From free fireworks displays to comedy gigs, adventure parks and huge new club nights…

As January rolls on, we’re keeping our eye on the city’s best new things to do. From free fireworks displays for DSF to dinner deals for just Dhs10, do more and spend less this weekend with our handy guide.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend. 

Thursday January 10

1. See a stunning fireworks display

Firework displays will illuminate the skies at La Mer on Thursdays and Fridays at 9pm throughout January. A stunning fire show that includes fire dancers and fire breathers follows every Thursday to Saturday at 9:30pm.

La Mer, Jumeria 1, Jumeirah, 9pm, Thursday and Fridays, free. lamerdubai.ae

2. Dine for just Dhs10 in JLT

Online food directory JLT Dining has joined forces with five restaurants in the neighbourhood, which will be offering tasty dishes for just Dhs10 until January 15. This promotion excludes VAT, but at 5 per cent, it’s still just Dhs10.50 per dish. You just have to dine in, and you’ll need to quote ‘Ten4JLT’ when making your reservation or coming to the restaurant.

Ten4JLT, various restaurants, January 5 until January 15, Dhs10.50. jltdining.com

3. Enjoy a dinner and a show package

Water-based theatre show La Perle has teamed up with six of its Habtoor City neighbours to launch a new dinner and a show package. For Dh550, guests can enjoy gold tickets for the stunning show and a pre-theatre dinner at an array of restaurants including Asian hotspot Namu, Mediterranean Babiole and Mexican restaurant Zoco.

Dinner and a show package, La Perle, Al Habtoor City, Dubai, Tues to Sat, Dhs550. laperle.com

4. Catch a film at a swanky boutique cinema

Great news, movie lovers. Dubai has a brand new cinema, and this boutique serving can be found at beachfront destination, La Mer. It’s the first cinema in the UAE to offer premium services and seating usually reserved for Platinum and VIP suites for little more than a regular ticket at just Dhs65 per person. There are four screens currently showing new releases including Aquaman, Mary Poppins Returns, Backtrace and Glass

Roxy Cinemas, La Mer North, La Mer, Jumeira 1, various timings, from Dhs65. theroxycinemas.com

5. Kickstart the weekend with a drinks deal

Is it your turn to organise after-work drinks this Thursday? Then you’ll want to know about ‘Out of Office’, the brilliant new deal at The House Party Bar. From 6pm to 10pm every Thursday, the throwback venue is offering unlimited drinks for just Dhs150 per person.

The House Party Bar, Fairmont Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road, Thursdays, 6pm to 10pm. Dhs150. Tel: 050 995 5400. @HousePartyBar 

Friday January 11

6. Tuck in at a new al fresco brunch

Launching on Friday January 11 is Secret Brunch, a new Friday party at stunning al fresco spot, Flair No 5. Running from 1pm to 5pm each week, expect four hours of international sharing plates, free-flowing drinks and live entertainent.

Secret Brunch at Flair No 5, Ritz Cartlon, DIFC, 1pm to 5pm, Fridays from January 11, Dhs299 soft, Dhs399 house, Dhs499 premium. Tel: (04) 4372 2323. Facebook.com/Flairno5

7. See rap royalty perform at a Dubai ladies’ night

Drai’s nightclub is set to welcome the return of rap royalty, Rick Ross this Friday. The American rap star will headline their new weekly ladies’ night, where ladies’ can enjoy a selection of complimentary beverages from doors opening at 11pm until 1am. The five-time Grammy nominee, will take the stage to perform his impressive roster of releases later in the night, no doubt treating fans to hits including Hustlin’ and Hold Me Back.

Drai’s presents Rick Ross, Gate B, Meydan, Dubai, 10pm to 4am, Friday January 11. Tel: (052) 388 8857. draisdxb.com

8. Bounce your way round a new indoor adventure park

Looking for an alternative to your usual Friday brunch activities this Friday? Well, why not check out Air Maniax, a huge new indoor adventure park that’s just opened in Dubai’s Al Quoz. There’s more than 15 indoor activities to tackle, from a 15,000 square foot inflatable arena to an interactive warrior assault obstacle course. Plus there’s also a zip line, arcade-style laser tag and dedicated toddler zones for the little ones.

Air Maniax, 16 Street 1 (opposite Dynatrade), Al Quoz Industrial First, Dubai, Sat to Weds 10am to 7pm, Thurs and Fri 10am to 9pm, from Dhs80 per person. airmaniax.com.

