The March issue of What’s On invites you to think back to your school days when you’d mess around in the art room, get covered in paint and then take your masterpiece home to your parents who’d stick it proudly on the fridge door and say how wonderful it was – even though it was random splodges of paint that depicted nothing at all.

Art Dubai comes to town and we have the lowdown on this ever-growing festival. We’ve talked to the director, artists and gallery owners about what to look out for. Throughout the magazine, we’ve given you fun pages for you to colour in so you can join in the fun of the festival.

There’s more thought-provoking fodder with an in-depth view of the Festival Of Literature. We’ve spoken to authors from the fields of fiction, technology, politics, food, psychology and travel to find out what makes them tick and why books matter.

The other major event in March is the Dubai World Cup or, to use its nickname, the richest horse race in the world. Take a trot through our style guide to look your best for the big night out.

On the Dubai stage this month, there not one, but two incredible spectacles of dance. Coming from Australia, Tap Dogs presents tap dancing like you’ve never seen it before, as six blokes in work boots bash their way around an industrial set made of scaffolding. Lord Of The Dance, meanwhile, is Irish dancing at its dizzying, rat-a-tat-tat best. Both are global hits and both will get your feet tapping. For children, the Gruffalo hits the Madinat Theatre and Peter Pan flies into the World Trade Centre.

For photography fans, there’s the Gulf Photo Plus exhibition. Among the many highlights is a retrospective of Gregory Heisler, one of the most renowned portrait photographers in the world who has seen some pretty famous faces through his viewfinder, from Bruce Springsteen to Julia Roberts. If you love looking at wacky furniture, then our preview of Design Days will interest you.

For foodies, we’ve rounded up the best veggie grub in Dubai and spoken to Jean-Christophe Novelli who’ll be at Taste Of Dubai. We’ve also been to new restaurants such as Mexican hangout Tortuga, Italian café Sapori Di Bice, tapas bar Salero and the Levantine-style Nawwara.

There are all the regulars such as travel, gigs, film, fitness and well-being, plus lots of news on spa treatments, which is handy because you might need a manicure after all that colouring in.