We have five whole days off people! Does life get any better?

It’s the freaking five-day weekend! Here are 25 things to do over the Eid break in Dubai, and there really is something for everyone…

Thursday September 8

1. Shop at The Change Initiative for the last time

We’re sad to hear that Dubai’s health-food superstore and cafe The Change Initiative is shutting its doors for the last time on September 15. But for now there’s a mega closing down sale with discounts of up to 90 per cent.

The Change Initiative, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha 1, 8am to 9pm. Tel: 800 824. More info on website.

2. Celebrate samba and Brazilian food

Chamas Churrascaria in the Crowne Plaza is hosting a special feast for Brazilian National Day this week. For Dhs295 you get to sample a buffet, 18 cuts of meats and a selection of sweets. There will also be a free flow of Caipirinha, grape and hops, a live Latin band and samba dancers.

Every night until September 10. Tel: (800) 276963. More info on website.

3. Start your weekend with Yuugata

Every night at Buddha Bar in Grosvenor House you’ll find signature bites from Dhs25 and Japanese cocktails from Dhs35 from 7pm to 8.30pm. The perfect pre-dinner, get-the-weekend-started warm up.

The Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina. 7pm to 8.30pm. Tel: (04) 317 6000. More info on website.

4. See a skillful DJ in action

Ben UFO is considered one of the most daring DJs in dance music in the way that he blends styles, genres, eras and more. According to our sister mag Hype, his set at Story Rooftop Lounge “is the most exciting booking in town this weekend”. See you there?

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

Friday September 9

5. Check out a healthy – and revamped – cafe

Chef Hayley Mac is known for her healthful and inventive raw vegan food, and she’s moved on from Be Super Natural in Galeries Lafayette and is now heading up the kitchen at the newly revamped One Cafe by Life’n One in Jumeirah, so if plant-based food is your thing, definitely check it out. The sushi bowl (pictured) looks particularly delicious and nutritious and word on the street is that her smoothies are epic.

Street 27-b, Jumeirah 1. 8am to 7pm, daily. Tel: (04) 343 6676. More info on Facebook. 

6. Start the day with an excellent boot camp

We’ve sweated our way through the Commando Camp fitness class a few times before and think it’s one of the best in Dubai, and the good news is they’re hosting a free session this morning at 9am. Warning: get ready to do some dreaded burpees if you hit this up.

Train SF Gym, Al Quoz. 9am to 10am, free. Tel: (052) 578 7007 – SMS to sign up. More info on Facebook.

7. Buy local art

From 11am to 6pm today you’ll find a special Handmade in the UAE market at Times Square – there will be plenty of UAE arts and crafts on sale, as well as workshops and demonstrations.

Times Square Mall, Sheikh Zayed Road. 11am to 6pm, free entry and free underground parking. More info on Facebook.

8. Book a cheap spa day

Jasmine Spa at the Grand Millennium has a great deal on at the moment – get an hour-long massage (Balinese, Thai, deep tissue or Swedish) and full day access to the pool, Jacuzzi and wet club facilities for just Dhs199.

Grand Millennium Dubai, Barsha Heights. Tel: (04) 429 9999. More info on website. 

9. Party at the Armani

Armani/Privé now hosts a new EDM concept night every Friday, and tonight it’s hosting Belgian tech-house lad Sem Thomasson. Plus, there are three free drinks on offer to ladies too (on any night).

The Armani Hotel, Downtown Dubai. 10pm to 3am. Tickets Dhs150 on the door (Dhs100 on Platinumlist). Tel: (04) 888 3308. More info on website.

10. Rock out to Motorhead madness

Get ready to mosh to a night of Motorhead tunes as German trio Motorblast are in town for The Music Room’s Summer Rock Festival and they just happen to be one of Europe’s best tribute acts to the legendary band.

The Music Room, Majestic Hotel, Bur Dubai. 6pm, Dhs100, buy tickets here. Tel: (04) 359 8888. More info on Facebook. 

Saturday September 10

11. Go to a food truck fest

From today until September 17, Warehouse Four in Al Quoz is hosting a food truck festival called Eid Caravan that means RoundUp UAE’s food trucks will be on hand to serve you delicious street food. Today will be a celebration of Venezuelan and Colombian cuisine, and the Casa Latina truck will be dishing out arepas, disc-shaped cornbreads that can be stuffed with delicious fillings.

Warehouse Four, Al Quoz. 11am to 11pm, from today until Monday September 17 (map here). More info on Facebook. 

12. Take your pup to a snow party

Forget Ski Dubai, the snow fun is to be had at My Second Home Dubai this weekend. The doggie resort is going to fill its indoor pool with real snow. Yes, actually. The fee is Dhs100 a dog and pups must be over seven months, neutered and spayed.

Dubai Investment Park. Dhs100 a dog. More info on Facebook.

13. Try acro yoga

If you’re seriously into acro yoga and partner acrobatics (you will have seen a lot of it on Instagram if you’re not) then you’ll want to get down to the beautiful Taijitu House of OM (pictured). Sergei Kolesnikovi, who teaches in Thailand, Russia and Estonia, is in Dubai and is giving a free class today. The centre encourages people to bring food to share post-class too, so it sounds like it’ll be a social session.

