As all of the students at NYU Abu Dhabi start to get settled in after J-term and winter break and as classes begin to become routine, many of us may be looking for ways to put our ever-limited free time to its best use. Luckily, there are many events and offers taking place throughout Abu Dhabi and the greater Emirates in the upcoming weeks. Here’s a peek into some of the cool things to try out.

Image courtesy of Sharjah Light Festival

The annual Sharjah Light Festival is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year with a more stunning show than ever before. Taking place from the fifth to the fifteenth of February, this colorful festival showcases a series of nineteen daily light shows projected across the facades of the city’s best landmarks.

In addition to being mesmerized by the visual spectacles, be sure to check out the collection of over 30 dining options available at the city’s Food Truck Festival opposite University City Hall.

To get there, you can take the public bus from Al Wahda Station to Sharjah or to Dubai, where you can then grab a water taxi from Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Dubai to Aquarium Marine Station in Sharjah. Additionally, while in Sharjah, you can take advantage of the special route organized by City Sightseeing Sharjah tour bus service to see all of the light shows.

Image courtesy Scene Noise

From Feb. 25 until Feb. 28, the internationally-renowned Hay Festival will be coming to Abu Dhabi. Taking place at Manarat al-Saadiyat, this event brings together dozens of artists of all crafts from around the world. Only one bus stop away from campus, take in one of the evening lectures, discussions, or concerts. The best part is that the tickets are free for all people under the age of 25, including a concert by the much-loved Lebanese band Mashrou Leila that will take place on February 25th at 10:00 p.m.. Get your tickets now for all of the events that you would like to attend before they sell out!

Image courtesy of Pixaby

Looking for something fun to do this Valentine’s Day? Missing your pet from home? Head to Yas du Arena to attend the annual Yas Pet Festival. With pet shows, animal demonstrations and over 9,000 pets expected to attend, there will be no shortage of adorableness. Taking place from 1 to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 14th, this free event is something that animal lovers do not want to miss.

Image courtesy of Sony Classics

On Feb. 17, head to the nearby Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi to enjoy a free screening of the film Capharnaüm, the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. After the film screening, attendees will be able to take part in a Skype call with the film’s director Nadine Labaki. Depicting contemporary issues of refugees, Lebanon and the Middle East, this film and the following discussion will be a truly unique experience for anyone interested in film or contemporary social issues.

The event takes place from 7:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.. To get there, you can take the public X7 bus from NYUAD’s campus to Sorbonne’s Reem Island campus.

Image Courtesy of What's On UAE

Just a 10-minute taxi drive away from campus, the city’s newest natural attraction — a raised walkway that allows you to walk through the mangroves in Jubail National Park — allows community members to easily discover the often-hidden biodiversity of this area. The attraction is free to attend, and the park is open daily from 8:30 p.m. until 2 p.m.. Enjoy the nice weather, get some exercise in and marvel at the many animals that call the mangroves their home.

To get there, take a taxi to Al Jubail Island. We recommend looking up directions here before you go, as many taxi drivers may not know the new location.

Image courtesy of Time Out Abu Dhabi

Every Saturday during the winter and early spring, Umm Al Emarat Park, near Al Musrif, transforms into an open air market and festival. Showcasing a selection of live music, food options, and local craft and produce vendors, it’s the perfect way to spend a casual Saturday with friends.

The Ripe Market is open weekly on Saturday from 9 a.m. am until 3 p.m. Entrance to the park costs 10 AED. You can get there either by taxi or public bus.