20 super fun things to add to your summer wishlist in the UAE

BCH:CLB, W Dubai – Palm Jumeirah, West Crescent, 11am to 7pm Sun to Weds, 11am to 12am Thurs to Sat. Tel: (0)58 575 0805. @bchclbdxb

Ladies night with more than just drinks

Sometimes, one craves something different, something unique. For those moments, head over to Lucky Voice, where you can crack on some amazing indoor fun. Who doesn’t love a bit of karaoke? Moving the stage from your shower to Lucky Voice, this ladies’ night at the fan favourite karaoke spot is offering free drinks to the girls from 8pm to midnight, 25 per cent off the food menu and of course, the opportunity to live out your concert dreams. On Wednesdays.

Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights, Dubai, Wed,  8pm to 12am, Tel: (800) 58259,  @luckyvoicedubai

Take over an adult playground

This entertainment bar is more than just an arcade – some intense sports such as axe throwing, darts, beer pong – the works. Boom Battle Bar is for all those fun-lovers who want to do something a little different from the usual arcade games. This is the first international outpost of the much-loved entertainment bar. All this fun with delicious cocktails at hand and you can challenge your mates for a test of the friendship. This is a big kid’s dream.

Boom Battle Bar Dubai, DoubleTree by Hilton JBR, The Walk, open Sun to Thu 4pm to 1am and Fri and Sat 4pm to 2am. @boom.dxb

Read a book

The eye-catching Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is the biggest library in the Arab world and summer is the perfect time to explore it, because you’re looking for things to do in indoors. Spanning seven floors, you will find a general library space, a young adults library, a colourful children’s library, a library dedicated to maps and atlases, a media and art library, a business library, an Emirates library, a periodicals library, and the ‘Treasure of the Library’ which features rare items and special collections.  Entry to the library is free but you must book a time slot in advance: tiqets.com

Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Al Jaddaf, Dubai. Monday to Saturday 9am to 9pm. Friday 2pm to 9pm. Sundays closed. 5 years and above. Tel: (0)4 222 2025. @mbrlae

Go on holiday

We mean, this is sort of a given. Summer is the season of holidays, and there’s some pretty great deals that you can bag now to fly with a bang for your buck. If you’re looking to grab a flight and jet away to picturesque locations very soon, this guide to some of the cheapest flights you can book this season may be helpful. Some of the destinations on the list include Bishkek, Ankara, Baku and Sohag, so there’s something for everyone.

@wizzair

Brunch in the twilight hours

This indoor evening brunch is a party and half, with great food, drinks and loads of entertainment to keep you, well, entertained. Northern Chinese haunt Hutong is doing a Dark Brunch to impress every Thursday, and it’s a party and a half. Starting 9pm, indulge in a set menu of starters, dim sum, mains, drinks and a massive dessert platter to share. A resident DJ, performers and drummers, fire-bending stunts and cocktails galore, all starting at Dhs288.

Hutong, DIFC, Dubai, Thursdays, from 9.30pm, Tel: (0) 4 220 0868, @hutongdubai

Race it out with some indoor go-karting

Chaos Karts, now open in an old warehouse opposite Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz, is an on-track racing concept that looks and feels very much like Mario Kart IRL. It features industry-leading projection technology to fuse the worlds of go-karting and augmented reality to create a real-life video game that goes beyond 4D and 4K. Go-karting is all the rage, but when the sun is raging down, doing it outdoors might be  bit tough. Enter: this indoor track where you can have double the fun.

Al Quoz, next to Al Serkal Avenue, Mon to Wed and Sun 10 am to 10 pm, Fri to Sat 10am to midnight, from Dhs179. chaoskarts.ae

Enjoy the sands and the sea

The first thing everyone thinks of when one says the word ‘summer’ is the beach. Without a doubt, the popularity of beaches increases exponentially during the warmer months, with everyone flocking to the sands to relax, kick back and take a refreshing dip. There are plenty of free beaches in Dubai where you can spend the day chillin’ out, maxin’, relaxin’ all cool and take full advantage of the beach season. Find our full guide to the best free beaches in Dubai here.

Go wakeboarding

Early risers can take full advantage of the glassy waters by Dubai Marina and get a lesson in wakeboarding from the team at Sea Riders. They’ll take you out by The Palm and crank up the Bob Marley tunes while you take it in turns to cross the wake behind a Master Craft wakeboard boat. This is the perfect by-the-sea on-the-water activity for you and your group, and it’ll be perfect to make use of those early hours when the temperatures are more merciful. Book here.

Marina Mall, Dubai Marina, Dubai, daily 6am to 6pm, starts at Dhs600 per hour. Tel: (0) 52 840 3587, searidersuae.com

Cool off with an ice plunge

Spots like Contrast Wellness are offering this alternative therapy. The newly opened Contrast, for the very first time, is offering the ice plunge experience, accompanied by a number of other alternative therapies for overall wellness. A first-of-its-kind sauna and ice studio, this is the brainchild of Layla Kardan and Hamdan Al Khafaji, the creative husband-and-wife duo is set to impress us once again, this time with the second stunning wellness concept, from the Palm to City Walk and beyond.

Contrast, C2,City Walk, open 7am to 10pm daily. @contrastwellness

Take up an indoor sport

Rock Republic Dubai is the biggest bouldering only gym in the UAE and is a great date idea if you and your gang are into fitness and fun combined. Summer is the time to take up a fun indoor activity that you can build into a skill. It’s indoors, so no one will suffer, and it’s a great way to learn a skill, try something new, push some boundaries. You can help each other out if you’re struggling and it’s a true bonding experience.

