A world record break attempt, free kids’ workshops and a celebrity chef is in town…

Can you hear that sound? It’s the weekend calling. It’s time to start planning how you’ll be keeping yourself busy all weekend and we’ve handpicked all the best things just for you. How about Oktoberfest? Or why not go to a comedy show? Or you can even get involved in a huge Dubai Fitness Challenge event.

Here’s 15 awesome things to do this weekend.

Thursday October 24

1. Enjoy Oktoberfest M’City 2019

Oktoberfest isn’t over yet. Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City is kicking of its Bavarian celebrations in style with amazing offers including a daily happy hour and a Tuesday ladies’ night at their custom-built Oktoberfest tent. Access to the tent is free where you’ll be able to see the band play every day until Saturday November 9. There’s even a brunch on Fridays, featuring unlimited bratwurst, baked pretzels and beer for Dhs429.

Oktoberfest M’City, Grand Plaza Movenpick, Media City, daily until Nov 9, 5pm to 2am, free entry. Tel: (054) 793 1426. @gpmovenpick

2. Get down to GamesCon

GamesCon Middle East is launching in Abu Dhabi this weekend, with plenty of activities and events to get involved with. Visitors will be able to meet their favourite gaming stars, including Ceb, the Steel Series champion and Arab’s Got Talent finalist, Ammar Freez. Expect cosplay, live tournaments, VR and more. Tickets are priced at Dhs115.50 for the day or Dhs315 for the full weekend.

GamesCon Middle East, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Thurs Oct 24 to Sat Oct 26, from Dhs115.50. me-gamescon.com   

3. Enjoy a French feast

Alp’fest at Hilton Dubai Jumeirah JBR will host a seven-course gala dinner at BiCE Ristorante with chef Franck Miglierini this Thursday. Guests can expect traditional French dishes with a fine-dining flair, as well as spectacular wine pairings and cheese board. The meal is priced at Dhs550 per person for seven courses or Dhs760 with the wine pairing. 

BiCE, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, JBR, Thursday October 24, 8pm onwards, from Dhs550. Tel: (04) 318 2319. hilton.com/dubai

4. Party with Noctuary

The tenth edition of Noctuary’s intimate dance hall events will take place this Thursday, October 24 on level five of JW Marriott Marquis. Headlining the night will be Roche Madame and Noctuary’s own Daylomar. Entrance is Dhs100 (cash only).

Noctuary, Level 5, JW Marriott Marquis, Thursday Oct 24, 10pm to 3am, Dhs100. facebook.com/events

Friday October 25

5. Mull round an alfresco market

The Ripe Market is set to head back outside from Friday, October 25 and will run every Friday from 9am to 7pm and every Saturday from 1pm to 8pm, inside the Dubai Police Academy off Umm Sequim Street. The Ripe Market comes alive with an array of stalls offering market goers everything from organic fruit and vegetables and freshly baked breads, to stalls that are bursting with colourful clothes, cute beach cover ups, eclectic handmade jewellery, hand-painted artworks, crafts and more.

The Ripe Market, Dubai Police Academy Park, Umm Suqeim Street, Dubai, Fridays 9am to 7pm and Saturdays 1pm to 8pm. Tel: (04) 315 7000. ripeme.com

6. Check out a new brunch

Trader Vic’s Madinat has been a staple part of Dubai residents’ lives for some time now, but the time has come to launch its first ever brunch. The Luau Brunch will run every Friday from 12.30pm to 4pm, offering some of Trader Vic’s most loved dishes and beverages (including Tiki Puka Pukas). The menu will include crispy tidbits, beef cho cho and roast of the day, best enjoyed on the stunning outdoor terrace. There will of course be performances from the signature Cuban band, as well as hula dancers. 

Trader Vic’s, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Fridays, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dhs225 soft, Dhs375 house, Dhs425 sparkling. Tel: (04) 368 6559. tradervicsmadinat.com

7. Witness super-human strength

The World’s Ultimate Strongman is set to return to Dubai later this weekend with a bigger, better festival than ever before. Taking place on Friday October 25 at the Meydan Grandstand, the one-day event promises plenty of activities for both spectating and participating in. The World’s Ultimate Strongman sees athletes take on feats that require superhuman strength in a battle to be named champion. Last year’s winner, Games of Thrones star, The Mountain aka Thor Bjornssson, will return to Dubai to defend his title.

