Theatre, comedy, music, shopping, brunching, lunching and ladies’ nights…

Already planning your weekend? Us too.

And this one’s set to be action packed. If you’re looking for live music, comedy and theatre, we’ve got the city’s best cultural events – or if it’s big parties, brunches and ladies’ nights, we’ve rounded up the best of those too.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend…

Thursday January 18

1. Head to Irish Village for some live music

The sassy High On Heels band will be performing live at The Irish Village this Thursday. It’s an all-female line-up from a collection of musical talent including a DJ, percussion, vocals, electric violin and horns section. It’s free entry, with selected drinks at Dhs30 all night.

The Irish Village, Garhoud, 9pm to 2am, Thursday January 18, free entry. Tel: (04) 2395000. More info on website

2. Laugh out loud with some stand-up comedy

New York funny woman, Carmen Lynch, will be treating guests to a master class in live stand-up on Thursday at Media One’s ON42. Brought to you by The Laughter Factory, she will be followed by Scottish comedian of the year, Mark Nelson, and finally, “Mock the Week’ favourite Luke Toulson. It’s set to be a triple bill of funny.

ON42, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, 8pm onwards, Thurday January 18, Dhs150. Tel: (04) 378 0800. More info on website

3. Bag a bargain at Market Outside The Box

It’s the final weekend to bag a bargain at the fifth edition of Market Outside The Box at Burj Park. There will be live music, dance and poetry, a huge selection of food trucks, a pop-up cinema and loads of shopping. Get on it!

Burj Park, near Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, Sun to Thur 4pm to 10pm, Fri and Sat 10am to 10pm, until January 20, free entry. Tel: (04) 201 0598. More info on website

4. Support a local theatre show

The famous detective is on the case again, as Sherlock Holmes is brought to life on stage by local theatre company The Junction. It will have a four-show stint at the Al Quoz theatre.

Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, Thur and Friday 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Dhs100. Tel: (04) 3388525. More info on website

5. Enjoy alternative evening sundowners

Whether you’ve got guests in town, or you’re just looking for a different way to see the sunset, the JA Al Sahra Desert resort is a great spot for a desert adventure. Just 45 minutes from the Marina, there’s a range of activities to enjoy – with Valentine’s Day coming up, we recommend trying the sunset camel ride with champagne experience. It’s a two-hour trip that takes you into the Arabian desert on camelback, where you can enjoy a glass of bubbly as the sun goes down.

JA Al Sahra Desert resort, near Dubai Rugby Sevens, 4pm to 6pm, daily, Dhs475 per person. Tel: (056) 177 2856. More info on website

Friday January 19

6. Enjoy a breakfast brunch

At Bistro Des Arts, guests are invited to enjoy a traditional French-style sharing brunch every Friday and Saturday. Help yourself from the social table to start, where there’s a selection of fresh juices, pastries, cheese and cold cuts. Then, pick your main from a collection of hearty breakfasts, a made-to-order crepe and a hot beverage all for Dhs99. For an additional Dhs75, add on three selected cocktails.

The Address Hotel, Dubai Marina, 10am to 2pm, Fridays from Dhs99. Tel: (04) 55 11 576. More info on website

7. Party hard with an international DJ set

It’s a big weekend across the city, and Blue Marlin is adding to that line up with two big house DJs taking to the decks. First up is Sabb, set to deliver his iconic mix of crisp drum grooves, chunky, overheated basslines and pitched down vocal samplings. Following this act is Darius Syrossian, whose nonchalant approach to house and techno catapulted him to the global scene. The day-to-night party kicks off from 1pm.

Blue Marlin, Al Jazira Hotels and Resort, Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 11pm, Friday January 19. Tel: (056) 113 3400. More info on website

8. Take part in a beginner’s parkour class

The Gravity DXB team is running dedicated parkour classes for adults and kids down at SALT on Kite Beach. Whether you’re a complete beginner or you have been tumbling and jumping for years, this energetic class is fun, healthy, and great for meeting new people. Adults can enjoy the inversion class at 2pm and the parkour class at 4pm, while parkour classes for kids will be held at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.

