Abu Dhabi's Weekend: Markets, Exhibitions, Outdoor Activities Await

Abu Dhabi kicks off its July weekend with more than 40 listed events running from Friday evening through Sunday, according to listings compiled by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

The timing aligns with the end of the school term and the start of the summer holiday period for many families, pushing demand for indoor and shaded venues that can handle daytime temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.

Organisers at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation on Al Hosn Street have added an extra evening market slot on Friday, while Yas Island will host a pop-up food festival near the marina starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Markets and family activities

The Cultural Foundation market will feature 35 local vendors selling dates, honey and handicrafts from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, with live oud performances in the central courtyard. On Yas Island, the marina food festival includes 18 stalls offering Emirati fusion dishes and international street food, with entry priced at 25 AED for adults and free for children under 12.

Both sites provide shaded seating and misting stations to manage the heat, and parking at Yas Marina has been expanded by 200 spaces for the weekend.

Cultural stops and practical details

Attendance at similar July markets last year reached 12,000 people across two days, according to authority figures. This weekend’s schedule also includes a free photography walk at the Corniche on Sunday morning starting at 7 a.m., limited to 80 participants who must register through the authority’s app by Saturday noon.

Visitors should check the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority website or app for updated timings, book parking in advance at Yas Island and carry water when moving between venues.