15 fun things to do in Dubai this weekend
Comic Con is on, and the Dubai Polo Gold Cup is coming to a close…
Another week in Dubai is almost done and dusted. We’re already looking forward to the weekend, and you should be too with everything that’s going on. We’ve managed to find 15 of the very best things to do in Dubai*, so you can have the best weekend ever.
Here’s 15 of the best things to do in Dubai this weekend.
Thursday March 5
1. Hang out with film super-fans
The Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) will take place from Thursday March 5 to Saturday March 7 and there’s a host of exciting celebrities on the way. Around the world, Comic Con is a great way for fans of the film industry to meet their favourite writers, director and actors and MEFCC is no different. This year Dubai residents will have the opportunity to meet Mena Massoud, star of the 2019 live-action adaptation of Disney’s Aladdin. The actor played the star role, in his quest to win the heart of Princess Jasmine. The Arabic-speaking actor was born in Egypt before setting his sights for Hollywood so should feel at home in the UAE.
Middle East Film & Comic Con, Dubai World Trade Centre, March 5 to 7, from Dhs115. mefcc.com
2. Dine with your dog
Bounty Beets is the ever-popular health cafe, favoured by Dubai’s health-conscious crowd (and bloggers in search of Dubai’s most Insta-worthy spots) and now, they welcome dogs. Sit out in the lush green garden, with your four-legged, faithful friend by your feet as you tuck into plant-powered dishes, healthy smoothies and, of course, silky-smooth coffees.
Bounty Beets, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai, daily 8am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 511 7373. bountybeets.com
3. Catch a film in the desert
View this post on Instagram
Fancy going for a film with nothing but the Dubai sand dunes and starry sky to keep you company? Well, you can at the inaugural Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert. Thanks to Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), this festival allows moviegoers to experience films in a whole new light – in the heart of the Al Marmoom desert. On Thursday March 5, you can see Emirati Shorts Selection II at 7pm or Lion of the Desert at 8.05pm.
Al Marmoom: Film in the Desert, close to Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai, Wed March 4 to Sat March 7, timings vary. Tel: (04) 515 5000. dubaiculture.gov.ae
4. See Mousse T spin the decks
German DJ Mousse T will be at Buddha-Bar this Thursday as part of its World Music Sessions series. The Is It Cos I’m Cool artist will be playing all of his best hits as well as plenty of other electronic tunes throughout the night. Booking is advised.
Buddha-Bar, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, Thursday March 5, 7pm to 2am. Tel: (04) 317 6000. buddhabar-dubai.com
5. Party with an Elrow DJ
If you’re in the mood for a big party this weekend, check out Skyline Thursdays at The Penthouse. This week it’s the turn of Elrow DJ Tini Gessler to deliver a huge tech-house set, but not before a special warm-up by Tomorrowland DJ B-Jones. Get the fun started early, as between 8pm and 11pm you can enjoy unlimited beverages and a set menu every Thursday. The pre-party is priced at Dhs150 for ladies and Dhs250 for guys.
The Penthouse, FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Thursdays, 8pm to 3am. Tel: (052) 900 4868. palmjumeirah.fivehotelsandresorts.com
Friday March 6
6. Enjoy Motiongate for less
UAE residents can redeem tickets to Dubai Parks and Resorts for only Dhs29 per person on March 5, 6, 7. Access to the theme park’s selection of exhilarating rides would normally cost visitors Dhs275, which is a saving of 89 per cent. The ticket includes access to the selection of rides on offer at Motiongate, Legoland or Bollywood Park, however can only be used for one entry on one day. If you want to purchase tickets to all three of the fun theme parks, each one will cost you Dhs29, to be used on either Thursday March 5, Friday March 6 or Saturday March 7.
Motiongate, Legoland and Bollywood Park, Dubai Parks and Resorts, March 5, 6 and 7, Dhs29. Book your tickets here.
7. Attend a fitness festival
Les Mills Middle East Tribe Fest is back this Friday at Alserkal Avenue. The one-day only fitness event will be the most interactive instructor event to date, with 17 classes taking place, each covering the newest releases via large scale workouts. Tickets are available here for Dhs199 which will give you the chance to partake in six workouts.
Tribe Fest, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, Fri Mar 6, 1pm to 10pm (doors open at 11am), Dhs199. tickets.virginmegastore.me
8. Check out the Dubai Polo Gold Cup
This weekend will be the final of the Standard Chartered Gold Cup at Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club. Habtoor Polo will take on Abu Dhabi Polo in the Bentley Cup at 1.30pm, while AM/UAE Polo will play UAE Polo at 4pm. There’s plenty of fun to be has throughout the day, and the vibe gets lively once the sun goes down so bring your dancing shoes. Tickets start from Dhs180 available from Platinumlist.
