Fight your Monday blues by planning a fun activity to do this week. From taking the kids out to enjoy the last few moments of summer break to the newest culinary experiences, Abu Dhabi is packed with fun experiences this week. Whether you’d like to explore a new activity at Al Qana or treat yourself to a naughty sweet treat, these are all the fun things to do in Abu Dhabi from August 17 to 20.

Take the kids for a cool day out at the ice rink at Zayed Sports City. Catch the last week of the rink’s Ice Skating Summer Camp, running every day this week. From 9am to 1pm, children aged 5-16 can pick up a new skill before they head back to the classroom at the end of the month.

When: Running everyday till August 21, 9am to 1pm
Where: The Ice Rink, Zayed Sports City
Price: Online booking: Dhs920 (5-day package), Dhs210 (daily rate); Walk-in registration: Dhs980 (5-day package) Dhs240 (daily rate)
Contact: @zayedsportscity

If you’re after something a little different, Art House Café is packed with character. This colourful hidden gem is filled with quirky décor, vintage touches, murals and artistic details around every corner. From the eclectic interiors to the leafy outdoor seating area, there are endless photo opportunities throughout the space. It’s the kind of café where no two corners look the same, making it a favourite for creatives and coffee lovers alike.

Where: Al Huwelat Street, Villa 15, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily, 9am to 11pm
Contact: (02) 666 0175

Need a catch-up with your besties? Plan a meet-up on Tuesday at Coopers Abu Dhabi. From 5pm until midnight, you will get two hours of bottomless drinks for just Dhs89. Pair it with bites from the food menu for a sweet 50% discount. Book your spot on 02 657 3325.

Where: Coopers Abu Dhabi, Park Rotana Abu Dhabi
When: Tuesdays, 5pm until midnight
Cost: Dhs89 for two-hours of bottomless drinks plus 50% off the food menu
Contact: 02 657 3325, @coopersabudhabi

Enjoy a slow morning at  The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi, Al Qana to get creative with some of nature’s most stunning inspiration. The Brushes & Butterflies guided session invites participants to paint while thousands of butterflies move freely around the tropical planting and easels. The experience includes all painting materials, professional instruction from FoscaArt, a completed canvas to take home and complimentary admission to the gardens.

Where: The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi, Al Qana
Where: Every Thursday throughout August 2026; 8:00am – 10:00am
Cost: Dhs250 per person
Contact: @thebutterflygardensuae

This sweet afternoon experience designed for two, making it the perfect duo day out. Available daily, the afternoon tea features a tempting spread of sweet treats, including lemon meringue tartlets, Paris-Brest, pistachio madeleines, macarons and candy rolls. Each guest can also choose one drink, with coffee, tea and signature mocktails on offer. Served in Isabel Mayfair’s elegant dining room, it’s a lovely excuse to slow down and catch up with friends or family over an indulgent afternoon. It will cost you just Dhs200 per set for two guests.

Where: Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi, The Galleria, Abu Dhabi
When: Daily, 3pm to 6pm (last reservation at 5:30pm)
Cost: Dhs200 per set, serving two guests
Contact: 02 562 0045, @isabelabudhabi

Skip the evening cook at your kitchen and head over to Berenjak Abu Dhabi for a delicious mid-week dinner treat. Berenjak stays true to the pillars of Iranian cuisine, dishing up family favourites with a twist. Every item on the menu is listed in Persian, offering an assortment of signature mezzes paired with a selection of warm bread, slow-cooked stews and the pièce de resistance of every Iranian meal: tahdig and kebabs.

Where: Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi
When: Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 4pm; 6pm to 11:30pm; Friday to Saturday: 12pm to 12:30am; Sunday: 12pm to 11:30pm
Cost: Average of Dhs250 for two
Contact: 02 643 3776 @berenjak.uae

Hailing from Tokyo, Japan – teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a spectacular tech-driven multi-sensory experience. The immersive art experience relies on naturally occurring environmental forces like light, wind and water to constantly evolve and morph. The shifting exhibits also acts as a mechanism that warps through high temperatures outdoors – and thats a good enough reason for you to head to teamLab Phenomena this summer. UAE residents can currently enjoy an exclusive summer discount, making the trip out even more enticing.

When: Daily, 10am to 10pm
Where: teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Cultural District
Price: Adult tickets starting from Dhs155; Child tickets starting from Dhs55
Contact: @teamlab_phenomena

As day turns to night, The National Aquarium will host a Neon Underwater Painting workshop every Thursday in August from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Fluorescent paints and UV black lights will turn the space into a glow-in-the-dark studio, with hammerhead sharks, rays and thousands of marine animals swimming through the live aquarium environment behind participants as they work.

When: 4:00pm–6:00pm
Where: The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, Al Qana
Price: AED 260 per person
Contact: @thenationalaq