Free fitness, festivals, family-friendly fun and plenty of food…

The weekend is finally here! And whether you’re dining out for Taste of Dubai, heading to the final weekend of the Literature Festival, watching an al fresco film or partying hard at a new ladies’ night, it’s bound to be a good time.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend…

Thursday March 8

1. Dine your way around Dubai

Taste of Dubai is back for three days of food, entertainment and family-friendly fun this weekend. So what will you find there? As well as celebrity chefs, shopping and live cooking demonstrations, there’s a new Italian Pavilion, a dedicated kids’ zone and a concert headlined by 80s vocal group Sister Sledge.

Taste of Dubai, Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City, Thursday March 8 4pm to 12am, Friday March 9 12pm to 12am, Saturday March 10 12pm to 11pm, Dhs200 Thurs, Dhs95 Fri and Sat. Tel: (04) 391 1196. platinumlist.net

2. Take part in beachside yoga

Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is hosting a fun, interactive yoga class by the beach this Thursday. Conducted by Nicky Rinks, founder of Solarplex Yoga, the one-hour session will be a high-energy Vinyasa Yoga flow class, including meditation. The price also includes a complimentary drink after the class in Serafina.

Waldorf Astoria Beachfront, Palm Jumeirah, 7pm to 8.15pm, Thursday March 8, Dhs70. Tel: (04) 818 2222. More info on Facebook 

3. Work up a sweat with some free fitness

Fitness In DXB is hosting an evening of free fitness classes for ladies at the newly opened 6P Gym in Al Quoz this Thursday. It kicks off with a pilates class from 5pm and is on until 9pm.

6P Gym, Al Quoz, near Dubai Garden Centre, 5pm to 9pm, Thursday March 8, free. Tel: (052) 660 5623. More info on website

4. Ring in the weekend with an 80s night

Dig out your scrunchies and neon leg warmers, the 80s are back at Riva Beach every Thursday. Expect a night of partying and dancing to live DJ spins on old school mixtapes of iconic 80s hits.

Riva Beach, Building 8, The Shoreline, Palm Jumeirah, 6pm to 12am, Thursdays. Tel: (04) 430 9466. More info on website

5. Try out a new fitness class for free

To celebrate the launch of their new weight-based class for women, My Perfect Shape, Gold’s Gym is hosting a free open day for members and non-members on Thursday March 8 at all Gold’s Gym clubs. Slots are limited, and all attendees will receive a free goodie bag.

My Perfect Shape at Gold’s Gym, various locations including Al Barsha and Ibn Battuta, free. Tel: (800) 46537. More info on Facebook

6. Tuck in to an evening brunch by a top local chef

The Chef known for ‘The Experience’ at restaurant Play, Reif Othman, has just joins Billionaire Mansion as Executive Chef, where he will be working in Japanese restaurant Sumosan. It co-insides with the launch of the hotspots new Thursday night brunch, Between 8pm and midnight for Dhs450, guests can enjoy sharing platters of calamari with chili, gyoza with spinach, an a la carte main and sharing platters of desserts. Once the brunch ends, guests are invited to the club where DJs Mr Shef Codes, Skinny Loop & Timothy Knight will be keeping you on the dance floor all night long.

Billionaire Mansion, Taj Hotel, Business Bay, 8pm to 12am, Thursday, Dhs450. Tel: (04) 567 8304. More info on website

Friday March 9

7.  Take advantage of a late-night drinks deal

Every Friday from 10pm, Il Faro Trattoria & Lounge will be serving selected cocktail for just Dhs10. The picturesque Italian restaurant and lounge on The Palm has some great views out across the palm, so make sure to bag a spot on the terrace.

Il Faro, Azure Residences, The Palm Jumeirah, 10pm onwards, Fridays, Dhs10. Tel: (04) 568 3137. More info on website

8. See a family-friendly show

This weekend at DUCTAC, you’ll be able to catch two performances of What The Ladybird Heard. The stage adaptation of this charming story features the main characters, the woolly sheep, the hairy dog, the fat red hen and the dainty dog who are led by the ladybird to stop Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len from stealing the farmer’s cow. The show uses live music, rhyming text, repetition and animal noises with plenty of audience interaction to encourage listening and literacy skills and is bound to have your little ones in fits of giggles.

Centrepoint Theatre at Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC), 11am and 2.30pm, Friday March 9, from Dhs155. More info on website

9. Party Ibiza-style at a one-day music festival

This Friday, super venue Soho Beach is set to welcome worldwide party brand ANTS to the shores of Dubai, bringing a stellar bill of DJs with it. The event features a line-up led by ANTS regular Andrea Oliva, joined behind the decks by Art Department, Lawler, Matthias Tanzmann, and Sasha.

ANTS at Soho Beach, Friday March 9, 2pm to 3am, from Dhs200. Tel: (052) 488 8839. sohobeachdxb.com. Tickets from Platinumlist.net

10. Attend a picnic

Dubai Hills Estate, 2pm to 10pm, Friday March 9, free. More info on website

Saturday March 10

11. Party into Sunday with a new ladies’ night

Not ready for the weekend to be over? There’s a brand new ladies’ night kicking off at Cobra Kai, the bar of Mr Miyagi’s this Saturday. Available every Saturday and Wednesday from 8pm to 3am, there’s a welcome drink on the house for the guys and girls alongside some interactive live entertainment. Plus, for Dhs99, girls can take advantage of unlimited drinks all night long.

Level 9, Media One Hotel, 8pm to 3am, Saturday and Wednesday. Tel:(04) 420 7489. More info on website

12. Find your zen with underwater yoga

Piloga Studio takes over the Dubai Aquarium every Saturday morning. The weekly ‘Underwater Yoga’ series will be led by experts from Piloga Studio Pilates & Yoga, who invite participants of all abilities to join the session. It’s limited to 35 spaces, so book in quick.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Dubai Mall, Saturday 8am to 9am, Dhs125. Tel: (04) 456 4499. More info on Facebook

13. Celebrate pie week with a Dhs99 deal

Celebrate British Pie week with D&A and choose from a specially crafted selection of pies with a chilled brew for Dhs99. The gastropub will be serving three different types of pies all week, fish, chicken or beef, and the deal is valid until Saturday March 11.

Dhow & Anchor, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, 12pm to late, daily until March 11, Dhs99. Tel: (04) 406 8720. More info on website

14. Take the kids to a family-friendly event

You’ll be able to catch a family-friendly, al fresco event this weekend at City Centre Me’aisem. The free-entry event is on until March 10, and comes complete with food stalls from around the globe, entertainment for little ones by Magic Planet and outdoor cinema. This Saturday, you’ll be able to catch Moana and Guardians of the Galaxy on the big screen.

City Centre Me’aisem, weekdays 4pm to 10pm, weekends 10am to 12am, free. Tel: (04) 6023000. More info on website

15. Meet the author at Dubai Lit Fest

Adrian Hayes, the author of K2: The Tragedy And The Triumph will be rounding off the Festival of Literature with a talk on his most accomplished achievements and record breaking adventures.

Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City, March 2 to 10. Tel: (04) 355 9844 . More info on website

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