Happy Friday Dubai… 

How are you spending your well-deserved weekend? We’ve handpicked a selection of the biggest and best happenings in Dubai (for those who aren’t F1’ing in the capital). This weekend’s lineup includes live concerts, unique desert pop-ups, indulgent pool days, and the world’s largest fun run taking over Sheikh Zayed Road. There’s something for everyone…

Here are the best things to do in Dubai this weekend:

Friday, November 18

Immerse yourself in the world of K-pop with this pop-up exhibition

 

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K-pop fans, a new Korean cultural exhibition is taking place at the art centre, Mall of the Emirates. Transporting you to the streets of Seoul, the event is packed with a mini BTS concert, Parasite, digital art installations such as a nine-metre-high waterfall, a shop selling merchandise, and more. Korea: Cubically Imagined is free for all to attend.

Art Centre, Mall of the Emirates. November 16 to November 30. Weekdays 2pm to 10pm. Weekends 10am to 10pm. Free entry.  artforall.ae

Enjoy an unforgettable sunset from 31 floors up

With panoramic views of Dubai Harbour, Palm Jumeirah, and Bluewater Island, this new rooftop bar immediately takes your breath away. Located on the 31st floor of the W Dubai Mina Seyahi, Attiko offers a high-end sunset spot for drinks, nibbles, endless entertainment, and cocktails.

W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina. Daily, from 5pm. Tel:(0)4 350 9983, Reservations@theattiko.com, w-dubai-mina-seyahi.com / @wdubaiminaseyahi ,@attikodubai / theattiko.com/Dubai

Check out Anantara The Palm’s new barbecue pop-up by famed chef

Everyone’s favourite Dubai season, barbecue season, is here and to celebrate Anantara The Palm are launching a smokin’ new pop-up restaurant from Friday November 18 to Sunday, November 20. Setting up around the pool lagoon, from 6pm onwards, the multi award-winning barbecue master chef, Jord Althuizen, will cook up a mouthwatering sharing platter including appetisers, mains, and desserts. For Dhs425 per person, guests will be presented with the centrepiece dishes from the smoker or grill along with sharing platters and unlimited house beverages.

Poolside, Anantara The Palm, East Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Friday, November 18 to Sunday, November 20. 6pm onwards. Dhs425 per person. anantara.com

Watch Tinie Tempah perform live

The Dubai Harbour pop-up club from Pure White Dubai will welcome a performance from the Pass Out hitmaker this Friday. The British rapper has been dropping hits since 2010, and when he lands in Dubai this weekend you can expect to hear some of his biggest anthems including Pass Out, Written In The Stars and Been The Man. 

Pure White, Dubai Harbour, 9pm to 4am on Nov 18. Free admission between 10pm and 12pm.  @purewhitedubai

Saturday, November 19

Spend a hole-some family day at the DP World Championships

This weekend, the world’s best 50 golfers will descend on Jumeirah Golf Estates for the season finale of the DP World Tour championships. Visitors will be able to see world champion Rory Mcllory and Ryan Fox go head-to-head in a bid to win the title. Besides golf celeb spotting, there’s plenty to do for the whole family including playing golf in the metaverse, a bouncy castle, live music, games such as the washing machine challenge, and a ladies best-dressed competition hosted by Suited and Booted.

Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai. November 17 to November 20. Free entry. europeantour.com

Transport to the Amalfi Coast with this elegant daycation

Saturdays were made for soaking up the sun. Head down to the glamorous Venus Beach Club at Caesars Palace for a day dining on Italian classics and diving into the crystal blue waters. From 2pm, a DJ will take to the decks spinning club classics from noon to night. Plus, from 4pm onwards there’s an aperitive offer to help you toast to the weekend in style.

Venus, Julius Tower, Caesars Palace, Bluewaters, Dubai. Fridays, 10am to 8pm. Dhs450 (50 per cent redeemable). Tel:(0)4 556 6466.

Experience a magical desert sunset at Sonara Camp

Sonara Camp Ras Al Khaimah

Sonara Camp is hosting a magical jazz night in the desert featuring international artists Accordi Disaccordi. Guests can swing to the sounds of jazz in the sunset from 4.30pm to 7pm, enjoy drinks and nibbles, a camel ride, sandboarding, and plenty more fun activities starting from Dhs510 per person and Dhs160 for children.

Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Saturday, November 19. 4.30pm to 7pm. Dhs510 per person. Tel:(0)4 223 8011. nara.ae

Witness the incredible sounds of Firdaus Orchestra

The unique all-women ensemble will perform live at the magical Al Wasl Plaza at Expo City on Saturday. Firdaus Orchestra’s mentor, the legendary A.R. Rahman, will join as a guest performer for a musical symphonic collaboration.

Expo City Dubai. Saturday, November 19. 6.30pm. Dhs105. dubai.platinumlist.net

Sunday, November 20

Check out Second Summer’s beach takeover at Koko Bay

Support small, female-owned business, Second Summer, at their new La Sol Shop pop-up at Koko Bay. Inspired by the free-spirit of Ibiza, you can shop their effortless linen pieces and sustainable capsule collections here until December 14. Dubai’s favourite sundowners spot also has a new Sunday brunch called Koko Loco. From 1pm to 5pm, invites guests to relax or dance the afternoon away with a live DJ, signature cocktails, and its flavourful menu.

Koko Bay, Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. Weekdays 12pm to 10pm, weekends 10am to 10pm. Tel: (0)4 5723444. @secondsummerlabel@kokobayuae 

Take part in the world’s largest fun run

Dubai run SZRD

Back for its fourth edition, Dubai Run 2022 is taking over Sheikh Zayed Road on Sunday, November 20, as part of Dubai Fitness Challenge. The free fun run will commence at the stunning Museum of the Future and you have a choice of a 5km or 10km distance. This fun run is perhaps one of the most iconic in the world, passing some of the most beloved landmarks the city is home to. You and your loved ones can jog passed the Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera, and Burj Khalifa, and if you’re a seasoned runner, you will zoom all the way to the gorgeous Dubai Canal.

Dubai Run, Sunday, November 20. dubairun.com/register

Hangout at this cool desert pop-up café

Not A Space returns to the Al Faya desert, inviting guests to enjoy drinks, snacks, live music and workshops, all in the breathtaking setting of the Sharjah desert. Perch up on a bean bag, recline on a deck chair or grab a bar stool and keep warm with a freshly brewed coffee or piping cup of hot chocolate. You can also shop some cool Not A Space merch, and snap selfies at the mirrored wall.

Not A Space, Al Faya, Sharjah, daily 4pm to 1am. @notaspace

Watch the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup game at this epic fan zone

Excitement and anticipation have officially started to kick in. As well as the official opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup, host country Qatar will play Equador at 8pm on Sunday. If you’re looking for somewhere to watch in style, McGettigan’s and DGT Events are taking over Media City Amphitheatre to bring fans an epic open-air fan zone and winter festival for the whole family. With the largest screen in the UAE, the fan zone promises much more than just football including an array of entertainment, food and drink, and the option to book picnic tables and VIP booths.

Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. Friday, November 21. Standard entry Dhs50 fully redeemable, cocktail table for four people Dhs800 fully redeemable, picnic table for six people Dhs1200 fully redeemable, VIP boxes 30 guests with four hours unlimited food and drink: Dhs10,000 house and Dhs15,000 premium. mcgettigans.com/fanzone @fanzonebymcgettigans@winterfestbymcgettigans

Images: Provided/Social