Two superstar performances and potentially the longest brunch in Dubai…

The weekend is nearly upon us and its time to start planning. Dubai is as busy as ever with tons of things to do, there’s a tech shopping festival, Akon and Jason Derulo are both performing and Cove Beach is throwing a weekend-long party for the new season.

Here are 15 brilliant things to do this weekend in Dubai.

Thursday September 26

1. Find a great tech deal

GITEX Shopper has returned and brings with it heaps of unbeatable deals on tech, gadgets and electronics. Visitors can also enjoy interactive experiences, as well as prizes and giveaways, kids area by KidZania, gaming zone and daily deals. Catch all the action daily until Saturday September 28 from 11am to 11pm at Sheikh Saeed Halls 1-3, Dubai Word Trade Centre.

GITEX Shopper, Sheikh Saeed Halls 1-3, Dubai World Trade Centre, Tues Sept 24 to Sat Sept 28, 11am to 11pm, Dhs20. gitexshopperdubai.com

2. Celebrate Cove Beach’s return to Dubai

Although Cove Beach Dubai remained open throughout the summer, the much-loved beach club hosted a pop up destination in Las Vegas and now the team is back for the new season. From Thursday September 26 to Saturday September 28, Cove Beach is hosting a Back From Vegas season opening party all weekend.

Cove Beach, Caesars Palace Bluewaters, Thurs Sept 26 to Sat Sept 28, 7pm to 3am. Tel: (050) 454 6920. covebeach.com

3. Toro Toro is hosting a reopening party

South American bar and lounge Toro Toro is being revamped for a one-off jungle themed season opening party. Expect upbeat vibes from Sam&Tonic and DJ Tala Samman all night long as well as drinks offers which will be randomly announced on the night and a few other surprises.

Toro Toro, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, Thursday September 26, 10pm onwards. Tel: (04) 317 6000. torotoro-dubai.com

4. Attempt a 9.5 hour brunch

Masquerade Mischief is the evening brunch taking place at the newly opened Meshico this Thursday. Guests will be able to enjoy unlimited food and drinks (including cocktails) from 7.30pm to 5am for just Dhs259. If you think you can handle it, dig out your best masks and prepare for a night of live entertainment, including the iconic Mariachi band.

Meshico, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, Thursday Sept 26, 7.30pm to 5am, Dhs259 house. Tel: (04) 5144512. meshico.ae

5. See a superstar perform

Whatcha Say hitmaker, Jason Derulo, is set to perform not one, but two huge gigs at Meydan this weekend. Kicking off his weekend of performances, fans will be treated to a string of Derulo’s brilliant hits at White Dubai on Thursday September 26. Doors open at 10pm, with entry priced from Dhs200, and ladies can enjoy complimentary beverages until 1am. He’ll also perform at Drai’s on Friday, where once again ladies can enjoy complimentary drinks all night. For guys, entry is priced at Dhs200 including two drinks, with tickets available via Virgin Megastore.

WHITE Dubai, Meydan, Dubai, 10pm to 4am, Thursday, September 26. Tel: (050) 443 0933. whitedubai.com  

Friday September 27

6. Run for your life (or someone else’s)

In support of World Heart Day, Aster Volunteers have partnered with Dubai Police to host the first ever ‘Be Young At Heart’ 10k marathon. It’s taking place at Zabeel Park Gate 3 from 7.30am to 10am on Friday morning and open to 800 members of the general public. 

Be Young at Heart, Zabeel Park Gate 3, Friday Sept 27, 7.30am to 10am. Register: astervolunteers.com/beyoungatheart.php

7. Dance all day for Hed Kandi’s 20th anniversary

On Friday September 27, Zero Gravity will host the Tropical Brunch Hedkandi Takeover, running from 1pm to 5pm, with unlimited drinks and an international buffet. As well as resident DJ’s on throughout the day, the Hedkandi Afterparty will see Hedkandi founder DJ Mark Doyle on the decks from 6pm, alongside DJ Russell Small, saxophonist Sarah Potts and vocals from Peyton, belting out smash hits like A Higher Place and Promised Land.

