American pop legends, New York plays, South African comedy, German disco and Global Village – Dubai is a stage for the whole world this weekend.

Here are your next three days sorted…

Thursday 3

1. Listen to Pet Sounds live

Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys fame is playing at the Irish Village’s stadium tonight: the 74-year-old Californian is coming to Dubai as part of his Pet Sounds Tour. Wilson will be acompanied by his old Beach Boys collaborators Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin (Jardine played with band in the early ’60s and Chaplin did so in the ’70s), and Jardine’s son Matt is handling the high tenor vocals that Wilson provided for The Beach Boys in the ’60s. The night will include a rendition of the Pet Sounds album in its entirety (50 years after its release).

The Irish Village, Al Garhoud, Dubai, 9pm (doors open at 7pm), Dhs225 (seated), Dhs250 (standing). Tel: (04) 2395000. Metro: GGICO. theirishvillage.com.

2. Rock out, Russian style

If the Beach Boys aren’t your thing, you might be keen to mosh out to Leningrad, aka Gruppirovka Leningrad. The popular Russian rock band from Saint Petersburg is led by frontman Sergey “Shnur” Shnurov, who is a famous showman.

Meydan Hotel, Nad Al Sheba, from 6pm, Dhs350 to Dhs1,000. Tel: (04) 381 3333. More info on Facebook.

3. Visit Global Village

Global Village is back, and we imagine that it will be wildly popular as ever, so we suggest getting their early if you want to explore the 36 pavilions, 50 fun rides and 26 restaurants.

Global Village, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, 4pm to midnight (1am on weekend), from now until April 8, Dhs15 entry. Tel: (04) 362 4114. More info on website.

4. Here’s one for South African expats

South African radio DJ Darren Whackhead Simpson is famous for his pranks, but tonight he’s bringing his jokes to Dubai via his standup show – his sense of humour is no-holds-barred so be ready to loosen up and prepare for belly laughs. There will be two shows tonight – one at 6.30pm and one at 8.30pm.

Centrepoint Theatre, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, Barsha, 6.30pm and 8.30pm, Dhs295. Tel: (04) 341 4777. More info and tickets on website. 

5. Wear white and party

Here’s a Thursday night out that sounds all white to us. The glamorous Nikki Beach Dubai is set to host its massively popular White Party tonight. Yes, there’s a strict dress code – and it’s all about dressing in white. The club will be dressed for the occasion too, with live performances, gourmet cuisine, and a beat-pumping line-up of Nikki Beach resident DJs. Want to go? You need to book a table. Yes, it’s exclusive. No, you can’t turn up on the night. The party starts at 7pm until late.

Pearl Jumeirah, Dubai, Thur 7pm, Tel: (04) 3766162. Taxi: Nikki Beach. nikkibeach.com. Email reservations.dubai@nikkibeach.com to make a booking.

Friday 4

6. Check out an artisan market

We love The Collective in Al Quoz, and today they’re hosting a pop-up market to launch the space (which you can read all about here) – there will be stalls selling decor, beauty, gifts and food (and there will also be workshops and entertainment). See you there.

The Collective, inside The Courtyard, Al Quoz, Dubai, 9am to 5pm, Friday. Tel: (04) 315 7000. More info on website. 

7. Go to a fit fest

At Skydive Dubai this weekend you’ll find a two-day festival that will be all about witnessing the fitness. Instagram star Joe Wicks will be there, Dubai trainer Maria Savic (pictured) will be training people one-on-one and there will also be a giant inflatable obstacle course. There will be endurance, fitness and strength competitions (for all levels), as well as free Les Mills classes, boxing fights, shows and more. A good option for all fitness fans: plus, hanging out at the seaside Skydive Dubai is lovely.

Skydive Dubai, Al Sufouh, advanced tickets Dhs40 (under 16s , 8.30am to 8pm Friday and 9am to 7pm Saturday. Buy tickets here. More info on website.

8. Ogle boats

From Thursday until Saturday you’ll find a pre-owned Boat Show at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. On Friday and Saturday there will be a ‘boat catwalk’ where more than 30 boats and jetskis will strut their stuff, so if you’re looking to buy some maritime muscle, this is where you should be. There will also be paddle boarding, dragon boat racing, a free kids’ zone and a petting zoo as well as food trucks.

