Pool parties, new films, live music, winter wonderlands and shopping festivals…

You might already be planning your extended Eid break next week, but don’t forget there’s still a weekend to fill before that.

We’re kickstarting proceedings with some bargain hunting and top house music, followed by a live performance by a Filipino star, exploring a secret bar and celebrating Indian Independence Day on Friday. The weekend finishes off with winter festivals where you can actually build a snowman and live music by a top Dubai-based act.

Here are 12 things to do in Dubai this weekend.

Thursday August 16

1. Cool off with a new evening pool party

Dubai’s long-serving Barasti Beach is launching a brand new pool party to kickstart the weekend. From 8pm to 11pm, their free-entry, weekly pool party will serve up unlimited wine, beer and bubbles for just Dhs100 for ladies, while guys can take advantage of happy hour prices from 9pm to 11pm.

Barasti Beach, The Westin Mina Seyahi, 8pm to 11pm, Thursdays, Dhs100 for ladies. Tel: 04 399 3333. barastibeach.com

2. Bag a bargain

Offering up to 75 per cent off on top international brands, the Concepts Big Brand Festival returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre from Wednesday, August 15 to Sunday, August 19, just in time for the Eid Al Adha break. There’s more than 300 brands taking part, so expect to bag a bargain on luxury labels including Dior, Versace, Lacoste, Calvin Klein, Nike and Michael Kors.

Concepts Big Brand Festival, Sheikh Maktoum Hall, World Trade Centre, Downtown, 10am to 10pm, until Sunday August 19, free entry. Facebook.com/Concepts.Big.Brands.Carnival

3. See a new DJ spin

This weekend, Analog room is set to welcome progressive New York producer Gunner Haslam as its headline act. He’ll be supported by Pooja B, who makes her debut as a resident DJ at Stereo Arcade. Over in The Boom Room,  Ricardo De Meneses and MAAT go back to back.

Analog Room, Stereo Arcade, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, 10pm to 3am, Thursday August 16, Dhs100. Tel: (052) 618 2424. facebook.com/stereoarcade

4. Catch a new smash hit

The first film in 25 years to feature an all-Asian cast, Crazy Rich Asians is out in cinemas across Dubai this weekend. The story follows New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. But Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention that not only is he the son of one of the country’s wealthiest families, but also one of its most sought-after bachelors.  Being on Nick’s arm puts a target on Rachel’s back, with jealous socialites and, worse, Nick’s own disapproving mother (Michelle Yeoh) taking aim.

Crazy Rich Asians, in cinemas Thursday August 16, various timings. crazyrichasiansmovie.com 

Friday August 17

5. 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, from Dhs75. Tel: (04) 397 9244. dwtc.com  

6. Party at a secret bar

The Shoreditch Sessions is the latest offering from newly opened underground nightclub, Industrial Avenue. Starting from 5pm, guests will need to make their way beyond the secret door to ‘The Shoreditch’, Industrial Avenue’s hidden room, where the after party takes place. The speakeasy-style bar will offer four drink tokens (house spirits and wine) for Dhs100 per person.

Industrial Avenue, The Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina, 5pm onwards. Tel: (052) 293 5907. Facebook.com/IndustrialAvenueDubai

7. Celebrate Indian Independence Day

To celebrate ‘72 years of India’, Bollywood Parks Dubai will host a weekend of dance performances, patriotic music, traditional Indian food stalls and special decorations throughout the park from August 15 to 17. Doors open at 3pm until 11pm.

Bollywood Parks Dubai, Dubai Parks & Resorts, 3pm to 11pm, August 15 to 17, from Dhs95. bollywoodparksdubai.com

8. Cool off with a pool day

The recently reopened Address Downtown has now opened up its spa and leisure facilities, which spans across the sixth floor of the hotel. Outside you’ll find a sprawling, five-tier infinity pool complete with Burj views, and weekend access is priced at Dhs250 per person, with a Dhs150 voucher to spend on food and drink.

Address Downtown, Downtown Dubai, daily 9am to 10pm, Dhs200 weekdays, Dhs250 weekends with Dhs150 food and drink voucher. Tel:(04) 436 8755. addresshotels.com

Saturday August 18

9. Get your culture fix with a free exhibition

Named after the retro Hasbro toy that featured in the top 100 toys of all time by Time magazine, this exhibition explores the impact of our innate reactions to colour. The conscious and unconscious choices of the viewer are based on their responses to colour which are represented through different media in this group show. Artists include Iranian talents Mohsen Jamali Neek, Habib Farajabadi and Reza Bangiz, plus Iranian artist and curator Fereydoun Ave, who helped promote contemporary art in post-revolutionary Tehran in the 1980s and continues to champion Iranian artists around the world.

Total Arts at The Courtyard, Al Quoz, Dubai, Sat to Thurs, 10am to 6pm, until August 31. Tel: (04) 347 5050. courtyard-uae.com

10. Captain your own boat and sail around Dubai

There’s a new Dubai-based, boat tour company allows you to captain your own boat as you sail around Dubai. Brought to you by HERO Odysea, the idea is a convoy of boats go out with a tour guide who leads from his own boat – but you’ll be driving your own boat yourself. The tour lasts for 90-minutes and takes in iconic Dubai landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab and Atlantis, The Palm.

Hero Odysea, Fishing Harbour 2, Umm Suqeim, Dhs790. hero-dubai.com.

11. Build a snowman

Taking place every Friday and Saturday at Dubai Ladies Club is DubaiICE, a winter-themed festival inside a pop-up, hosted within an igloo-inspired dome on the private Dubai Ladies Club beach. The festival will run from 3pm to 7pm until the end of the month, and promises a host of snow-themed activities for women and children. Entry will be priced at Dhs260 for ladies and Dhs80 for children (sorry guys – this is a women-only event).

Dubai ICE at Dubai Ladies Club, Jumeirah, 3pm to 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays until September 1, Dhs260 adults, Dhs80 children. Tel: (04) 349 9922. dubailadiesclub.com

12. Finish the weekend with some live music

Offering up some impressive views across Business Bay and Downtown, Iris is a great place to chill out at the end of the week. On Saturday’s, one of Dubai’s top live music acts, Danny Aridi plays an acoustic set from 6pm to 9pm as the sun sets.

Iris, Level 27, The Oberoi Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai, 3pm to 2am, Saturdays. Tel: (056) 951 1442. Irisdubai.com

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