A new evening brunch, a secret party in the capital and Michael McIntyre is in town…

This weekend is so huge, it was almost impossible to choose only 15 highlights. Check out a Caribbean beach festival, a performance by Solomun or why not cheer on your favourite Fighting Fit boxers? Whatever you do, we hope you have a great one.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend. 

Thursday April 25

1. Laugh until your face hurts

Famous funnyman Michael McIntyre is back in town! McIntyre first rose to fame as a TV panel show star on Mock The Week, before going on to get his own show on the BBC, and has since become one of the world’s most successful stand-up comedians. The popular British funnyman was last in Dubai in 2015, when he brought his ‘Happy & Glorious’ tour to the region. This time around, the two shows are part of Michael’s Big World Tour, which will also see the popular comedian perform across Europe, USA, Africa, Australia & New Zealand.

DXB Laughs presents Michael McIntyre, Thursday April 25 and Friday April 26. dxblaughs.ae

2. Check out an immersive theatre before it ends

‘7’ is the immersive dramatic dinner which will both surprise and entertain you throughout the evening. This theatrical experience give a new meaning to the idea of ‘dinner and a show’. Indulge in a set menu of multiple courses along with creative cocktails and selection of other drinks. Based around the seven forbidden values, the performance is a powerful portrayal which will keep you guessing. You can also book a drinks only package for Dhs300. Booking required.

7, Skorpeus, Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 8pm to 11pm, every Thursday and Friday until Ramadan, Dhs300 house drinks only, Dhs350 soft with dinner, Dhs495 house with dinner. Tel: (052) 715 6278. @skorpeusdxb

3. Sneak into a college house party

Dany Neville and friends are throwing a college-style house party at La Carnita and its secret bar, Cartel, on Thursday night. The party starts at 9pm with DJ Sony and Travis getting you in the weekend spirit from the get-go. Make sure you get yourself on the Cartel guest list so you don’t miss the epic hip hop and urban tunes mixed by Dany Neville and Starting from Scratch from midnight.

La Carnita and Cartel, Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Marina, 9pm to 3am, Thursday April 25, free entry. Tel: (04) 425 4030. lacarnita.com

4. Party to some old school tunes

Garage legends DJ Luck and MC Neat will be taking the stage at The Hideout this Thursday. Famed for their hit tunes ‘With a Little Bit of Luck’ and ‘Masterblaster 2000’, the British duo will be heading to Dubai to put on a no-doubt unforgettable show for all garage fans.

The Hideout, Marina Byblos Hotel, Dubai Marina, 8pm to 3am, Thursday April 25, free entry. Tel: (058) 534 6000. thehideoutdubai.com

5. Try a new evening brunch

Fans of pan-Asian cuisine will love the new brunch at Matagi in Emerald Palace Kempinski. Matagi Mantra offers two or three hours of sharing-style dishes alongside signature cocktails. The four-course menu includes sashimi and maki, foie gras wagyu gyoza, Phoenix wagyu ribeye and yakitori followed by mikan cheesecake and coconut mousse with mango sorbet. Make sure to get a table near the kitchen for the ultimate show from the Matagi masters.

Matagi Mantra, Matagi, Emerald Palace Kempinski, Palm Jumeirah, 9pm to midnight, Thursdays, Dhs299 for two hours, Dhs399 for three hours. Tel: (04) 248 8850. matagidxb.com

Friday April 26

6. Road trip to a Secret Party

Secret Island Party, taking place on the incredible Nurai Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi is taking place on Friday April 26, with packages priced from Dhs1000. The party will run from midday until 4pm, and all packages include speed boat transfers to and from the island, cocktail reception, a four hour brunch package and pool and beach access at the stunning Zaya Nurai Island resort. It’s washed down with free flowing drinks, live entertainment and DJs playing from noon until after the sun goes down.

Secret Island Party, Zaya Nurai Island, Nurai Island, Abu Dhabi, Friday April 26, packages from Dhs1000. secret-parties.com

7. Celebrate Feria de Abril

Casa de Tapas is throwing a Feria de Abril celebration that promises to be a Spanish fiesta from start to finish. Starting from 12.30pm, the brunch will run for three and a half hours, offering unlimited sangria, paella and churros, as well as a host of other traditional dishes. Expect live music, flamenco dancers and plenty of party vibes, before carrying on the festivities at Cielo Sky Lounge until midnight.

