SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is hosting a neon-themed festival. Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is hosting a neon-themed festival. Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is hosting a neon-themed festival. Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is hosting a neon-themed festival. Photo: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

Things to do in the UAE this week, from an underwater neon festival to silent yoga


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Indoor festivities continue this week as UAE temperatures peak this summer. There are plenty of things to do in the shade, with a busy calendar of events to choose from.

Here, The National rounds up seven things to do from Monday to Sunday.

Monday, July 22

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is hosting its Electric Ocean Festival. Filled with neon colours, sounds and other live elements, it tells the story of the human connection to the ocean.

Visitors can expect live performers, from breakdancers to stilt walkers, in neon-painted luminous marine-inspired costumes. A live DJ is on site to provide the beats. Children, or even their adult companions, can head to the neon art station to create their own glowing artworks. There's also a station to get glow-in-the-dark face paints, as well as a collection of in-theme merchandise to browse through.

Daily until August 25; 6pm-8pm; from Dh290 for a day pass; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; seaworldabudhabi.com

Tuesday, July 23

The H Dubai can offer some inner peace as the hotel celebrates International Self-Care Day with a silent yoga session.

Taking place at The Gallery Cafe, the fitness activity combines the serenity of yoga with the power of immersive music. Participants can expect a guided yoga flow by Dayana Solano, while wearing headsets that play soothing melodies to enhance their focus.

July 23; 6.30pm-7.30pm; Dh100 per person; The H Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road; hhoteldubai.com

Wednesday, July 24

A still from City of God. Photo: Cinema Akil
A still from City of God. Photo: Cinema Akil

How about movie night at Cinema Akil in Al Quoz, where the annual Summer of Classics film festival returns? The art house cinema is playing 17 movies as part of the seasonal programming, including Korean drama Oldboy (2003), British film Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and Japanese-French classic Hiroshima, Mon Amour (1959).

On Wednesday, movie lovers can catch M Night Shyamalan's hit horror The Sixth Sense (1999) at 7pm and crime drama City of God (2002) at 9.45pm.

Until September 20; Dh56.50 per film; Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai; cinemaakil.com

Thursday, July 24

Aquaventure World at Atlantis The Palm is hosting Summer of Sharks and involves guests taking part in education activities, learning about UAE's native shark species and other ocean-themed fun.

Guests can try hand-feeding stingrays for Dh480 per child and Dh530 per adult. There's also a guided free diving experience for Dh795. The venue has set up a shark discovery trail too, as well as educational stations and expert talks to to provide a deeper insight into the creatures. Arts and crafts stations are also on site. And look out for a friendly shark mascot roaming around.

Until August 12; 10am-9pm; Aquarium day passes start at Dh85 per person; Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; aquaventureworld.com

Friday, July 26

Order some vegan ice cream from House of Pops on Deliveroo. Photo: House of Pops, Deliveroo
Order some vegan ice cream from House of Pops on Deliveroo. Photo: House of Pops, Deliveroo

Get your ice cream fix from House of Pops, which has partnered with delivery platform Deliveroo to create exclusive summer flavours inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine.

Three flavours are available: watermelon with a hint of basil, a fragrant blend of rose water and tangy lemonade as well as a fusion of vegan ashta, apricots and saffron.

Until July 31; Dh39 for a pint, Dh99 for a pack of three; exclusive on Deliveroo; houseofpops.ae

Saturday, July 27

A one-day-only brunch is being hosted at Above Eleven to celebrate Peruvian Independence Day. Bringing the spirit of Fiestas Patrias to the Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Dubai, diners can expect colourful traditions, live music and, of course, dishes from the South American country.

The brunch menu features a range of classic ceviche and anticuchos, as well as an umi selection, la cevi-carretilla, un poco de verde and quinotto or a traditional Peruvian quinoa risotto. Finish the meal with an assorted dessert platter. Food aside, live entertainment is available to set the mood, from dancers to drummers and a DJ.

Guests are encouraged to wear red and white to the party.

July 27; 1pm-4pm; from Dh350 per person; Above Eleven Dubai, Marriot Resort Palm Jumeirah, Palm West Beach; 04 666 1420

Sunday, July 28

Pop culture geeks can head to Times Square Centre in Dubai for a speedy swap event. Entrepreneurs, artists and enthusiasts can trade, buy or sell different paraphernalia on site, from handmade items to comics, Funko pops, trading cards and other pop culture memorabilia. Card games and other digital tournaments are also part of the event.

Enthusiasts of all ages are welcomed, from seasoned collectors to curious newcomers.

July 27 and 28; noon-9pm; free to attend; Picnic Square, Times Square Centre; timessquarecenter.ae

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

From Conquest to Deportation

Jeronim Perovic, Hurst

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

%3Cp%3EMATA%0D%3Cbr%3EArtist%3A%20M.I.A%0D%3Cbr%3ELabel%3A%20Island%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Cinco in numbers

Dh3.7 million

The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown

46

The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.

1,000

The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]

50

How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday

3,000

The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

1.1 million

The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.

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Updated: July 22, 2024, 4:40 AM