The World’s Ultimate Strongman, Meydan Grandstand, Meydan, Dubai, 3pm onwards, Friday October 25, from Dhs145. Tickets from platinumlist.net

8. Dine at the hands of Yannick Alleno

One&Only The Palm is hosting a one-off dining experience this weekend with celebrity chef Yannick Alleno. The ‘Legendary Dinner’ will offer two four-course and one six-course menus designed by the culinary maestro. The four-course menu is priced at Dhs680 or Dhs1180 with wine pairing. The six-course menu will be Dhs880 or Dhs1580 per person including the sommelier’s selection.

One&Only The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Thur Oct 24 to Fri Oct 25, from Dhs680. Tel: (04) 440 1030. oneandonlythepalm.com

9. Party in style

Noir’s monthly party, La Noche Nera, is back this weekend and promises to deliver a night of elegance for Dubai’s party crowd. Expect live beats and stellar tunes from the resident DJ, as you dance the night away in Kempinski Mall of Emirates’ chicest bar.

Noir, Kempinski Mall of Emirates, Al Barsha, Friday October 25, 9pm onwards, free. Tel: (04) 409 5999. kempinski.com

10. Get a dose of the best medicine

The Big Fish Entertainment Company presents its stand up comedy tour in Dubai. Featuring Irish stand out comedian Colin Chadwick, Australian-born and now London-based, Bec Hill and Andre Vincent, known on the circuit as the comedians comedian. Tickets for the show cost Dhs150, available from PlatinumList.net.

Big Fish Entertainment, Jumeirah Golf Estates at 6.45pm or Emirates Golf Club at 9pm, Friday October 25, Dhs150. bigfishentertainments.me.

Saturday October 26

5. Break a world record with Joe Wicks

Joe Wicks aka The Body Coach is the creator of the smash hit fitness phenomenon ‘Lean in 15’ and will be in Dubai on Saturday October 26 where he will be attempting to gain a Guinness World Record for the biggest HIIT workout ever. In order to get the title, participants will have to do a full 30 minute hit workout without stopping. HIIT 30X30 will be held at Skydive Dubai and will be free to attend. Joe Wicks holds the current record title, winning it with 3,804 HIIT participants back in 2017 in London. If you want to get involved, sign yourself up at Platinumlist.net.

HIIT 30X30 Skydive Dubai, next to Zero Gravity, Dubai Marina, 7am, Saturday October 26, free, 18+. dubai.platinumlist.net

12. Breakfast on a beautiful terrace

District is the recently opened bar, lounge and bistro in the Rixos Premium, JBR and now on Fridays and Saturdays, guests can enjoy The Breakfast Club from 10am to 1pm. A club you’ll definitely want to be a part of, tuck into a breakfast dish, hot drink and three mimosas for a wallet-friendly Dhs149. Pick from an extensive breakfast selection that includes a hearty full English, fluffy buttermilk pancakes or Insta-worthy eggs Benedict, and wash it down with a choice of tea or coffee and three mimosas.

District, Rixos Premium Hotel, JBR, Dubai Marina, Fridays and Saturdays, 10am to 1pm, Dhs149. Tel: (04) 394 1832. districtdxb.com

13. Take the kids to a fashion workshop

City Walk Dubai is offering a weekend full of fun, free workshops perfect for the little ones. From 4pm to 10pm, fashion workshops will be held in front of Godiva daily until Saturday October 26. Activities include T-shirts customisation, fashion-themed arts and crafts and clothes design. There’s also an outdoor fragrance fair and roaming entertainment.

City Walk, Downtown Dubai, daily until Saturday Oct 26, 4pm to 10pm. citywalk.ae

14. Enjoy a night of live music

Talented singer Layla Kardan will be at Bagatelle performing a unique mix of pop, jazz, Middle Eastern, R&B rhythms and melodies. Bagatelle’s weekly Unplugged event runs on Saturdays from 8pm till late in the evening. The upscale restaurant is known for its lively events, so expect to be up on your feet dancing by the end of the night.

Bagatelle, Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre Area, Saturday October 26, 8pm onwards. Tel: (04) 354 5035. bagatelledubai.com

15. Check out a new sundowner spot

If you love nothing more than seeing the sun set behind Dubai’s iconic skyline, we’ve found the perfect new sundowner spot. The Courtyard at Dubai Creek Harbour has views from across the city and between 5pm and 7pm, you’ll be able to enjoy free-flowing drinks, accompanied by tasty bites for Dhs200.

The Courtyard, Vida Creek Harbour, Dubai Creek, daily, 5pm to 7pm, Dhs200. Tel: (04) 423 8888. vidahotels.com

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