An opulent iftar, a funfair for the kids, vintage shopping and three Euro quarterfinals. Here’s what to do in Dubai this weekend…

Thursday 30

Watch Poland take on Portugal

Footy fans, you’ll be pleased to see there’s a Euro 2016 quarter-final on every night this weekend. Why not take in Poland v Portugal at Wavebreaker, where you’ll be guaranteed to see a piece of the action thanks to their eight specially-set-up screens. Kick off is at 11pm, and you’ll find promotions on both food and beverages available on the day.

Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort, JBR, Dubai, daily 24-hours. Tel: (04) 3182582 Taxi: Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort. facebook.com/HiltonDubai

Check out an opulent iftar

Em Sherif in the still-open ground floor of The Address Downtown is one of the most opulent Lebanese restaurants in the city (it looks like an old – and very fancy – mansion). Their iftar is always full due to the restaurant’s strong reputation, so book ahead if you want to check out the mezze and grill-filled feast before Ramadan’s out. Go hungry as the food keeps on coming.

The Address Downtown, Downtown Dubai, sunset to 9.30pm, Dhs335 (park in Souq Al Bahar). Tel: (04) 436 8888. theaddress.com.

Tire the kids out at Modhesh World

If the idea of finding a school holiday’s worth of activities sounds like a lot of effort, you’ll be pleased to hear the largest indoor “edutainment” theme park is back for its 17th year. There are enough games, rides, competitions, activities, and performances to keep the family entertained over its two-month run – we reckon they’ll especially enjoy the new 50-metre zip lines, haunted house, dinosaur experience, and huge ice rink.

Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Sat – Wed, 10AM to midnight, Thurs – Fri, 10am to 1am. Free entry during Ramadan, then tickets start from Dhs20 (but kids under three always go free). Click here for more information.

Friday 1

Have a rummage for pre-loved steals

If you’re all about the vintage and less about the brand-new, then this Friday Night Flea Market at Zabeel Park could be a bit of a treasure trove for you. Everything’s second-hand or handcrafted, and you can pick up anything from furniture and textiles to toys, games, DVDs and jewellery. We’re thinking it’ll be a good place to find those kind of ‘eccentric’ (read: oddball but you just HAVE to buy) ornaments that our inner magpie goes nuts for.

Zabeel Park, 700 Monroe Road, 6pm – 11pm, Dhs5 for entry. More information here. 

Try some proper Canadian cuisine

About 10,000 kilometres away, those maple-syrup-loving North Americans will be celebrating their national day, but you can get a little taste of the action – quite literally – in the UAE. The Weslodge is putting on a special four-course dinner to mark the event, including Canadian favourites such as lobster poutine (pictured), s’mores and maple ice rolls.

Weslodge Dubai, JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay.  From 7.30pm, Dhs195 per person. Tel: 045601700, weslodge.ae.

Drink this the morning after the night before

Had a few too many post-work tipples? Give your body a little detox with one of Eggspectation’s fresh summer juices or smoothies (they’ll also help with that 40C+ weather we’re going to have, groan). The spinach, apple, fresh ginger and mint juice is a good option if you’re feeling healthy – and the almond milk smoothie with fresh orange juice and vanilla ice cream if you’re not.

Eggspectation, The Walk, JBR , Dubai, open daily 6pm – 3am, +(971) 443 07252. eggspectation.com. 

See who wins out of Wales and Belgium

The Welshies are turning out to be quite the underdogs of this year’s Euros, so tune in for 11pm kick-off to see if they can make it through to the semis. The weekend’s set to be a scorcher, so head to McGettigan’s JLT – there’s two giant screens, more than 20 plasma screen TVs, and a fully air-conditioned tent.

Cluster D, JLT, Dubai, daily noon until 3am. Tel: (04) 3780800. Metro: JLT. mcgettigansdubai.com.

Learn a new skill

Can never find anything you like in the shops? If you’ve ever wanted to design your own clothes but don’t know where to start, this Harvey Nichols workshop might be just the thing. Learn how to fashion sketch in a master class with top illustrator Sara Japanwalla, and soon you might be clad in tailored-only pieces.

Harvey Nichols Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, two hour-long sessions at 9pm and 10pm, booking essential. Tel: (04) 409 8888. Click here for more information.

Saturday 2

Have a little pampering session

A little massage is always relaxing, but nothing feels quite as good as a freebie. The Cure are offering special deals at their two Dubai spas throughout all of July so this is a good month to take a load off and give those summer-worn feet some TLC. Dubai Media City salon customers will get complimentary reflexology (worth Dhs60) when they have a Dhs270 Shellac or Gellish mani-pedi, and Green Community spa-goers will get a free full leg wax (worth Dhs80) if they get a Dhs200 lower body anti-cellulite massage.

The Cure Media City, Building 10, BBC World. Tel: (04) 391 6485. The Cure Green Community, Park & Shop Plaza. Tel: (04) 883 0818. thecure.ae.

See Italy take on Germany

It’s late for a school night, but hey, we’re down to some of the most exciting rounds. Italy will play Germany for a spot in the semis from 11pm, and it’ll look good on Qube Sports Bar’s huge four-sided screen. Get down a few hours beforehand for a game of pool, darts or a supper and a beer. Want more options? Check out our list of 23 other places to catch the Euros.

The Meydan Hotel, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, Sat to Wed noon until 2am, Thur and Fri noon until 3am. Tel: (04) 3813780. Taxi: The Meydan Hotel. qubesportsbar.com

Sweat a little, then have a shop

Stretching while window shopping – now that sounds like our kind of work-out. Free Yoga Dubai are holding an hour-long yoga session at Lululemon from 8.30am, and all levels are welcome (especially beginners). Booking is essential, but the class is complimentary. Plus, stick around after the class and pick up some new exercise gear – two birds, one stone and all.

Lululemon, City Centre Mirdif, 20 Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai. Tel: 04 288 1248, find more details here. 

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Images: Supplied