From indulgent brunches and late-night dancing to paddle boarding and traditional performances, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help you fill up the next four days. Here’s what to do in Dubai this Eid weekend…

Wednesday 6

Watch Wales take on Portugal

JB's Gastropub

Those Welsh underdogs are really proving their worth in this year’s Euros, but can they beat the fiery Portuguese? Find out in HD at JB’s, that new gastropub at JBR’s Amwaj Rotana.  The American and British inspired menu is a goodie, but the real plus is that outdoor terrace (kick off is at 11pm so the heat should be bearable, we hope).

Amwaj Rotana, The Walk, JBR, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4282000. Taxi: Amwaj Rotana. rotana.com

Get your hands on a prime cut

Steak and jazz music – that’s a winning combo if ever we heard one. Prime68 are hosting Dubai’s own Jazz Duo, and you can eat away at the regular à la carte menu plus a unique Butcher’s Block selection of premium cuts while you listen.

Prime 68, JW Marriott Marquis, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.7pm to 10.30pm. Tel: (04) 4143000. Click here for more information.

Treat yo’self

gossip cafe

Now that fasting has ended, you can indulge that sweet tooth with Gossip’s special-edition dessert created especially for Eid Al Fitr. The Kunafa Nest Surprise features rose mistica, pistachio ice cream and ashta cream in a fried vermicelli basket. If that doesn’t sound extraordinary enough, there’s also caramalised walnuts scented with rose and a bed of dry ice (we don’t normally Instagram our food but might make an exception for this). It’s made to share, but we won’t judge if you order for one.

Gossip Café & Desserts, Box Park, Al Wasl Road, Al Safa, Dubai. Tel: (04) 343 0181. Available for dine in and delivery, click here for more information. 

See the latest blockbuster at any time of the day

reel-cinema

Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall are staying open 24 hours a day over the Eid weekend, so if you hate crowds of people chewing popcorn, you’ll want to go to a middle-of-the-night screening. (Or drop the family off here while you shop, we won’t judge).

Reel Cinema, The Dubai Mall, Doha Street, Dubai. Click here for more information.

Thursday 7

Get hennaed up and see some traditional dancing

BurJuman

If you need a break from hitting the shops, pop into BurJuman’s Ramadan Tent for some Eid-themed activities. From July 7 – 9 you’ll find complimentary Arabic coffee and dates between 7pm and 10pm, Tanoura dance performances at 8pm and 9pm, or henna painting from 3pm to 10pm.

BurJuman, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 352 0222. Mall hours: Sat – Wed, 10am – 1opm, Thur – Fri, 10am – 11pm.

Kick up your heels at 360°

360°

The popular nightspot is launching its summer clubbing season over Eid weekend, and you’ll be able to get on your dancing shoes at its new indoor venue, The NineZero. On Thursday, the theme is “360 presents Electric Boogaloo”, which will feature a mix of hip hop, funk, soul, disco and RnB tunes, with DJ Ronnie Jaxx heading the line-up of artists.

The NineZero, 360°, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai, open 5pm – 3am. Tel: (04) 432 3232. For reservations email 360@jumeirah.com.

Or if you’re more into retro…

spree the nightclub

Break out those glitter headbands and practice your Charleston for a Gatsby-themed night at Spree The Club. With music by DJs Blaze and MadMax, you can party all night long in true 1920s style. Ladies also get free entry all night and free drinks before midnight.

Spree The Club, Royal Ascot Hotel, Khalid Bin Al Walid Road, Bur Dubai, Dubai. Tel: (050) 777 6635. Thursday 7, 10pm to 3am. Click here for more information.

Fit in the first brunch of the long weekend

pullman JLT

Seasons Restaurant is putting on quite the spread, with a buffet of Middle Eastern dishes handcrafted by head chef Ala’a Mustafa. Dig in for Dhs119 per person if you’re sticking to the soft drinks, or Dhs244 per person to add the premium house beverage package. ‘Tis the season to get together with friends and family, so kids under six eat for free, while children between 12 and six pay half-price (well, their parents pay).

Seasons Pullman Hotel, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai. Tel: (04) 567 1159. Thursday 7, 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Click here for more information. 

