Celebrity chefs, free yoga, beachside brunches, pool parties and more…

While many people have got either Ed Sheeran’s sold out concert or the four day festivities for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the brain, there’s still plenty happening for those hanging out in Dubai. From celebrity chefs behind Michelin star restaurants, to pool parties, free yoga classes, new brunches and theatre, we’re spoiled for choice in Dubai this weekend.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend…

Thursday November 23

1. Dine at the hands of a superstar chef

World-renowned chef Sergio Herman, who holds three Michelin stars at his Oud Sluis restaurant in the Netherlands, is at the world’s highest restaurant, At.mosphere for a two-night dining experience this Wednesday and Thursday. The eight-course dinner menu will include Zeeland Oysters, Creamy North Sea Crab, Scallops with Yuzu, New Zealand Mussels prepared with aged cheese, Langoustine Caviar and Lobster fregola with truffle.

At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, Nov 22 and 23, 6pm to 11.30pm, Dhs1,550 food only, Dhs2,500 including wine. Tel: (04) 888 3828. More info on website.

2. Take part in some free yoga

To mark the end of their Wellness Week, Copthorne Hotel Dubai is hosting a free hour-long yoga session this Thursday. The class will be lead by Diana Azavedo from Radiance of Yoga and it will take place poolside at the hotel’s Gazebo Terrace. As well as free yoga, Veri Peri restaurant are offering a special dinner set menu for Dhs20 for all those who attend the session. Booking is essential.

Gazebo Terrace, Copthorne Hotel, Deira, Dubai, Thurs 6.30pm to 7.30pm, free. Tel: (04) 309 9000. More info on website

3. Experience an English Country Ball

Tom & Serg and The Courtyard Playhouse are teaming up this Thursday and Friday for an evening of dinner and theatrics. Encouraged to don your best evening wear, revelers can expect to enjoy some immersive improvised theatre lead by guest suggestions for the title of Austen’s undiscovered work such as Satwa and Solitude, Pride and Perspex, and Darcy does Downtown. It will be served up alongside a three-course meal and non alcoholic beverages for Dhs295.

Tom & Serg, 15A Street, Al-Joud Center, Al Quoz, 8pm to 10pm, Thurs Nov 23 and Fri Nov 24, Dhs295. Tel: (056) 474 6812 . Reserve here

4. Enjoy cheese and wine for Dhs99 at Jean Georges

Jean Georges has a host of new offers running every Thursday night. There’s a happy hour from 5pm till 8pm where guests can enjoy a cheese selection with a glass of wine for Dhs99 per person, 50 per cent off drinks and 30 per cent off the food menu. There will also be performances from a live French band.

Jean Georges Dubai, Four Seasons Dubai, Jumeirah, 5pm to 8pm. Tel: (04) 343 6118. More info on website.

5. Soak up the sun at a new beach club

A brand new upscale beach club, Drift, will open its doors this Thursday at the One and Only Royal Mirage. The luxury beach club will be home to an infinity pool, private beach and Provençal cuisine. Entrance fees apply and include beach and pool access, beach towels, water, sun cream and a seasonal fruit platter.

One and Only Royal Mirage, The Palm, daily 9am to sunset, weekdays Dhs250, weekends Dhs300. Tel: (04) 315 2200. More info on website.

6. Kick off the weekend with The Thirsty Games

There’s a fun new Thursday night happening once a month at McGettigan’s JLT called The Thirsty Games. It’s open to all and free to attend, but teachers will get 75 per cent off house drinks from 4pm to 7pm, followed by 25 per cent of all drinks when they show their staff ID. Classic family games like Scrabble, Twister and Connect Four, and even a good old fashioned egg and spoon race will be paired with a night of music and drinks.

McGettigan’s JLT, Cluster J, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, daily 12pm to 3am. Tel: (04) 378 0800. More info on website

Friday November 24

7. Enjoy a nine-course dinner at Atlantis The Palm

In celebration of Atlantis, The Palm’s Culinary Month, two of the world’s best chefs, Stéphane Buron and Grégoire Berger will present a special ‘Four Hands’ dinner of nine courses for Dhs895 per head for two nights only. Stéphane Buron of the Michelin starred, Le Chabichou in Courchevel, will join Ossiano’s Chef de Cuisine, Grégoire Berger to curate a menu that will feature Langoustine with smoked leek and goose, seared Foie Gras with beetroot and Gregoire’s signature dish, the rainbow trout “Floating Island” with cauliflower royale, caviar and dill. Plus, book this weekend between 24 and 27 of November for stays until summer 2018 and enjoy 25 per cent off Rooms & Suites starting from Dhs975.

