Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for December 25, 2016, including Christmas attractions, food markets, art exhibitions, fitness events, performances, film screenings and family fun.
Abu Dhabi
Art exhibition
See the exhibition Visions of the Future which features some of the most established artists in the UAE, as well as young talent, bringing a fresh character to Emirati art.
Until January 5, 10am to 9pm, Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Villa 15, Huwelat Street, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, www.etihadmodernart.com
Abu Dhabi
Art exhibition
See No White Walls, featuring works by professional artists in the UAE who have collaborated on an initiative to develop the art scene in Abu Dhabi.
Daily until Friday, 9am to 9pm, main arts corridor, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Between the Bridges, Abu Dhabi, 02 645 3333, www.facebook.com/NoWhiteWallsUAE
Abu Dhabi
Fitness event
Get back in the saddle or hit the ground running as StartYas is on again after a short break for the Grand Prix. Spend the evening walking, jogging or biking around the 5.55 kilometre Yas Marina Circuit and enjoy the cooler weather as you get fit, stay fit, or start your New Year’s resolutions early. Bikes and helmets are available for rent from Fun Ride Sports and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi provides 400 complimentary bikes each week.
Tonight, 6pm to 10pm, free with registration, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, register at www.yasmarinacircuit.com
Abu Dhabi
Festive fun
Celebrate Christmas at the Venetian Village Wonderland. The little ones can enjoy displays of snowmen, reindeers, a gingerbread house, Christmas tree and can play on the bouncy castle. The restaurants at Venetian Village have festive dining offers for Christmas.
Today, activities from 3pm to 8pm, restaurants open from 12.30pm to midnight, Venetian Village, The Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Abu Dhabi, www.venetianvillage.ae
Dubai
Art exhibition
In Word Chimes; Meaning in Movements, Pakistani artist Simeen Farhat presents a solo show of works that she describes as a record of her own evolution, in that art is synonymous with life. It features abstract forms created out of dyed cast resin and texts of poems in various languages, as well as the artist’s personal writings.
Daily until January 24, 10am to 6pm daily, XVA Gallery, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai, 04 353 5383, www.xvagallery.com
Dubai
Performance
Book tickets now for Ballet Grand Gala. Opera de Paris dancers, featuring star dancer Dorothée Gilbert and first soloists Hugo Marchand and Hannah O’Neill, will present a classic repertoire including Romeo and Juliet, La Sylphide and Le Corsaire, Flames of Paris, Donizetti and more.
January 6, 2pm and 8pm and January 7, 6pm, from Dh280, Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, www.madinatjumeirah.etixdubai.com
Dubai
Art exhibition
Rituals of Love is an exhibition by Syrian artist Waddah Al Sayed that presents 25 paintings showing the world of poetry.
Daily until January 10, 10am to 7pm, Sundays to Thursdays; 10.30am to 4.30pm on Saturdays (closed Fridays), Lamiatos Gallery, Podium Level P153, Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC, Dubai, 04 342 5243, www.lamiatosgallery.com
Nationwide
New movie
Sing is an animated film that features the voices of Matthew McConaughey as the koala Buster Moon, who is the owner of a music theatre and has a slightly senile green iguana, Karen Crawley (Garth Jennings), as his assistant. The film follows Buster’s attempts to save his theatre from closure by hosting a singing competition. Musical comedy with Arabic subtitles, also featuring voices by Reese Witherspoon and Seth MacFarlane.
Screening at cinemas across the UAE. (G)
Dubai
Fitness
Get pumped this holiday at The Beach Gym, a fully-equipped outdoor gym by the sea with equipment for all sorts of full-body workouts. There are CrossFit items, weights, a rope climb, kettlebells, rowing machines and jump boxes, plus group cycling classes and personal training sessions.
Open 6am to midnight, weekdays; 6am to 11pm, weekends, Dh60 daily entry fee, The Beach, JBR, Dubai, 04 323 2323, www.thebeach.ae
Dubai
Festive food
Discover the authentic taste of an Italian Christmas at the Segreto Festive Market. Pick from an array of delicious Italian goods on sale – from homemade biscuits and Fregola Sarda to Stollen Marzipan and Italian rice.
Until December 30, 6pm to midnight, Segreto, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, 04 432 3232
