We know it’s still Thursday, but that Friday feeling is just way too contagious. We’ve already got our weekend hats on so we scoured the city and found the best things to do from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23.

Nothing says Friday better than some free food. Al Qana Drive Thru has got your cravings covered. All you have to do is show up in your car and line up in front of your favourite restaurant on the lot. Struggle with making a decision on what to get? We’ve put together a list of all the restaurants participating in the deal and what they’re giving away. Have a look and set your mind on what you’d like to get before you arrive.

When: Friday, 4pm onwards
Where: Al Qana Drive Thru
Price: Free
Contact: @alqana_ae

If you’re in Baniyas and the kids are getting bored, head over to Bawabat Al Sharq Mall for immersive programmes where learning, imagination and family fun come together under one roof. The theme is ‘Big Dreams Take Flight’, so expect high-flying entertainment to power up your back to school shopping.

When: August 21 to 30; 4:00pm to 10:00pm
Where: Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, Baniyas East
Price: Free
Contact: @bawabatalsharqmall

This newly opened contemporary Emirati restaurant at Dalma Mall reimagines the flavours of the Emirates for the modern day eater. Gather your friends and family for a weekend catch-up while exploring a cuisine that has fed this nation for decades.

When: Daily; 10:00am to 2:00pm
Where: Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi
Price: Average of Dhs200 for two
Contact: @ana.restaurant

Abu Dhabi never misses an opportunity to give you stunning memories. You can now cross horse riding on the beach off your bucket list by booking a session at Muhab Equestrian Training & Riding.

Guided by a trainer, this is the coolest way to catch an evening summer breeze by the beach. Book your beach horse riding session any day of the week. You can even add a professional photo shoot with your horse if you’d like to hold on to the magical memory.

When: Daily 6am to 10pm
Where: Muhab Equestrian Training & Riding, Hudayriyat Island
Price: Beach Horse Riding: Dhs126 for 15 mins; Dhs210 for 30 mins
Contact: 050 322 8889

End the summer holidays on a high note and celebrate one last summer weekend of great food, live music, karaoke and family fun before the new school term begins. With a kids’ zone featuring games and fun activities, live music, live food stations and more, this is the perfect Saturday out this weekend.

When: Saturday, 22 August 2026; 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Where: Porters, Abu Dhabi
Price: Dhs249 per person, including unlimited house beverages
Contact: 056 685 0539

Spend the day volunteering to help care for and improve the lives of stray and community cats. Sometimes, the most rewarding weekends are the ones you spend making a positive impact on the communities around you. If you’d like to support, sign up as a volunteer here.

When: Volunteer schedules vary
Where: Specific to Al Forsan, The Club, Al Mayan, Al Mamsha, and Al Rayyana areas
Price: Free
Contact: @awad.ae

Tickets are still on sale to see Sonu Nigam live, the iconic voice behind some of Bollywood’s most memorable soundtracks. Get your ticket and head to Etihad Arena Abu Dhabi for an evening of timeless hits, emotional ballads and the melodies that have defined generations of fans.

Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: August 21
Cost: Prices from Dhs150
Contact: @etihadarena

Go visit Skin of Dreams by Shezad Dawood at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation this weekend. The exhibition invites visitors into the richly textured universe Dawood has been shaping for over two decades. Its the perfectly quiet weekend activity for a cool afternoon out in the summer.

When: Daily, till September 9
Where: Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation
Price: Free
Contact: @abudhabicf

A perfect Sunday afternoon just has to include all the trimmings with a juicy roast chicken. If you’re looking for a place to get your fix, visit Crafty Fox at Yas Links. Choose from succulent beef, tender chicken or a flavourful vegetarian option, each served with all the classic trimmings and your choice of a pint of Stella or a glass of house wine. This might just be the most comforting, food-coma inducing way to end the weekend in Abu Dhabi.

When: Sundays, 12pm to 9pm
Where: Crafty Fox at Yas Links
Price: Dhs145
Contact: 02 404 3077

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