A beautiful Ramadan tent, a big sports game and a gorgeous new patisserie…

This weekend is so huge, it was almost impossible to choose only 12 highlights. Check out the new menu at COYA, an artistic dinner or why not have race your friends around a karting track? Whatever you do, we hope you have a great one.

Here are 12 things to do in Dubai this weekend. 

Thursday May 30

1. Check out an adorable exhibition

In celebration of Otter Week, The Dubai Mall is showcasing an art exhibition dedicated to the friendly furry creatures. The centrepiece is an adorable artwork of Dubai Aquarium’s own mother and daughter otter pair by Emma Skinner. You’ll also find paw print artwork created by the aquarium’s family of otters themselves.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, daily until June 1. thedubaiaquarium.com

2. Design and dine

Get creative at the stunning all’onda rooftop terrace at Emerald Palace Kempinski, Palm Jumeirah. The restaurant is hosting a three-hour dinner where you can learn to create your own Arabic calligraphy art while enjoying courses from Italian and Asian cuisine. The beginner’s workshop aims to guide you to create an artwork you’ll be proud to hang up at home.

all’onda, Emerald Palace Kempinski, Palm Jumeirah, 7pm to 10pm, Thursday May 30, from Dhs300. Tel: (056) 612 7064. allevents.in

3. Enjoy suhoor in a stunning setting

Ninive in Jumeirah Emirates Towers, has a contemporary suhoor each day in its stunning tent. The Middle Eastern terrace has cosy tent with a mix of table and areas with comfortable sofas to enjoy board games, tea and a la carte dishes until the early hours. 

Ninive, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, DIFC, daily, 9pm onwards. Tel: (04) 326 6105. ninive.ae

4. Fool your Instagram followers

The Museum of Illusions has been given a Ramadan makeover to help you get in the spirit, while tricking all your social media followers. The waterfront Al Seef development by Meraas on Dubai Creek gives you the opportunity to take some mind-boggling photos with Holy Month-inspired props added to several of its most popular illusions.

Museum of Illusions Dubai, Al Seef, daily, 10am to midnight, Dhs80 adults, Dhs60 children. museumofillusions.ae

Friday May 31

5. Satisfy your need for speed

Gather your friends and see who is the biggest daredevil as you race around the track of Dubai Autodrome’s Kartdrome. The arrive and drive package is Dhs137 per person for approximately 15 minutes of driving. You’ll be given all the equipment and you can check your time and place on the scoreboard at the end of the race.

Kartdrome, Dubai Autodrome, Motor City, daily, 8am to 10pm, Dhs137. Tel: (806) 2220. dubaiautodrome.com

6. Cool off in a Greenhouse

Normally greenhouses aren’t cool but trust when we say this one is! Popular rooftop bar Treehouse has been covered for the summer, making it the perfect weekend destination for chilling with friends. The air-conditioned tent has been decorated with stunning fairy lights, making it the cosiest rooftop in Dubai.

Greenhouse/Treehouse, Taj Hotel, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, daily, 7pm to 2am. Tel: (058) 827 2763. treehousedubai.ae

7. Indulge in an eclectic iftar

Looking for an iftar that caters to fans of Middle Eastern and International cuisine? Then Honey & Gold at The Loft, Dubai Opera is the perfect place. The stunning venue offers a daily iftar with dishes from around the world, including an extensive salad bar, pasta and risotto station, array of meats and fish, as well as traditional Arabic bites.

The Loft, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, daily, sunset to 10pm, Dhs265 per person. Tel: (04) 362 7312. loftatopera.com

8. Fire up the barbecue

Summer is all about barbecues, so Address Dubai Marina hosts one every single Friday. The five kitchens of Mazina come together to offer hungry guests a selection of freshly grilled steaks, sausages, seafood and more. 

Mazina, Address Dubai Marina, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Fridays, from Dhs325. Tel: (04) 888 3444. addresshotels.com

9. Try a limited edition menu

This weekend is your last chance to sample COYA Dubai’s summer menu. Every Friday and Saturday during May, you can try the newest dishes to join the Latin American’s restaurants delectable menu. Expect tasty dishes including Chilean sea bass, Wagyu short rib, beef ribs, corn fed baby chicken, and sea bass croquettes.

COYA Dubai, Four Seasons Jumeirah, Jumeirah, 12.30pm to 4pm, Friday May 31, Dhs280. Tel: 04 316 9600. coyarestaurant.ae

Saturday June 1

10. Check out a gorgeous new patisserie

Un Dimanche à Paris, the newly-opened patisserie on Bluewaters, is the perfect place to enjoy lunch overlooking the sea and Dubai Marina. The quintessentially French brasserie has an extensive menu of tasty treats that are bound to tickle your fancy.

Un Dimanche à Paris, Bluewaters, off JBR, daily, 8am to midnight. Tel: (04) 564 0044. un-dimanche-a-paris.com

11. Indulge in a new menu

P.F. Chang’s is celebrating a decade in the Middle East and has launched a new menu to commemorate it. The new menu includes more salads and vegetarian options, kids’ bento boxes, new beef, duck and sea bass dishes, crab cakes, and even a larger version of their famous dynamite shrimp.

All P.F. Chang’s branches across Dubai. pfchangs.com

12. Cheer on your team

The much-anticipated UEFA Champions League final is taking place this Saturday at 11pm (Dubai time). There’s plenty of places for you to go and cheer on either Liverpool or Tottenham which we’ve rounded up for you here.

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Images: Supplied/Facebook