It's a particularly busy week for UAE residents with the return of annual celebrations, events and festivals, including Chinese New Year and the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. In Abu Dhabi, Al Hosn is hosting a heritage-focused event and there's also a three-day wellness meet-up.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do around the Emirates, from January 27 to February 2.
Monday, January 27: Al Hosn Festival
Head to Al Hosn cultural site in Abu Dhabi for a dose of Emirati heritage. The venue is celebrating Al Hosn Festival with a packed programme running until February 9. Souqs, children's workshops, traditional shows and art exhibitions are on the cards, spread across three zones: heritage, crafts and community.
Food and drinks spots are also available via a handful of pop-ups from home-grown and up-and-coming brands such as Flat Burger, Munch, Noodle Box and Hotdog Bar.
Daily, 4pm-11pm; from Dh35; until February 9; Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi; 02 697 6400
Tuesday, January 28: Chinese New Year
Chinese restaurant Zheng He's at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam is celebrating Chinese New Year with a curated menu courtesy of chef Wong Lian You. Highlights include cod, egg white dumplings, poached clay pot chicken with Sichuan pepper sauce and hand-rolled vegetarian rice rolls.
The menu is available until February 9 and the restaurant will host a lion dance troupe, performing against the backdrop of Burj Al Arab, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Other Chinese New Year-themed menus in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are available here.
Daily, 12.30pm-10.30pm; a la carte; February 9; Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai; 800 323232
Wednesday, January 29: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
Literary buffs can head to InterContinental Dubai Festival City for the return of the annual Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. The event gathers award-winning writers and speakers to conduct author talks, panel discussions and workshops.
Among the renowned names attending is American writer and physician Abraham Verghese, whose 2023 novel The Covenant of Water was selected as part of Oprah's Book Club and was in The New York Times bestseller list for 37 weeks.
Other names on the agenda include Booker Prize-nominated Nigerian author Chigozie Obioma, Emmy Award-winning journalist Hala Gorani, Tanzanian-British novelist and academic Abdulrazak Gurnah and Palestinian chef and cookbook author Fadi Kattan.
Some events are free of charge, and others go up to Dh2,000 per person.
Times vary, beginning on Wednesday and running until Monday; Dubai Festival City; 054 349 8508
Thursday, January 30: RollDXB Sharjah pop-up
RollDXB will be at City Centre Al Zahia in Sharjah until the end of February. The pop-up indoor rink is open to all skill levels and will feature special events, themed nights and dynamic classes for children and adults.
Monday to Wednesday, 10am-10pm, Thursday to Sunday, 10am-midnight; from Dh90; until February 28; Al Zahia, Sharjah; 058 006 868
Friday, January 31: Afghan supper club
A supper club at the Afghan restaurant Kishmish in Dar Wasl Mall will run under the theme Tahchin Nights. Tahchin, derived from the Farsi words tah (bottom) and chin (to layer), is a rice cake made with yoghurt, saffron and aromatic spices. The crust is made crispy by scorching, while the layers are traditionally filled with chicken or meat.
The restaurant's chef-founder Iman Nazemi will showcase her roots by creating different tahchin dishes, including the traditional saffron-infused tachchin with barberries, almonds and pistachios, as well as one layered with chicken in a saffron-onion gravy.
Friday, from 7.30pm; Dh195 per person; Al Wasl Road, Dubai; 050 426 1663
Saturday, February 1: Kayan Wellness Festival
Global wellness experts will be taking to the shores of Fahid Island in Abu Dhabi for Kayan Wellness Festival. Talks and immersive wellness sessions will be part of the programme. Big-name guests include renowned biohacker and human biologist Gary Brecka, acclaimed therapist and author Marisa Peer and physician and holistic thought leader Zach Bush.
Guests can visit the body zone for workshops and fitness sessions, while the soul space will feature meditation and sound healing.
Friday to Sunday, from 10am; from Dh75; Fahid Island, Abu Dhabi; kayanwellnessfestival.com
Sunday, February 2: Motoring-themed picnic
Make Sunday family day at the Grand Picnic at Safa Park, where there will be displays of stunning and quirky cars and motorbikes, as well as live music and a host of food and drinks pop-ups. A series of other car-related activities will be held on-site, too, including themed arts and crafts for children, as well as live demos.
Sunday, 10am-6pm; free; Safa Park, Dubai; thegrandpicnic.ae