Rock Republic Dubai, DIP, Dubai, Mon to Fri, 3.30pm to 10pm, Sat and Sun, 9am to 6.30pm, Tel: ( 0) 4 546 2978, @rockrepublicdubai 

Take a cooking class

Mamalu kitchen offers a wide range of classes for all ages and skill levels. This month’s classes include a mini chef ‘soul food Friday’ Texas honey glazed bread rolls with southern pulled chicken sliders with creamy garlic and parmesan mac and cheese. There is also a class for adults called ‘summer daze’ which has a menu of rosemary and lemon spatchcock baby chicken with a lemon and zucchini orzo with homemade dried cherry tomatoes.

Mamalu Kitchen, Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah, times vary based on classes, Tel (0)52 747 9512, mamalukitchen.com, @mamalukitchen

Sip and shop at So Much Trouble

Sip sip as you swipe swipe. An exclusive space of some of the world’s coolest designers and luxury vintage pieces, So Much Trouble is more than just a retail concept. This is the ultimate hidden bar. Here you will find a very exclusive, very high-end, specially curated collection of designer and vintage pieces. They will come from the sanctums of fashion and luxury – the hidden streets of Paris and Rome – with brands like Romani, Oceanus,  Lama Jouni and Ibiza-born Isabel Moore, and archived luxuries and wardrobe staples from times gone by. Pre-loved, timeless, seasonal – all that.

So Much Trouble, Papas, InterContinental Dubai Marina, Wed to Sat, 2pm to 10pm, @somuchtroubledubai

Try an exclusive summer menu at Alizée

This French Riviera-inspired Alizée is bringing a slice of French summer to Dubai with their new, exclusive summer set menu, starting June 3. This beachside dining destination will transport you straight to the South of France. The carefully curated three-course set menu is priced at Dhs299 per person, paired with a selected house beverage. Indulge in the light and fresh dishes such as the niçoise salad, the angus beef with black truffle dressing the lamb chops, the rigatoni pasta with parmesan and basil pesto, the brioche tropézienne and more. Find more summer menus here.

Alizée, Banyan Tree Dubai, Bluewaters Island, from Jun 3, 7am to 11am, 12pm to 11pm, Dhs299 per head, Tel: (0) 4 556 6466, @alizeedubai

Stay and play at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

This exciting summertime staycation package offers families a chance to make the most of their time together. Hotel guests can take full advantage of the luxury and the impeccable service of the property, with a stay for a group of up to four people in a connecting room or suite, daily breakfast at Vendôme, and complimentary access to the Kids Club. But that’s not all. Daily complimentary limousine transfers will be provided between the resort and the very best of the Yas Theme Parks – with Warner Bros. World™️, Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World and SeaWorld®️ tickets to choose from.

Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, @mo_emiratespalace

Take part in the biggest water fight of the year

The WATERBOMB Festival is one of Korea’s biggest coming together of the two genres and a lot of water, and will be landing in Dubai to serve us some of that K-Town magic on June 7 and 8. The first wave of artists was announced including K-Rap superstars CL, Big Naughty and PH-1. We also know Jessi, Simon Dominic, Liu, Sorn, 82MAJOR and tripleS joined the lineup. The headliners have been announced as international superstars DJ Snake, Nicky Romero and Benny Benassi, along with UAE-based DJ Dany Neville.

WATERBOMB Festival, Dubai Festival City, Dubai, Jun 7 and 8, tickets start at Dhs150, waterbombdubai.com @waterbomb_dubai_official 

Catch a summertime concert at EarthSoul Festival

Catch Jason Derulo and French Montana at the EarthSoul Festival, Dubai’s first eco-conscious music festival. Derulo will be taking the stage on June 15, while French Montana will perform on June 22, both at the Coca-Cola Arena stage, among other artists. Derulo has been blowing up the charts since 2009, with the release of his single Whatcha Say, which became the most widely played radio single of all time and earned triple-platinum status after its release that year. Montana is the man behind the 2017 summer anthem Unforgettable and featured on the Deadpool track, Welcome To The Party. He’s performed in the UAE on several occasions before, including at Sky2.0 in November 2022, Drai’s in 2019 and at the 1OAK pop-up at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November 2017.

EarthSoul presents French Montana, Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, 8pm, Saturday June 22, from Dhs199. coca-cola-arena.com

Watch Abu Dhabi’s first ever UFC Fight Night

Abu Dhabi’s first-ever UFC Fight Night will be the 18th UFC event to take place in the UAE capital, and we know it is confirmed for August 3 at the Etihad Arena. On the back of a highly-exciting UFC 294 bout that had fans on their feet back in October, we’re ready to witness more iconic moments, grapples and takedowns in the octagon this summer. More details on the way, so stay tuned to whatson.ae

UFC Fight Night, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, August 3. visitabudhabi.ae

Witness some classic theatre

Missed Matilda the Musical when it graced the stage in Dubai in 2023? Well, you’re in luck because the award-winning musical is returning to the UAE, this time to Abu Dhabi in the summer of 2024. The musical is inspired by the beloved book Matilda, written by world-famous British author, Roald Dahl. The story follows a little girl called Matilda who is anything but ordinary. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, she dares to take a stand and change her destiny.

Matilda The Musical, Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, June 20 to 23, from Dhs150. etihadarena.ae

Do a fun workshop at The Guild

The Guild will be hosting a series of super cool, super fun food-and-beverage-centric workshops, where you can learn to shuck the finest oysters from around the world and their flavour profile, deep dive into the world of caviar led by French brand Kaviari Paris, and even indulge in a chocolate tasting. There is also a workshop on Martinis, spirits, wines, and cocktails, as well as classes on the art of coffee and caffeine. ‘Tis the summer of learning.

The Guild, ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC, daily, 8am to 1am, Tel: (0) 4 321 9142, @theguilddubai

Images: Supplied/Unsplash