Dubai Creek Marina, Dubai Creek. 4pm to 9pm, November 3, 11am to 9pm November 4 and 11am to 7pm November 5, free entry for visitors. Tel: (04) 295 6000. More info on website. 

9. Go for an evening run with a twist

This evening in Zabeel Park you’ll find Electric Run, a 5k fun run that sees a different interactive dance party zone at every kilometre – also, you’ll be wearing Electroband technology that syncs you via a bracelet to the live light show.

Zabeel Park, Zabeel, 6pm to 11pm, Dhs185 for the standard package & Dhs265 for the deluxe package. Tel: (04) 398 6888. More info on website.

10. Head to Loco Dice’s UAE debut

Desolat Records boss and Used & Abused party starter Loco Dice is in town this weekend – according to our sister mag Hype the house and techno DJ still laces all of his sets “with a certain sense of hip-hop boom-bap”. “His drums are still chunky and rolling,” they describe, “the vocals he reaches for are often rapped.” Plus, it’s beach weather again, so we can think of worse places to hang out than Blue Marlin.

Blue Marlin, Golden Tulip Al Jazira, Ghantoot, Dubai, 1pm to 11pm, free guestlist. More info on Facebook.

Saturday 5

11. Float your way to Zen

There’s a standup paddleboard meditation at 9am this morning – the one-hour group session involves laying (or sitting) on a board and blissing out to the sound of the ocean and Tibetan singing bowls. We can think of worse ways to start our Saturday…

Surf House Dubai, 9am to 10am (meet at 8am), Dhs120. Whatsapp: (050) 910 5688 for bookings. More info on Facebook. 

12. Try out a new fitness studio

We’re big fans of Brian and the team at 1Six8, and their excellent 45-minute HIIT class Burn (which you’ll find at The Warehouse gym in Al Quoz) is a bit of a favourite. Well the good news is that they have expanded: they’ve got a new fitness studio near the flag pole in Jumeirah 1. There are Burn classes there and also Punch boxing classes (both 45 minutes). One session is Dhs110, but the first session is free so that you can check it out and see if it’s for you.

Jumeirah Terrace Building, Jumeirah 1, various class times (head here to check out a schedule), first session free. Tel: (04) 325 4499. More info on website.

13. Go to the theatre

Academy Award-nominated writer John Logan’s play RED about legendary artist Mark Rothko won the Tony Award for Best Play in New York in 2010 and now it’s in Dubai. Taking place from 1958 to 1960, the play explores why and who Rothko became a leader of the abstract expressionist movement. Oh, and the coolest bit? Audience members are given protective clothing so that they’re not splashed by paint (that actually makes us want to go more).

The Jam Jar, Al Quoz, Dhs150, show starts at 8pm, November 3 to 5 and November 10 to 12. Tel: (04) 341 7303 (call to reserve tickets). More info on Facebook.

14. End the weekend al fresco

Fancy some tapas at sunset? Then check out this just-opened outdoor space at the iconic Burj Al Arab. Scape gives a 270-degree view of Dubai from its seaside perspective, so could this become a new ‘take-visitors-to’ classic in Dubai? Signs point to yes.

Scape Restaurant & Bar, Burj Al Arab, daily, lunch served 12.30pm to 3.30pm, dinner served 6pm to 11pm, shisha served from midnight. Booking essential. Tel: (04) 301 7600. More info on website.

15. Get down to Euro disco

It doesn’t get much more slick than Daddy Cool by German band Boney M, and tonight at the Hard Rock in Festival City you can hear Maizie Williams herself belt it out along with the rest of her band (the original Boney M was formed in 1976 and Maizie Williams was part of that lineup). Other hip-swayers include Sunny, Ma Baker, Rivers of Babylon and Rasputin. 

Hard Rock Cafe Dubai, Festival Centre, Dhs195, doors 7pm, concert opens 9pm. Buy tickets here. Tel: (04) 232 8900. More info on website.

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

Images: Supplied