This upcoming week is the perfect time to do THIS. You have still got a comfortable window before the frantic mall-dash for presents kicks in, the weather is finally behaving, and with only three working days we have… there is really no excuse to stay at home glued to another series (you probably polished one off last week anyway).

So what am I suggesting? Pack your bags, top up the car, and point yourself straight towards Abu Dhabi for a super-cultural, super-artsy and cool two-day escape — part nostalgia tour of the classics, part deep dive into the long-awaited new openings.

First — Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi

A few numbers to set the scene: 35,000 square metres — that is the size of the museum; 13.8 billion years — the span of time its collection covers; 25 metres — the length of the female blue whale on display; 7 billion years — the age of the Murchison meteorite you will find inside; and finally, 67 million years — the age of Stan, the world-famous Tyrannosaurus rex who has already taken over Instagram barely two weeks after opening. Impressive, isn’t it?

NHMAD marks one of the biggest expansions in Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape. What makes it especially compelling is the way it blends global specimens with a strong focus on regional natural history — so you are not only travelling through Earth’s story, but also seeing how the Gulf fits into the larger picture, with its own unique features and environmental heritage.

The museum spans several fields — zoology, palaeontology, geology, marine biology, environmental and biodiversity research, among others — bringing together extraordinary artefacts with new technologies that create a deeply immersive experience (something the UAE always excels at). Another and the last number worth noting: the museum showcases around 2,600 specimens in total.

Insider tip: Set aside at least 1.5 hours if you are the type who moves briskly from one gallery to the next, and 2.5 to 3 hours if you prefer exploring at a normal museum pace.

Second — Zayed National Museum

To begin with… even before you step inside, it already looks extraordinary. And if you happened to walk along the seashore on Saadiyat Island over the past year, you will have seen its five steel towers rising like a falcon’s wings — a beautiful nod to Emirati heritage and a hint of the stories waiting inside. So it is no exaggeration to say this has been one of the most anticipated openings of the year.

The museum is made up of six large galleries, each exploring a different part of the nation’s story — from unification and the history of the ruling family to archaeology, the natural environment, and the development of society. So, the short answer to “what exactly will we see there?” is: a lot. But if I had to sum it up, it is the history of the UAE told across every sphere of life — social, economic, political, cultural, and natural.

Not intrigued yet? Hard to believe, but easily fixed. Here are a few standout pieces you will find inside:

Third — Manar Abu Dhabi

The first thing to point out is timing — unlike the Natural History Museum or the Zayed National Museum, which are open year-round, Manar Abu Dhabi is temporary, running only until 4 January. And the second is the format, which is what truly sets it apart: a public light-art exhibition made up of 23 installations, each shaped by the UAE’s varied landscapes, with a few global inspirations woven in too. As the organisers describe it, it is “a dive into nature through art and light,” and even the name fits, with "manar" meaning “light” in Arabic.

This year, the main hub of Manar Abu Dhabi is Jubail Island. And although all 23 works are worth exploring, a few deserve a special mention:

And these are just three — which means there are still 20 more artworks waiting to be discovered.

First — NYUAD Art Gallery

The NYUAD Art Gallery, operated by New York University Abu Dhabi, is the only university-run gallery in the Gulf region. What sets it apart is its commitment to temporary exhibitions only (meaning there is no permanent collection) which allows each show to dive into a cultural or social issue relevant to the UAE or, more broadly, the Middle East. One exhibition might explore rapid urbanisation in the Gulf, another might delve into personal histories, archives, AI, or even environmental themes like rising sea levels and desert ecology.

So what is on at the moment?

The current exhibition is Past of a Temporal Universe. It brings together two decades of research — cultural cartographies, old photographs, political archives, and personal memories — all tracing the evolving stories of Arab cities. The result is a rich blend of textiles, drawings and archival materials that let you see these cities through the eyes of Ala Younis – the Kuwaiti researcher-based visual artist. The exhibition is open until January 18.

Second — Louvre Abu Dhabi

If you live in the UAE, chances are you have already been to the Louvre Abu Dhabi — and probably more than once. But this month, even regular visitors have something new to look forward to. As aside from its permanent collection the museum always brings in temporary exhibitions to make sure there is a reason to return. And right now, there are two worth highlighting.

Third — Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi

Some of you might point fingers at me and say this one should really sit at the very top of the list — and fair enough. But I actually think it is the perfect place to wrap up your little adventure.

Why is it so special? Because it is quite literally the heart of arts and culture in the capital. Founded in 1981, the Foundation brings together everything in one place: modern and contemporary art galleries, a Children’s Library, an Art Centre, workshop and studio spaces, and even a theatre. It is a proper cultural hub — one of those places where you could easily spend hours without realising.

So what is on at the moment?

To make sure you are not surviving purely on “art food” — and to give yourself a few normal bites in between your cultural pilgrimage — here is a small list of spots that are cool, a touch fancy, and perfect for a quick but genuinely lovely breakfast or lunch.