Ossiano, Atlantis The Palm, Thurs Nov 23 and Fri Nov 24, 7pm to 11pm, Dhs895. Tel: (04) 426 2626. More info on website

8. Brunch al fresco on a hidden Downtown terrace

Our favourite newcomer restaurant Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera has launched a new Garden brunch every Friday. From 12pm to 4pm you can enjoy Downtown views from the Dubai Opera rooftop, a menu of oysters, sharing starters and choice of mains, with an option of a soft, house or champagne beverage package.

Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Fridays 12pm to 4pm, Dhs380 soft, Dhs480 house, Dhs580 champagne. Tel: (04) 362 7312. More info on website

9. Walk and raise awareness

The annual 3km Beat Diabetes Walk returns this Friday November 24 at 8am at the Dubai Creek Park to help raise awareness about diabetes and reinforce the need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The gates of the Dubai Creek Park will open at 7am, and the event will kick off with several activities such as Zumba, yoga and dance sessions to warm up participants before the walk.

Dubai Creek Park, The Creek, Dubai, 7am onwards, Fri Nov 24, Dhs20 adults, Dhs10 children. Tel: (04) 517 4000. More info on website

10. Have a lazy lunch by the beach

Rockfish, the Mediterranean seafood restaurant at Jumeirah Al Naseem has launched a new ‘lazy lunch’ brunch concept running every Friday. From 1pm to 4pm the four course menu will come with unlimited crudo, followed by a selection of starters served to the table, then seafood-fuelled sharing platters for mains. If you have space left, there will be four desserts served on the table: a Strawberry and Cream Cheesecake, Raspberry Gateau Saint Honoree Textures and Temperatures of Chocolate and Date Mont Blanc.

Rockfish, Jumeirah Al Naseem, Fridays, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs350 soft, Dhs450 house. Tel: (04) 275 2555. More info on website

11. Enjoy four days of pool parties at Zero Gravity

Zero Gravity is turning four years old this weekend, and to celebrate they’re offering four days of their sellout Supernatural Saturday brunch from Thursday to Sunday. The five-hour all-inclusive brunch will be a poolside celebration from 12pm to 5pm each day, and girls pay Dhs225, while guys pay Dhs275.

Zero Gravity, Sky Dive Dubai, Dubai Marina. Nov 23 to Nov 26, 12pm to 5pm, Dhs225 ladies, Dhs275 gents. Tel: (04) 399 0009. More info on website 

Saturday November 25

12. Dine at half price while watching the fountains

Souk Al Bahar Italian restaurant Serafina has a tasty lunch offer every weekend that comes complete with daytime fountain views. Every Friday and Saturday, get 50 per cent off the a la carte menu from 12pm to 3pm. Plus there’s a fountain show at 1pm and 1.30pm on both days.

Serafina, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, Fri and Sat 12pm to 3pm. Tel: (04) 363 8447. More info on website.

13. Spend Saturday at a Venetian Carnival

Celebrating the 24th anniversary of their Italian restaurant Casa Mia this month, Le Meridien Dubai is hosting a Venetian Carnival this Saturday. The event will host food stalls and beverage stands with live acts and entertainment from Italian band ‘Sax and boys’, while Meridien Village Terrace’ resident band Flames will also take centre stage. The festival is free to enter and there will also be a dedicated kids activity area.

Casa Mia, Le Meridien Dubai, Garhoud, Sat Nov 25, 12pm to 9.30pm, free. Tel: (04) 217 0000. More info on website

14. Tuck into an Asian street feast in the Madinat

Chilli Crab Festival is back at Madinat Jumeirah for four days this weekend. Celebrating the best of the Far East, the famous Singaporean chilli crab will take center stage. There will be food stalls, cooking demos and live entertainment. Plus it’s free entry.

Amphitheatre at Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Weds 3pm to 12am, Thurs to Sat 12pm to 12am. More info on website

15. Get in the Christmas spirit with a festive film

With the festive season just around the corner, movie-lovers can catch the holiday-themed  adventure-comedy, A Bad Moms Christmas, which is out in cinemas across Dubai this weekend. The sequel to the 2016 film Bad Moms, the second installment follows the journey of three under-appreciated and over-burdened women as they rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for moms: Christmas.

Novo Cinemas, from Thurs Nov 23, various timings and locations including Ibn Battuta Mall and Dragonmart. More info on website

16. Get Christmas shopping at Reform’s festive market

Get into the festive spirit and kick off your Christmas shopping with Reform’s festive market. There will be more than 30 vendors selling fashion, jewellery and homeware pieces from boutique stalls from 12pm to 6pm. There will also be festive-themed face painting, arts and crafts, Magic Phil shows and a Santa’s grotto to keep the whole family entertained.

Reform Social & Grill, The Lakes, 12pm to 6pm, Sat Nov 25,  free entry. Tel: (04) 454 2638. More info on website

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