Casa de Tapas, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, 12.30pm to 4pm, Friday April 26, Dhs249 soft, Dhs299 house, Dhs349 sparkling. Tel: (04) 416 1800. casadetapas.ae

8. Cheer on your favourite Fighting Fit team

Since February, Fighting Fit Dubai has been transforming the lives of Dubai residents, by teaching them how to box. The show will now culminate in a heroic Fight Night showdown on Friday April 26 – and everyone’s invited. Taking place on the epic open air terrace of Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens, a full line-up of boxing fights featuring the Fighting Fit Dubai Blue Team vs Red Team, will decide who be crowned champions in the live grand finale to Dubai’s own reality show. What’s On Head of Content Laura Coughlin is gearing up for her final fight in the blue team – good luck Laura!

Zabeel House by Jumeirah The Greens, Friday April 26, from 6pm, Dhs250. Tel: (04) 4573212. espn.com/fightingfitdubai and dubai.platinumlist.net

9. Attend a classical concert

Multi award-winning tenor Andrea Bocelli is set to return to Abu Dhabi for a one-night only performance on Friday April 26. The world famous classical artist will take to the stage at Yas Island’s du Arena, with tickets priced from Dhs395 for regular tickets, up to Dhs1,295 for VVIP. 60-year old Bocelli will perform an array of his best-loved hits, as well as some new material when he returns to the capital.

Andrea Bocelli, du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 7.30pm, Friday April 26, from Dhs395. ticketmaster.ae

10. See Solomun spin the decks

Award-winning DJ Solomun will be back at Soho Beach this weekend to put on another epic show for his Dubai fans. No stranger to the emirate, the Croatian DJ has previously performed at Gotha and Eden Beach Club, as well as headlining Soho Beach’s party in December last year. The final wave of tickets are on sale via Platinum List from Dhs200 for ladies and Dhs300 for gents.

Soho Beach, Meydan, Dubai, 9pm to 3am, Friday April 26, Dhs200 for ladies, Dhs300 for guys. Tel: (052) 433 3375. solomun.ae

Saturday April 27

11. Get a FREE breakfast and coffee

To celebrate the launch of their latest branch in JLT, Common Grounds are giving away complimentary coffee and breakfast on April 26 and 27. From 9am to noon, head to the new cafe in Almas Tower to get your hands on their tasty freebies.

Common Grounds, Almas Tower, JLT, 9am to noon, Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27, free. Tel: (056) 5118733. commongroundsdubai.com

12. Enjoy a new oceanic brunch

Pierchic, the iconic luxury French restaurant on the sea, has launched a new Saturday brunch – Ocean Vibe. Expect starters of mussels marinara, fish tartare platter, cured beef cold cuts, local artisan burrata and sautéed baby squid Provençale. While the live band injects a bit of French party atmosphere, tuck into Dutch Dover sole meuniere, local tiger prawns, Galician octopus, U.S. rib eye steak and grilled vegetables washed down with premium and organic wines, sparkling and beer.

Pierchic, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat, Jumeirah, 12pm to 4pm, Saturdays, Dhs375 food only, Dhs575 with drinks. Tel: (800) 666 353. pierchic.com

13. Check out a Caribbean beach festival

Urban Beach CariDubai is hosting a one-day beach festival at Dukes The Palm with performances from over 25 DJs and five live musical artists. Expect music from soca, reggae, dancehall, and afrobeat DJs, as well activities including volleyball, body art, dancers and henna artists.

CariDubai, Dukes The Palm, Dubai, noon to 8pm, Saturday April 27, Dhs125. Tel: (054) 4567874. facebook.com/events

14. See a beautiful play at Dubai Opera 

Another stunning show has been added to the Dubai Opera line-up as the venue is set to welcome Sleeping Beauty this weekend. Performed by the The National Ballet of Ukraine, there will be two matinee and two evening performances over April 26 and April 27. For those that aren’t familiar with the iconic story, the narrative follows Princess Aurora, who falls into a deep, enchanted sleep after she pricks her finger on a spindle. Cursed by the wicked fairy, only the kiss from a Prince can wake her.

Sleeping Beauty, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, April 26 and 27 2019, from Dhs250. Tel: (04) 440 8888. dubaiopera.com

15. Take part in a free fitness concert

Club Vista Mare will host two complimentary workouts – the first is a HIIT training session conducted by BARE instructors. The following is a yoga class accompanied by live hand-pan performer, Anas Alhalabi. Core Beats will start from 5pm and run until 7pm, giving the option of the Fitness Beats class first or the Yoga Beats class at 6pm.

Core Beats, Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, 5pm to 7pm, Saturday April 27, free. facebook.com/events

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Images: Supplied/Facebook