From season closing parties to fight nights, there’s plenty to do this weekend. Ooh, and there’s lots of free stuff on offer too, including movies, conversational sessions, meditations and spinning classes.

Thursday 2

1. Get farcical in a Shakespearian manner

An all-male cast will put on a “raucous and hilarious” production of The Merry Wives of Windsor all weekend at Ductac in MOE. The comedy by William Shakespeare (you may have heard of him) was first published in 1602.

Ductac, Mall of the Emirates. Dhs100. Thursday at 7.30pm, Friday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. More info on Facebook. 

2. Throwback with a GN’R tribute group

The Guns N’ Roses Experience are one of the top GN’R tribute acts out there, and they’ll be bringing a sound and stage show and all the group’s mega hits to The Music Room tonight. If you love the Roses, you’ll love this. If you hate tribute acts, you will not. It’s that simple.

The Music Room, Majestic Hotel, Bur Dubai. Dhs100, admission from 7pm. More info on Facebook.

3. Dance and bounce at the same time

Trampoline park Bounce is celebrating its second birthday tonight with a party featuring hip pop and R&B tunes, acrobats, light shows and more. Oh, and heads up: the event’s for those aged 14 and over only.

Bounce, Al Quoz. Dhs80 per hour, 8pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 321 1400. More info on website. 

4. Your last chance to watch a movie outside on The Palm

West 14th on the Palm Jumeirah is hosting its final Throwback Thursday movie night of the season tonight – it’ll be Shrek Forever After at 6.30pm and Footloose at 8.30pm (now that’s a classic). Entrance and bean bag seating is free, or opt for a cabana for Dhs500 with a bottle of house grape and two buckets of popcorn. Hot dogs, snacks and drinks will also be on sale for those sitting on beanbags.

West 14th, Palm Jumeirah. 6.30pm to late, free (or Dhs500 for cabana package). Tel: (04) 447 7601. More info on Facebook.

5. Go to Analog Room’s Season Closing Party

Detroit’s Patrice Scott is flying to Dubai this weekend for a set at Story Rooftop Lounge. In the words of our sister mag Hype Scott’s debut album Euphonium is all “spangled and gluey grooves”, and they think his gig this weekend will be “no fuss, no fanfare, just great music” (and we should all listen to Hype because they know their nightlife stuff).

Story Rooftop Lounge, Holiday Inn Express, Knowledge Village, Dubai. Dhs100, ladies free before midnight, 10pm to 3am. More info on Facebook. 

Friday 3

6. Spend the day by the Raffles pool

Pyramid-shaped hotel The Raffles in Oud Metha is definitely one of Dubai’s more elegant hotels, and they now have a summer deal that means a pool pass for two for Dhs395. Plus, you’ll get a dining credit worth Dhs150 when you buy the pass (so lunch is basically included).

Raffles Dubai, Oud Metha. Dhs395 for two, until September 30. More info on website. 

7. Watch the action at a fight night

Round 10 boxing club is hosting a fight night tonight at Ahdaaf Sports Club from 6pm. Dubai-based boxers from all around the world will take each other on in six separate matches. Word is that ringside seats are sold out, but you can still opt for standing room at Dhs20 (and they’ll put you on the waiting list if you really want to try and get a seat).

Ahdaaf Sports Club, Al Quoz Dubai. Dhs20, from 6pm. Tel: (04) 338 0101. More info on Facebook. 

8. Learn to move past small talk

There’s an End Small Talk event at Fraiche Cafe and Bistro in JLT Friday afternoon, which is a nonprofit community initiative designed to help people have deeper, more meaningful conversations. The free-flowing chat will start at 3pm, while a group discussion will begin at 4.40pm. There will also be a musical performance from As Per Casper.

Fraiche Cafe, Cluster Y, JLT. Free. More info on Facebook.

9. Laugh with a superstar comedian

Gabriel Iglesias sells out stadiums with his comedy tours in the US and he’s in Dubai for a one-night-only set. You may recognise his voice from his work on Family Guy but the man’s also an all-round comic talent and he’s sure to have you laughing with his positive, zingy jokes.

Zabeel Hall 7, Dubai World Trade Centre. Dhs250 to Dhs450, show starts at 8pm. More info and tickets on website. 

10. Got to free fitness classes

There’s a brand new fitness club in Dubai Marina that offers barre, cycle and yoga-infused classes. The best bit? They’re offering free classes this Friday and Saturday so punters can see what they’re all about. On Friday at 10am you’ll find Body (a combination of yoga, ballet and Pilates) at 11.15am they’ll be doing a Revolution class (a full-body workout on a stationary bike) and at 12.15pm there will be the Mind class (a hammock-focused session that’s all about building flexibility and relaxing the mind). The classes will be offered at the same time, also for free, on Saturday too. Book your spot in the free classes by emailing dubai@definebody.com.

Silverene Tower, near Dubai Marina Mall (you can park in the mall). 10am to 1.15pm Friday and Saturday. More info on website.

11. See The Little Prince on stage

The Courtyard Playhouse is bringing Saint-Exupery’s classic tale The Little Prince to stage in a fun, interactive show that is part improvised. The event is free, but register for the guest list as the seats are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. They’re recommending the show for kids ages four to 11.

The Courtyard Playhouse, Al Quoz. Free, 1pm and 3pm, Friday June 3. More info on Facebook. Register here (registration for the 1pm is fully booked, but spaces were still available for 3pm at the time of publishing this). 

12. Try Blue Marlin’s season closing party

It’s the season wrap across all of Dubai’s clubs this weekend and one of Hype magazine’s top picks is Richy Ahmed at Blue Marlin. The lad from South Shields in the UK is sure to push out streamlined, funked-up tunes. Last week he was playing at Blue Marlin in Cannes and the weekend before that he was in Brazil. Well now he’s in Dubai and back at Blue Marlin (Jasper James and Cirillo also guest).

Here’s a bit of what to expect from Richy:

Golden Tulip Al Jazira Island Hotel, Ghantoot, Dubai. 5pm to 3am, free guestlist. More info on Facebook. 

Saturday 4

13. Dine on a range of Italian dishes

To celebrate Italian National Day four Italian chefs from four different restaurants in Dubai have put together a ‘quartet’ menu that features four heritage dishes that highlights each of their hometowns. All dishes will be paired with a glass of grape. You’ll be able to sample the menu at Trattoria Toscana in Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Segreto in Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Carnevale in Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Alta Badia in Emirates Towers. The dishes will feature white asparagus, fresh sea bream, ravioli and raisins.

Madinat Jumeirah, Emirates Towers and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Dhs250 per person for the four dishes, from June 1 to June 5 across all restaurants. Tel: (04) 4 432 3232. More info on website. 

14. Don’t forget that Ripe Market is still happening

When it’s scorchio outside we tend to forget about the popular Ripe Market, but it’s still happening over the summer remember – it’s just inside Time Square on Sheikh Zayed Road. From fresh fruit and veges to street food trucks and local skincare, fashion and homeware brands, this is a great option if you fancy a spot of shopping today.

Time Square Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road. 9am to 3pm, free. More info on website. 

15. Meditate on a mantra

What better way to end the weekend than with a meditation? Excellent yoga studio 136.1 is hosting a free meditation session this evening that will involve chanting mantras and lots of ‘positive vibrations’. You’ll do 108 rounds of a particular mantra during the session. It’s free, but maybe give them a call to reserve your spot or just let them know you’ll be coming along.

136.1, Trident Bayside, Dubai Marina. Free. Tel: (04) 441 6287. More info on Facebook.