Standard Chartered Gold Cup, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, Dubailand, Friday March 6, 12pm til late, from Dhs180. Tel: (056) 373 2999. dubaipologoldcup.com.
9. Enjoy a halftime themed brunch
Pop-royalty Shakira and J-Lo recently smashed the Superbowl Halftime Show and Gaucho are keen to celebrate the girl power. The halftime brunch will run from 12pm to 3.30pm on Friday March 6 with unlimited booze, a set menu of signature dishes and non-stop music from the 90’s to 00’s by the soulful songstresses.
Gaucho Dubai, Gate Village 05, DIFC, Friday March 6, 12pm to 3.30pm, Dhs390 soft drinks, Dhs480 house drinks, Dhs630 sparkling wine. Tel: (04) 422 7898. gauchodubai.com
10. See Tyga live at Drai’s
American rap superstar Tyga will take the stage at Drai’s DXB on Friday March 6. The Taste hitmaker is returning to the capital ready to perform more of his chart-topping tunes, having collaborated with artists such as Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown and Lil Wayne. Entrance for ladies is free until 1am while for guys it’s Dhs200 with one drink until 1am.
Drai’s, Meydan Race Course Grandstand, Nad Al Sheba, Friday March 6, ladies free, guys Dhs200. Tel: (052) 388 8857. draisdxb.com
Saturday March 7
11. Enjoy a picnic outdoors
The Westin Mina Seyahi has a cute picnic brunch every Saturday from 12pm to 4pm. Dhs250 will get you access for two adults and two children including a delicious spread of picnic eats including cheeses, cold cuts, salads, dips and dressings. There’s also plenty of barbecued bites to share as well. For Dhs525 you can get pool and beach access included. The family-friendly afternoon will have entertainment including live music and a bouncy castle.
Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina, Saturdays, 12pm to 4pm, from Dhs250. Tel: (04) 399 4141. marriott.com
12. Learn to cook Vietnamese cuisine
Every Saturday during Dubai Food Festival, LAO is hosting cooking classes to help you learn how to create their signature dishes at home. All meals will be vegan or vegetarian dishes, including summer vegetable rolls, vegetable pho, stir fried noodles, Saigon Crepes and more. The classes cost Dhs299 per person inclusive of three courses, soft beverage and tea or coffee.
LAO, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Saturday March 17 and 14, 11.30am to 2.30pm, Dhs299. Tel: (04) 818 2222. waldorfastoria.com
13. Go for a surf
Surfing may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Dubai, but when the swell’s up, those in the know make a beeline for Sunset Beach. Rent a surf board or standup paddle board from the Surf House (from Dhs80 an hour) for a paddle in the shadow of Burj Al Arab.
Surf House Dubai, Villa 110, Al Soon St, Umm Suqeim 2, daily 7am to 7pm. Tel: (050) 504 3020. surfingdubai.com
14. Take on a triple-decker pizza challenge
Popular pizza brand Debonairs recently opened their fourth restaurant in Dubai’s Motor City. To celebrate, they’re challenging guests to take part in their Triple Decker Pizza Challenge on Saturday, March 7. Contestants will have to eat as many slices of the chain’s famous triple decker pizza as they can in 20 minutes. The top prize is a Dubai Autodrome Formula 1 experience, valued at over Dhs900. Plus there’ll be prizes for second and third place. What are you waiting for?
Debonairs, Dubai Autodrome Grandstand Al Hebiah First, Dubai Motor City, Dubai, 1pm, Saturday, March 7. Tel: (600) 500107. debonairspizza.ae
15. Watch incredible Russian ballet dancers
Celebrate Russian culture, heritage, arts, fashion, cuisine, and entertainment at the fourth edition of the Matryoshka Festival taking place at the Armani Hotel Dubai. Victoria Lopyreva, the first female ambassador for FIFA World Cup, Former Miss Russia, and official patron of the Matreshka Festival, hosts the red carpet event at the exclusive Armani Pavilion, while famous Russian singers Alexy Chumakov, Nuysha and the stars of the Russian Ballet perform.
Matryoshka Festival, Armani Hotel Dubai, Sat March 7, Dhs300, from 7.20pm. matryoshkafestival.com
* In light of the recent event cancellations across the UAE, we recommend you check with the venues for the most up-to-date information.
Images: Provided
