16 things to do in Dubai this weekend
Staycations, family-friendly fun, nights out and a 90s pop band debut at Dubai Opera…
The weekend is nearly here, and that means it’s time to start planning. As well as live music, there’s extended happy hours, top DJs, nostalgic 90s bands and pet-friendly BBQs.
Here are 16 things to do in Dubai this weekend…
Thursday April 26
1. Enjoy extended happy hours at a top terrace
For those who feel like carrying on the weekend, folly by Nick & Scott have just added an extra two hours to their daily happy hour as part of their Summer Sundowner offer. The signature Prosecco Pop (an ice lolly served up in a glass of prosecco) and cocktails including the Sunset Sling, Patron Passion and Folly’s Fruit start from Dhs35 from 3pm to 9pm. It’s worth going up to the rooftop even just for a few moments to get some Insta shots.
folly by Nick and Scott, Madinat Jumeirah, daily 3pm to 9pm, from Dhs25. Tel: (04) 430 8535. More info on website
2. Party hard at the Decibel DXB season closing
Dance and techno icon Marco Bailey is set to headline the season closing of Decibel this Thursday. Taking place from 10pm at ON42, it’s free entry for all before 11pm, or Dhs175 after including one drink.
ON42, Media One Hotel, Media City, 10pm to 3am, Thursday April 26, Dhs175. Tel:(055) 656 6554 . More info on website
3. Tuck into unlimited Asian street food
Pure Sky Lounge has launched a themed Asian evening every Thursday. For three hours, enjoy Asian street food dishes such as chicken yakitori, vegetable kimbabs, and Indonesian nasi goreng for a very reasonable Dhs150 per person.
Pure Sky Lounge, 35th Floor Hilton Dubai The Walk, 8pm to 11pm, Thursdays, Dhs150. Tel: (04) 374 7888. More info on website
Friday April 27
4. Head to the RAK Dragon boat festival for a staycation
As many as 60 teams will paddle for glory at the 2018 Dragon Boat Festival taking place for the first time in Ras Al Khaimah this weekend. The annual water-racing event takes place across the 1km stretch of the Ras Al Khaimah creek, hosted at Hilton Garden Inn. Teams for the event will consist of up to 20 people and bring together corporate, university, schools and community groups from across the UAE. Each team is supplied with a dragon boat, all necessary equipment and two hour-long training sessions with a seasoned expert.
Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah, Fri April 27 and Sat April 28, room rates from Dhs280. More info on website
5. Bring your pets along to a family-friendly BBQ
The Big BBQ Social is back for its second season, and with it comes an afternoon of tasty smoked meats and plenty of space for your furry friends to run around and socialise. Taking place at The Secret Garden, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel on Friday, there will be a pet play zone manned by professional staff where your pets can make some new friends, or a ‘Pamper Zone’ where scruffy pooches can get a much-needed makeover.
Secret Garden, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, 2pm to 2am, Friday April 27, Dhs150 adults, Dhs50 children. More info on Facebook
6. Get loud as an award-winning DJ takes to the decks
Award-winning DJ Fatboy Slim returns to Dubai for an all-day dance music festival on the sand this Friday at Zero Gravity. As a solo artist, Fatboy Slim, aka Norman Cook, has played to millions around the globe. Slim will be supported by bass-driven house music band Gorgon City and mash up masters A Skillz and Krafty Kuts. A beach festival brunch package is available from 1pm to 5pm for Dhs350.
Zero Gravity, Sky Dive Dubai, Al Sufouh, 8am to 3am, Friday April 27, Dhs200 or brunch 1pm to 5pm for Dhs350. Tel: (04) 399 0009. More info on website
7. Head to a free wellness event
Dubai Outlet Mall is hosting a free community health and wellness event from April 26 to 28. Taking place in partnership with leading healthcare, wellness and fitness providers in the region, visitors will be able to take advantage of fitness classes, vision and dental check-ups and nutrition consultations.
Dubai Outlet Mall, Al Ain Road, 2pm to 10pm, Thurs April 26 to Sat April 28, free. More info on website
8. Sing along with a 90s pop band
As part of their 20-year celebration, ‘90s pop band Steps are bringing their anniversary tour to Dubai Opera. The British five-piece will perform a single-date concert this Friday, with the venue transforming into a flat floor gig space for the occasion.
