Abu Dhabi Offers Markets, Exhibitions, and Outdoor Screenings This Weekend

Abu Dhabi hosts multiple events across its islands and waterfront this weekend of 11-12 July.

The timing follows the summer calendar that opens new shows at major cultural sites after the Eid holiday period. Families seek indoor and shaded options as daytime temperatures stay above 40 degrees Celsius.

At the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, the ongoing "Impressionism to Modernism" display runs with timed entry slots from 10am to 6pm on both days. On Yas Island, the Yas Marina Circuit opens its karting track for public sessions priced at 120 AED per 15 minutes.

Visitor numbers at Saadiyat venues reached 185,000 in the first half of 2026, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism. Entry to the Louvre Abu Dhabi exhibition costs 65 AED for adults and includes access to the permanent collection.

Outdoor options near the Corniche

The Abu Dhabi Corniche hosts a night market on Friday evening with 40 local vendors selling food and crafts from 6pm to 11pm. The adjacent Al Hosn Cultural Site screens classic Emirati films outdoors at 8:30pm both nights, with free seating on mats provided by the organiser.

Attendees should arrive early for parking at the Corniche public lots, which fill by 7pm on weekends. Tickets for the film screenings are not required but donations support the site’s preservation fund.

Practical steps before heading out

Check the Department of Culture and Tourism app for any last-minute changes to opening hours. Book Louvre Abu Dhabi slots online to avoid queues at the Saadiyat gate, and carry water when moving between venues on Yas Island and the Corniche.