What’s on in the UAE this week: New year wellness classes, Mariah Carey gig and a zoo pop-up

The new year is here and with it comes plenty of opportunities to try something new. From more exercise to less junk food, here are seven things to try this week across the Emirates.

Today

Start the year right with a morning of calmness and zen at Zoga – a vegan cafe and yoga studio. Both branches in Dubai Internet City and Downtown Dubai are hosting a yoga and brunch package, inclusive of a one-hour wellness session and healthy bites courtesy of the in-house kitchen – nourishing both body and soul.

▶ Monday, 10am-11.30am; Dh180 per person; Dubai Internet City and Downtown Dubai; www.zoga.ae

Tomorrow

Continue the week with an immersive sound-healing session at the Theatre of Digital Arts.

The meditation takes advantage of the venue’s technology and uses tonal frequencies to restore vibrational balance. Ancient instruments such as gongs, singing bowls and ocarinas will provide the sounds for the class.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own mat, plus a hoodie and socks as body temperatures tend to drop during the session.

▶ Tuesday, 8pm-9.20pm; Dh230 per person; Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai; www.fareharbor.com

Wednesday

For those doing Veganuary – a vegan-only diet for January – grab a meal at Michelin-lauded Punjab Grill, which has branches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Indian restaurant, led by executive chef Sandeep Ali, has launched a limited-edition vegan menu with dishes such as banana stem salad; tofu tikka masala; roasted beetroot baked in phyllo parcels; sweet and sour pumpkin on fried rice bruschetta served with lentil soup; and Punjabi carrot halwa cake crumble with ice cream and orange butterscotch sauce.

▶ Daily, 11.30am-11.30pm at Anantara Downtown Dubai; noon-midnight at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal; until January 31; www.punjabgrill.me

Thursday

Go on a midweek cheat day and order Couqley’s limited-edition king’s pie on Thursday. Also known as galette des rois, the dish is associated in many countries with Epiphany, a Christian holiday celebrating three wise men, or kings, visiting baby Jesus.

The pie is available for dinein, takeaway and delivery.

▶ Until January 31; Dh249 for the whole pie, Dh49 for single portion; Cluster A, JLT; 04 514 9339

Friday

Animal lovers can head to Umm Al Emarat Park on Friday for a pop-up in collaboration with Al Ain Zoo.

Visitors can interact with several birds of prey, parrots, snakes and other reptiles.

Mariah Carey will launch Saadiyat Nights, an openair music series on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island