Steps at Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, 8pm onwards, Friday April 27, Dhs275. Tel: (04) 440 8888. More info on website
9. See a top DJ at a swanky super club
Set to perform this Friday, Solomun will bring his signature mix of deep house sounds, funky baselines and emotionally charged vocals to swanky new nightlife venue, Gotha. And if seeing a top deep house DJ wasn’t enough, Gotha is also offering free drinks for ladies from 11pm to 1am on the night.
Gotha Dubai, Radisson Blu Dubai Waterfront, Business Bay, Friday April 27, 11pm to 3am. Tel: (055) 1 934 934. More info on website
Saturday April 28
10. Create your own scent
Do you know what a fragrance note is, let alone the difference between a top, middle and bottom one? During this workshop – which includes prosecco and finger sandwiches courtesy of Ritz Carlton JBR – you will not only learn the technicalities of perfume making, but also have the opportunity to blend your very own perfume to take home. Melanie Jane is an aromatherapist and perfumer in Dubai who will teach about exotic and rare oils, extraction methods, fragrance families and the basics of crafting a perfume.
The Ritz-Carlton JBR, Dubai, 10am to 2pm, Saturday April 27, Dhs500 per person. Tel: (050) 350 1557. More info on website
11. Kickstart your day with a beach bowl
Three of our favourite neighborhood cafes – Tom&Serg, Common Grounds and The Sum Of Us – have created some limited-edition healthy summer beach bowls just as the weather heats up. Try something light and fresh like the ‘red dragon fruit bowl’ at Tom&Serg or the ‘sunshine bowl’ made with mango, banana, pineapple, turmeric, blueberry, passionfruit, granola, chia, coconut, raspberry by Common Grounds. Prices vary, and they’re only available for a limited time.
Tom&Serg, Common Grounds, The Sum of Us, prices vary.
12. Listen to some live music at a new d3 spot
Blues master Jay Abo will perform an intimate set at the newly opened Mediterranean spot, Belong this Saturday. The three-hour gig starts at 8pm, so bag yourself a table in the lounge to ensure you get a front-row seat.
Belong, Dubai Design District, 8pm to late, Saturday April 28, free entry. Tel: (04) 566 8374. More info on website
13. Get pampered at a top celebrity stylist
Renowned celebrity stylist Trevor Sorbie is one of the best in the business, and he’s just opened his first Middle Eastern salon in the Dubai Mall. The ladies-only salon, equipped with 20 styling sections, five backwashes and a separate lounge for refreshments will offer services including wet and dry styling, cutting, specialist coloring as well as beauty treatments of eye lash extensions and nail artwork.
Trevor Sorbie, Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall, prices vary. Tel: (04) 3888 440. More info on website
14. Enjoy a hearty roast
Bread Street Kitchen is introducing Gordon Ramsay’s Roast Revolution to Dubai, offering a Saturday roast with all the trimmings for Dhs135 per person between 12pm and 4pm. As well as the individual roast offering, Bread Street Kitchen has also launched a new ‘Host My Roast’ dining option, which is available for groups of six or more to enjoy a group roast for just Dhs750.
Bread Street Kitchen, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, 12pm to 4pm, Saturdays, Dhs135. Tel: (04) 426 2626. More info on website
15. Catch a tan (and some free chicken) at Kite Beach
Fried chicken fans, KFC will be unveiling something new this weekend down at Kite Beach. It comes with free food and live entertainment between 1pm to 3pm.
Kite Beach, Jumeirah 1 – In front of Parking 2, 1pm to 3pm, Saturday April 28, free entry. Tel: (04) 333 3055. More info on Facebook
16. Dine on some top dishes for less
Today is the last day of InterContinental Hotels Group’s Signature Food Festival, which offers discounted set menus across 50 of its restaurants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, restaurants taking part include Marina Social and The Fish House, with menus starting at Dhs149 per person.
InterContinental Hotels, various restaurants taking part, until April 28, from Dhs149. More info on website
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