities.
📅 Dates: Ongoing till Tue, 30 Dec
📍 Location: Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: Free / registration required
👉 Explore the hub
Dolce Vita Friday Night - La Terrazza
An Italian-themed evening combining live music, classic dishes, and a calm, social crowd. Ideal if you’re avoiding high-energy nightlife.
📅 Date: Friday night
📍 Location: La Terrazza
💰 Cost: À la carte
👉 Event details
Asian Night - La Terrazza
A rotating Asian dining concept with live entertainment that transitions naturally from dinner into late evening.
📅 Dates: Ongoing till Tue, Dec 30
📍 Location: La Terrazza
💰 Cost: À la carte
👉 See details
Beach Bliss Saturdays
A daytime beachside social featuring food, music, and relaxed coastal vibes. Works well as a pre-evening plan before concerts or festivals.
📅 Dates: Ongoing till Sat, Dec 27
📍 Location: Abu Dhabi
💰 Cost: Varies
👉 See event
WEEKEND WEATHER SNAPSHOT
Expect classic Abu Dhabi winter conditions across the weekend:
Daytime: Mild and comfortable
Evenings: Cooler - light layers recommended
Outdoor suitability: High
This is an excellent weekend for festivals, waterfront walks, and desert events, with no major disruptions expected.
That completes your Abu Dhabi Minute - Friday Edition.
From large-scale festivals and arena concerts to motorsport, markets, and relaxed waterfront evenings, the capital is offering a real range this weekend - exactly what December in Abu Dhabi does best.
If this guide saved you time, pass it on to someone still deciding what to do.
We’ll see you on Monday for a special New Year's edition.
– Matthias
