Top 10: Find New Year's Eve events and register for fitness challenges in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and more

Your essential guide to what's happening in the Emirates

Ring in the new year at Al Maryah Island with live musical performances from 10pm and fireworks from midnight. Al Maryah Island
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Abu Dhabi

New Year's Eve

Make plans to visit the promenade on Al Maryah Island to usher in the New Year with a music-and-fireworks spectacular. Enjoy live performances by Kadim Al Saher (Zidini Ashqan), who will also lead the midnight countdown to the fireworks, and Balqees (DeeJay, Ya Hawa and Deggo Khbaity). Large floating screens will ensure everyone has a view of the performers. There will also be food trucks for outdoor dining.

Tonight, from 7pm; concerts start at 10pm; fireworks from midnight, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, www.facebook.com/AlMaryahIsland

Dubai

Exhibition

Catch the final day of the exhibition Faces-Places, which features artworks by Indian artist Ria Sharma and Pakistani artist Raja Najam Ul Hassan. Through Sharma's cubism faces and Hassan's expressionism landscapes, the two artists share a dialogue of acceptance, peace and harmony. Pictured: Yellow Field by Raja Najam Ul Hassan

Today, 10am to 6.30pm, Studio Seven, Oxford Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, www.facebook.com/studiosevenfirm

See works by Ria Sharma and Raja Najam Ul Hassan (pictured: a detail of Yellow Field) at Faces-Places at Studio Seven in Dubai.
See works by Ria Sharma and Raja Najam Ul Hassan (pictured: a detail of Yellow Field) at Faces-Places at Studio Seven in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi

Fitness venue

End the year at StartYas by enjoying a walk, jog, run or ride around the 5.55-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit, a community health initiative by Daman ActiveLife. Rent bikes and helmets from Fun Ride Sports or take advantage of the 400 bikes available to borrow from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Sundays, 6pm to 10pm, free with registration, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, register at www.yasmarinacircuit.com

Abu Dhabi

Fitness class

Register now to start your New Year with a fitness challenge at Bodytree Studio. The Shred bootcamp, which is open to both women and men, includes heavier weights and circuit conditioning. This intense class combines stability, power, mobility, endurance and flexibility. You can also challenge yourself, your spouse or a friend to complete this dynamic workout and finish with a healthy juice from Nectar.

Friday, 9.30am to 10.45am, from Dh135 per person; Dh225 per couple, Bodytree Studio, Abu Dhabi, 02 443 4448, info@bodytreestudio.com

Abu Dhabi

Concert

Ring in the New Year with a performance by Katy Perry at du Arena. The American singer brings her glittering stage show to the capital for the first time. Hits include Firework, California Gurls, Hot N Cold and Roar.

Tonight, 6pm to 2am, from Dh350, du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.ticketmaster.ae

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Abu Dhabi

Fireworks

Head to Yas Island for a great view of the six-minute fireworks finale at du Forum Winter Carnival. The event features fun activities for all ages, including a food market, snow park, rides, traditional funfair games, prizes, crafts and performances, which will be open until 12.30am.

Today, 2pm to 12.30am; fireworks at midnight, free entry and fireworks viewing, du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, www.yasisland.ae

Dubai

Fitness event

Register to take part in the CycleBar Sweat-A-Thon led by Brett Richard Fitness, and raise money for the animal-rescue organisation Sniff, which helps strays and abandoned creatures. Ride alone or get a team of up to four riders together, and have friends and family sponsor each kilometre you ride. The ride is open to all fitness levels, and every single kilometre counts. There will be prizes for top riders and post-workout snacks and goodies.

January 27, doors open at 4pm; class from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, Dh50 registration fee for up to four riders for the same sponsor, Dh10 minimum fee per kilometre, CycleBar Dubai, info@cyclebar.ae

Register to take part in a charity indoor bike ride at CycleBar Dubai that will support Sniff, an animal rescue organisation. CycleBar Dubai
Register to take part in a charity indoor bike ride at CycleBar Dubai that will support Sniff, an animal rescue organisation. CycleBar Dubai

Dubai

Family fun

Bay Square, Business Bay is set to ring in the New Year with a festive ambience. Special activities include a winter market, jazz band and craft workshops to make dreamcatchers and paper fireworks. Entertainment includes stilt walkers and mime acts, plus a screening of the film New Year’s Eve.

Today, noon to 1.30am, Bay Square at Business Bay, Dubai, www.facebook.com/BaySquareDubai

Dubai

New Year’s Eve

Downtown Dubai presents a new style of New Year’s Eve celebrations with Light Up 2018, which will use building facades as the backdrop for a spectacular light show. The event will be a Guinness World Record attempt and organisers have also hinted at additional surprises.

Tonight, from 6pm with fireworks at midnight, Downtown Dubai, www.facebook.com/DowntownDubai

Dubai

Exhibition

Alliance Française Dubai presents the group art exhibition Sinyar, the Khaleeji word for the departure of caravans. The exhibition, by Emirati and French artists, features paintings, multimedia works and art tapestries, all inspired by the heritage of the Gulf and the friendship between the UAE and France. Pictured: Khor Dubai by Claude Guenard

Daily until January 14, 9am to 8pm, Sundays to Wednesdays; 9am to 5pm on Thursdays and Saturdays (closed Fridays), La Galerie, Alliance Française Dubai, Oud Metha, Dubai, 04 335 8712, www.afdubai.org

Visit the exhibition Sinyar, featuring works by French and Emirati artists, at La Galerie at Alliance Francaise Dubai.
Visit the exhibition Sinyar, featuring works by French and Emirati artists, at La Galerie at Alliance Francaise Dubai.