WOW-ABUDHABI

⛵ Yas Marina Hosts UAE’s First 69F Regatta – A New Era of Competitive Sailing 🌊✨

Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi’s iconic lifestyle and leisure destination, proudly unveils the UAE’s first-ever 69F Regatta, marking a groundbreaking moment in the nation’s sailing history. Held in collaboration with 69F Sailing, this world-class event runs until March 2026, bringing one of the most dynamic and futuristic sailing formats to the sparkling waters of Abu Dhabi. ⚓🌅

The 69F Regatta introduces the world’s only full-foiling, one-design monohull yacht, a vessel that blends speed, technology, and unmatched hydrodynamic precision. Inspired by the elite performance of the America’s Cup, this innovative format adds a thrilling new dimension to competitive sailing, captivating both seasoned enthusiasts and first-time spectators. 🚤💨

The excitement unfolds across three race weeks:
📆 19–25 January 2026
📆 9–15 February 2026
📆 9–15 March 2026

Residents and visitors can gather along the stunning Yas Bay Waterfront to witness international teams battle it out in a spectacle of agility, strategy, and high-speed competition. The regatta reinforces the UAE’s growing commitment to premier sailing experiences and strengthens Yas Marina’s role as a world-leading maritime destination. 🌍✨

Jassim Albastaki, General Manager of Yas Asset Management, expressed pride in hosting this regional first, highlighting Yas Marina’s dedication to innovation, excellence, and global sporting prestige.

With its prestigious 5 Gold Anchor Platinum accreditation, Yas Marina continues to offer an unparalleled combination of exceptional yacht facilities, world-class dining, entertainment, and leisure — now elevated further by the debut of the 69F Regatta. 🌟⛵

📍 Location: Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
📞 Contact: +971 800 6274627

Abu Dhabi is ready to shine on the global sporting stage once again as the Longines League of Nations™ and The Emirates Jumping Cup return this February for their third consecutive year 🌍🏆. Taking place from 11–15 February 2026, the five-day international show will be hosted at its new home, the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, marking an exciting new chapter for one of the UAE’s most prestigious equestrian events.

With a total prize fund exceeding €1.3 million, the event brings together elite sport, family-friendly entertainment, and vibrant lifestyle experiences 🎉🐴. As the opening leg of the 2026 Longines League of Nations™ season, the world’s leading show jumping nations will begin their campaign on Emirati soil, ahead of the final in Barcelona this October.

Spectators can expect thrilling performances from top-ranked international riders, including Simon Delestre, Daniel Deusser, and Sophie Hinners, alongside powerhouse teams from Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the USA, and hosts UAE 🇦🇪🌐. The UAE team returns with the same celebrated lineup that secured second place in 2025, promising another strong showing on home ground.

Friday evening’s headline Longines League of Nations™ team competition will see nations battle it out over a demanding 160cm course, with Round One starting at 18:30 and the decisive round at 21:00 🔥. The programme also includes CSIO5*, CSI2*, Junior and Children’s classes, culminating in Sunday’s Emirates Jumping Cup presented by Longines.

Beyond the arena, visitors can enjoy live performances, a reimagined Team Parade, and the bustling Arcades shopping village 🛍️☕. With free general admission, world-class sport, and a vibrant social atmosphere, this event promises five unforgettable days in the capital.

📅 Dates: 11–15 February 2026
⏰ Gates Open: Daily from 08:30
📍 Location: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Abu Dhabi
🎟️ Entry: Free general admission
📞 Hospitality: Packages available on request

🌟 A must-attend highlight on the UAE sporting calendar.

Five epic days of anime, cosplay, music, food, and pop-culture magic

Abu Dhabi transforms into a living anime universe as Animenia Abu Dhabi 2026 returns to Manarat Al Saadiyat from 11 to 15 February 2026. Inspired by the hidden corners of Neo-Tokyo, this immersive festival invites fans to step into glowing streets, interactive anime worlds, and unforgettable pop-culture experiences 🌃🎨.

Across five action-packed days, visitors can explore iconic universes from BLEACH, DAN DA DAN, SPY x FAMILY, and GINTAMA, each brought to life through detailed scene recreations, interactive zones, and fan-favourite moments 🗡️👓👘. From nostalgic classics to cutting-edge anime culture, Animenia celebrates creativity in all its forms.

Expect bold Harajuku fashion, irresistible Japanese street food, high-energy J-Pop performances, gaming zones, workshops, shopping, and standout cosplay moments 🎶🍜🎮. One of the biggest highlights is the Animenia Cosplay Competition, featuring a massive AED 400,000 prize pool and judged by world-renowned cosplay icons, making it a must-see spectacle 👑🔥.

With ticket options ranging from weekday and weekend day passes to 5-Day Festival Passes and the exclusive Super VIP Pass, there’s an experience for every kind of fan. Whether attending for one day or the full journey, Animenia promises memories that go far beyond the screen.

📍 Location: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
📅 Dates: 11 – 15 February 2026
⏰ Timings:
• Wed–Fri: 16:00 – 00:00
• Sat–Sun: 15:00 – 00:00
🎟️ Tickets: From AED 95
📞 Contact: +971 2 657 5800

Step into anime. Live the story. 🌸⚡

Step into an unforgettable theatrical experience where poetry meets protest and satire sings truth to power. Kavan is an operatic satire entirely performed through poetry and song, following the journey of Bejul—a young man depoliticised into silence—on his awakening into a political poet. Set against the backdrop of India’s contradictions, this bold performance tackles love, dreams, and dilemmas while confronting the entrenched realities of caste and class.

