From the carnival to the Caribbean and a whole lotta food…

Is it the weekend yet? It’s going to be an incredible one, and with a cooking masterclass, an international DJ and new fitness concept, we’re ready to tick off as many of these events as we can.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend. 

Thursday March 7

1. Hang out with some celebrity chefs

Nothing says springtime in the city quite like a weekend spent lazing and grazing in the sun, and Taste of Dubai always brings ample opportunity for both. The festival is known for gathering a host of top name chefs and high-end restaurants around the table, and 2019 is no different. Between them, the brigade of top chefs will be hosting a series of masterclasses, demonstrations, tastings and competitions across the weekend, while a host of bars, live music stages and entertainment options will ensure even the most kitchen-calamitous attendees can find a home on the site.

Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City, Dubai, Thur 4pm to midnight, Fri noon to midnight, Sat noon to 11pm, March 7 to 9, Dhs95. Tel: (04) 3148222. tasteofdubaifestival.com

2. Have a pie-fest

Celebrate British Pie week at Dhow and Anchor and choose from a specially crafted selection of pies. The gastropub will be serving three different types of pies all week, chicken tikka masala, slow cooked lamb shank or hot smoked salmon for Dhs95. There’s also a rose, raspberry and rhubarb pie for Dhs50 with clotted cream available until Saturday March 9.

Dhow & Anchor, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, 12pm to 2am, daily until March 9, Dhs95. Tel: (04) 406 8720. jumeirah.com

3. Spend a night on top of the world

The recently-opened Lounge at Burj Khalifa is hosting a three-night event called ‘Seafood & Caviar Nights’. Enjoy views of Dubai from levels 152, 153 and 154 along with live music from singer and pianist Akmo, who can sing in English, French, Turkish, Russian, Korean and Spanish. Canapés include rock shrimp tempura, octopus kari-kari and seafood arrancini as well as an array of equally lavish desserts.

The Lounge, Burj Khalifa, access via Armani Hotel or At The Top, 7.30pm to midnight, March 7 to 9, Dhs680 for unlimited canapés and a glass of a bubbles. burjkhalifa.ae

4. Indulge in an evening brunch

Publique, the Alpine-themed restaurant in the Madinat Jumeirah, have an evening brunch package that runs from Saturday to Thursday from 8pm to 11pm. The cost is Dhs345 for three hours with a minimum booking of four guests. All brunch groups will get an ‘instructor’ that will guide them through the authentic alpine journey. A selection of starters will be served directly to the table, each guest can then choose a main of their choice, followed by cheese raclette and chocolate fondue to share, and wash it down with unlimited house beverages.

Publique, Madinat Jumeirah, 8pm to 11pm, Sunday to Thursday, Dhs345 with a minimum booking of four. Tel: (04) 430 8550. publique.ae

5. Samba the night away at a carnival

 

Bringing a little bit of Rio to Dubai, Chamas in Crowne Plaza is hosting a Street Carnival full of the colour and life of Brazilian festivals. With samba dancers, street food and latin cocktails, the carnival promises to be the full Rio de Janeiro experience. Expect live music performances from resident Latin band Ayele and Brazillian drummers Percussionista Brasileiro.

Chamas Churrascaria and Bar, Crowne Plaza Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 6pm to 11.30pm, March 4 to 8, from Dhs315. Tel: (800) 276963. facebook.com/Chamasdubai

READ MORE: 10 Thursday evening brunches in Dubai

Friday March 8

6. Learn how to cook raw vegan dishes

 

Led by trained chef and leading nutritionist Alexandra Chaston, the Raw Vegan Masterclass at The Social Kitchen will offer foodies a chance to make a three-course menu from soup to salad and dessert. The class will be followed by a series of wellbeing activities including mediation, colour aromatherapy and oxygen therapy.

The Social Kitchen, The Retreat Palm Dubai, 1pm to 3pm, Friday March 8, Dhs325. Tel: (04) 524 7777. theretreatpalmdubai.com

7. Watch a polo tournament

The Julius Baer Gold Cup polo tournament will take place from midday on Friday March 8, and after eight top teams battling it out over the last few weeks, the final will commence at 4pm, followed by the prize giving ceremony at 5.30pm and a dazzling fireworks display ending the evening at 7.20pm. But it’s not just about the polo, throughout the afternoon, there will also be cheerleading and acrobatics shows, a fashion show at the Gold Lounge and a marching band.