SALT’s Airstream, Kite Beach, Dubai, 1pm to 6pm, Friday January 19, free. More info on website

9. Enjoy a discounted stay-cay

In celebration of the opening of their sleek new beach club, Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort is offering 20 per cent off the best available rate until January 31 with the ‘Experience Lava’ package. It includes complimentary access to Lava Beach Club, a Dhs100 dining credit per room per night at Lava Dining, a complimentary mocktail or cocktail per person per night at Lava Pool Bar and 20 per cent discount on day chalet rentals.

Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort, Mina Al Fajer, Dibba, Al Fujairah, valid on bookings made until January 31 valid until February 28. Tel: (09) 204 1111. More info on website

10. Feast at a family-friendly, carnival-themed brunch

There’s a new carnival-themed brunch at The Sheraton JBR that’s fun for all the family. It comes with live entertainment, an international buffet and eight live cooking stations, plus a dedicated kids’ area with a bouncy castle, face painting, games, a clown and magic shows. Pool and beach access is included in the brunch package, so don’t forget your swimwear.

The Garden, Sheraton JBR, 1pm to 4pm, Friday, Dhs225 soft, Dhs325 house. Tel: (04) 315 3861. More info on website

Saturday January 20

11. Head to a poolside salsa night

Every Saturday, poolside bar Areia at the Doubletree by Hilton JBR transforms for its weekly Latin night. From 9pm onwards, enjoy a night of music and salsa under the stars to see out the weekend.

Doubletree by Hilton, The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, 9pm to 12am, Saturdays. Tel (04) 453 3333. More info on website

12. Enjoy some family-friendly activities at Marina Mall

There’s a Dora the Explorer-themed rainforest maze popping up at Dubai Marina Mall from January 19. Kids can swing, crawl, jump and explore the Rainforest Maze, in an effort to rescue Map and Backpack, who have gotten lost. Tackle a balancing beam, monkey bars, a rope obstacle and more.

Dubai Marina Mall Promenade, Downtown Dubai, daily from 3pm until January 31, free. Tel: (04) 436 1020. More info on website

13. Enjoy free drinks at a DIFC ladies’ night

Now the weather is finally cool enough, we’re all about sipping sundowners outside, and the terrace at Gaucho in DIFC is a great spot for it. The extended terrace has a contemporary new look with leather couches and booths cleverly curtained off. Every Saturday they run their ‘Hola Chicas’ ladies’ night, offering three complimentary drinks and 50 per cent off the bar food for girls from 8pm to 11pm.

Gaucho Gate Village 5, DIFC, 8pm to 11pm, Saturdays. Tel: (04) 422 7898. More info on website

14. Chill out at Dubai Garden Glow

It’s one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots thanks to its colourful, glow-in-the-dark structures. And as it’s opened for its third season, it’s also added Dubai’s first Ice Park to its list of attractions. As well as the new Ice Park, there’s also a new ‘magical nights’ area littered with illuminated animal sculptures and a laser effects and lights show.

Dubai Garden Glow, Zabeel Park two, daily 4pm to 12am, Dubai Garden Glow, Dhs60, extra Dhs40 for entry into the ice park. More info on Facebook

15. Get clued up with a careers day

Unwind the Grind, the millennial career development platform, is hosting a ‘Career Take-off’ workshop led by certified career coaches, Samia Hasan and Emeline Roissetter. Participants have the opportunity to explore career prospects through a highly interactive and hands-on full day workshop taking place at Impact Hub Dubai from 8.30am to 6pm.

Impact Hub Dubai, Saaha Offices, Block B – Core F, 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday January 20, Dhs699 half day, Dhs999 full day. Tel: (04) 375 4444. More info on website

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