Or if you’re in the mood for something more less traditional…

tesoro

Tesoro’s Latin American-inspired menu is worth a try any day, but this global brunch will give you a taste of the world. Fill up with an unlimited buffet for Dhs199 (or Dhs350 if you want to add alcohol), plus the dazzling views of Burj Khalifa don’t hurt either.

Tesoro, Taj Dubai, Burj Khalifa Street, Business Bay, Dubai. Tel: (04) 438 3127. Brunch is 1-4 pm. Click here for more information. 

Fall down the rabbit hole

alice in wonderland

Join Alice on her wild adventures in Wonderland at Al Qasba Theatre. This musical theatre production of Lewis Carroll’s famous children’s book is fit for all ages (even the youngest members of the family will be gripped by the outlandish characters), plus you can meet the cast after performances.

Masrah Al Qasba Theatre, Block B, Al Qasba, Sharjah. Tel: (06) 556 0777. Thursday 7 and Friday 9. 5.30pm, 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Tickets Dhs50, booking essential. Click here for more information. 

Watch the second Euro 2016 semi

Perry-and-Blackwelders

Germany will take on France at 11pm for the last place in the tournament’s final. Perry & Blackwelder’s have several big screens around the venue, plus a dedicated happy hour during all the televised games. Also, there’s so much American BBQ food on offer… need we say more? Alternatively, here are another 23 places you can watch the Euros in Dubai.

Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, daily noon until midnight, Tel: (04) 4323232. Taxi: Madinat Jumeirah. jumeirah.com

Friday 8

Get your burger fix

shake shack

US-born burger joint Shake Shack is releasing a limited-edition snack to celebrate Eid. The new ShackMeister Burger (Dhs40) is made up of 100 per cent Angus beef with ShackSauce and crispy shallots (yes to those). It’s available until August 10 so you don’t need to rush out to get one this weekend – though it might help if you’ve had a late one the night before…

Shake Shack, locations in the Dubai Mall, Dubai International Airport, Mercato Mall, and Mall of the Emirates. Click here for more information.

Mix sweet treats with sweet views

meydan hotel

If you’re looking for a good spot for a get-together with friends, the Meydan Hotel are putting on an Arabic-inspired selection of sweets and savories from July 6 to 9. Catch up over an array of scones, cakes, sandwiches and treats while taking in spectacular views of the racecourse.

The Meydan Hotel, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3813111. Dhs160 per person, 3pm to 6pm. Click here for more information.

Let the kids blow off some steam

Bugs Bunny will hop into Dragon Mart this Eid, where you can catch live performances of Looney Tunes’ Wun Wabbit Wun Show at 5.30pm, 7.45pm and 9pm every day of the weekend. The kids can go wild in the workshop and activity zone beforehand – between 2pm and 10pm – or let their creative juices flow in a cupcake-decorating workshop at 3pm. Ibn Battuta Mall will also hold a daily Looney Tunes parade, where you can see characters having fun with stilt-walkers, jugglers, a unicyclist and a full marching band.

Dragon Mart 2, Al Awir Road, International City, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3909999. Ibn Battuta Mall, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 390 9999. Parade 3pm to 8pm. Eid shows on until July 11.

Enjoy some Indian melodies

Rabbi Shergill

Legendary singers Rabbi Shergill and Shibani Kashyap will perform live, featuring a special appearance from Maya Venus. Expect to hear hits from acoustic rocker Rabbi like Bulla Ki Jaana while Kashyap is almost certain to crack out a rendition of Sajna Aa Bhi Ja. Tickets start from Dhs100 for balcony access, and rise to Dhs300 for VVIPs.

Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, The Indian High School, Oud Metha Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 337 7475. 6.30pm to 11.30pm. Click here for more information.

Give back by donating blood

blood drive

Eid is all about helping those less fortunate than yourself, so get in the spirit by donating some platelets. Santhwanam is a non-profit social welfare association whose sole aim is to allow you to give back to the community, and they need 100 donors at this blood-giving drive.

Latifa Hospital, Oud Metha Road, Al Jadaf, Dubai. Tel: (050) 290 8746. Friday 8 July, 8.30am to 12pm. Click here for more information and to register online.

Take your tastebuds on a world trip

the H dubai

The Grand Hyatt Dubai are putting on quite a feast on Thursday and Friday with The Collective Eid brunch. With selections from four eateries – Bombay Café, Levant Emporium, Grill Bar and the French Bakery – there’s everything from lamb shank and baked salmon to berry meringues on the menu. Plus there’s live cooking stations, so you can also get your chops around some super-fresh seafood and Middle Eastern wraps.