Zero Gravity, Dubai Marina, Dubai, Friday 27th Sep, Tropical Brunch, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs295 for ladies and Dhs345 for guys, after 5pm it’s free for ladies and Dhs100 for guys with 2 drinks. Tel: (04) 399 0009. 0-gravity.ae

8. See a play at Dubai Opera

Dubai audiences will get to enjoy their second dose of Shakespearean theatre at Dubai Opera, when Much Ado About Nothing is staged from September 25 to 28. Written around 1598, within a few years of As You Like It and Twelfth Night, Much Ado is considered to be one of William Shakespeare’s best comedic plays. Tickets are on sale now, starting from Dhs150.

Much Ado About Nothing, Dubai Opera, September 25 to 28, from Dhs150. dubaiopera.com

9. Party with Miss Tess for her birthday

Crazy Asian restaurant Miss Tess is turning two on Friday and to celebrate their doubling up on everything. So instead of a single drink, you’ll get a double and if you order six pieces of sushi, you’ll get 12 and so on. You can expect plenty of Miss Tess style entertainment too including ninja’s, Chinese dragons and more.

Miss Tess, Taj Hotel, Business Bay, Friday Sept 27, 6pm to 2am. Tel: (050) 498 8505. misstessdubai.com

10. See Akon perform live

D3 super club Base are set to welcome American singer and producer Akon this Friday with complimentary beverages for ladies until 1am. Releasing music since 2004, Akon has amassed a string of top ten hits including I Wanna Love You, Lonely, Don’t Matter and Sorry, Blame It On Me as a lead artist, as well as collaborating with stars including Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, Eminem and David Guetta.

BASE Dubai, Dubai Design District, 11pm to 4am, Friday September 27. Tel: (055) 313 4999. basedubai.com

Saturday September 28

11. Cook up a storm

Kids aged between three and nine are invited to get busy in the kitchen at Pots, Pans and Boards. Pizza workshops run every Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 6pm, teaching little ones the art of pizza making. Then it will be down to you to help make the pizzas disappear, along with a complimentary dessert before walking away with a special certificate.

Pots, Pans and Boards, The Beach, JBR, Fridays and Saturdays, 12pm to 6pm, Dhs60. Tel: (04) 456 1959. potspansandboards.ae

12. Head to a wine tasting dinner

The Tasting Class throws regular dinner parties where guests can learn all about their premium wine selection (as well as taste them). This Saturday, Kizmet is hosting a class with a series of wines from the USA. The sharing-style menu includes dishes such as prawn tacos, mushroom pizza and oxtail pasta, finished with tres leches and all paired with wine.

The Tasting Class, Kizmet, Dubai Opera, Saturday Sept 28, 8pm to 10.30pm, Dhs395. Tel: (050) 918 6761. thetastingclass.com

13. Check out a new bar

A.E.R Lounge and Bar (stands for An Experience to Remember), is opening this weekend and promises to be the next big thing in DIFC. Offering affordable luxury in the form of hand-crafted cocktails and artist creative shisha. On the menu guests can expect a series of signature dishes including gold sushi, sashimi salad, shredded wagyu kulcha, angus dim sum.

A.E.R, C Floor, Emirates Financial Tower, DIFC, daily 5pm to 3am from Friday Sept 27. Tel: (04) 526 0432. @aerdxb

14.Find your zen with a free yoga class

Fitness First at Bay Avenue is offering three different free outdoor fitness workshops at the Green Park area this weekend. Things kick off on Saturday September 28 with an Ashtanga Yoga session at 9am. The advanced yoga class is designed to increase flexibility, balance and strength through individual poses linked by flowing movements and synchronized breathing. Pre registration is required.

Fitness First, Vision Tower, Bay Avenue, Business Bay, 9am, Saturday September 28, free. Tel: (04) 232 8002.

15. Give in to your vice

Downtown VICE is the new evening brunch brought to you by STK Downtown. Every Saturday you’ll be able to enjoy a three-course dinner with unlimited drinks alongside a soundtrack that will have you finishing off the weekend in style. Tuck into dishes including STK’s signature fillet steak or hazelnut gnocchi, as well as Oreo trio cheesecake, chocolate marquis and doughnuts.

STK Downtown, Address Downtown, Downtown Dubai, Saturdays, 8pm to 11pm, Dhs299 soft, Dhs349 house, Dhs399 sparkling. Tel: (04) 425 3948. facebook.com/STKDubaiDowntown

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Images: Provided