Summer festivals, Eid escapes, new restaurants, and brunch onboard a floating hotel…

We’re officially heading into the hottest month of the summer, so we’ve scoured the city for the best things to do while keeping cool. From a cider festival to comedy nights and brunches onboard a floating hotel to last-minute Eid getaways, we’re making sure you have the best August imaginable.

Here are 10 things to look forward to this August. 

From August 1: Experience a British summer indoors at a Cider festival

The Scene by Simon Rimmer is launching a month long ‘Cider Social’ this August in their cool new indoor garden. Expect a limited-edition range of craft ciders starting from Dhs35, apple based-cocktails, a nostalgic selection of The Scene’s snakebites and themed bar bites priced at Dhs99 for three.

The Scene by Simon Rimmer, 4th Floor, Pier 7, 8am to 2am, launching Wednesday August 1 until August 31. Tel: (04) 422 2328. Thescenedubai.com

August 9: Celebrate midsummer with a six hour drunch

On Thursday August 9, guests can enjoy six hours of unlimited drinks from 5pm to 11pm for Dhs240 at McGettigans Dubai World Trade Centre. DJ Rob will play a mix of pop, rock and party anthems followed by the Mike Ross Band, and there will be midsummer cocktail special available all night for Dhs25. 

McGettigans DWTC, World Trade Centre, Downtown, 5pm to 100pm, Thursday August 9, Dhs240. Tel: (04) 378 0800. mcgettigans.com

August 10: Brunch and party onboard a floating hotel

Fancy setting sail for a lively party brunch on a boat and getting to experience a slice of history? Well mark your diaries for Friday August 10 as Secret Parties is set to takeover the iconic QE2 for an epic one-off party brunch and after party. Kicking off from 1pm, the brunch will be held at an unknown location on board, with the promise of a secret after party afterwards. Plus, why not make a night of it? Discounted room rates on offer for brunch-goers from Dhs649 for the brunch and staycation package.

Secret Parties Brunch, QE2, Port Rashid, 1pm to late, Friday August 10, Dhs399 girls, Dhs449 guys, staycation packages from Dhs649 per person. Tel:(055) 952 2597. secret-parties.com

August date TBC: Check out a cool new Mexican hotspot

When we heard about the opening of La Carnita back in June, we got excited. The Mexican street food concept hailing from Toronto promises a mix of ‘street food, urban design and old-school hip hop’ when it opens sometime this month in the Intercontinental Dubai Marina. An exact opening date is yet to be given, but we can’t wait to check it out when it is.

La Carnita, Intercontinental Dubai Marina, Dubai Marina, coming soon. Facebook.com/LaCarnitaDXB

August 14 and 15: Get a coffee and a cookie for Dhs2

To celebrate turning two, Revo Café at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort is offering guests coffee with a homemade cookie for just Dhs2 on August 14 and 15.

Revo Cafe, Anantara The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, 8am to 10.30pm, August 14 and 15, Dhs2. Tel:(04) 567 8322. instagram.com/revo.cafe

Throughout August: Make the most of summer in Dubai

Jumeirah hotels has created a summer incentive, launching 90 ways to have fun over the summer months in Dubai. Activities range from cocktail making masterclasses at the Burj Al Arab, to discounted fitness passes that come with access to Wild Wadi, to special-rate staycays at a number of Jumeirah hotels.

90 ways to summer, various locations, until September 30. (04) 432 3232. Jumeirah.com

August 17: See a Filipino star live

Popular Filipino singer Morissette is set to make her Dubai debut this month. makes her debut in Dubai – she’s expected to sing hits including Diamante and Throwback.

Dubai World Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 7.30pm, Friday August 17, fromDhs75. Tel: (04) 397 9244. dwtc.com  

August 21: Head away for the long weekend

Although not yet confirmed, we’re expecting an extra-long weekend this month. With Eid Al Adha predicted to start on Tuesday August 21, there’s no better time to plan a getaway. And why not make it Bali? At the Conrad Bali, you can stay from Dhs399 per night with breakfast over Eid, while visiting local beaches,  explore Indonesian temples, watch ancient fire dances and practice yoga in a local sanctuary. Feeling a more relaxing holiday? Just soak up the sunsets for the resorts stunning poolside. 

Conrad Bali, Bali, Indonesia, Eid rates from Dhs399 including breakfast, return flights with Emirates to Denpasar from Dhs5275. Tel: (+62) 361 778 788. conradhotels.com

August 21 to 25: See La Perle for less

Staying in Dubai over the long weekend? There’s still plenty happening at home. If you’ve not seen the stunning Al Habtoor city water show, La Perle yet, now is your chance; they’re offering half price tickets over the Eid weekend for bookings of four to 10 tickets. A group of four tickets starts at Dhs1260 for silver and Dhs1680 for gold seats.

La Perle by Dragone, Al Habtoor City, Tuesday August 21 to Sunday August 25, Tuesday to Friday 7pm and 9.30pm and Saturday 4pm and 7pm. Tel: (04) 437 0123. laperle.com

August 31: Catch an award-winning comedy

Catch dark comedy Carnage at the end of August at Alserkal Avenue’s, The Junction. The Tony award-winning play by the French playwright Yasmina Reza centres around two quarreling schoolboys, their two families and two lost teeth.

The Junction, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, timings vary, August 31 and September 1, from Dhs70. Tel: (04) 4573212. thejunctiondubai.com

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