The Collective, Grand Hyatt Dubai, Oud Metha Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 317 2222. Thursday 7 and Friday 8, 12.30pm to 4pm. Dhs250 per person. Click here for more information. 

A club night to remember

The Act is back and bigger than ever, and there’s a huge lineup of DJs on hand to celebrate the launch of the new season. Kicking off on Thursday, DJ DIMIX will make his UAE debut and on Friday night, enjoy resident DJs Frederick Stone and Michka’s electronic vibes. Party all night long with sets beginning at 11.30pm and ending at 3am.

The Act, Shanri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3551116. Thursday and Friday 11.30pm to 3am. Click here for more information. 

Saturday 9

Have an extra-special afternoon tea

Hakkasan, Emirates Towers

The return to work is always harder after a short week, so make the most of your Saturday with a leisurely afternoon tea. Hakkasan are putting on a special Eid spread, which will feature macarons and chocolate marquise alongside the eatery’s signature dim sum. Afternoon tea is held from 3pm to 6pm, and costs Dhs248 per person.

Hakkasan, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Tel: (04) 384 8484. Click here for more information.

Cool off and work out at the same time

Riva

Water sports: the perfect way to escape the heat and keep fit during a sizzling summer. RIVA Beach Club have paired up with Ignite Surface to offer 30 per cent off stand-up paddle boarding classes when booked through the free-to-download Ignite Loyalty App (available on the App Store and Google Play). Throughout the summer, guests at RIVA can also enjoy two-for-one beach access, and discounted sunbed prices… Score!

Riva Beach Club, Building 8, The Shoreline Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Tel: (04) 430 9466. 7am to 7pm. Sun loungers for Dhs115 on weekdays and Dhs190 on weekends. Click here for more information. 

Check out a hot new restaurant opening

sonamu

The W Dubai had its grand unveiling last month, but one of their two speciality restaurants – Namu – has remained closed, until now. The Japanese-Korean fusion eatery will open for dinner over the Eid weekend, and promises lots of powerful Asian flavours (there’s tasting menus if you want to try a bit of everything).

Namu, W Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Dinner from 6pm to 1am. Dhs 65-300. Tel: 44 366 666. Click here for more information.

Get some well-deserved R&R

Had a full-on weekend? Some aura-cleansing meditation should help you feel rested ahead of the return to work (groan, going back after a four-day break is so hard). Here you’ll be taught how to balance chakras and achieve “inner peace” – so long as you don’t think about Sunday morning.

Miracles Wellness Centre, 306 Icon Tower, Tecom, Dubai. Tel: (04) 3639307. 9.30am to 10.30am. Tickets Dhs40, pre registration is essential. More information can be found here.

Brave the shops

eid-dubai-mall

We all know the malls get beyond frantic over the weekend, but if you really want to get your hands on a bargain, now’s a good time. More than 6,000 stores are participating in this year’s Dubai Summer Surprises, so there will be heaps of deals on offer. Malls taking part are also putting on a programme of events for kids, so there’s your bribe for getting the family to to visit (when really it’s because you want a new wardrobe).

Click here for more information.

Feel just like you’re at Wimbledon

claw BBQ

The ladies’ singles final will kick off (or rather, start serving) from 5pm, and if you choose to cheers on the pros at Claw BBQ, you’ll get complimentary strawberries and cream with every bottle of Prosecco purchased. Plus Saturday will also see the men’s and women’s doubles finals, and the mixed doubles final, so there’s plenty of court action to catch up on throughout the day.

Claw BBQ, Souk al Bahar, Dubai. Tel: (04) 4322300. For more information click here

Chow down on an Arabian-inspired breakfast

na3na3

At Na3Na3, you’ll find a selection of local delicacies (i.e. you can carb load on all the pastries, yum) and international dishes over the weekend. Breakfast is Dhs145 per person, including a soft drink, while you can also dine in for dinner for Dhs190 per person (which also includes a soft drink). We’re going to be in elasticated waistbands only after this weekend…

The Address Dubai Mall, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai. Tel: (04) 888 3444. 6.30am to 11.30am, or 7pm to 11pm. Click here for more information.

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Images: Supplied