A free fitness class, a great spa deal and a unique new cafe concept…

This weekend is so huge, it was almost impossible to choose only 15 highlights. Check out a great staycation deal, a night time obstacle course or why not go and see Le Perle? Whatever you do, we hope you have a great one.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend. 

Thursday May 9

1. Take part in a free fitness class

Hilton Dubai Jumeirah is hosting a post-sunset workout this Thursday which is completely free to join. Hosted by FitnessinDXB, the class will be a fun challenging workout that people of all abilities can take part in. Those who are fasting, can break it with complimentary dates and water before the 45-minute circuit. Participants can also redeem a 30 per cent discount at the hotel’s iftar buffet or in the Italian restaurant, BiCE. Spaces are limited and can be booked via RSVP@sevenmedia.ae.

FitnessinDXB, Wavebreaker Beach Club, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, 7.15pm, Thursday May 9, free. Tel: (04) 318 2999. 

2. Swim, dine and relax for less

Enjoy a luxe daycation for less this summer at the beautiful Anantara The Palm, Dubai. For Dhs299, guests can enjoy pool and beach access including access to Anantara’s lagoon-sized swimming pool alongside a special set menu at The Beach House. Pool access is from 10am each day, with the offer valid daily except Fridays until September 30.

Anantara The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 10am to sunset, Saturday to Thursday until September 30, Dhs299. anantara.com

3. Treat yourself to a spa day

The perfect time for holistic healing during the Holy Month of Ramadan, experience a traditional Hammam experience with feet Ritual, Skin Purifying Body exfoliation and steam session at One&Only The Palm for a discounted Dhs665 per person. The discounted price for the one-hour treatment can be booked and availed between now and June 4.

One&Only The Palm, West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, daily 10am until 9pm until June 4, Dhs665. oneandonlyresorts.com

4. Test your limits with a night time obstacle course

The UAE’s only night-time obstacle race, the NAS Night Challenge will see competitors from the UAE and around the world taking on the 5km course. Athletes can compete as part of a team of four people, on 9 May, or on their own on 16 May.

Nas Night Challenge, Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, 9pm, May 9 and 16, Dhs202. Tel: (054) 3948228. registration.nasst.ae

5. Enjoy a discounted evening brunch

What’s On Nightlife Award-winning The Stage Brunch has introduced a special summer price this May. The three-hour package runs from 8pm to 11pm on Thursday evenings, and serves up unlimited starters and a la carte main options across Jazz@PizzaExpress JLT and PizzaExpress Live Business Bay, with prices from a bargain Dhs150.

Jazz Pizza Express, Cluster A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, 8pm to 11pm, Thursdays, from Dhs150. Tel: (052) 798 7275. lovepartiesgroup.com

Friday May 10

6. Take a mini-staycation

With the summer staycation at Fairmont The Palm, guests can check in between May 5 and September 30 and enjoy a half board rate from as little as Dhs650 excluding taxes and fees. The package includes a one night stay, lunch or dinner in the evening, breakfast the next morning, plus a 30 minute complimentary spa treatment when you purchase a treatment for 60 minutes.

Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, from Dhs650. fairmont.com/palm-dubai

7. Soak up the sun at one of Dubai’s top beach clubs

As the summer heat kicks in, Dubai beach club Zero Gravity has announced a cool offer for pool and beach access throughout the month of Ramadan. Head down on the weekdays and spend Dhs100 on entry, with the full amount back in food and beverages. Alternatively if you’re looking for a pool day on the weekends, it will be Dhs150 for the entrance – but you’ll get it all back in food and beverages. It’s basically a free-entry pool day, every day of the week.

Zero Gravity, Sky Dive Dubai, Dubai Marina, Sun, Mon and Weds 10am to 9pm, Tues, Thurs, Fri and Sat 10am to midnight, Dhs100 weekdays, Dhs150 weekends, fully redeemable in food and drink. Tel: (04) 399 0009. 0-gravity.ae

8. Gather friends and family for a board game

It’s time to unleash your competitive side as Unwind Cafe, the first speciality board game cafe in Dubai, has arrived. The cafe has over 500 board games and plenty of well-trained staff known as Game Masters, who are on-hand to help customers understand how to play them. In an age where the average attention span time is rapidly decreasing, the Unwind team want to bring together groups of friends, family and colleagues to give them an opportunity to relax, and reconnect.

