Tinie Tempah, a Motown show and the Dubai World Cup…

This weekend is so huge, it was almost impossible to choose only 15 highlights. Check out a new immersive dinner experience, a competition between the strongest men in the world or dine with a Michelin starred chef. Whatever you do, we hope you have a great one.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend. 

Thursday March 28

1. Boogie down to some Motown

Groove your way down to the QE2 for a Motown show at the QE2 Theatre and Grand Lounge, for four brilliant shows celebrating the golden age of Motown music. There will be two shows on Wednesday March 27 and Thursday March 28 at the QE2 Theatre, with tickets priced from Dhs180. Two Friday shows on March 29 will include a matinee brunch performance at 2pm priced at Dhs475, and a supper club at 9pm with a five-course dinner and free flowing drinks until midnight included. Supper club tickets are priced at Dhs496.

Theatre by QE2, QE2 Dubai, Port Rashid, Dubai, Wednesday March 27 to Friday March 29, tickets from Dhs180. Facebook.com/theatrebyqe2

2. Experience an immersive dinner

‘7’ is the immersive dramatic dinner which will both surprise and entertain you throughout the evening. This theatrical experience give a new meaning to the idea of ‘dinner and a show’. Indulge in a set menu of multiple courses along with creative cocktails and selection of other drinks. Based around the seven forbidden values, the performance is a powerful portrayal which will keep you guessing. This weekend will also feature performances from Layla Kardan. Booking required.

7, Skorpeus, Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 8pm to 11pm, every Thursday and Friday until Ramadan, Dhs499 soft, Dhs669 house, Dhs799 premium. Tel: (052) 715 6278. @skorpeusdxb

3. See Pendulum live

This Australian band have been bringing their cross-genre music from festival to festival for over a decade and will soon bring their electronic tunes back to Dubai for a DJ set at Zero Gravity’s new Thursday night brunch, Club Inc. The ‘Tarantula’ hit-makers will be preluded by English drum & bass producer, Friction.

Club Inc, Zero Gravity, Sky Dive Dubai, Dubai Marina, 8pm to 2am, Thursday March 28, Dhs199. Tel: (04) 399 0009. 0-gravity.ae

4. Tinie Tempah will perform at Drai’s

British rap star, Tinie Tempah, will be back on Thursday March 28 to make his Drai’s debut. Early bird tickets for the gig at Drai’s are available now, priced at Dhs100 for ladies including a welcome drink, and Dhs300 for guys including two house drinks. After early bird, general access tickets will be available for Dhs200 for ladies with two drinks included, and Dhs400 for guys with three drinks included in the ticket price. Tinie Tempah will also perform at White on Saturday March 30.

Tinie Tempah at Drai’s, Gate B, Meydan, Dubai, 10pm to 3am, Thursday March 28, tickets from Dhs100 for ladies and Dhs300 for guys. Tel: (052) 388 8857. draisdxb.com

5. Party at The Penthouse

Penthouse’s Skyline Thursday is a favourite for house music fanatics with the biggest dance music DJs performing regularly. Brit DJing duo Eli & Fur will be heading to Dubai this Thursday to perform hits such as You’re so high’ and ‘Feel the Fire’. The pair will take the decks after resident DJ NSI kicks things off from 10pm.

The Penthouse, FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, 10pm to 3am, Thursday March 28. Tel: (052) 900 4868. fivehotelsandresorts.com

Friday March 29

6. Spend the day and night at Blue Marlin

Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE is turning seven this weekend and are throwing a big bash to celebrate. The beach club is a household name in the UAE and after seven seasons it’s still going strong. This Friday they will welcome Seth Troxler and Guy Laliberté. Spend the day and enjoy as the intensity slowly builds towards the main event which will begin from nightfall.

Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, Golden Tulip Al Jazira Resort, Ghantoot Marina, Abu Dhabi, 1pm to 11pm, Friday March 29. Tel: (056) 113 3400. Facebook.com/BMIUAE

7. Go to a new party brunch

Secret Brunch, the new brunch brought to you by Secret Parties, the party people behind the Friday brunch at Flair No 5, is located at miX, Emerald Palace Kempinski. The are performances from a live band as well as DJs Chris Wright and Tom Higham. Foodwise there’s a four-course set menu as well as a buffet, created by three-star Michelin chef Alain Ducasse.