Julius Baer Gold Cup, Al Habtoor Polo Club, Dubai, 12pm onwards, Friday March 8. Tel: (056) 990 0310. Facebook.com/JuliusBaerGoldCup/ Platinumlist.net

8. Take part in a walk for a good cause

WeWalk is an annual walkathon organised to raise awareness for autism and encourage a broader understanding of the individuals with the condition. The two kilometre walk starts at The Block in D3 and all proceeds will be donated to Dubai Autism Center.

WeWalk 2019, Dubai Design District, Dubai, walkathon starts at 7.30am, Friday March 8, Dhs50, free for under 4s. wewalk.ae 

9. Have fun with the family at a new brunch

“Meet the Wokkers” is a family-friendly Friday brunch at Asian Kitchen and features an array of kids’ entertainment, including magicians, balloon bending and face painting. The pan-Asian dining experience includes sharing plates of peking duck bao, kam hengo squid, sesame beef, kung pao chicken and tandoori lamb chops as well as free-flowing beverages.

Asian Kitchen, Azure Residences, Palm Jumeirah, 12.30pm to 4pm, kids under 6 free, ages 6-10 Dhs60, soft Dhs170, house Dhs295, sparkling Dhs395. Tel: (054) 309 4518. facebook.com/AsianKitchenDubai

10. Feel like you’re still ’17’

Best known for his floor-filling hit song ’17’, MK will be returning to Dubai for the first time since 2017 on March 8th for a no-doubt unforgettable performance at Zero Gravity. His list of tracks include collaborations with some of the world’s biggest artists such as Becky Hill, Lana Del Ray and Sam Smith.

Zero Gravity, Sky Dive Dubai, 5pm to 3am, Friday March 8, free entry 5pm to 9pm, free for ladies all night, Dhs100 after 9pm, Dhs75 advance tickets from Platinum List. Tel: (04) 399 0009. 0-gravity.ae

Saturday March 9

11. Enjoy some 7* tacos

There’s currently a pop-up taco truck parked on the stunning Terrace of the Burj Al Arab (adjacent to Scape restaurant), serving up three colourful tacos for a fraction of the price of a normal meal at the seven star hotel, just Dhs90. There are six different options to choose from, which cover sweet, savoury and even vegan options. Guests can select from the likes of smoked wagyu beef, yellowtail ceviche or a vegan friendly soy-glazed fried tofu served in an eye-popping purple beetroot taco shell.

Tacos on the Terrace, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah, Dubai, 12pm to 8pm until Saturday March 9, Dhs90. jumeirah.com

12. Break a sweat, not bones

Underdogboxn is a brand-new fitness facility that caters for everyone from the complete novice to the professional athlete. According to the founders, “The Aqua Bag Technology absorbs the impact of your punches, instead of sending the impact back through your joints, ligaments, and tendons, which means you can punch harder and more often, while reducing your risk of injury.”

Unit AG02, Ground Floor, Block A, Office Park Building, Abdullah Omran Taryam St, Dubai Internet City, Dhs120. underdogboxn.com

13. Check out a Caribbean beach brunch

Spend an afternoon in the sun with good vibes and good food. JMRCK is the new tropical themed brunch running every Saturday at Cove Beach. The afternoon promises to bring you good vibes with Caribbean barbecue and drinks along with the

Cove Beach, Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai, Bluewaters, off JBR, 1pm to 5pm, Wednesdays, Dhs199 house drinks only, Dhs249 soft and bbq, Dhs349 house and bbq. Tel: (050) 454 6920. covebeach.com

14. Devour unlimited dim sum

Set on the stunning Mina A’Salam waterfront, Zheng He’s is a Chinese restaurant with a Dubai twist. The long-serving restaurant is set to transport its visitors to the far East every Friday and Saturday lunchtime with a four-course menu that includes unlimited serving of Dim sum. Available from 12pm to 2.30pm every weekend, starters include cucumber and peanut salad, followed by unlimited steamed, baked and fried dim-sum including chicken Shu Mai, spiced spinach dumpling and deep fried minced shrimp to name a few. It’s priced at Dhs148.

Zheng He’s, Mina A’Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, 12.30pm to 2pm, Fridays and Saturdays, Dhs148 per person. Tel: (04) 432 3232. jumeirah.com

15. Hit up a roof top party

Morimoto are merging Japan with NYC with a sunset roof party in Renaissance Downtown. Expect a house music playlist curated by Nasrawi & Omar Fayyad and kimono dress-up activations. The views from this bar are next level so make sure to arrive before sunset.

Morimoto, Renaissance Downtown, Dubai, 4pm to 6pm, Saturdays. Tel: (050) 849 7332. facebook.com