Unwind Cafe, Hessa Street, Al Barsha 3, 6pm to 2am weekdays, 6pm to 3am weekends (during Ramadan), Dhs27 per hour for adults. Dhs21 per hour for children. Tel: (04) 336 6611. unwinddubai.com

9. Check out an incredible show

Still not seen the Al Habtoor water show, La Perle? Well now’s your chance as they’ve just launched a Ramadan early bird sale, and tickets start from Dhs199. You’ll need to book your tickets during Ramadan, for a show in June, July or August. The 90-minute show has been conceptualised by Franco Dragone, and during the performance, acrobats and athletes dive from 25 metres into the changeable aqua-stage filled with 2.7 million litres of water, and fly around the theatre at 15 kilometres per hour. It’s valid on tickets from mid-June until the end of September.

La Perle by Dragone, Al Habtoor City, Tuesday to Friday 7pm and 9.30pm and Saturday 4pm and 7pm, from Dhs199. Tel: (04) 437 0123. laperle.com

10. Enjoy an evening brunch at Hell’s Kitchen

This Ramadan, the Friday afternoon feast at Hell’s Kitchen becomes an evening affair. Guests can expect all the usual live cooking stations, an a la carte offering of the signature main courses and a brilliant competition at the end as guests battle it out in “The Eton Mess Challenge”. Running on a five-minute timer, the lucky competition winner will bag themselves a dinner for two at Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen.

Hell’s Kitchen, Caesars Bluewaters Dubai, 7pm to 10.30pm, Fridays during Ramadan, Dhs350. Tel: (04) 5566466. caesarsdubai.ae

Saturday May 11

11. Spend the day at a fun waterpark

Looking for some family-friendly fun that won’t break the bank this Ramadan? Then head to Legoland at Dubai Parks & Resorts. Throughout the holy month, UAE residents can avail tickets for just Dhs100 to either Legoland or Legoland Water Park. From the first day of Ramadan, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park will open Saturday to Wednesday from 10am to 5pm, with Legoland Water Park operating from 10am to 6pm Thursday and Friday while LEGOLAND Dubai will open 10am to 8pm.

Legoland and Legoland Water Park, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai, 10am to 5pm Sat to Weds, 10am to 6pm Thurs and Fri at Legoland Water Park, 10am to 8pm Thurs and Fri at Legoland. legoland.com

12. Check out a cool exhibition

To celebrate its third birthday, Custot Gallery in Dubai is exhibiting Spring Break: a group show of paintings and sculptures by a variety of international modern and contemporary artists. Highlights include works by Marc Quinn, a prominent British artist whose work The Eye of History (Polar Perspective) Red comments on the paranoid world we live in.

Custot Gallery, Unit No. 84, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. Sat to Thur 10am to 7pm until May 30. Tel: (04) 346 8148. custotgallerydubai.ae

13. Practice your ice-skating skills

Skating enthusiasts can hit the ice at Dubai Ice Rink for the reduced rate of Dhs49 this Ramadan during off-peak times. Regular tickets are usually Dhs95, so that’s almost a 50 per cent saving! Tickets for guests under 100cm are priced at a further reduced Dhs40

Dubai Ice Rink, The Dubai Mall, Dubai, 12pm to 5pm, after midnight, Sunday to Thursday, after midnight, Friday and Saturday. dubaiicerink.com

14. Check out a meditation class

Lighthouse Arabia is a one of a kind wellness centre in Dubai. Their community-focused group sessions cover everything from social skills to university stress. Keep your eye out for their monthly ‘Healing Through Mediation’ sessions, which  is ideal for those who are curious and interested in learning more about the self-healing meditation practice.

The Lighthouse Arabia, Villa 1, Al Wasl Road, Dubai, Saturday to Thursday 8am to 8pm, Fridays closed. Tel: (04) 380 9298. lighthousearabia.com

15. Enjoy a traditional iftar

Set among sand dunes and surrounded by natural desert landscape, Al Hadheerah restaurant at Bab Al Shams, gives guests a unique opportunity to feast in an Arabian setting. The evening will be brought to life with tunes of traditional oud and kanun musicians. After the iftar buffet, the live cultural entertainment will commence, such as Tanoura dancing, as well as stunning horse and camel shows.

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, sunset to 11pm, Sun to Wed Dhs265, Thur to Sat Dhs295. Tel: (04) 8096194. babalshams.com

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Images: Supplied/Facebook