Taijitu House of OM, Jumeirah 1, Dubai. 10am to 2pm. More information and registration on Facebook. 

14. Taste some traditional fare at the Burj Al Arab

Fancy something fancy this Eid? Well, to celebrate the holiday, the Burj Al Arab’s Al Iwan restaurant will be serving up a traditional special menu featuring an ouzi-braised camel and a selection of Emirati-inspired desserts. Lunch is Dhs495 per person, and dinner will be Dhs550 per person – and the views? Priceless.

Al Iwan, first floor, Burj Al Arab, Dubai, lunch from 12pm to 3.30pm, dinner from 6pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 301 7600. More info on the website.

Sunday September 11

15. See a full-on fireworks display

From Sunday to Friday there will be a fireworks display on the water right near The Beach opposite JBR. The explosions will take flight at 8.30pm each night.

Seaside at The Beach Opposite JBR. 8.30pm from Sunday September 11 to Friday September 16. More info on Facebook. 

16. Take on a challenge at the inflatable waterpark

Remember how we told you about the world’s longest inflatable waterpark just off The Beach opposite JBR? Well there’s a contest being held there this afternoon that will involve traversing waterslides, jumping cushions, inflatable climbing walls and trampolines. But if you fall into the water, you have to start the course all over again. There are prizes up for grabs for the winners.

The Beach, opposite JBR. 3.30pm to 5pm (register at the Aqua Park stand next to House of Curry. Registration ends at 3pm on day of competition). Dhs80 per hour for adults. More info on Facebook.

17. Bag two-for-one deals at Barasti

Classic Dubai bar Barasti is serving two-for-one house beverages from 11am to 7pm Sunday to Thursday. See you there?

Barasti Beach Bar, Al Sufouh. 11am to 7pm, Sunday to Thursday. Tel: (04) 511 7139. More info on website. 

Monday September 12

18. Go for a Monday brunch

The varied and huge buffet at Latitude in the Jumeirah Beach Hotel is putting on a special spread on Sunday and Monday this weekend. For Dhs275 adults will be able to get their fill from live cooking stations – there’s even a chocolate fountain. Kids under four dine for free and there’s a play area just for little ones (so expect families).

Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Al Sufouh Road. 1pm to 4pm, September 11 and September 12. Dhs275 for adults, Dhs155 for kids. Tel: (04) 348 0000. More info on website. 

19. Book a great value mini staycation

Fresh and fun new Downtown hotel The Rove is offering a great deal over the Eid break – for Dhs549 you can get a night for two at the hotel plus brunch (that’s cheaper than a brunch for one at some restaurants).

The Rove, Downtown Dubai. From Dhs549 for two. Tel: (800) 7683. More info on website. 

20. Take the kids to see Peter Pan

At the auditorium in the Jumeirah Beach Hotel this weekend you’ll find a stage show of Peter Pan that is all about dance choreograph. It should delight little ones, but also be bearable for the adults in the audience. It’s at 4pm on September 12, 13, 17 and 23.

Meyana Auditorium, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai. Tickets from Dhs120 to Dhs170, buy tickets here. More info on website. 

21. Go to a 2am movie

Reel Cinemas in Dubai Mall is playing movies around the clock from September 9 to September 12. Yes, as in 24/7. So if you fancy a film in the middle of the night you’re in luck. What to see? How about new epic historical blockbuster Ben Hur. 

The Dubai Mall. Various times from September 9 to September 12. More info and ticket bookings on website. 

Tuesday September 13

22. Have a cake break at the new W Hotel

Still haven’t checked out the W, that futuristic-looking design hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road? Well an affordable and delicious way to do so is to go for the coffee and cake break at the Level 7 cafe between Saturday and Thursday any week. Get a cup of Joe and a cake – options include death by chocolate, Victoria sponge and carrot cake – for just Dhs55 a person. Make sure to check out the lobby on the hotel’s 30th floor while you’re there too.

W Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Habtoor City. Dhs55, 8am to 6pm Saturday to Thursday. Tel: (04) 436 6666. More info on website. 

23. Eat a decadent lunch

The beautiful and grand Imperium in Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is putting on a special spread today in honour of Eid weekend. The buffet lunch will set you back Dhs165 and will be your classic international fare, but with a luxury Dubai twist. Go hungry.

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Palm Jumeirah. 1pm to 4pm, today only. Tel: (04) 453 0444. More info on website. 

24. Go to a pop concert, a Khaleeji one

Fans of Arabic pop will be glad to hear that both Rabeh Saqer and Shamma Hamdan are in town tonight to take to the stage at World Trade Centre. Saqer is from Saudi Arabia and has been in the biz since 1983, while newer star Shamma Hamdan was the first Emirati woman to make it into the final of Arab’s Got Talent. 

Dubai World Trade Centre. 9pm to 3am, tonight only. Tickets from Dhs500 to Ds2,500. Buy tickets here.

25. Check out a new ladies night

Higher Frequency Dxb has set up a new regular Tuesday night at Dubai’s Retox Lounge – expect the latest hip-hop, house and R&B from DJ K, as well as live band action. Drinks are Dhs25 a pop for everyone .

Holiday Inn, Al Barsha, Dubai. 10pm to 3am, Tuesday, free. Tel: (052) 636 7477. More info on Facebook. 

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