9. Cool off with a pool day

For Dhs577, you can lounge by the pool or hang out at one of Dubai’s most pristine and exclusive beaches, and the beach club’s offers one of the best views of the Burj Al Arab which can be beat only if you get on a boat. It is quite literally under the shadow of the Burj (don’t worry though, it won’t stop your tan game).

Jumeirah Al Naseem, daily 9am to 9pm, Dhs577 inlcuding a Dhs250 food and drink voucher. Tel: (04) 366 7680. jumeirah.com

10. Enjoy a laid back lunch

Villamore is laid back luxe at it’s best. The seaside spot is perched on the edge of the Emerald Palace Kempinski resort and brings a slice of Mediterranean style dining to Dubai. Every Friday it runs its new Barefoot Luxury Lunch from 1.30pm to 4.30pm serving unlimited trips to the antipasti room, a la carte main and desserts to share.

Villamore, Emerald Palace Kempinski, Palm Jumeirah, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Fridays, Dhs375 soft, Dhs475 house, Dhs575 sparkling. Tel: (04) 248 8890. villamoredubai.com

Saturday January 12

11. Laugh out loud at a comedy gig

The Laughter Factory is back at ON42 this Saturday with a new line-up of acts sure to guarantee some belly-laughs. One of the top stand ups of the time Tom Stade will be sure to having you sitting up and paying attention. He’ll be joined by Larry Dean, previously voted Scottish Comedian of the year, and ‘too outrageous for television’, JoJo Smith.

The Laughter Factory at ON42, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, 8pm onwards, Saturday January 12, Dhs160. thelaughterfactory.com

12. Party at a ‘Crazy’ new night

Two party powerhouses are coming together to launch a brand new night this Saturday – and it’s already got the city talking. Crazy Land will be hosted every Saturday night at superclub Base and powered by party brand Candypants. It’s ladies’ night until 1am, free drinks if you’re in costume, plus if you arrive before midnight, you’re in with the chance of winning a VIP taple worth Dhs10,000.

Crazy Land at Base Dubai, Dubai Design District, 10pm to 4am, Saturdays from January 12. BaseDubai.com

13. Tuck into a top roast

If you’re looking for a hearty roast to finish your week, look no further than Galvin Bistrot & Bar. There’s a choice of indoor and outdoor seating, although we’d opt for the cosy courtyard tables every time. Served every Saturday from 1pm to 6pm, the roast is a choice of meats or a vegetarian option, that comes with top trimmings of root vegetables, roast potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower cheese, a yorkshire pudding and lashings of gravy. Specials on cocktails, wines and spirits are also on offer through the day, so you can wile away the afternoon.

Galvin Bistrot & Bar, The Square City Walk, Saturdays, 1pm to 6pm, Dhs135. Tel: (800) 425 846. galvindubai.com 

14. Test your knowledge at a wacky new quiz night

Round off your week at Media City hotspot with a slightly wilder twist on the traditional quiz night every Saturday. Launching this Saturday January 12, all participants can take advantage of three drinks and three courses of Asian dishes for Dhs99 while getting involved in a blend of fun general knowledge questions, crowd karaoke and live entertainment.

Mr Miyagi’s, Level 9, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, 8pm to 10pm, Saturdays, Dhs99. Tel: (04) 4207489. mrmiyagisdubai.com

15. Try a fun fitness class

While cardio and pilates might not be two words you immediately put together, you will after trying out Cardiolates at Pilates Academy Dubai in JLT. The one-hour class, taken by pilates instructor and studio founder Cloe Sommadossi, is a sweat-busting session of pilates done on trampolines. It begins with a basic core warm up that prepares the muscles (and feet) for the workout ahead. It’s followed by a thirty minute, high-intensity class which combines the benefits of cardiovascular bouncing and the core strengthening of pilates. You’ll spend a lot of time trying to keep up with Chloe, and also a lot of time trying to master all the one-legged moves (trampolining on one-foot is not easy), but burning 400+ calories in a class, will have us bouncing back.

Cardiolates at Pilates Academy Dubai, Jumeirah Bay X2 Tower, Cluster X, JLT, various days and timings, Dhs120. Tel: (056) 798 4655. pilatesacademydubai.com 

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