Secret Brunch, miX by Alain Ducasse, Emerald Palace Kempinski, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs299 soft, Dhs399 house, Dhs499 sparkling, Dhs599 champagne. secret-parties.com

8. Have a bon voyage

Nikki Beach is hosting another epic party this weekend with the theme ‘Voyage, Voyage’. As a tribute to each of Nikki Beach’s global venues, enjoy a trip around the globe with a host of live entertainment throughout the day. Book a daybed for the ultimate poolside experience or a table in the restaurant to sample the international cuisine.

Nikki Beach Dubai, Pearl Jumeirah, Dubai, 11am to 9pm, Friday March 29. Tel: (04) 376 6162. nikkibeach.com

9. Witness some extreme strength

World’s Ultimate Strongman’s Emirates Strength Truck Pull competition is back and you can spectate for free. See the athletes pull trucks weighing 3, 8, 15 tonnes to battle it out and see who’s the strongest. This event promises to be an intense, exciting competition as well as fun for the whole family. 

Emirates Strength Truck Pull, Dubai Design District Parking Lot C, Dubai, 10am to noon, Friday March 29, free. facebook.com/WUSDubai

10. Celebrate a brunch’s birthday

We Brunch by Love Parties is turning two, and it’s undergone a bit of a makeover. It’s now bigger and better than ever with upgraded food and live cooking stations, a glitter bar, donut wall and bathtub filled with bottles. The Love Parties team are on hand to make sure each table has a memorable afternoon, while the DJ spins hit after hit sure to get you on the dance floor come 4.30pm. This is one brunch party people won’t want to miss.

We Brunch by Love Parties, Accents, Intercontinental Dubai Marina, Dubai Marina, 1pm to 4.30pm, Dhs325 soft, Dhs375 house, Dhs425 bubbles. webrunchdxb.com

11. Go to a gig on a piece of history

Big news for music lovers. Rap group, The Recipe, is celebrating their 10 year anniversary with a gig on the QE2. Taking place at the Yacht Club, the event will also feature Moh Flow, Freek, Foriegn Beggars, Menon and more.

10 years of The Recipe, Yacht Club, Upper Deck, Queen Elizabeth 2, Mina Rashid, Dubai, free. facebook.com/therecipedxb

Saturday March 30

12. Attend the world’s richest horse race

Dubai World Cup is back, this year headlined by Gwen Stefani. Horses and jockeys coming from across the globe will compete to try and win $12 million (Dhs44 million) on Saturday March 30. The event is a popular social affair, with brunch and hospitality packages available. General admission grandstand tickets are Dhs20 but to truly experience the best of the World Cup, book your seat in the Apron Views (Dhs350), situated between the tracks and the Meydan Grand Stand.

Dubai World Cup, Meydan Grandstand, Al Meydan Road, Dubai, 3.45pm, Saturday March 30, Dhs20 to Dhs5,750. Tel: (04) 3272110. dubaiworldcup.com.

13. Dine with Michelin starred chef

Esteemed Italian chef, Matteo Rizzo, will be appearing as guest chef for six nights at the newly opened Leonardo Dubai in Stella Di Mare. From March 25 to 30, you can enjoy a specially prepared dinner menu created with in-house chef, Michele Sciotti, available as a 4-course meal or a la carte.

Leonardo Dubai, Stella Di Mare Hotel, Dubai Marina, 7.30pm onwards, March 25 to 30. Tel: (058) 102 9398. stelladimare.com

14. Visit the Foodie Carnival

Waterfront Market is hosting its food-focused carnival again with a host of live entertainment, cafe and restaurant pop-ups and kid’s activities. There will be 18 pop-up stalls providing a selection of cuisines from across the world. The three-day event will also have prize giveaways and DJ performances.

Waterfront Market’s Foodie Carnival, intersection of Al Khaleej Road and Abu Hail Streets, Deira, Dubai, 6pm to 11pm Thursday March 28, noon to 10pm Friday March 29 and Saturday March 30. waterfrontmarket.ae

15. Get involved with Earth Hour

Hillhouse Brasserie in Dubai Hills Golf Club will be hosting a one-off barbecue and star-gazing session in support of Earth Hour. Dubai Astronomy Group will be leading the stargazing with telescopes and their CEO, Hasan Ahmad Al Hariri, will be on-hand to share revealing insights on astronomy. Enjoy unlimited barbecued bites from just Dhs150 per person. The candle-lit dinner has limited capacity so you’ll need to reserve in order to secure your spot.

Hillhouse Brasserie, Dubai Hills Golf Club, Dubai, 8pm onwards, Saturday March 30, Dhs150. Tel: (800) 666 353. facebook.com/HillhouseBrasserie

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Images: Supplied/Facebook