In Marathi, Kavan means the songs of resistance—poems meant to be performed, not just read. This work blends Shahiri folk protest music from Maharashtra with folk, electronic, rock, and rap to create a charged, genre-crossing soundtrack. A collaboration between Yalgaar Sanskrutik Manch, known for their powerful Ambedkari Shahiri Jalsa performances, and Nalanda Arts Studio, the opera is both a celebration of cultural activism and an urgent call for reflection in the world’s largest democracy.

📅 Date: Thu 12 Feb – Sat 14 Feb
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
💰 Tickets: AED 52.50 – AED 105
📍 Venue: The Black Box, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi

Prepare for an evening of music, humour, satire, and collective storytelling that challenges, inspires, and stays with you long after the curtain falls.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a twist at The Garden: Race Meeting 10, where romance, racing, and a lively social atmosphere come together under the evening sky 🏇💖. Taking place on Friday, 14 February at the iconic Abu Dhabi Turf Club, this special race night offers a refreshing way to mark the occasion—whether shared with a partner, friends, family, or enjoyed solo.

As Purebred Arabians and Thoroughbreds take to the track, guests can soak in the excitement from The Garden, a dedicated trackside green space designed for relaxed socialising 🌿🎶. The setting features gourmet mobile eateries, a refreshment bar, live music, and family-friendly entertainment, creating a festive backdrop for an unforgettable Valentine’s night at the races.

Adding to the thrill, guests are invited to join the “Pick and Win” contests, where participants can predict race winners for a chance to win cash prizes 🏆. Entries close 30 minutes before the first race, making it the perfect way to add a little friendly competition to the evening.

Families are warmly welcomed, with children aged 3 to 12 enjoying access to a playground, activities, and carousel rides 🎠. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Guests arriving by car should proceed to Gate 2 and present their e-ticket upon arrival, then head to the Reception Booth for ticket scanning.

Please note that tickets are final and 100% non-refundable, and correct ticket selection is required at purchase.

📅 Date: Saturday, 14 February
⏰ Doors Open: 4:30 PM
🏁 First Race Starts: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: The Garden, Abu Dhabi Turf Club
💰 Price: From AED 60
📞 Contact: +971 2 445 5500

An evening of racing, rhythm, and relaxed Valentine’s vibes awaits at The Garden 💕🏇

Step into a world where movement becomes storytelling and emotion takes centre stage as Akram Khan’s Giselle by English National Ballet arrives in Abu Dhabi as a special performance film screening 🎥✨. Presented at the atmospheric Cultural Foundation Amphitheatre, this cinematic reimagining of the iconic Romantic ballet offers audiences a powerful and deeply moving experience.

Set in a stark, divided society, Giselle unfolds in a world shaped by inequality and exclusion. Giselle is part of the “Outcasts” — migrant garment factory workers cut off from their livelihoods by an imposing wall separating them from the wealthy Landlords who once depended on their labour. When Giselle falls in love with Albrecht, unaware that he belongs to the privileged class, her story takes a heartbreaking turn 💔.

Betrayal leads to tragedy, and in the second act, Giselle joins the Wilis — ghostly women bound by loss and vengeance. As Albrecht faces their wrath, Giselle must choose between revenge and forgiveness, transforming the ballet into a haunting meditation on love, justice, and redemption 🌙🩰.

Choreographed by Akram Khan, the production is defined by intense, athletic movement and raw emotion. Vincenzo Lamagna’s dark reworking of the original score and Tim Yip’s monumental visual designs heighten the drama, creating an immersive and unforgettable cinematic experience.

This screening reveals Giselle as a timeless story, resonating powerfully with today’s themes of borders, displacement, and humanity — a must-see for lovers of dance, cinema, and storytelling 🎭✨.

📅 Date: Sunday, 15 February
⏰ Doors Open: 18:30 | Screening Starts: 19:00
📍 Location: Cultural Foundation Amphitheatre, Abu Dhabi
🎟 Tickets From: AED 60

🌙🐟 A Seafood-Centred Iftar This Ramadan at Ocean Basket 🐟🌙

This Ramadan, Ocean Basket invites diners to experience Iftar from a refreshingly different perspective with a Mediterranean-inspired seafood feast designed for sharing and togetherness. Available all day throughout the holy month at Ocean Basket Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi, the limited-time Ramadan Seafood Platter brings a lighter yet satisfying alternative to traditional after-sunset dining, perfect for families and friends gathering around the table.

Guests begin Iftar in the customary way with complimentary dates, followed by a comforting bowl of Ramadan-style harira, gently easing into the evening. The experience then takes a fresh turn with a strawberry hazelnut salad and refreshing hibiscus iced tea, setting the tone for a meal that feels both nourishing and celebratory.

At the heart of the table sits the generously curated Ramadan Seafood Platter, available in two sharing sizes. Priced at AED 299 for two or AED 499 for four, the platter delivers exceptional value and variety. Each spread features a bountiful selection of Dover sole, Argentinian and Prince prawns, mussels, and calamari, accompanied by golden fries and fragrant rice—bringing together Ocean Basket favourites in a centre-of-table feast made for passing, sharing, and lingering conversations.

Ideal for intimate catch-ups or larger family Iftars, this seafood-led experience captures the true spirit of Ramadan—connection, generosity, and time well spent. For those looking to switch things up while still honouring tradition, Ocean Basket offers a delicious reason to gather this season.

📅 When: Available all day throughout Ramadan
📍 Location: Ocean Basket, Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi
💰 Price: AED 299 for two | AED 499 for four
📞 Contact: +971 2 677 4116

✨ Made for sharing. Made for Ramadan.