Happy New Year, all you fine folks. But before you let your festive recovery seep too far into the month, it’s best to take a note of what to do in January 2016. Here are a few dates that should definitely make your planner:
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January 1-2
Mubadala World Tennis Championship
Grand Slam winners Rafa Nadal and Stan Wawrinka top the bill at the annual Mubadala Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi. But accolades don’t get you victories in tennis, so expect a fierce challenge from the like of David Ferrer and crowd favourite Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.
mubadalawtc.com
January 7-8
Ballet Grand Gala
Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah will host the peerless French ballet stars from the Paris Opera, with the likes of the acclaimed ballerina Dorothee Gilbert performing both contemporary and classic pieces. Definitely one to win you some brownie points with the missus.
madinatjumeirah.com
January 14 to 16
Hankook 24H Dubai
The 24-hour endurance race at the Dubai Motorcity Autodrome, with touring GTs and 24H-Specials as well as GT3 and purpose-built race cars. Best of all, it’s free admission.
24hseries.com
January 19-20
Russell Peters
The superstar Indo-Canadian comedian is back in town. Here are three of his best quips:
– “Why is it people who work in a shoe store, think that you’re shoe size is negotiable?”
– “Indians are the second largest population in the world, but we’re invisible on TV – everything is either black or white”
– “I’ve been cast in a Hindi film. I’ve heard there will be some dancing around trees in this one”
russellpeters.com
January 21-24
Abu Dhabi Golf Championship
A huge line-up of talent – including Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Henrik Stenson – will drive, chip and putt their way around the Abu Dhabi National Golf Course in search of the Falcon trophy.
abudhabigolfchampionship.com
January 22
Dubai Marathon
More than 25,000 amateur and professional runners will take to the Dubai streets, competing over the marathon, 10k and 4k distances. With the field including last year’s winner Lemi Berhanu, it will take something special to beat the recent domination by Ethiopia’s distance runners.
dubaimarathon.org
January 28-29
Simple Minds
If you don’t recognise this ‘80s powerhouse by name, you’ll certainly recognise these classic tunes:
“Don’t You (forget about me)”
“Alive and Kicking”
“Waterfront”.
The Scottish band will be playing at the Dubai Tennis Stadium and Doha Golf Club.
simpleminds.com