Free beach festivals, pre-loved markets, underwater yoga and more – there’s so much to do in Dubai this weekend.

Here are your next three days sorted…

Thursday 24

1. Eat grub to be grateful for

Happy Thanksgiving! Our top pick for the celebration tonight is Perry & Blackwelder’s in Madinat Jumeirah (their wings are the stuff dreams are made of). They’ll be serving up a three-course feast tonight with turkey (of course) and sweet potato pie for dessert.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah, noon to 11pm, Dhs195 with soft drinks, Dhs295 with house drinks. Tel: (04) 432 3232. More info on website.

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2. Dine like Italian royalty

Four of the master Italian chefs from Armani/Ristorante restaurants around the world are in Dubai, and tonight is the last night they’re putting on their degustation meal. For Dhs1,000 you’ll get to sample engaging and different takes on Italian cuisine from head chefs from Tokyo, Milan, New York and Dubai – and all with extensive wine pairings. The raw tuna antipasto from the Milanese chef is something extra special.

Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, from 7pm, Dhs1,000 for seven courses with matching pairings. Tel: (04) 888 3666. More info on website. 

3. Sing along to The Stranglers

British four-piece band The Stranglers will be rousing the crowds at Irish Village tonight – we’ll be up front singing along to Golden Brown, Peaches, Always The Sun and No More Heroes. The band first formed in 1974, and have released an impressive 17 albums over four decades. Read more about them here.

The Irish Village, Garhoud, Dubai, 9pm, Dhs150. Tel: (04) 282 4750. Buy tickets here. 

Friday 25

4. Go on the Unity Run

The Unity Run is a 3km walk and 7km run made to be an inclusive event that able-bodied people and those with special needs can take part in side by side. Taking place along the picturesque corniche of Al Mamzar Beach (pictured above), the race encourages participation from everyone, from those in wheelchairs to the mobility and visually impaired, as well as blind participants. Should be a wonderful morning out.

Al Mamzar Beach Corniche, Sharjah, 8am (3km) and 8.30am (7km) start. Dhs165 (Dhs100 for ages 7 to 17), free for those with special needs. More info on website. 

5. Rev up in the capital

Don’t have tickets to the F1? Well it’s still worth going to the capital this weekend thanks to the Yasalam festival, which sees a huge F1 fanzone on the Corniche, free concerts from artists including Sean Paul and Nancy Ajram at Beats on the Beach as well as fitness classes where you can ‘get driver fit’. For full timetables and all the information you need, head here.

Abu Dhabi Corniche, main fanzone open from 4pm to midnight Thursday to Friday and from 5pm to 11pm Saturday. More info on website.

6. Do downward dog with the sharks

There’s a new yoga class being held in the Atlantis’ Lost Chambers Aquarium, and it’s very Zen. During the hour-long session of gentle Hatha poses, you can watch marine life float by in the serene aquarium: it’s surreal and lovely all at the same time. We tried it and found the sharks that would glide by, floating on a sting ray, particularly delightful.

The Lost Chambers Aquarium, Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 8am to 9am, Dhs120 per person, includes mat and water, booking essential. Tel: (04) 426 2000. More info on website.

7. Buy someone else’s junk, your potential treasure

At the lawn near Springs 15 this afternoon you’ll find a pre-loved market where Dubai residents will be selling their books, clothes, shoes, flowers, decor and more. There will also be bouncy castles, clowns, mascots, henna, candyfloss and more

Springs 15, Emirates Living, 3pm to 6pm, free entry. More info on Facebook. 

8. Watch a film on a Dubai rooftop

Now that the weather is cool enough, VOX Cinemas have brought back their outdoor screenings at Jumeirah’s Galleria Mall. Expect luxury seating, plenty of greenery, hampers and cosy blankets, and showings of some of Hollywood’s biggest hits. Tonight you’ll find Brad Pitt’s Allied, Jessica Chastain’s Arrival and Disney’s Moana.

Galleria Mall, Al Wasl Road, Al Safa, Dubai, Dhs150 per person, or Dhs90 for kids. More info on website.

9. Party with the Circoloco crowd

Club brand Circoloco has teamed up with Blue Marlin for a party this weekend. Hot Creations label boss Jamie Jones will be in the driving seat, along with Kerri Chandler and Art Department. Jones’ record label continues to drop liquid gold. Get you ears around recent release Tribesmen by Solardo as proof.

Golden Tulip Al Jazira Island Hotel, Ghantoot, Dubai, 5pm to 11pm, free guestlist. Tel: (056) 113 3400. More info on Facebook.

Saturday 26

10. Witness the Dubai fitness

The Fitness Expo at Dubai International Marine Club this weekend will see more than 200 exhibitors, 100 live shows and lots of very fit people. This is more of an expo’ for professionals, but there will still be food trucks, great coffee from Raw, Zumba classes, parkour for kids, and plenty of other things to see and do for the amateur athletes among us. See the full programme and schedule here.

Dubai International Marine Club, Al Sufouh, 11am to 10pm, day pass Dhs100. Tel: (055) 537 9390. More info on website. 

11. Dine on North Indian food

There’s a great deal at Jumeirah Beach Hotel this week that means you can try three-course menus at many of its restaurants for just Dhs99. Our favourite dinner spot there is Naya, which serves some of the finest North Indian food the city has to offer, and they are participating in the Dhs99 deal. Make sure to book a table on the terrace.

Naya, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, until November 30. Dhs99 a person. Tel: (04) 432 3232. More info on website.

12. Marvel at timepieces

Collect watches to the point where you’re considering buying one of those boxes that jiggle them so they keep time? Well then you’ll definitely want to get down to Dubai Watch Week, which shows off the craftsmanship and innovation of the watch industry ever year. There are exhibitions in Dubai Mall and DIFC, workshops and much more. See the full schedule here.

Dubai International Financial Centre and The Dubai Mall, various times until November 29. Tel: (04) 511 9999. More info on website.

13. Meet the big guy in red

Starting this Saturday, the Pullman in JLT is putting on a festive lunch every Saturday where Santa himself will make an appearance. There will be a dedicated kids corner with decoration making, and plenty of different roasts to eat. The festive lunch will be running every Saturday until December 17.

Seasons Restaurant, Pullman Dubai, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, 1pm to 4pm, Saturday, Dhs110 with soft drinks, Dhs235 with house beverages, those under 6 dine free, those aged 6 to 12 50 per cent off. Tel: (04) 567 1159. More info on website.  

14. Hang out in Garhoud

Jumeirah Creekside Hotel is now hosting a chilled out family-friendly party on its grassy grounds in Garhoud every Saturday. Expect food trucks, stalls, music and more. This weekend is the first edition and Oli Frost-Danson will be providing live tunes.

Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, 10am to midnight, free entry. Tel: (050) 849 7332. More info on Facebook. 

15. Check out a weekend-long beach festival

The three-day-long Corona SunSets music festival is back this weekend, running from Thursday to Saturday. There will be market stalls, food stalls and beach activities on offer, with various DJs and artists on stage – on Friday at midnight Apl.de.Ap from Black Eyed Peas will be bringing the funk, and at 7pm on Saturday you’ll see Dirty Vegas live.

Barasti, next to Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Al Sufouh, 11am to 1am, free entry. Tel: (04) 511 7139. More info on Facebook.