Abu Dhabi heats up for a summer of top events

The inaugural Abu Dhabi Summer Season will feature about 50 events, including illusionist shows, film premieres and a host of locally produced activities in hotels, malls and various other destinations.

Ballerinas perform Swan Lake by the Royal Moscow Ballet. The Summer Season will include a host of cultural events. Courtesy of Alchemy Project

ABU DHABI // From ballet to comedy to big screens on Yas for the Fifa World Cup – it is going to be one of the coolest summers the capital has seen.

The inaugural Abu Dhabi Summer Season will also feature about 50 events, including illusionist shows, film premieres and a host of locally produced activities in hotels, malls and various other destinations.

“We are moving towards becoming a year-round destination,” said Sultan Al Dhaheri, acting executive director of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, which

launched the season on Monday.

“This programme is designed to appeal to all nationalities and ages. We want to persuade travellers that any time is a good time to have a great time in Abu Dhabi,” he said.

One of the main events is at Du Forum on Yas Island, which will be transformed into a World Cup viewing venue from June 12 to July 13.

With Ramadan expected to begin on June 28, iftar will also be provided and doors will open daily at 7pm.

“It is all about the Fifa World Cup and we’ve envisioned this for the entire family with separate areas for ladies, families and football mega fans,” said John Lickrish, chief executive of Flash Entertainment, the event organisers. “Designed for all residents, this football hangout is for everyone and will also be a hub for Ramadan festivities.”

Another summer event is “Cinderella”, a performance by the Royal Moscow Ballet company and accompanied by lead soloists of the renowned Bolshoi Ballet, while La Verita, a theatrical homage to the life and work of the artist Salvador Dali, will be showcased from August 21 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The season will also include concerts and performances by artists from the Middle East, Russia and the United States, live children’s shows, theatre spectaculars and a regional film premiere.

“We have linked up with leading event producers and our own stakeholders to deliver an unforgettable season for our stay-at-home residents and visitors, particularly those we are hoping to attract from throughout the GCC and India,” said Mr Al Dhaheri.

He added that more than 150 hotels in the emirate would take part in the season and offer attractive deals to visitors from the GCC and India.

According to the authority, in the first three months of this year 834,771 guests checked into the emirate’s accommodation – up 32 per cent on the same period last year.

Abu Dhabi Summer Season will run from June 5 to August 31.

For more details log on to www.abudhabisummerseason.ae.