Backstreet Boys, a Peaky Blinders themed brunch, birthdays, ballet and blind wine tasting …

The weekend is nearly here, and that means it’s time to start planning. As well as live music, there’s new brunches, ladies’ nights and plenty of fine-dining deals to tuck into.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend…

Thursday April 19

1. Head back in time with a Peaky Blinders night brunch

Hop into a time machine and travel back in time to 1920s Birmingham at Tribeca’s Limitless night – the Peaky Blinders edition. Inspired by the popular TV series, slap on your newsboy cap and rock out to some old school tunes paired with an all-you-can-eat-and-drink evening brunch for Dhs249. Tribeca will also be putting on a special food and drink menu inspired by good ol’ Blighty to kickstart your weekend.

Tribeca, Level 1, JA Ocean View Hotel, 8pm to midnight, Thursday April 19, Dhs249. Tel: (050) 345 6067. More info on Facebook

2.Enjoy a ladies’ night with a difference

Ladies can run wild under the stars with a girls-only evening at Wild Wadi Waterpark (no boys allowed) where even the lifeguards are an all-female team. You can try out the adrenaline-fuelled Tantrum Alley and the Burj Surj, or lie back and enjoy Juha’s Journey lazy river. The all-ladies evenings will be held every other Thursday until the end of September (except for during Ramadan).

Wild Wadi, Jumeirah Road, Um Suqueim 3, 8pm to midnight, Thursdays Dhs199. Tel: (04) 348 4444. More info on website

3. Nab yourself some affordable art

Taking place from Wednesday April 18 to Saturday April 21 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, World Art Dubai brings together more than 300 regional and international galleries offering work priced anywhere between US$100 to US$20,000 – so no matter what your budget, you’re bound to find something you like.

Dubai World Trade Centre, 2pm to 9pm, Wednesday April 18 to Saturday April 21, Dhs25. More info on website

4. Party with a stormtrooper

Coming all the way from Paris, DJ Stormtrooper has been mixing and playing for the last 25 years. Making his debut in Dubai, the mysterious DJ is going to be seen performing at Cielo on April 19. Sip on beverages with names like ‘Yoda Soda’, ‘The Dark Side’ and ‘The Storm Trooper’, and if you come dressed in your favourite galactic costumes, you’ll get 20 per cent off a la carte orders.

Friday April 20

6. Brunch at a sleek new European hotspot

It’s home to one of our favourite terraces in the city, and now Al Habtoor City hotspot Babiole has just launched a brand new Friday brunch. The three-and-a-half hour package serves up a four-course tasting menu to the table alongside unlimited drinks. Expect a lively party vibe.

Babiole, The Westin, Al Habtoor City, 12.30pm to 4pm, Fridays, Dhs395. Tel: 056 515 4665. More info on Facebook 

7. Celebrate a Balearic beach club’s birthday

It first brought Balearic beach vibes to the UAE six years ago, and on its anniversary weekend, Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE is throwing two days of massive celebrations. The day-to-night party spot has become one of the region’s most iconic music venues for top international DJs, and tonight Loco Dice and Dubfire will take to the tech decks. Expect a stellar production to the theme of ‘evolution’.

Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, Al Jazira Hotels and Resort, Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi, 12pm to 11pm, Friday April 20, free entry. Tel: (056) 113 3400. More info on website

8. Enjoy a real South African braai

The Els Club Bash is back today with a South African twist. The free entry event will have plenty of fun and games for the little ones, live music and some top deals on their special braai menu, with happy hour drinks from 5pm to 8pm.

The Els Club, Dubai Sports City, 12pm to 9pm, Friday April 20, free. Tel: (04) 425 1000. More info on website

9. Party with the Backstreet Boys

Feeling Incomplete because you missed out on tickets to the sold-out Blended Music Festival, where the Backstreet Boys are set to headline this Friday? Well, we’ve got some good news for you. An official after-party is set to take place tonight at super club White Dubai, where the band are set to head after the concert.

White Dubai, 11pm to 4am, Friday April 20, ladies early bird Dhs250, guys early bird Dhs350, ladies on the day Dhs350, guys Dhs500. Tel: (050) 443 0933. More info on Facebook

10. Enjoy a fine-dining experience in the sky

At.mosphere, set on Level 122 of the iconic Burj Khalifa, has partnered with Paris-based caviar specialist, Kaviari, to offer a super-luxury seven-course degustation menu tonight, paired with one of the most coveted gourmet ingredients, caviar. It’s priced at Dhs1,300 per person for the dinner, or Dhs2,300 including beverages. Go on, treat yo’self.

At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, 7pm onwards, Friday April 20, Dhs1,300 or Dhs2,300 with wine pairing. Tel: (04) 888 3828. More info on website

11. Up your parkour skills at Bounce

Indoor trampoline park Bounce is taking free-running in the UAE to a whole new level by collaborating with parkour group Team Farang to bring a series of masterclasses to the UAE. It kicks off in Dubai this weekend, and the two-hour class is priced at Dhs200 per person.

Building 32, 4B Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz 1, 5pm to 7pm, Friday April 20, Dhs200. Tel: (04) 321 1400. More info on website

Saturday April 21

12. Dine on some top dishes for less

InterContinental Hotels Group has launched a Signature Food Festival this month, offering discounted set menus across 50 of its restaurants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, restaurants taking part include Marina Social and The Fish House, with menus starting at Dhs149 per person.

InterContinental Hotels, various restaurants taking part, until April 30, from Dhs149. More info on website

13. Glam up for a night at the ballet

One of Russia’s leading troupes is coming to Dubai, and they will be performing the classic Romeo and Juliet this weekend. Romeo and Juliet, the Shakespearian tale of two star-crossed lovers, was first performed as a complete ballet in 1938, and we can expect the Moscow Ballet’s rendition to be truly world class (they are one of Russia’s largest touring ballet companies)

Romeo and Juliet at Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, 8pm onwards, Thurs April 19 and Fri April 20, 4pm Sat April 21, from Dhs350 . Tel: (04) 440 8888. More info on website

14. Finish the weekend with a blind wine tasting

Cosy Italian trattoria Ravioli & Co. is hosting a blind wine tasting night this evening, where you can test your grape skills with the help of local sommelier Eleonora Caso. Different types of wine will be ready to try, along with a platter of a variety of cheeses.

Ravioli & Co, Burj Daman, DIFC, Dubai, 8pm onwards, Saturday April 21, Dhs230. More info on website

15. Stuff yourself silly at Chef Izu’s new restaurant

Foodies, get yourself to new bistro Carine this weekend. The beautiful, bright and airy Mediterranean restaurant is filled with all of Carine’s (Chef Izu Ani’s wife’s) personal favourites, from freshly baked breads inspired by the bakery she used to work at in northern France to her own homemade plum and apple jam. Tackle the fragrant harissa prawns (Dhs55), seasoned crispy calamari (Dhs30) and creamy burrata (Dhs55), before sampling a few of the mains to share, in particular, that saucy, silky lobster linguini (Dhs160), and the crispy skin seabass (Dhs145) with tomato salsa. It’s a triumphant weekend meal.

Carine, Emirates Golf Club, daily 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 417 9999. facebook.com/Carine

– For more about Dubai straight to your newsfeed, follow us on Facebook